No more vampire romance novels for me. My life was complicated enough without my questionable choice in reading material intruding upon my usual nightmares. I watched until the garbage was gone, and then went back inside. The disturbing dream stayed with me all day.
Chapter Seventeen
Alisa
Panic overtook me the day before Winter Break ended. How could it be over? I willed time to slow down, but to no avail. The first day back to school after the long break hit me in the face like a sledgehammer. Actually, I think I would have preferred a blow to the face. Then I could have stayed home, or in the hospital. Anything was preferable to going back to school.
Bleary eyed and depressed, I dragged myself from the warm comfort of my bed and into the shower, ready to begin the second semester of the school year. I tried to count down the days until spring break, but it was early and my brain power had not yet kicked in. Dead tired from lack of sleep, I stumbled through my morning routine.
Jace called my phone at seven to announce his arrival in my driveway. I ran down the steps, yelled goodbye to my mom, and almost tripped over my cat as I ran out the door. “Hey,” I mumbled, slumping into the passenger seat.
“Hey yourself.” Jace wasn’t any happier about the whole back-to-school thing than I was, but at least he looked better than I did. He always looked good. So did Rachel, I reminded myself.
It was hard enough to remember I wasn’t allowed to crush on Jace. Having tackled that obstacle in my life (for the most part), I now faced a more difficult challenge—trying to forget about Bryce. Ever since New Year’s Eve, I faced the constant torment of thinking about the tall, brooding brother of my best friend. I had finally decided I could let bygones be bygones and try to get along, possibly even be friends, with Bryce. But then he had to mess everything up with that kiss.
I thought about that kiss obsessively and had become irritable and distracted the last part of my beloved Winter Break because of it. After deciding that Bryce was either crazy or drunk, anger took over. I had fantasized about my first kiss ever since I could remember. I’d always suffered from Fairy Tale Princess Syndrome and had been waiting for my prince to come since potty training. Instead of experiencing my first kiss with my one true love, Prince Charming or the guy from Little Mermaid, I got stuck with the Beast. So, maybe Bryce was cute underneath the fur… okay I was getting lost in Princess Land again.
I felt cheated. Bryce didn’t love me or even want me around. He ruined my first kiss. That’s why I was angry. Despite the fact that it was a nice kiss, he ripped a hole in my fantasy—a hole big enough for him to step right in. Now every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face. When I woke up in the morning, wisps of half-remembered dreams dissipating, I saw Bryce floating there for just a moment.
I’m not sure if Jace noticed how crabby and jumpy I’d become over the last few days, but I doubted it. Men were oblivious, and besides, he was happy to have Rachel back from her trip. For once, I was pleased he didn’t pay attention to me, grateful to be able to fly under the radar.
The day was a total loss. First period was categorized by my herculean effort to stay awake. In second period, I did fall asleep. I was awakened by an angry history teacher and twenty cackling students. At least I didn’t drool or talk in my sleep. I barely made it through the day, only awakening from my stupor when the bell rang and it was time to go home. I made a mental note to thank Bryce for letting Jace use his truck, otherwise I would have had to walk through a cold rain to get home. The ride was a blur.
I decided to check my email and download a few research notes before taking a nap. I deleted spam and junk mail before reading anything of value. Singles website ads, Nigerian mail scams, secret shopper job offers—I hit delete as if on auto pilot until a familiar name caught my eye. For the first time that day, I was fully awake, my heart beating in my chest as if I had just run a marathon. Not that I ever would.
Bryce. Hands shaking, I clicked on his message to open it. Wherever he was, he obviously had access to the internet. I found it incredible that he would choose to write to me and wondered how he found my email address.
Alisa,
I’m sorry about the way I left you on New Year’s Eve, with a quick kiss and no explanation. Believe me, I don’t regret kissing you. I’m not sorry for that. What I’m sorry for is moving so fast. I know I’ve been cold, even downright rude to you, and I have no excuse. I’ve tried my hardest not to like you, but I can’t help it. I do. I’ve never felt this way before, so this is very confusing. If you hate me, I understand. Like I said, I’m sorry for not waiting until you felt the same way about me as I feel about you. If you can find it in your heart to email me back, I would appreciate it. It gets lonely here.
~Bryce
I read and reread his email, confusion making my head spin. My first instinct was to wonder if it was really him writing it. My second thought was that it was a joke. Surely, Bryce wouldn’t be so cruel, would he? I reviewed every conversation I’d ever had with Bryce, however insignificant. There was nothing that would indicate he liked me. Well, there was the kiss. Oh, and the time Mikael supposedly expressed an interest in me, so Bryce told him I was only fourteen. That was weird. Oh, and the time where he tried to claim me as his tennis partner. He was just messing around, though. Besides those few little instances, there was nothing. My general opinion over the last few months was that Bryce could barely tolerate me. Not much to build a relationship on, I’d say.
I needed to talk to someone about this, but who? Jace’s face popped into my head first, but I immediately discarded that idea. Bryce was his brother, a brother he could barely stand. I would feel disloyal talking about it with him. I wouldn’t want Jace to think I’d been scamming on his brother the whole time we were friends. And besides, Jace had said some pretty nasty things about Bryce. I didn’t want him to think I was some heartless girl playing one brother against the other.
Rachel. I could talk to her, maybe. Or maybe not. She and Jace had some creepy mind reading thing going on, and I didn’t want him to pick my secret out of her brain. Not Rachel then. I guessed the only thing to do would be to email Bryce. I would keep it casual and not say anything much, just in case it was a joke. Assuming Bryce was not joking, it would be cruel to keep him waiting, so I decided to reply right away.
Bryce,
I don’t hate you, so don’t worry about that. Everything is fine here. Jace, Rachel and I started back to school today which was a nightmare. I nearly succumbed to the boredom and pointlessness that is public education. Unfortunately, I emerged unscathed and am still alive, only to have to face another day of the same torture.
You probably attended high school in some exotic, far-off place where everyone wore bikinis to school and drank fruity drinks out of a coconut at lunchtime. Well, here it is unbearably dull. I’m grateful, however, that no one wears bikinis to school. I shudder just thinking about it.
I will continue to keep Jace in line and will look out for your parents as well. I hope you’re okay wherever you are. Please stay safe.
~Alisa
Okay. I thought my response was well written. Light-hearted, but caring and concerned for his safety and well-being. I congratulated myself on a job well done. Refocusing on my research assignment, I surfed the internet for facts on Napoleonic France. Maybe Bryce was in France, I thought, my focus wavering just a bit. No, I told myself. I must get something done today, or this assignment would snowball until I was left with a massive project to complete at the last minute. Been there, done that.
I forced myself to continue until I successfully located four good sources, and printed about twenty pages of documents to read later. After completing my math homework and studying a few Spanish vocabulary words, I went downstairs to set the table for dinner.
Dinner with my family was always a silent affair with Dad in front of the television, and me and Mom at the table, our noses stuck in some sort of reading material. Mom worked for my Aunt Leanne’s real estate
firm and often brought work home. Dad was just plain obsessed with televised sports. I was an incurable book junkie who dragged a dog-eared paperback with me everywhere I went, even to the kitchen table.
After dinner, I cleared the table, started the dishwasher, and said a quick goodnight to my parents. After retreating to the comfort of my bedroom, I replied to a couple of text messages from Jace and decided to check my email before getting into bed.
My heart skipped a beat, then jolted back into rhythm upon discovering another message from Bryce. I opened it, my eyes darting quickly over his words. I read his message more slowly the second time.
Alisa,
Thanks for writing me back. I was afraid you wouldn’t. I’m happy everyone there is doing okay. It’s cold here and I’m exhausted from training. Don’t tell my dad, but I’m starting to rethink my career choice. Hanging out in the tropics sounds pretty good right about now, but Georgia sounds even better.
About your hatred of high school, I feel your pain. I hated high school and sometimes have nightmares that I’m back there all over again.
I can’t wait to come home in June. The next few months will be torture. Write me as often as you can. I don’t mean to sound desperate, but I kind of am. All this dormitory type living and male camaraderie gets old. When I come home, can you make me some more chocolate chip cookies?
I should probably sign off and get some sleep. It’s pretty late at night here. Take care of yourself, Alisa, and sweet dreams.
~Bryce
I decided I should go ahead and write back. If it was only seven o’clock here, and it was really late there, he must be… I didn’t know. Somewhere far away. I sighed and thought for a few minutes about what I should say.
My cell phone rang, startling me. I looked at the caller ID. Jace. I’ll have to call him back, I thought, turning back to my computer screen.
Bryce,
Of course I’ll write as often as I can. Fortunately for you, I have no life, so I have ample free time. Even if I were extremely busy, I would make time to email you. Are you able to get instant messages where you are? I can’t IM or email from my phone because it’s an ancient piece of crap, but I can IM from my computer.
I’m sorry you’re having such a difficult time. I worry about you. I’m certain your parents would support you in whatever you decide, should you choose to come home. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.
On a more positive note, I have an appointment to take my driver’s test this Saturday. If I pass, I will have in my possession state issued identification which will enable me to prove my age in the event that someone should decide to mislead others into thinking I am only fourteen. Oh, and I will also be able to legally operate a motor vehicle without an adult present. That’s pretty cool too. When you come home, I can take you for a spin, if you dare. See, that gives us both something to look forward to.
~Alisa
P.S. Chocolate chip cookies are a done deal.
Yawning, I shut down my computer, grabbed my phone, and collapsed in bed. I quickly returned Jace’s phone call, pleading exhaustion as my excuse for cutting our conversation short. In truth, I had two reasons for not wanting to talk to Jace. The first reason was I didn’t trust myself not to let it slip that Bryce and I were communicating. The second reason was I wanted to lie down in the dark and think about this new development in the unpredictability of my life. I fell asleep fairly quickly considering the fact that I had a great deal to agonize about.
The next morning, I actually sprang from bed the first time my alarm sounded. I showered while my computer woke up. As soon as I pulled on sweats and towel dried my hair, I opened my email.
Alisa,
Waiting for your messages has been the only bright spot in my life since I’ve been back at WTB. No, I can’t send instant messages from here. Security is tight. It’s actually the first year they’ve allowed WTB students to have email access, so I consider myself lucky.
I look forward to getting into a car with you behind the wheel. It’s not that I have a death wish. I just have a thirst for adventure. As for your state issued identification proving your age, I won’t let any guys get close enough to you for it to become necessary. Sorry to disappoint you.
I’m not quite ready to bail on training and come home. Adversity builds character, my dad always says, so I guess when I come home in June I’ll be full of it. Character, I mean. There’s a lot to live up to here. My dad trained here, then Royce. I’m afraid I’m not living up to my instructors’ expectations. I just need to work a little harder.
How is your training coming along? Jace isn’t much of a sparring partner. He gets distracted too easily. His speed will be something to be reckoned with if he ever learns to control it. I hate to admit it, but at his best, he is faster than I am.
One thing I forgot to tell you before I left to come here—you don’t need magic to be special. I know you think less of yourself because you don’t have magic, but don’t. There’s something about you that’s way beyond average. My mom sees it and so do I.
Have a good day at school, Alisa.
~Bryce
My face heated as I re-read the part where he said he wouldn’t let any guys get close to me. His words sent shivers through me, but he was probably just joking around. Wasn’t he?
I shot off a quick email before finishing my morning routine. Since I didn’t fix my hair or wear makeup, getting ready wasn’t too time consuming. Jace had a dentist appointment that morning, so I had to rely on my mom for a ride. When I finally made my way downstairs, Mom was waiting impatiently. My dad was long gone before my alarm even went off. Mom, although she would never admit it, was perpetually running behind. Like me, she messed around until the last minute, and then became irritated when she discovered she was late.
“Alisa, what are you wearing?” she barked at me.
“Um, sweats?” I tugged at the hem of my hoodie. She narrowed her eyes before turning away and heading out the door toward her car. I tripped over the curb, righting myself before dropping all my books. My mom sighed deeply as we drove away. I knew what she was thinking: too bad I’m not more like my cousin Becky.
She saw me as an uncoordinated, unsophisticated lump. If she could see me in Abe’s training studio, she wouldn’t even recognize me. Around the Alexanders I was, for the most part, graceful, confident—everything she wanted me to be. When I was with her, I reverted back to the old Alisa. The socially inept, clumsy, scatter-brained girl she was accustomed to living with.
Even Jace was shocked by the way I reacted to my mother. When he came to my house for dinner over Winter Break, my mother was ridiculous in the way she overdid things. So anxious to please him, it was as if she wasn’t confident in my ability to keep him as a friend. She tried to make up for my shortcomings, as she viewed them, by initiating conversation, complimenting him, and eventually apologizing for my faults. The more she talked, the more I tripped over my words. The more she tried to act the part of the gracious hostess, the more I faded into the background.
My dad was no better, but at least he made it through dinner without making an idiot out of himself. He tried to carry on a conversation with Jace, but was stumped when he discovered Jace didn’t play football, or even know much about it. Poor Daddy. With my inability to catch a man, he may never have the son-in-law he’s always wanted.
To make a long and painful story short, the evening was a disaster. I hoped my mom learned a valuable lesson and would refrain from trying to accelerate my friendships in the future. For sure, Jace learned an important lesson. He would never accept a dinner invitation to my house again unless I was the one initiating it. And that would never happen.
***
The school day threatened to be even more atrocious than the day before. There were already students milling around in the hallways when I arrived. I despised entering a half-full classroom and having to walk in front of everyone. Feeling awkward and hideous in my slovenly sweats, I ha
d barely seated myself when I heard the most horrifying sound imaginable.
“Who’s the new boy?” Becky shrieked. “Oh, I’m sorry, Alisa. With your scraggly hair and boy clothes I thought you were one of those foreign refuges…” She giggled maliciously, her fans eager to join in.
“That’s okay, Becky. Don’t worry about it. Common mistake. I mean, it could happen to anyone, right? The last time I ran into you at Carol’s House of Beauty right before you got your lip waxed, I totally thought you were a man. Actually,” I said, squinting, “you may be due for another appointment.” Laughter rang out across the classroom, the loudest, of course, coming from Rachel.
Spellbound (Spellbringers Book 1) Page 15
