Telesa - The Covenant Keeper

by Lani Wendt Young

  “Thank you. I had a nice time. With you.” The polite words seemed to stick in my throat. After the ease of the afternoon, I felt strangely awkward with him. But his smile had my tension seeping away.

  “Me too. You’re welcome. And you didn’t even snap at me once! There must be hope for me. I just might be a decent human being after all.” This time we laughed together. And the flush of happiness was a good kind of heat that warmed me as I watched him drive away before turning to go inside the house.

  That night I was content. For the first time in forever, everything was starting to come right in my universe. I was fitting in. I wasn’t the freak outsider anymore. A pathway of possibilities was blossoming in front of me. And all of them involved Daniel. I couldn’t understand why it was that I felt so at peace when I was with him, but I wasn’t going to question it. Everything was going to be alright … was my final thought as I drifted to sleep.

  How wrong I was. This wasn’t the beginning of happiness. It was the first step into the inferno of a living nightmare.

  FIVE

  It was a rushed start to the next day. I slept in and had to catch a later bus which meant I got to school midway through first period. Too late to steal a glimpse of Daniel at rugby practice. Too late to watch him lead the morning assembly. And hope for a chance to talk to him before class. But all that was forgotten when I felt the earthquake. It happened at the end of third period. Ms. Sivani had finished giving us a quiz and everyone was making their way down the corridor preparing to endure 40 minutes with the droning sound of Mr. Michael’s voice in Math. Walking along with one hand full of books and rifling through my backpack with another, I felt a wave of nausea sweep over me. I came to a standstill, causing a traffic jam in the milling crowd of students behind me.

  “Hey what’s up?”

  “Move on, come on girl, get a move on.”

  Sinalei looked back at me, “Come on, Leila, we’re going to be late.”

  Books spilled from my grasp as a cloud of dizziness fogged my vision. I reached out to steady myself on the wall only to find the wall was moving. The ground was moving. Rocking and heaving beneath my feet. A scream tore from my throat as I tried to stand. Everyone was staring now with confused, some amused, faces. I was terrified. Couldn’t they feel it? The earth was moving. The entire school was uprooted and felt like it was about to tumble down around us. I turned, searching to find some means of escape from the destruction that was sure to ensue, only to find my way blocked by a crowd of puzzled people, all staring at me in confusion. Again the ground shook violently, taking me with it. I fell to the floor, hands raised to shield my face, landing painfully on my arms. Still the ground moved. I felt nauseous again and then thankfully, everything went black…

  “She’s coming round.” A voice spoke from a far-off distance.

  “Leila? Leila are you alright?” It was him. Strong and sure. I clung to that voice with a whimper of relief in the black fog that surrounded me. Something that made sense. Something I trusted.

  A cool wet cloth was placed on my forehead and a clicking fan whirred somewhere overhead.

  “Tell me again, what happened?” Ms. Sivani sounded puzzled. Sinalei’s eager voice answered her.

  “We were all walking to class when suddenly she just started screaming that the building was moving and shaking. Then she fell down and passed out. It was sooo weird.” I could tell that Sinalei was thrilled to have been a spectator at the morning’s drama. Her voice took on a worshipful tone. “Then Daniel came and carried her here to the staffroom. Thank goodness you’re sooo strong Daniel.”

  In the blackness, I winced at the thought of Daniel carrying me like a sack of potatoes through the school for everyone to gape at. Ugh. I didn’t want to wake up now, for sure. Someone was holding my hand though and I wanted to see for myself if it was him. I tried opening my eyes, afraid the dizziness and shaking would still be there. The light had me blinking. My vision settled and I looked around dazedly.

  It was him. He sat beside me, holding my hand in his, his head bowed. For one sweet moment I savored the sight of him, the feel of his skin, the thrill of his nearness. Then Sinalei pounced.

  “Miss, she’s awake!”

  I had worried he would let go once he knew I was conscious, but at Sinalei’s words, his grip on me tightened and he leaned forward, blocking out everything and everyone else in the room.

  “Leila, are you ok?” His eyes scanned me. “Does anything hurt?”

  Ms. Sivani cleared her throat and interrupted him, pursing her lips disapprovingly as she surveyed how closely he was positioned over me. “Ahh, Daniel that will do. You’ve done quite enough for Leila today and I’m sure you’re needed back in class. You run along and we’ll make sure that Leila gets home alright.” I hid a grin. The way Ms. Sivani spoke, you would have thought that Daniel had knocked me out on the ground himself, instead of being the one to stagger to the office with my inert body.

  Daniel went rigid at her words and a familiar angry look came over his face. I was sure he was going to say or do something completely unbecoming of a Head Boy, so I jumped in.

  “Umm, Ms. Sivani can Daniel please help me back to the classroom? I’m feeling much better now and I don’t want to go home. I don’t want to miss the Biology test this afternoon.” I looked at the teacher with what I hoped was an angelic expression, trying to impress her with this life-or-death commitment to my studies.

  Ms. Sivani harrumphed with a disbelieving snort, but she only motioned for Daniel to help me off the bench. “Daniel, you and Sinalei see if Leila feels up to going back to class then. I’m sure we can count on you to keep an eye on her for the rest of the day. And Leila, try not to have any more dramatic episodes in the corridors please?” Ms. Sivani spoke dryly as she moved towards the staffroom door.

  I felt weak with relief at the close escape. The last thing I wanted was for Uncle Tuala to come pick me up in the middle of the day, brimming with uncomfortable questions about what had happened. I took a deep breath and went to swing my legs up only to be brought short by Daniel’s sharp tone of disbelief.

  “Ms. Sivani, I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Leila passed out in the hall. She fell down and could have hit her head badly. She needs to go home and rest, maybe even see a doctor.” He spoke with the assuredness of one accustomed to being obeyed.

  I glared at him furiously. How dare he presume to take over like that? I did NOT want to go home. And while I had no idea what had happened that morning, I was perfectly sure that I was fine. The last thing I wanted was for the whole school to have more to gossip about. The new girl Leila had a wacky spazz attack in the hallway and fainted. The new girl got carried to the office by the dreamy hunk Head Boy. Leila had to go home sick … brain damaged … at death’s door … petrified with humiliation … No, forget it. No way was I going home.

  To prove it, I swung my legs over the side and stood up with gusto. “See! I’m totally fine …” my voice trailed as the room spun and a wave of nausea threatened again. “Ugh, I don’t feel so good.” Head spinning, I sank to my knees on the floor, reached for the rubbish can by the bench and promptly threw up in it.

  “Eeeew!” Sinalei’s shriek of disgust could be heard several classrooms down the hall.

  I groaned in self-disgust, grimacing at the sour aftertaste in my mouth. Tears welled at the total humiliation of throwing up right in front of Daniel. If I had any hopes of him pursuing our friendship, they were surely dashed to pieces now in this room that reeked of vomit.

  “See, Ms. Sivani? Leila is NOT ready to go back to class. I’m going to take her home myself right away. If that’s alright with you.” The last phrase was added on as an afterthought of politeness.

  Ms. Sivani had a hand to her nose as she gesticulated wildly in acquiescence. “Fine, fine. You go take Leila home. Right now.” Before she throws up on my shoes were her unspoken words. “Sinalei, take this rubbish can to the incinerator right now.”

  I caug
ht a final glimpse of Sinalei’s look of disgust as Daniel swept me up in his arms once again and was stalking halfway down the hall before I could even get a word out. “Daniel put me down NOW!” My demand was an urgent whisper, unwilling to draw any more attention from the students bent over their work in the rooms as we passed by.

  His only reply was to lengthen his stride towards the green truck parked under the sweeping mango tree by the tennis courts.

  “Daniel, I said, please put me down NOW. What the heck is wrong with you? How many times today are you going to throw me around like a … like a blob?! It’s not like I’m the lightest thing around you know.” I was indignant, trying to hide my shame at the throw-up episode.

  There was no reply. I stopped squirming and stole a glance at the rugged profile so close to me as he strode towards the car. He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t looking down at me. He wasn’t speaking. He had a grim expression on his face – as if he was planning on tackling someone on the field. Very, very roughly. I swallowed and took a deep breath. This was it. He was thoroughly disgusted with me now. Sick to bits of my hysterics and drama. Tired of picking me up out of yet another scrape. He probably couldn’t wait to be rid of me. I felt an awful sadness, contemplating the thought of this being the last time he would hold me. The last time I would feel his warmth against my skin. I sighed, laying my head softly against his chest, wanting to burrow into his safety and security. No one could describe me as petite and yet he carried me as effortlessly as if I were a tiny porcelain doll. His stride never faltered. He wasn’t even out of breath as he finally reached the car and set me down on my feet so he could unlock the door, still supporting me against him with one muscular arm. He cursed under his breath as he fought with the lock. I could feel the length of him against my body as he held me close, worried I would fall. He wore his sports uniform. Orange drawstring shorts and a yellow cotton singlet that did nothing to conceal his physique. I remembered what he looked like that first night beside the pool – moonlight gleaming on the curve of his chest, shorts barely clinging to his hips – and a dizzying weakness came over me again, this time totally unrelated to before and everything to do with the fact this impossibly beautiful boy was standing here with me, his body pressed against mine under the shade of a mango tree that whispered in the breeze.

  He finally wrestled the door open and turned to help me in. For a moment he paused, raising my face to his with a hand softly under my chin. His eyes were anxious, his brow furrowed as he surveyed my troubled expression. Before I realized his intention, he leaned forward and placed a single hot kiss to my forehead, his lips barely grazing my skin but leaving a burning mark where they had so briefly lingered. My knees turned to jelly and my already dizzy head spun even further as I leaned into his firmness.

  “Hey, let’s get you home. I knew Ms. Sivani was wrong, you’re not well, you need to rest.”

  He put me into the car and hurried to the driver’s seat. He didn’t speak again until we had reversed and were safely out onto the main road. Then the questions began.

  “So what really happened today?”

  “ I’m not sure. I was walking to my next class when I felt really sick and dizzy. Then it was like the ground was shaking. Like there was a huge earthquake. It was so real. But nobody else was feeling the same thing and I freaked out. I couldn’t figure out what was happening. Then I lost my balance and blacked out. Umm … maybe I was just really desperate NOT to go to Biology class!?” my weak attempt at a joke didn’t even rate a smile from him.

  “Has anything like that ever happened to you before?”

  “No. Never.” I must have betrayed some of the fear I was feeling because he glanced my way.

  “Don’t worry Leila. You’re safe now. I’ll take you home, you can shower, have a good rest and you’ll feel heaps better. Maybe it’s the heat, you reckon?”

  I grabbed onto that possibility with relief. “Of course that must be it. I’m really finding the heat a killer. I guess my palagi blood isn’t liking the weather.” This time he threw me a half smile.

  “Well it suits my palagi blood just fine. Just give you some time and you’ll be sweet.”

  I felt a huge tiredness settle over me like a lethargic blanket. That whole earth-shaking episode this morning had really taken its toll on me. My brain still felt foggy, I wasn’t even up to asking myself searching questions … like, what really happened to me? I didn’t want to admit it, but I was frightened by what had happened and grateful that Daniel was taking me home. All I wanted to do right now was sleep. I settled back in the seat, struggling to keep my eyes open. Sensing my tiredness, Daniel stopped giving me the third degree and switched on the radio, humming along under his breath to the sounds of Bob Marley. I smiled within … what was it with this country and Bob Marley anyway? Everybody and anybody seemed to have reggae on their radios. I was drifting into delicious slumber when the song was interrupted by an announcement. I caught the words ‘tsunami watch’ and ‘earthquake’ and sat bolt upright, my heart pounding.

  “An undersea earthquake occurred just over an hour ago, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale off the Tongan islands. There is a tsunami watch in effect. Residents of low-lying areas are urged to be on the alert. Stay tuned to this radio station, as we keep you posted on any further updates from the tsunami watch center in Hawaii. We repeat …”

  I turned panicked eyes to Daniel beside me.

  “Ohmigosh, what’s happening?” my voice trailed away, reluctant to put into words the fearful possibility that was racing through my mind. An earthquake? So strong it triggered a tsunami watch? But an earthquake so far away that nobody could feel? Nobody, that is … but me?

  “Hey, don’t worry about it. We get these tsunami watches all the time. And nothing ever happens. Ever since 29/09, the disaster management people like to keep us on our toes – you know, be prepared and all that. It’s just a precaution. If it was anything more serious, then they would have announced a warning and schools would be evacuating by now.” He placed a reassuring hand on mine beside him on the seat. It was obvious he thought I was freaking out about the possibility of getting swept away by a giant wave – and hadn’t made any connection to this morning’s incident. I didn’t speak again until we pulled up in my front drive. There was a sleek red car parked behind Aunty Matile’s truck, blocking the path. Daniel whistled long and low.

  “Sweet! That’s a nice car. Who’s is it?”

  I could only shake my head, as clueless as he was but anxious to get inside before Aunty came out and gave us the third degree. Daniel was out of the car before I could move though, out and round to my side, opening the door and trying to help me out.

  “Are you ok? Can you walk?” His face held nothing but tender concern. I tested my balance tentatively before nodding slightly.

  “Yup. I’m good.” I looked up at him, wanting to memorize the closeness of him. “Thank you. Again. For helping me. This is getting to be a habit with us. I’ll have to work on my resilience so you don’t have to pick me up off the ground anymore.”

  He brushed a stray strand of hair off my face and I trembled at his touch. Concern colored his eyes again. “Are you sure you’re alright? Can I walk you inside?”

  That was the last thing I wanted. I waved a hand nonchalantly. “No, no. I’m alright. Honestly. Just tired now. My aunt is here, she must have a visitor. If I need anything she’ll be home to help me. You better go back to school. You know, before Ms. Sivani gives you detention or something.”

  He grinned back at me. “Who me? Nah never, you know all those teachers adore me, you said it yourself. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow hopefully…” His voice trailed away and still he stood beside me, one arm cradling the open car door, looking down at me, somewhat unwilling to leave.

  I couldn’t decipher the look in his eyes. Was it indecision? Longing at war with doubt? Before I could decide, he leaned down and left another swift, light kiss, feather soft on my forehead. Over before I could even be sur
e it had happened. He turned and walked back to the driver’s side.

  Swallowing a gulp of much-needed air, I closed the front door and walked to the house, turning once to smile shyly and wave as he reversed. I felt like I was swimming through cotton candy. Thick, blissful sweetness, clouds of wonder. Daniel cared about me. Daniel had kissed me. Twice. On the forehead to be sure, but still, a first touch from the boy whose very nearness had me scrambling for rational thought. All thought of my strange collapse a few hours earlier were erased. Replaced by the thrill of … bliss? I couldn’t be sure what this was. It was all new to me. I had a foolish smile on my face as I opened the door.

  Only to be met by a coldness. Of dread. I should have known better. Happiness is only ever a transient thing. Like fluff in the wind. Worthy only of derision because it only made what came next all the more awful.

  I stood still in the corridor. There was something, someone in the house. Something that shouldn’t be there. Something had me loathe to step further inside. There was a woman in the kitchen with my aunt. I could hear her.

  “You can’t stop me from seeing her, Matile.” Her voice. It sounded disturbingly familiar. I had heard that steel tone before. But not in my waking world. I felt the air rush to pound through my chest. The hairs on the back of my neck prickling with unease. I shook my head in denial, mouthing a silent NO to myself. This could not be happening. I took one unsteady step back. Back into the sunlight. Back into the world I knew was real and true. But still the voices assailed me. My aunt’s furious whisper.