by S J Crabb
I feel absolutely devastated. I can recognise the same pattern emerging with me and if I hadn’t been so afraid of my secret coming out I would have succumbed to his charms. It was all probably part of his act and I feel well and truly taken in. Fighting back the tears I resolve not to let him get to me as he did poor Jessica Parker. I will not play his game and he can do his worst for all I care.
With my new found resolve I manage to avoid him all week. Every time I see them coming I dodge them and by the end of the week I congratulate myself on a job well done. As we leave school for the weekend Cally nudges me and I follow her gaze. “Oh no this looks like trouble.” Looking I see Ash and his gang hovering at the foot of the steps, which means that we have to pass them to leave. There is no sign of Skylar and her friends which doesn’t surprise me. Straightening up in determination I grab Cally’s arm and walk purposefully down the steps. As I draw near to them I pointedly look in the other direction. I can feel Ash’s eyes burning into me but I make myself look away. I almost think we have got away with it but then he speaks saying, “Well, well, little Tess and her faithful friend. Long time no see.” I feel Cally stiffen beside me and I pull her along ignoring him. Before I go to pass his arm shoots out and he grabs hold of my arm. “Wait up there little Tess, where’s the fire?” His friends snigger and I feel the anger welling up inside me. Pulling my arm away I turn to him and say angrily. “Leave me alone. I’m not interested in being part of some sick game that you play because you’re bored. My cousin has told me what you’re like and I’m not interested in being yours and Skylar’s next target.”
I stomp off and Cally follows me in disbelief. I can almost hear a pin drop such is the silence that follows. I almost make it to Gabe’s car when I feel someone behind me and then I am picked up off the ground and carried away from the cars to a clearing behind the bike sheds. Struggling I shout, “Put me down now!” I hear him chuckle and then I am carefully placed on the ground and pinned against the wall. Looking up I see Ash looking at me with amusement. There is nobody around and I feel suddenly afraid. I try to get away but he holds me there and then looks at me carefully. “I don’t know what on earth you are talking about but I do know that you have been avoiding me. That has made me curious little Tess and I like to know what’s going on.” He leans towards me, his eyes searching my face as if looking for something. I can feel my face burning and then I hear, “Let her go!” Turning my face in the direction of the voice I almost weep with relief when I see Gabe standing there looking extremely angry. Ash turns to him and says wearily. “You just don’t give up do you?” As he relaxes his hold I break away and run to safety behind Gabe. I pull on his arm. “Come on Gabe, let’s go, he’s not worth it.” Gabe stands his ground and I can feel the menace in the air. As I look I notice that Jacob and Jace have moved in behind us and their expressions are threatening. Feeling afraid I look at Ash and plead with him. “Please, just leave us alone. We don’t want any trouble.” Tearing his gaze away from Gabe Ash looks at me and gestures towards his friends. “Let them go, this can wait for another day.” The others part and let us through. I pull Gabe away and thankfully we are soon at his car. Shaking I say, “Please, just drive Gabe. I don’t want to be the one responsible for you getting hurt.” Gabe is angry I can tell. Sinking back into the seat I know that a confrontation is only a matter of time.
Chapter 11
The next day is Saturday and I am due to go to work at the library. I decide to tell my Aunt that I don’t feel well enough to go. I just know that Ash will turn up and I don’t feel ready to deal with him yet. Instead I have a lie in and phone Cally to talk about the plans for this evening. I have the afternoon off from the diner as well because tonight is the school’s beach party. Everyone is talking about it and are very excited. Cally and Piper are going to come around to get ready here and we have spent the week planning our outfits and generally getting really excited. Ash and his gang are not expected to attend, and I heard Skylar boasting about a party that she was throwing for the cooler element of the school, stating that school parties were for nerds and losers. Subsequently everyone is happy. They get to hang out with their cool friends and the rest of the school get to have fun without the threat of being bullied or ridiculed.
Cally and Piper turn up with their outfits and Aunt Sarah keeps us supplied with drinks and snacks as we get ready. I am having so much fun and feel more relaxed than I have in a long time. Gabe is going to drive us there and we have promised to stick close to him and his group just in case of unwelcome visitors.
As we get ready I notice just how pretty both of them really are. Like me they dress down all the time in case of drawing attention to themselves. Tonight though I think that they should pull out all the stops and look amazing. I decide to give them a little help and ask if they would let me do their hair and make up. They don’t know that I have special powers which enable me to heal things and give life to otherwise lifeless objects. Not that I am saying that this applies to them but I may just be able to give them a little bit of extra sparkle this evening.
By the time I have finished they both look amazing. I have styled Cally’s hair so that it hangs down her back in waves. The make up accentuates her beautiful blue eyes and her cheeks have a hint of colour to them. Piper looks amazing too. I have cleared up the acne on her forehead. She thinks that it’s make up but she will be surprised to find it gone in the morning. I have put her hair up in an elegant style and her make up draws out the colour of her green eyes. They look absolutely amazing and both of them are over the moon with their transformations. Cally claps her hands in delight. “Thank you Grace. You are a miracle worker. I have never looked so glamorous. I feel amazing too; you have a real gift for this.” Piper also thanks me. “Grace, I have never ever looked so good. Thank you so much.” I feel pleased that I can help my friends. I decide that I will just wear my hair down with minimal makeup. I will leave the glasses behind though and just pick out a white sundress with a pale blue jacket to wear if it gets cold. I pull on some sparkly sandals and we are soon ready to go. As we head downstairs Gabe is waiting impatiently. Aunt Sarah’s eyes mist over as she sees us and when I reach her she smiles at us all. “You all look lovely. Have a great time and make sure that you all stick together and don’t drink any alcohol.” Gabe looks at us in admiration and I notice with interest how he keeps on looking at Piper in disbelief. She has really transformed this evening and her slim figure and blonde hair are totally his type. This evening is going to be interesting.
When we reach the beach I am amazed at the transformation. There are little camps set up along it with fires burning in drums. The music is loud and there is a band playing on a makeshift stage. There is also a bar area and people are dancing and drinking and generally having a fantastic time. Gabe gets us seats with his group and we sit there watching his friends in amazement. I haven’t ever really spent much time with Gabe’s friends and I soon realise what a fun group they are. I feel proud that Cally and Piper hold their own against the cheerleading crowd and I am amused to see how much attention Gabe gives Piper. He is really fussing over her and I nudge Cally when he hands Piper a drink and leans over and says something to make her laugh. Cally grins and raises her eyes. “At least one of us is set for a good time.” My heart sinks as I think of Ash and what might have been. I really thought that he liked me and I can’t believe that it had followed the same pattern as Jessica. A couple of the team chat to Cally and I and we all get on really well. I can tell that they are interested in us but I don’t want to encourage them. If Cally is interested I will support her but I don’t want to get into anything.
After a while Cally pulls me up to dance and the two guys follow us. Pace, appears to have latched on to me and his friend Carter appears to like Cally. Its fun but I soon decide that I would rather not lead them on. I whisper to Cally. “Let’s go for a walk without them. They may get the message then.” Leaving Piper dancing with Gabe we sneak off down the beach.
We walk some distance from the party and sink down on to the sand. It is such a lovely night and we both lean back and watch the waves crashing to the shore. Cally looks across at me. “Are you having fun Grace?” I nod happily. “I am. This is my first ever beach party and I have been looking forward to it.” Cally looks thoughtful. “You don’t really talk much about your past Grace. I worry that it hasn’t been easy for you.” Picking up the sand and letting it filter through my fingers I say sadly, “I’ve moved around a lot and haven’t had time to make many friends. As soon as I do we move away again.” Looking alarmed Cally says, “You’re not going to move again are you?” I shrug my shoulders. “Probably. I can’t stay with Aunt Sarah and Gabe forever and when school finishes they will probably move me on again.” She goes to speak but then we are aware that we are not alone. Two bodies sink down on to the sand beside us and in alarm I see that it is Ash and Jacob. I try to jump up but Ash pulls me down anchoring me beside him with a firm grasp. “Hi girls. Aren’t you enjoying the party? I see you’ve ditched your dancing partners.” Cally looks at me her eyes wide. Jacob laughs saying, “Come on Cally; let’s leave Ash and Grace to talk.” He pulls her up but she resists him. “No, let me go. I won’t leave Grace with him. He’s dangerous and I don’t want her to get hurt.” Ash laughs and motions towards Jacob who all of a sudden lifts Cally over his shoulder and strides off up the beach with her. I try to follow but he keeps me in his iron grip and says softly, “Just think of me as her Fairy Godmother. All of her wishes are about to come true.” I look at him in alarm. “What do you mean?” Laughing softly he says, “I know that they like each other so I thought that I would give them a helping hand. The way she is looking tonight is amazing and Jacob is well and truly smitten more than he was before.” “How do you know?” I say incredulously. He grins. “I make it my business to know things that will help me in the future. You never know when they might come in useful. Take tonight for instance, I wanted to get you alone and Jacob has always had a hidden thing for Cally. There you go, problem solved.” Looking at him I say quietly. “Why are you doing this? You have a girlfriend and I don’t want to be part of your fun and games.” Ash suddenly looks serious. “So you said before. Anyway where were you today? I looked everywhere.” Snapping I say, “Avoiding you.” I see him smirking at me. “I thought so. I didn’t like it though.”
Shrugging my shoulders I look down. “I don’t care.” Turning to face me I see his eyes glittering in the moonlight. Reaching up he touches my face. “It’s taken me a little longer than usual but I know who you are my little Tess or should I say Ana.” Jumping back as though I have been burned I try to jump up. Pulling me against him he whispers, “I know it’s you. When you left me I was driven to distraction. At first I thought it had been a dream, then I realised it must have been real. How could I have feelings and memories so strong if they were just my imagination?” Looking down I try to hide my face. I know that one look into my eyes and he would know. This can’t happen and I must do everything that I can to put him off. However he is no ordinary guy and tilting my face towards his, even in the moonlight he can see everything. He gasps as he stares into my eyes. The very fact that he is so close to me means that I cannot disguise my feelings. He whispers, “I know it’s you, you cannot hide from me. Leaning forward his lips brush against mine gently. I can feel the heat tearing through my body and I know that I am powerless against him. The distant sound of the music coupled with the crashing waves on the beach add to the intense atmosphere. His kiss is gentle and loving, almost hesitant as if he doesn’t want to scare me away. The very fact that it is so tender lifts my spirit and takes me to a place that I have never been before. Taking me in his arms he moves in time to the music, both of us dancing in perfect time with each other. It feels so right to be in his arms yet so wrong at the same time. For now there is nothing that I can do. I have been overcome and I know now that all is lost.
After a while he breaks away and still holding my hand says in a whisper, “Come with me Grace, I want us to be alone somewhere safe. You need to be free again and we need to talk about this.” I know that I would go anywhere with him at this moment but I am still afraid. Sensing this he pulls me close whispering, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I just want to talk. Go and tell your friends that you are not feeling well and are leaving with Cally. I promise you that you will be safe.” For some reason I do feel safe with him, all of the fear that I did have appears to have left me. Nodding I look up at him and smile. His breath catches in his throat and he gazes at me an unfathomable expression on his face. He is fighting some demons of his own, I can tell. Maybe just maybe I can help him.
Pulling away I run back up the beach towards the party. I search for Gabe and ask one of his friends if they’ve seen him. Smirking he points to the dance floor and I stifle a giggle as I see him and Piper dancing together locked at the lips. Raising my eyes up I tell his friend to tell Gabe that Cally and I have left and I’ll see him at home. I feel better about telling him that as it’s the truth and I cannot lie. Grabbing my jacket I leave in search of Ash.
Chapter 12
I race back up the beach and then I see him, a shadowy figure in the moonlight. As I approach him he smiles and holding out his hand I grab hold of it, the feeling as I touch him sends shockwaves through my body. “Come on, I know just the place.” I wonder where we are going and he soon leads me to his motorbike. Grabbing his jacket he places it around my shoulders. As he sits astride the powerful machine he pulls me behind him. Hold on Angel, you’ll be perfectly safe. Nervously I sit behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. I can feel him tense underneath my touch and I bury my face in his back. He starts the engine and the bike pulls away. I have never ridden a motorbike before and the feeling is of pure exhilaration. As I cling on to him the wind whips through my hair and the feeling of speed lifts my spirits. The fact that I am with Ash intensifies the experience and closing my eyes against his broad back I lose myself in the sensation.
It doesn’t take long and soon the bike stops and once more there is silence. Opening my eyes I can see that we are in the mountains, back at the lake, our special place. Turning to face me, Ash’s eyes glitter in the moonlight and touching my face he says darkly, “You belong with me Grace; I felt it when you held me. We were meant to be together, you are my destiny.” He leans towards me and kisses me, his tongue gently probing and claiming mine. We join together in our special place once more and I know that he is right. Somehow this feels right, as if it was always meant to happen.
Pulling away Ash smiles sweetly and lifts me gently off the bike. “Come on, you need to be free.”
Leading me to the lake he takes off the jacket. As I feel his touch it is as though I am on fire. The feelings are so intense and I shiver as the jacket falls to the ground. As he looks at me I see him frown and then he reaches towards me and takes the locket in his hands. “Take it off Angel, you don’t need it here.” Seeing my expression he laughs. “You think that I don’t know a suppressor when I see it?” Holding his eyes with mine I reach behind me, undo the clasp and remove the locket, laying it gently on the ground with his jacket. I watch the wonder on his face as I feel the release from my makeshift prison. I can feel the sensation rushing through me as my soul escapes.
Lifting my eyes I know they burn brightly as he can see all of me in them. I stare at him as I remove my dress and see his eyes darken as he watches me, then tearing my gaze from his I walk into to the cool calm water of the lake and lay back, stretching in contentment as I feel cleansed by the moon’s rays. I know that he is watching me and I don’t care. It feels right that he sees me like this; he has to know who I am. Hearing a splash I know that he has joined me. Turning to face him he takes me in his arms. “You have nothing to fear from me Grace,” he says seriously. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise. We will find a way to be together, I just want you to feel safe with me.” Lifting my hand I run my fingers through his hair. “I do feel
safe with you Ash, here in this special place, but I can’t be with you down there. If anyone discovers who I am I will be moved away and I will never see you again. If my Guardians knew that we were together they would take me away forever. It’s impossible; there is no way for us.” I can tell that he doesn’t like it and his eyes glitter dangerously. “I will find a way; I am not going to lose you now that I have found you.” Reaching up I kiss him gently on the lips. For now we must just enjoy the time that we do have. As we kiss it feels so right. The perfect puzzle complete. Nothing else matters at this moment in time. The rest will have to wait.
We lay side by side once again, our bodies drying in the heat of the night, my head resting on Ash’s lap as he strokes my hair. Looking down at me he says in a whisper,
“How very lovable her face was to him. Yet there was nothing ethereal about it; all was real vitality, real warmth, real incarnation. And it was in her mouth that this culminated. Eyes almost as deep and speaking he had seen before, and cheeks perhaps as fair; brows as arched, a chin and throat almost as shapely; her mouth he had seen nothing to equal on the face of the earth.
Smiling softly I say, “Quoting Tess at me Ash. If only Miss Peter’s could see us now.” Laughing he says, “You bring out the romantic in me Grace. You may have several names but you will always be my little Tess.” Sitting up I move to face him and say gently, “Thus, neither having the clue to the other’s secret, they were respectively puzzled at what each revealed, and awaited new knowledge of each other’s character and moods without attempting to pry into each other’s history.”
