Guardian (The Guardian Series Book 1)

by A. J. Messenger

  I’m laying out dresses on my bed when my mom walks up and stands in the doorway. “I always loved dances when I was in school,” she says wistfully.

  “Will you help me decide on a dress?”

  “Of course, sweetie, you know how I love to help,” she gushes.

  “Okay, I’ve narrowed it down between these two.” I hold up a simple silver sheath I wore as a bridesmaid in my cousin’s wedding and a light blue chiffon cocktail dress with a fitted waist and fluttery cap sleeves. It’s an expensive designer number that Liz’s mom bought for her. Liz gave it to me because she said it didn’t fit her right and she thought it would look good on me. She never even took the tags off.

  “Try them both on for me, but I’m leaning toward the blue one, to match your eyes,” says my mom.

  I know she’s going to tell me I look beautiful in both. My mom sees me through the fuzzy lens of mom eyes. I wonder if I should ask Liz and Finn for their opinions, too, when they arrive. On the other hand, what does it matter what I wear? Alexander is going to be there with Malibu Barbie and I’d have to show up naked to compete with that star wattage.

  I try on the silver one first and spin around and we both think it looks nice. When I put on the blue one, even I have to admit I agree with my mom when she says emphatically, “That’s the one, honey. It reminds me of Julie Andrews’ dress in The Sound of Music.”

  I smile as I look at my reflection in the full-length mirror on my closet door. The dress fits me perfectly and the color brings out the natural honey highlights in my hair. I’m wearing my hair loose and wavy on my shoulders and I have to admit I feel very pretty in a casual, not-trying-too-hard way. That’s exactly how I want to look tonight—carefree, without a hint to anyone that my heart is crushed inside.

  My mom helps me pick out some shoes and I brush on a little blush, mascara, and lip gloss. I’m ready to go by the time Liz and Finn ring the doorbell.

  Liz has on a silk, knee-length kimono dress. It’s fuchsia-colored mixed with deep shades of blood orange, and it has clusters of tiny white and light pink flowers in a delicate pattern. A few butterflies are printed partially in front and partially behind the flowers to make it look as though they’re flitting in and out. It’s beautiful. She has her dark hair in an up-do with two porcelain chopsticks holding it in place. The hot pink stripe across her bangs matches perfectly. Finn looks very cute, as usual. He’s wearing flat-front khakis that hang low on his hips with a dark belt buckled slightly off center and a long-sleeved, white dress shirt, open at the collar. His brown hair is mussed in his typical way. I wonder if Liz helped him get dressed. They look very cute together.

  We all exchange compliments and my mom snaps a zillion pictures—she loves Finn and Liz as much as I do. She stands in the doorway as we walk to the car and yells out “Have fun!” as we pull away from the curb.

  The festivities are well underway when we arrive. It’s dark in the gymnasium and a large, glittery, disco ball (required by law, I suspect, at every high school dance) is spinning as it hangs from the ceiling. A D.J. is on a platform at the front of the room and music is blaring. Hundreds—maybe thousands—of reflective snowflakes are strung from the ceiling and down the walls. I have to admit, grudgingly, that Molly and her team have done a nice job with the decorations. To our left there’s a winter scene photo backdrop with an old-fashioned sleigh to sit in for pictures. Liz and Finn have some photos taken together and then we all ham it up and have group pictures taken. Liz and I sit in the back seat of the sleigh looking terrified while Finn pretends to drive. We stumble out of the sleigh laughing when I notice Alexander standing near the refreshment table, watching us. He’s alone. He smiles and raises his hand in a wave but I look away quickly.

  My eyes scan the room for Molly. It’s dark and there’s a large crowd on the dance floor making it hard to see. He must be getting her a drink. I’m careful not to look in his direction again.

  Liz and Finn ask if I want to dance and I tell them to go ahead and I’ll join them later. They’re holding hands and I can’t help but smile as I watch them walk to the dance floor. I feel like getting something to drink but I don’t want to run into Alexander, so I stay put and try to act casual as I scan the room again for Molly.

  “You look beautiful,” says a voice with a familiar accent. Alexander has sidled up beside me, startling me out of my feigned nonchalance.

  “Thank you,” I answer tersely. He has no business telling me I look beautiful when he’s here at the dance with someone else. I face straight ahead as I answer, but out of the corner of my eye I sneak a more thorough look at him. He’s wearing a slate gray suit and a crisp, white dress shirt, open at the neck. The suit fits his tall, athletic frame perfectly. With his dark, unruly hair and deep green eyes, he looks like he stepped out of a Gucci ad, for Pete’s sake. He has no right to stand beside me looking like that. A familiar electric charge begins to build between us and I force myself to ignore it.

  After an interminably long stretch of silence, he speaks again. “Are you mad at me, Declan?”

  Am I mad at him? The nerve of this guy—I don’t even know if mad is a strong enough word. I start running through a list in my mind of what I’ve been feeling: hurt, confused, disappointed, heartbroken. And, yes, mad: mad that he’s been avoiding me for months; mad that he won’t explain this mysterious danger that he probably made up anyway; and I’m furious that he’s here with Molly … Molly! It’s obviously safe for him to be around other people—just not me. And I’m really, really mad that he’s standing here now, asking me if I’m mad, as if he has no clue how much he’s toyed with my emotions.

  All the frustration I’ve been feeling for weeks builds up until I’m seething inside, but I take a deep breath and I don’t reveal a word of my inner thoughts. Why should I give him insight into what I’m thinking, when he won’t give me any answers of his own?

  Instead, I say tightly, “Where’s Molly?”

  “Molly?”

  “Molly Bing. Your date? Shouldn’t you be keeping tabs on her?”

  “What are you talking about? I didn’t come here with a date.”

  The news is welcome but confusing. “I thought I heard that you and Molly were coming together.”

  “She did ask me, but I told her I was going with a group of friends. I came with my Art History study group.”

  “So you’re not together?”

  “With Molly? No, Declan, she isn’t my type.”

  He gazes at me directly and I search his eyes for the truth. “What is your type?”

  “I think you know the answer to that.” His voice is low and the look in his eyes makes my knees weak. He parts his lips as if to say something more and then hesitates. A slow ballad is playing and I can tell he’s struggling with a decision. Finally, he holds out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

  We walk hand in hand to the dance floor as if in a dream and he puts his arms around me. As we slowly sway together, every nerve in my body is electric, in a heightened state of awareness. He pulls me against his chest, softly, and the magnetic charge between us holds me there. I never want this to end.

  We dance to two more slow songs and when the D.J. switches back to faster fare we stay out on the floor. Finn and Liz join in, too, and we all start taking turns making up stupid-looking dance moves that everyone else has to copy. Soon it spreads and the whole floor is dancing ridiculously. My stomach hurts from laughing so hard. After another few songs we’re ready for a break. Liz and I excuse ourselves to go the bathroom while the guys get our drinks.

  “Okay, what is going on with you and Alexander? I’m detecting some serious vibes there,” Liz says, conspiratorially, as soon as we’re out of earshot.

  “I don’t know. I thought he was here with Molly but he’s not. There’s a bunch of stuff I haven’t told you about, but I really like him. I’ve never felt this way about anybody before.”

  “Wait a minute … Declan Jane finally fell for someone and you’ve been hol
ding out on me? We are waaaay overdue for some serious girl talk, sister, and I expect you to spill all the beans. I have some things to share about Finn, too,” she laughs. “Have I told you what a good kisser that little genius is? Who knew?”

  “I’m so happy for you guys, Liz. I honestly get teary every time I think about it. You’re perfect together.”

  “Oh, I luvs my sappy friend who cries at everything—even Hallmark commercials,” Liz says teasingly as she throws her arm around my shoulder. “By the way, Finn told me what part you had to play in all this matchmaking business. I have to admit I was a little pissed off at first. But I know Finn would never have gotten it in a thousand years if you hadn’t spelled it out for him, so I guess I’m grateful. How did you even know I liked him?”

  “That day, when I said you two should go to the dance as a couple—you blushed. You never do that and I know you like a book my friend. It wasn’t hard to put it together.”

  She smiles wide and kisses my cheek with a loud, overly-dramatic smack. “Thanks for being such a hopeless romantic and always looking out for me. I guess I’ll have to forgive you for also being a complete buttinsky.”

  “I prefer ‘matchmaker.’ I just thank God it all worked out. When did you start liking him? Romantically, I mean.”

  “I don’t know exactly. Sometime over the summer I just started seeing him in a different way. He’s so smart and preppy and earnest and cute with that mussed hair and the way he talks, and that messenger bag he always has strapped across his chest.” She smiles with a faraway look in her eyes. “And we have so much fun together. I started thinking, ‘Why not?’ But I honestly thought it was a crazy idea and I don’t think I ever would have said anything. I figured the feeling would pass. But then it didn’t.” She looks up at me with surprise, her smile widening.

  “I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” I scold as we make it to the front of the line finally and she heads into an open stall.

  When we get back to the table, Finn is standing alone with two drinks in his hands. “Where’s Alexander?” I ask.

  “He’s dancing with Molly so he gave me your drink to hold.”

  Finn has no idea how devastating this news is to me and I try not to show it. I thank him for my drink and accept it with a shaky hand. I’m no longer thirsty.

  Liz’s eyes are sympathetic. “He’s probably just dancing with her to be nice … right Finn?” She nudges him in the ribs but Finn just shifts to the right because he thinks she’s elbowing for more room.

  “All I know is, I was pouring you a drink and I turned around and they were holding hands and Molly was leading him to the dance floor. That’s when he handed me Declan’s cup.”

  I scan the floor until I find them. They’re in the middle of the crowd but I can see Molly smiling up at Alexander as they dance to Maroon 5. She lifts her arms and twirls around suggestively in front of him. Alexander doesn’t appear eager to be out there but he doesn’t seem to be in agony either. He’s smiling and dancing along with her. After a few more turns Molly moves in closer and entwines her fingers in Alexander’s hair at the nape of his neck. Before I can fully register what I’m seeing, she leans in and they kiss. My heart stops mid-beat and freefalls through my body. I feel dizzy and turn away before I can see any more.

  “I’m going outside for some air,” I tell Liz quickly, my eyes stinging from holding back tears.

  “I’ll go with you,” she says.

  “No, I’m okay. I just want to be alone for a minute. It’s stuffy in here.”

  “You sure?”

  I nod. Liz didn’t see the kiss. She and Finn were facing in the other direction, but I don’t want to tell her because I know if I talk about it tears will start flowing and I won’t be able to stop.

  “Okay, but come find me if you want to go. Finn and I don’t mind.”

  “What? That’s crazy. I would never make you guys leave early.” I try my best to sound lighthearted. Liz is already being so kind because Alexander is dancing with Molly. I couldn’t bear to see the pity in her eyes if I told her the full extent of it.

  I slip out one of the side doors and the blast of cold air that hits my face is just what I need. I take a deep breath, lean against the wall, and look up at the moon shining between the clouds. The vastness of the stars makes my problems with Alexander feel small and insignificant.

  I look to my left and see a group of kids at the far corner under the streetlight. They’re smoking so I slide further down the wall to make sure I stay upwind. I settle into a shadow where I can’t be seen easily. I want to nurse my hurting heart in private.

  I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and try to shut out the image of Alexander and Molly kissing when I hear an unwelcome voice.

  “Would you like some answers?”

  My eyes snap open to see Avestan step out of the shadows in front of me. Instinctively, I step into the light by the door and grab the handle.

  “I’m not going to hurt you, Declan. I’m trying to help you,” he says, enunciating each word slowly.

  I look over my shoulder. The kids are still smoking at the corner but I keep my hand on the door nonetheless as I meet Avestan’s eyes. He’s immaculate, dressed all in black, as before, and I realize as I survey his face that he would be darkly handsome if he wasn’t so menacing.

  “Has Alexander told you anything about us?” he asks.

  I don’t answer. It’s unsettling to hear him refer to Alexander and himself as “us.”

  “I’ll take that as a ‘no,’” Avestan says, reading the expression on my face. “But you must be curious?”

  “I don’t want any information from you,” I hiss.

  “Answers are answers, Declan, no matter who they come from.” His voice is mellifluous, hypnotizing. “Don’t you wonder how he knew my name? How he knew you were at the boardwalk that day? I’ve known Alexander a long time and I can tell you everything you wish to know. You only have to follow me.”

  “Follow you?”

  “Follow me to somewhere quiet where we can talk.”

  Alarm bells are clanging in one part of my brain—the sane part I’m sure—but at the same time, I feel lulled somehow. I’m so curious. Alexander isn’t telling me anything, so why not listen to someone who will?

  I shake my head to clear it. “Why can’t you just tell me now? Here?”

  “This is going to be a long conversation, Declan. I’m sure you have many questions. It’s noisy inside at the dance and out here it’s cold. We can go somewhere public. The San Mar Diner is just down the street. Come with me and we’ll go inside, get some warm tea, and I’ll tell you everything you wish to know.”

  His offer of tea seems so civilized and harmless. And it’s only a short walk to the diner …

  “You start walking first and I’ll think about following behind you.” I’m shocked at myself for considering his offer, but I’m so utterly, maddeningly curious.

  Impulsively, I hold up my phone and snap a picture of Avestan. I email it to myself with a subject line that says, “I went with Avestan to San Mar Diner.” I figure it can act as insurance against Avestan trying anything and if worst comes to worst it will provide a timestamp and clue to the police. I send a quick text to Liz and Finn so they won’t worry. I tell them I decided to go home and I didn’t want to make them leave early so I had my mom pick me up. It’s a white lie, but essentially true—I will call my mom and ask her to pick me up. Only it will be later, at the diner.

  I fudge the truth a little to Avestan as well. “I just sent a picture of you along with your name and where we’re going to my friends, so don’t even think about hurting me.”

  “Declan, we obviously got off on the wrong foot. You’ll see that I can be a friend. I can answer all your questions. You just have to be willing.”

  “Willing to what?”

  “Willing to listen. Willing to come with me despite how Alexander may have misinformed you. You just have to be willing to come … willingly,�
� he says as he starts walking down the hill. I follow a few steps behind. When he reaches the sidewalk, he turns and extends his hand to take mine.

  “Are you willing to join me?” he asks.

  I surprise myself by reaching out to take his hand.

  “Declan, no!” The shout reverberates down the hill and startles me out of my trance. Alexander speeds toward us in a blur. “Stop!” He’s beside me in an instant and he pushes Avestan away. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, Avestan, but it ends here. This is between you and me. It has nothing to do with Declan,” he growls.

  “It has more to do with her than you think I realize, doesn’t it?” taunts Avestan. “Look at her! Declan wants answers, Alexander, and it seems I’m the only one prepared to give them to her. She came with me willingly.”

  “Is that true?” he asks me with horror in his eyes.

  “Maybe … I don’t know … I couldn’t help myself. You won’t give me answers to anything, and he said he would, and you told me you were dangerous. I honestly don’t know what to believe, Alexander, and frankly I don’t understand why you care anyway!” The image of him kissing Molly sears into my brain.

  Alexander stares silently with a confused and pained look in his eyes.

  “I still don’t hear him offering to explain anything to you, Declan,” says Avestan. “Why not come with me and find out the truth?” He extends his hand to me again.

  Alexander’s fist connects with Avestan’s jaw before I even see his arm move. There’s a loud crack and a bright white flash of light at the point of contact. Avestan flies several feet and lands on his back on the sidewalk. He’s up in an instant. He grabs his jaw, which is jutting oddly to the side, and slides it back into place. Am I dreaming? He walks purposefully toward Alexander with an evil intensity that makes me shudder. He strikes Alexander’s chest and I hear a sickeningly loud, fleshy crack and, again, I see a flash of light, darker this time, at the point of contact. Alexander is propelled at least a hundred yards through the air but he rolls onto his feet instantly and he’s back on Avestan in seconds. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. They trade punches back and forth at a frenetic pace and the sound of cracking bones grows louder with each new assault. The flashes of light are now nearly continuous. They’re both getting seriously hurt and I’m terrified and starting to panic. We’re far enough down the hill from the school that no one can see or hear us.