Ariel Rising

by A. J. Sparber

  “What makes you say that?”

  “You’re attracted to Davin. Aren’t you?”

  “I’m a little surprised you’d think I was attracted to him. Was it obvious?”

  “Very much so—in both directions, actually. The looks you exchanged were precious.” She looks at me with a motherly smile.

  “Precious?”

  “Yes. I thought that sounded more mature than googly-eyed.”

  I laugh. “You’re pretty precious yourself, Mom.”

  “I like him, Ari. He seems really nice.”

  “You do? You don’t think he’s too old for me?”

  How old is he? I completely forgot to ask.

  “You are a very mature eighteen. No, I don’t think a four-year age differential is an issue at all.”

  “Actually, I thought he was a little older. Did you ask Thalia how old he is?”

  “Of course.”

  I chuckle. “So how did you and Thalia get along?”

  “Like old friends. She is absolutely brilliant, and I’m dying to learn more about her research.” She pauses and smiles at me. “So, back to you and Davin. I assume he’s asked you out?”

  “He did. We’re going on a picnic. Saturday. Renegade Falls.”

  “Oh, that’s such a lovely spot. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”

  “Yeah. I think we will. You and Dad used to go there often. Right?”

  “Yes. It was one of our favorite places,” she says with a rueful gaze.

  Dad was killed when his private plane crashed. I was eight. Mom and I were devastated. It was so sudden—and his body was not recovered—so the funeral was really hard on her. She’ll go out with a guy every now and then, but things never get much past the first date. She’s so gorgeous. Her chestnut-brown hair looks like fine silk, she has a face that belongs on Mt. Olympus, and a figure that can stop hearts. You’d never know she’s in her early forties.

  “You’ve never stopped loving him, have you?” I ask.

  “I never will. We weren’t just husband and wife. We were soul mates. What we had together doesn’t go away. It’s forever.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever find a man to love again? Not like Dad…but—”

  “Oh, I think it’s possible. I’m not dead, you know,” she says with a little grin. “Tell you what, if Davin has an unmarried uncle, make sure to let me know.”

  “I will,” I reply. “I better head up to bed. Math quiz tomorrow.”

  “Sweet dreams. Oh, and Ari…”

  “Yes, Mom?”

  “Are you still going out with Galen tomorrow night?”

  “Yeah, I guess so. Why?”

  “I think he likes you a lot more than you like him. Be careful. He doesn’t seem like the jealous type, but you never know. I don’t want to see a replay of the Luke situation.”

  “You think I’m going to stop seeing him. Don’t you?”

  “Aren’t you?”

  Am I?

  “I’m not exactly sure. I still like him and I’ve only known Davin a few hours. I don’t want to act impulsively, and it’s not like Galen and I are in love or anything. It’s pretty casual, Mom.”

  At least that’s the way I feel most of the time. But sometimes I’m just not sure how I feel.

  Mom smiles. “You’re a lot more levelheaded than I was at your age.”

  I smile back. “If I am, it’s because of you. Goodnight, Mom. I love you.”

  “Love you, too, Ari.”

  “More than chocolate?”

  “Much more.”

  Chapter 4

  I steal a glance at him as he studies his menu intently. At a little over six feet tall, Galen is solidly built and moves with an athlete’s grace. His dark blond hair is a little on the long side, framing an attractive face and giving him a casual, surfer-boy look. He pulls it off really well.

  “What are you having?” I ask, as he notices me staring.

  He smiles. “The aged porterhouse is calling to me. How about you?”

  “I feel like prime rib tonight.”

  His eyebrows twitch and his blue eyes do a cute little dance. “Then perhaps I’ll have you, instead.”

  I roll my eyes. “You have a one-track mind.” And a really corny sense of humor sometimes, I think.

  “You can’t blame a guy for trying. Can you?”

  “Only if he tries too hard,” I answer, a little more sharply than I should have.

  “I’m sorry, Ari. It’s just that…”

  I hold my hand up. “I know, Galen. We’ve had this discussion before. I’m just not ready for the level of intimacy you are looking for…and that’s all there is to it. End of issue.”

  He lets out a long sigh. “I don’t understand. This is the twenty-first century…”

  “Don’t ruin our date.”

  Galen clamps his mouth shut and pouts. He’s spoiled. He’s had everything handed to him his entire life and I’m not about to offer myself up to him on a silver platter or, worse, a set of silk sheets.

  Thankfully, our server appears before I can say something I might regret, and I wonder why all of Galen’s faults seem magnified tonight. I quickly push that thought out of my mind because I know where it will lead and I can’t afford to go there. Not tonight.

  “Good evening, I’m Anne. May I get you something to drink?” our server asks. She is attractive, forty-something, and seems very confident.

  “I’d like a glass of the Ravenswood Zinfandel,” Galen replies.

  “Excellent choice, sir,” Anne says with a polite smile. “And for the lady?”

  “Perrier with a twist of lime, thank you,” I say.

  She nods and smiles at me. “I’ll have those out in a moment.”

  Our server leaves and I chuckle. “How do you do that, Galen?”

  “Do what?” he answers with a twinkle in his eyes.

  “How do you manage to order wine, or beer, or the occasional cocktail, without getting carded?”

  It’s true. Galen is nineteen. And nearly every time we have dinner out, he orders an alcoholic beverage. And he’s never been carded. It’s so weird.

  “Hmm. That’s an excellent question. I’m not sure. Maybe I’m charming enough to be…disarming?”

  I snort. “Maybe you’re a warlock. Did you put spell on our nice server?”

  “You figured me out,” he says, just as our drinks are served.

  We place our dinner orders and, as Anne walks away, Galen’s expression grows serious.

  “Are you still onboard with the Institute?”

  “Of course. It’s one of the most prestigious colleges in the world, and it’s so close to home…”

  Ever since I told Galen about my scholarship offer, he’s been trying to talk me into going to the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, which happens to be the college he attends.

  “You know my dad can get you a scholarship to UVC. It’s not far…and we could be together on campus.”

  Is he nuts? I’ve never even met his parents and it’s not like I’m leaving the country. He wants us to be together. He wants us to live together.

  “You want me to move into your apartment, don’t you?”

  “Well…”

  “I’m not ready for that. And I am going to the Institute.” His eyes flash with rage, but he quickly recovers. The anger is gone, and now he looks hurt. I feel sorry for him. But if he really cares about me, he should respect my decisions and be supportive of them. It would be different if I were going to move hundreds of miles away. But that’s not the case. This shouldn’t be an issue. But it obviously is.

  He reaches across the table and takes my hands in his. As we lock eyes, it occurs to me that he’s trying to figure things out. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad going to UVC. Maybe I should be more open-minded about sex. Maybe…

  Whoa! What am I thinking? That’s not me! I break eye contact and shake my head, rapidly, as if I’m trying to evict a spider from my hair.

  “Are you okay, A
ri?” His smile is wide. What is he smiling about?

  “I’m fine.” Am I fine? I’m still reeling from my encounter with Luke. And for some strange reason, I’m really wishing that it was Davin Andersen sitting across from me right now. Strange. Very strange.

  I’m saved by Anne, who comes sidling up to our table, a large tray adroitly balanced on a single upturned palm. The woman has some skills. She smiles as she sets our plates down. “How was the Zin?” she asks Galen.

  “Excellent,” he says.

  I just shake my head. Whatever power Galen has over servers and bartenders could be marketed to teens. He could make a fortune.

  After dinner, we head over to Galen’s to watch a movie. His apartment is in an upscale development, not far from the UVC campus. Galen’s parents, whom I’ve never met because they are constantly traveling, are quite wealthy, though sometimes I wonder if they actually exist. The apartment came fully furnished. He even has a maid.

  We settle on Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium—a relaxing, happy little story. Of course, Galen hates it, which is fine with me. I get to tease him about it.

  “Magic toys. Don’t you think this is a little childish?” he asks.

  “It’s good exercise for your imagination. Don’t you have one?”

  “Have what?”

  “An imagination.”

  He smirks. “I’m a realist.”

  “That’s so boring. Reality is not all it’s cracked up to be.”

  “Yeah, but it’s all we have. Why waste time contemplating the impossible?” he asks, looking a little sad. A little resigned. Hmm…

  “As I said, it’s good exercise.” I smile at him. “You look a little down, Galen. Are you contemplating something impossible?”

  He twists on the sofa, turning to face me. “After a fashion.”

  “Really? Care to share?”

  “Well, I was thinking how impossibly perceptive you are sometimes.”

  “Just sometimes?” I ask with a quirk of my brow.

  He shakes his head. “You’re amazing, Ari, and I’m…

  He clamps his mouth shut, mid-sentence, leaving me hanging. “You’re what?” I ask with pursed lips, holding his stare.

  He fidgets around, obviously uncomfortable with something.

  “You can talk to me, Galen. It’s not good to hold things inside. You know?”

  “I’m in love with you, Ari.”

  Crap. I walked into that one. What do I say? Here I sit with the type of guy most girls my age would drool over…and he’s just declared his love for me. I should be deliriously happy. I should be ecstatic. I should thank my lucky stars. But I don’t, because right now my stars really suck. So I say the first thing that comes to mind…

  “Oh, Galen…”

  Whether it’s the tone of my voice or the expression on my face, he takes my words the wrong way. Suddenly he’s kissing me. And I kiss him back because…well, he’s a very good kisser. And I do like him. And I want to kiss him. I just don’t love him. Do I?

  His hand wanders down my side, stopping at my hip, and I don’t know why I’m not throwing him off of me. It’s as if I can’t think straight. Is it hormones? I want him. I want to touch him. I want him to touch me. Huh?

  This is not right! I scream inside my head, commanding my brain to clear. And when it does, I’m immediately appalled. Our shirts are off, and I’m lying on my back, and Galen is about to unsnap…

  What the…? I plant my palm against his chest and push hard.

  “Ari, what’s the matter?”

  I draw a deep breath, gathering my wits, and my shirt. “I think you need to take me home before something happens that we might regret,” I say as I pull my shirt on.

  “But you seemed…”

  “I don’t feel right, Galen. This is not right. I’m confused…”

  “I’m sorry,” he says, sounding genuinely remorseful.

  “It’s okay, Galen. No harm, no foul.” I breathe a sigh of relief, thankful that he is more of a gentleman than Luke. “And it’s getting late. I really should be getting home.”

  He nods. “Are you busy tomorrow night?”

  Should I tell him I have a date with someone else? I’ve made it perfectly clear that our relationship is not exclusive. I decide to take an ambiguous approach. “Actually, I am. I told my mom I’d take our new neighbor on a hiking tour of the valley. I’m not sure what time I’ll be back, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to be tired.”

  I put on my poker face and pray that he doesn’t ask for details…especially about the neighbor.

  He stares deeply into my eyes, and it’s really amazing how it affects me. It’s as if I’m being played like a yo-yo. I want to wrap my arms around him. Then I don’t. I want to kiss him, but I’m not sure why. It all becomes academic as he wraps his arms around my neck and pulls me close. “I’ll miss you, then,” he says, as his lips lock onto mine.

  Our kiss is sweet and, like almost every other kiss we’ve shared, it leaves me confused. Do I really even know how I feel about him? And then it hits me. I don’t know how I feel about him. I know I should, but I don’t. It’s as if…

  “Ari, are you daydreaming?”

  “Uh, no. Just tired.”

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yep.

  Galen drops me at my front door and gives me a quick hug and kiss.

  “Let me know if you get home early tomorrow. Maybe we could get together?” he asks.

  “I’ll let you know.”

  “Text me one way or another. Okay?”

  “You got it. Goodnight, Galen.”

  “Goodnight, Ari.”

  I’m relieved to be home. I lock the door behind me and look up to see Mom walking toward me from the kitchen.

  “Hi Mom.” My voice sounds a little shaky.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” I say with a little chuckle.

  “Are you sure?” she asks with a tilt of her head and an appraising glance.

  “Absolutely.”

  “How was your date?”

  Uh-oh. “We had dinner and watched a movie. It was good. Relaxing.”

  “Did you tell him you don’t want to see him again?”

  “What? No.”

  “But you want to?”

  Oh God. Do I? “I’m not sure, Mom. It’s kind of confusing.”

  “I see. Wanna know what I think?”

  I think so. “Of course,” I say with a genuine smile.

  “I think you’re dying to get to know Davin better. And until you do, you are not going to be able to figure out what to do about Galen. They’re both nice fellas. So, you’ve really got no choice. As torturous as it might be, you’re going to have to spend some time with Davin.”

  “The same thought occurred to me earlier,” I say with a big smile. “Life is never easy. Is it?”

  “It’s not that it’s never easy. But sometimes a little complexity can make things more fun. Spend some time with Davin. I have a feeling everything will become crystal clear.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  She gives me her best smile. “If you need to talk, you let me know. Okay?”

  “In a heartbeat. Goodnight, Mom.”

  “Goodnight sweetheart.

  I’m suddenly feeling very anxious about tomorrow. But it’s a good anxious…and I can’t wait for morning.

  Chapter 5

  The doorbell rings at 11:05. Davin is right on time. He’s standing in the doorway, attached to a backpack that would bring the average Navy SEAL to his knees. Maybe he packed a butler inside to serve us.

  “Good morning, Davin,” I say cheerfully.

  He steps inside, barely fitting through the doorframe. “Morning,” he says, with a radiant smile.

  After just two days, I feel as if I’ve known him for years. I’m not sure why. It’s strange, but I just know. It’s as if we have some kind of connection. Does he feel it, too?

  Ella, who came over bright and early to make sure I was pr
operly primped and outfitted, glides by on her way to the kitchen. Upon seeing Davin, she pauses, executing a classic double-take. “Well, good morning, Davin. Don’t you look like a model for the well-equipped hiker. Just don't lean backwards, sweetie.” She turns and flashes an impish grin. “Y’all have a good time and be safe.”

  Davin smiles and nods. He doesn’t know what to say. He hasn’t figured Ella out.

  “Bye Ella,” I say, as I grab my normal-sized backpack and walk out the back door with Davin.

  “Are you going to be able to hike with that thing on your back?” I ask.

  “Not a problem. I’m a lot stronger than I look,” he answers.

  “Now that’s a frightening thought,” I reply, as I playfully squeeze his bicep.

  Should I have touched him like that? It’s a really nice bicep. Really nice. I can’t take it back, and he doesn’t seem upset, so…

  We walk across the yard, past the lake, and into the woods. There isn’t an actual path to follow, which Davin must have noticed because he asks, “How do you know where we’re going?”

  “Ella and I have walked the route a hundred times. I can probably do it in the dark. But just in case—” I pull a compass out of my pocket. “It’s due east.”

  “You’re pretty resourceful.”

  “I like to be prepared.”

  Davin smiles. “Have you and Ella been friends for a long time?”

  “Since we were toddlers. She didn’t offend you, did she?”

  “Not at all. In fact, she impresses me. She is not afraid to say what she feels. That is a good trait.”

  I chuckle. “When they handed out that particular trait, she got an extra helping. But I love her like a sister.”

  Maintaining a brisk pace, we arrive at the Falls in about twenty minutes. Davin looks all around, then turns to me and says, “It’s really beautiful here.”

  “It truly is.” And being here with him makes it even more beautiful than ever.

  “Need help detaching yourself from your pack?”

  “I’m good,” he says, as he adroitly undoes the harness and lowers his pack to the ground…effortlessly. “I’m kind of hungry. How about you?”

  No one ever accused me of eating like a girl. I can really pack it away. Mom says I have a turbocharged metabolism.