by Dee King
They all laugh. Even Chloe, who already has a drink in her hand.
“Selene, I don’t serve alcohol. I don’t have to get people drunk to want to stay at my house. Anyone here is free to leave, whenever they want. Right, Chris?”
“Yea, everyone loves it here. Really, just relax Sis.”
Relax. I do not feel relaxed. I feel anxious, mad, and really thinking I need to go home, already.
Chris hands me the drink Ian passes him. Ian looks at me and smiles.
I look at Chloe, who already seems to be having a good time. Maybe I should just take a drink and try to relax.
“Thank you for the drink.” My hand is shaking just a little.
“No problem, Love.”
Why does he keep calling me Love? He knows I am not going to be one of his girlfriends. but he doesn’t give up. I will give him credit though. He really goes after what he wants, or I should say what he can’t have.
I decide to smell the drink to make sure there is no alcohol in it.
Oddly, it smells like a fruit punch, and maybe a little like rose. I look down at the cup one more time to make sure I did not see anything floating around. It looks safe, and smells pretty good. I take a sip. Another sip. It’s delicious. Nothing this good could be alcohol.
My nerves are finally settling.
I look over and see Chloe and Chris dancing with a big group of people. I hardly noticed they had moved. I have almost finished this whole drink, and could drink another. Where is the punch bowl or wherever they are getting this drink from? Sebastian is staring at me.
“Need another?”
“No, I think I’m ok.” Ian raises his eyebrows. Sebastian looks down at my hand. My charm bracelet is really shining.
WOW! It’s really bright. The pearls look almost like they are radiating. Do pearls
radiate? What is in this drink? Why are they both staring at my bracelet. Why am I talking so much?
“What?” I lift my arm so they can get a better look at my bracelet. “That’s really beautiful, Selene. One of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry I have ever seen.”
“Thank you Sebastian.”
“Yes Selene that is an amazing piece. Where did you get it?”
Why does Ian care where I got it from? Why does he call it a piece like he is a jeweler?
“My father. For my eighteenth birthday. Why?”
“No reason. It’s just really beautiful.” He smiles at Sebastian. I feel like they are about to rob me. This is getting weird.
“Selene, would you like to dance?” I turn to see Alex.
This is not happening. Alexander Zane just asked me to dance. I can’t believe this!
I nod yes, because for some reason words are not coming out of my mouth.
He grabs my hand. We walk to where the big crowd is, holding hands.
I didn’t even notice him till he asked me to dance. How did I not notice him? My palms are sweating again. Oh my gods! I am about to dance with Alex!
He grabs me by the waist and starts to sway back and forth. I put my arms around his shoulders. He is taller than I thought. I am afraid to look up at him. He puts a hand underneath my chin, and raises my head. I look into his big, green eyes.
He smiles.
He is gorgeous. Someone pinch me.
“Selene, you are beautiful. Do you know that?”
Did he just say I was beautiful?
“Alexander. I-- I. I think I’m in love with you.”
Please tell me I did not say that out loud! Oh my gods I think I did!
“Mind if I cut in?” It’s Sebastian. Yes! I mind!
“No, I guess not.”
What? NO! NO! NO! Not Sebastian!
Sebastian turns me around. He pulls me tightly into him and places my arms around his neck. I can feel him staring at me. I look at him in disgust, although my body begins to sway back and forth.
Why am I swaying back and forth, maybe it’s because I love this song. Yes, that’s it. “Selene, I know what you think of me.”
“You do?” I feel like I should step back from him before this conversation starts. “Yea, and believe me I am not the guy you think I am. With you I feel different, like I
could really like you. It really scares me.” What? What the hell is he talking about? I scare him? How does he know how I feel about him? Am I that rude? Oh no. I think I hurt his feelings. Why do I care about his feelings? He probably says this to all his girlfriends. Player...
“No, I am not a player. No, this is not a line I use either.”
Oh my gods. How did he know that? Am I thinking out loud?
“Can we not talk and I just hold you?”
“You want to hold me? Why? You don’t even know me, and now you want to hold me?
Plus we aren’t talking, you are talking. I am listening.”
“Selene, I like you.”
I stand perfectly still.
What? Seriously, what is in that drink?
I am swaying back and forth to the music again.
We are both in sync with each other’s body.
I look up at him, he looks down at me. He does have a beautiful smile, and I can not help
myself. I smile back.
There is a hand on my back. I feel almost calm immediately. I turn. It’s Cali. What in the hell does Cali want?
“Can I cut in?”
YES! Please do! I love you Cali. No, not really, but in this moment. I love you. “Sure.” I step to the side. I smile at Sebastian. He does not smile as Cali puts her hands
around his neck.
Okay, now to find Alex again.
I see Chloe and Chris dancing together. I can see the light from a bonfire down on the beach. People are dancing everywhere. Alex is standing beside the fire.
Chapter 4 I make my way through the crowds of people on the balcony to the steps. These steps seem to go on forever. Either I’m drunk or drugged, because these step’s are taking me too long to get down.
I see Alexander standing very close to Ian. They look like they are arguing. What could they possibly be arguing about? It’s a party.
I can hear someone following behind me. At this point I am almost running to get to
Alex. I run right into Alex. I stumble. I can feel myself falling. Alex reaches out and literally picks me up off the ground.
I swear he picked me right off the ground. No way he is that strong.
“Selene. Are you ok?” I brush myself off and try not let him see me blush.
“Yes, I’m so sorry Alex. I thought someone was chasing me. I am so sorry.”
“ I was not chasing you, Selene. Your senses are finally coming in.” Sebastian says loudly behind me.
What is Sebastian talking about now? My senses are coming in? How much did I drink? Just the one cup. I can’t even remember where I put the cup?
“Huh?”
“Sebastian, tonight is not the night, man. Just let it go. Relax. Have a good time. It’s a party remember?”
What is Alex talking about? Does he know that Sebastian “spikes” the drinks? What the hell is going on?
Senses?
Not tonight?
What is that light? It’s their class rings? Are they glowing?
I can not help but feel like I am on some kind of drug? I don’t feel drunk. Oh my gods. He puts drugs in his drinks? That’s it! I am going hurt him. I feel like there is a storm brewing inside of me. How dare he drug me!
I feel a hand on the small of my back. I turn to my side. It’s Alex. I feel immediately calmer. How does he do that to me?
“Selene, you should go back up there and dance,” Alex almost screams to me. I see Chris walking towards us. I run to him.
“Chris! I think Sebastian drugged me.” He burst into laughter.
“No one drugged you. Really, we are going to have to get you out more. Chill, Sis.”
“I am serious Chris! Where is Chloe?”
He points to the balcony. I can see her dancing around in circ
les with a crowd of people. I can hear her singing. Loudly. She finally spots me and waves. I wave back.
The music suddenly changes.
How did the music change so drastically? This sounds like something Chris would listen to while working on his car, not party music.
“Finally! Some good music man!” Chris and Sebastian do some kind of weird handshake.
Everyone starts jumping up and down in sync with one another. Sebastian starts singing loudly.
Chris starts back towards the balcony, probably to head bang with the others. What is this devil music? Ha.
That’s what I always tell Chris when he starts playing this heavy metal stuff.
What do they even sing about?
Wait!
I can see their rings glowing. It looks like Sebastian’s stone is on fire. The garnet is so red. Is that a three headed dog on the side of the ring? Is that a Cypress tree on the other? How do I even know what a Cypress tree is? How can I see that so close.
I can see Ian’s the same way. There is a spear and a helmet on either side. The stone must be aquamarine, because that is the prettiest blue-green stone I have ever seen.
Alex’s ring is by far the brightest. The diamond in the middle is crystal clear. On one side of the ring is an Eagle. Maybe for our school mascot? The other is a lightning bolt.
Why are their rings glowing?
Is that Cali?
I can clearly make out her bracelet. It looks exactly the same as mine. The only difference is the charms. I am going to have to get closer to see it.
She has two rubies where I have pearls, and on each side is an owl. In the middle it says Daughter, just like mine. The other charms are a snake, helmet, and a shield. Didn’t Ian have a shield on his too?
What is happening to me?
I step toward Cali to see her bracelet better.
Sebastian steps closer to Alex. He looks very angry. Why is he so angry?
“Stop, Sebastian. This is going to go to far.” Cali steps in between them. I can hear thunder rolling above us. A storm? Out of no where? I don’t remember hearing about there being any storms tonight?
“Back off, Cali. This does not involve you,” Sebastian tells her.
“Yea it does. It involves us all.” I can see Ian stepping closer to Sebastian as Cali stands to the side of Alex.
“Let’s just prove my theory.”
“Sebastian, there is no need. We all know now. Just drop it man,” Alex says.
“Selene!” What? How did I get involved in this?
“Yea?”
“Why don’t you tell us where you got your bracelet again?”
“What is your problem with my bracelet? Cali has one just like it.”
“Hold on. You can see her bracelet? Clearly,” Sebastian asks.
“Yes. I’m not blind. Why?”
“Selene, maybe you should go home? I can give you a ride if you need me to.”
“No way Alex! You do not get to rush her out of here before she knows what is going on.”
“Sebastian, I’m warning you- stay back.”
Cali? What does she think she is going to do?
Does she see these two? Even I am a little nervous.
Another crash of thunder.
I hadn’t noticed Sebastian’s dogs earlier. Three large dogs are awfully close to his side. Actually, it looks like a three headed dog.
“Selene, do you know who your father is?”
Did he just ask me about my father?
Why would he even care? What’s it to him?
“What does my father have to do with this? That is so random? Really. Why do you
care?”
“Because we all know who your father is. Except you.”
I can feel the fury rising inside of me. I step closer to Sebastian. I feel a hand on the small
of my back. It’s Alex. His touch calms me. How does he do that?
“Take your hand off her back! Let her feel her own emotions.”
“Sebastian, I seriously don’t think this is the right time for this.”
“How would you like her to find out Alex? Stop playing games with her. I want her to
know the truth. You want to keep it from her. Why?”
A loud clap of thunder hits again. Everyone but me seems oblivious to it. “Sebastian. Do not do this. Not tonight!”
“Do you not see that this our chance. Tonight is the night! We have waited over three
years for this. We all knew it was coming. Why are you waiting? You don’t think she can handle it? Do you not see the potential in her? She is HIS daughter!” “Stop talking about me like I’m not here! If you know something about my father than good for you! I don’t know the man, nor do I care. He has not’t been a part of my life. EVER! So, why don’t you tell him to GO TO HELL for me!”
Alex has now removed his hand. “Selene, you need to try and stay calm. We will help you understand all this. I just don’t think tonight is the night.” Cali steps close to me.
“Why don’t you shut the hell up Cali! All you do is follow Alex around like a lost puppy. He has the right to make his own choices, you needy bitch!” Laughter explodes from Sebastian and Ian.
“Finally, someone had the nerve to speak the truth,” Ian claps.
“I will give you this tonight Selene, but do not speak to me in that way again.”
“Are you kidding me? Who the hell do you think you are? A goddess? Shut your mouth. You will not control me like you do Alex!”
Sebastian comes to my side as Alex moves closer to Cali. I watch them all like it’s in slow motion. I can see Cali coming close to me.
I move to my right.
She swings.
She misses.
She turns.
She swings at me again.
I move to my left. She misses me again. I turn.
I swing at her.
I punch her right in the face!
A loud crash of thunder hits over our heads.
“ENOUGH CALI!” Another crash of thunder with a lightning bolt that almost touched the shore. I stop moving. Everyone freezes.
Except Sebastian.
He moves closer to Alex. They stand face to face.
The bracelets are shining. Alex’s ring is almost a blinding light.
“If Cali ever tries to hit Selene again, you will deal with me.”
“If I wanted your opinion I would ask you. Do not test me Sebastian.”
“You talk to much!”
I could see it about to happen. I could feel the rage inside of them. I wanted to stop what happened next, but it was too fast.
Sebastian throws the first punch. He lands it on Alex’s left cheek. Alex throws the second punch. He lands it on Sebastian’s right cheek. I have to do something. Stop all this.
Is this all over me? Over who my father is? I have to stop this! But how? How do I stop them from killing each other.
I can not let them fight over me, I need to stop this!
Scream! Yes SCREAM!
I stomp my foot, and the loudest scream I have ever unleashed. Everyone stops. They are all staring at me.
I scream again!
“STOP!”
I can see lighting. Sebastian’s dogs are growling at Alex’s feet. I can feel something under my feet. I look out into the ocean. A wave is coming.
Not just a wave. A tidal wave is building.
“SELENE! STOP! You are going to cause the wave to hit us. STOP!”
I can feel my body trying to relax. I stand there in shock. I am amazed with myself, honestly.
“Just breath Selene. You are really going have to calm down. Please. We will stop all this. Please just calm down.” Alex seems to know exactly how to do that to me. He puts his hand on my arm. I feel calmer.
I look out into the ocean. I can see the wave slowing down. It’s no longer a tidal wave. The waves are really hitting the shore, though.
How did that happen? How did a tidal wave just turn back into a wav
e? What drugs am I on that I can see all this?
Chapter 5 “Are you ok?” Alex looks directly into my eyes. His blonde hair looks messy. He wraps his arm around my waist and brings me in close. I am staring into his green eyes as he leans down.
Is this about to happen? Is he about to kiss me? I don’t want to be kissed by him like this. “I don’t think so, Alex. Stop trying to control her emotions.” Sebastian puts his hand on Alex’s shoulder, and pushes him back. The force breaks his grip on me.
“Alex wants to control your emotions so that when I tell you who your father is that you
won’t lose it.”
Oh great. We are back to this.
At this point I just want to go home. Pretend this night did not happen. “You know how you and Cali have matching bracelets?” I stare at Cali who is holding
her cheek.
“Yea, Sebastian, what is the big deal? You can probably buy them anywhere. What is
your point?”
“Those bracelets, our rings, are all from our fathers.” He puts his hand on mine. “Do you see anything different than you had before tonight? Is it shinning? Can you see
images on my ring?”
“Yes. Why? Get on with it Sebastian.” I pull my hand back quickly.
“Don’t do this, Sebastian. Not tonight.” Alex puts his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder.
Sebastian stares at him, and takes my hand back into his. He intertwines our fingers together. I
can almost feel his emotions.
It’s a rage, yet calm. His hand is warm as he grips my fingers tightly.
“I’m telling her. Enough!” Sebastian looks at our hands and pulls them up to his chest. He
leans down and kisses my hand. I look at his face. He looks into my eyes. I keep trying to pull
away from his touch.
“You are a Migades. Your father is Poseidon. I know this sounds crazy, but please just
hear me out. We are all children of a god or goddess.” He points to Ian, Alexander, and Cali. “Believe me. I know this may sound insane, but I did not drug you. Tonight was a test for
us to find out who the other goddess at the school was. I know this sounds nuts. Just listen to
me.” I finally free my hand.
I look at Alex, Ian, then Cali. She nods her head up and down. I look back at Alex. “Ok. You have had your fun at my expense. I am leaving now. Whatever this drug is, it
