Falling For Fire

by Talia Jager

  I noticed an animal lying by the roadside. As I got closer, I realized it was a fawn. I squatted down and touched its head, trying to see if it was dead. Suddenly, the fawn jumped to its feet, knocking me backward, and took off. “Weird,” I muttered, wondering why it had just been lying there.

  I got to my feet and continued my walk home.

  The cabin had an awesome fireplace, and I started a fire right away. The flames caught my attention and kept me mesmerized for a while. The fire seemed to dance, and I found it beautiful. It was calming just sitting there watching it.

  That night, I dreamt of her. The image never stayed around long enough for me to remember details other than her icy-blue eyes. I always woke up longing to hold her, but not knowing who she was made that impossible.

  The next week, Trevor asked me to spar with him again. This time I only held back a little, winning in half the time it took him the week before.

  “Wow. You are good.”

  “I’ve had a lot of training.”

  “Would you mind teaching me a few things?”

  “I can do that.” I showed him some moves right then and there and told him I could work with him a little bit every week.

  “Dang, bro,” our other coworker, Miles, said walking in. “You got some skills! Could you take two at once?”

  A smile spread across my face. “Bring it on.”

  It didn’t take me long to have both of them on their backs. Feeling good after winning, I treated them to dinner. Being a little insecure, I wanted to make sure they didn’t harbor any bad feelings.

  Trevor came up and stood next to me while I was staring at the pool. “Something interesting going on down there?”

  “No. Are we allowed to use it?”

  “Yeah. You swim?”

  “Yes.” I headed down to the pool after work, changed, and dove in. I did a few laps and then hung on the edge of the pool, catching my breath.

  “You have excellent time.”

  Startled, my head shot up. An older gentleman with a beard that spread across his cheeks, chin, and down his neck stood there.

  “I didn’t realize anyone was here.”

  “You’re fine,” he said. “I’m Patrick Kemp.”

  “Sorin Carmichael.”

  “You work here?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m a self-defense coach.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “Yes—”

  “But?”

  “I love being outdoors.”

  “Nature is beautiful,” he agreed. “You could volunteer at a park.”

  “That’s a good idea. Thanks.”

  I began swimming laps a few times a week, and when Patrick showed up, I’d talk to him. After a month of being inside all the time and feeling depressed, I started hiking and spending time outside when I wasn’t working. I took a volunteer position at the National Park Service and signed up to take forestry classes at college in the fall.

  The summer flew by, and the temperatures started to drop. I wasn’t looking forward to the bitter cold. Classes started up, and it was difficult fitting it all in, but I was determined.

  The first good snowfall came in November. It started while I was at work and when I walked outside, the familiar sound of the snow crunching under my feet surprised me. My neck turned to the side so that I could look up at the light and see the snow falling. Suddenly a feeling of déjà vu came over me. I remembered holding someone in my arms and dancing while the snow fell around us. I couldn’t see her face, but I could feel her love.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Aurora

  I fingered the business card in my hand and looked down the street. It was only a couple blocks down. Should I go say hi? She did give me her card, but she was probably just being nice. I turned to go home, but then stopped. It would be nice to have a friend. I walked down the block and found the tattoo shop. Taking a deep breath, I walked in.

  Kailani was hunched over someone’s arm, coloring in a tattoo. She glanced up and back down without saying anything. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe I should just go. I started backing up toward the door.

  “Leaving so soon?” she asked.

  “No…yes…You’re busy.”

  “I’m almost done. Have a look around while I finish up.”

  I nodded. On the other side of the store was a counter-height bar with stools. Three black couches lined the wall of windows. After wandering around looking at all of the artwork on the wall, I sat down on one of the stools. There was a case with jewelry in it. She probably did piercings too. I flipped through some books with pictures of tattoos she had done.

  After the guy checked out, Kailani walked over to where I was sitting. “Hey.”

  “Hi. So you…are a tattoo artist?”

  “Perceptive.”

  I blushed. “Sorry. I’m bad at small talk.”

  “It’s fine.” She waved her hand. “I’m actually a co-owner. My cousin and I bought the place.”

  “Cool.”

  She stared at my shoulder. “Your tats are exquisite. Did you have them done around here?”

  “No. I just moved here.”

  “Oh good. I was worried I had some serious competition.”

  Laughing, I said, “No. By the looks of your gallery, I think you do just fine.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Thanks. You interested?”

  “No.”

  “Aw. C’mon.”

  “Not yet. These are…special.”

  “Sounds like there’s a story behind them.”

  There was. There had to be. But I couldn’t remember exactly why I got them. “I like the snow, the cold, the ice.”

  “Well, love, you’re in the wrong place. Hawaii is anything but that.”

  I laughed and twisted a strand of hair around my finger. “I know! I don’t know what I’m doing here.”

  “Your hair is very unique. No signs of roots. Is your hair naturally that blonde?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow. How often do you have to touch up the blue?”

  I hesitated. “Not often. I think it’s because my hair is so blonde. The blue stays vibrant.”

  She looked at both sides of my face. “No piercings?”

  “No. I’m good.” Things got quiet for a minute. I slid off the stool. “I should go. Thanks for um…” I didn’t know what to say.

  “I hope to get to know you, Rory. I know what it’s like to be the odd one out. The one everyone is staring at. I’ve been there. So if you want a safe haven to come to, come, hang out here. If you need someone to chat with, come and chat. Whatever you need. Okay?”

  I was touched that a stranger was being so thoughtful. “Thanks.”

  Once I had finished my trial week at the salon, Kika asked to see me in her office. “Rory, have a seat.”

  Silently, I sat down and mentally crossed my fingers that whatever she had to say was good news.

  “I’ve been very pleased with how you’re doing. The customers are happy when they leave. So I’d like to extend the offer to work here full-time.”

  I grinned. “Wonderful! Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Keep up the good work. I think you’ll go far if you do.”

  Smiling from ear-to-ear, I walked to Frozen Sweets and ordered a bowl of ice cream.

  “Good day?” Anela asked.

  “As a matter of fact, yes. Kika offered me the job permanently.”

  “That’s great! Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.”

  Anela put the ice cream with a plastic spoon down in front of me. “I gave you an extra scoop.” She winked.

  Licking my lips, I dug in and ate the cold refreshing ice cream.

  That night, I woke up from a dream. I had been walking down a grand staircase dressed in a fancy gown. The dream wasn’t scary, but it seemed so real. It was as if I were actually there. I stood up and got a drink of water. It took me a while to shake off the weird feeling the dream had left me with.

  Kailani came
in the salon the next day. “What time are you off?”

  “Eight.”

  “Come see me,” she said firmly and walked out.

  When I got off, I walked down to Kailani’s place. The bell rang when I walked in, and a guy looked up. “Aloha! You must be Rory.”

  “Was it the hair that gave it away?” I asked with a smile on my face.

  “No. The ink. Kailani said you had the most amazing snowflakes. I didn’t think something so small and feminine would be as awesome as she said, but she’s right, they’re stunning.”

  “Thank you.”

  After he examined my snowflakes for a bit longer, he said, “I’m Akoni, her cousin.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “She’s in the back. Through the door.”

  I walked in the door and found Kailani filing some paperwork. She wore black, ripped jeans and a short black tank top that showed off the tattoos on her arms. On her left forearm was a half-sleeve of butterflies and flowers, and she had some sort of line design on her right forearm.

  “You made it.”

  “I did.”

  “I figured I would have to invite you down again. I could tell you’re the kind of person who needs a little coaxing at first.”

  Nodding, I answered, “Guess so.”

  “How are you liking your job?”

  I smiled. “I love it.”

  “Good. Kika is really great to work for. She’s a good person. She’ll watch your back and treat you like family as long as you do the same. Do you have family here?”

  “No.”

  She pursed her lips and studied me. “Don’t get along with them?”

  “No. I got emancipated when I was seventeen. They disapproved of a lot of my lifestyle choices.”

  “Oh wow!”

  “What about you?”

  “My parents are dead. I grew up with my aunt, uncle, and cousin.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thanks. It was a long time ago.”

  I didn’t feel comfortable asking her what happened to her parents. Not yet. Maybe after I knew her better. She picked up her purse, and we headed outside.

  “What about a boyfriend…or girlfriend…whatever you prefer.”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend right now,” I answered.

  “Me either. Did you have one recently?”

  “Yeah. Well, not too long ago.”

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “Our families didn’t exactly approve.” I shifted uncomfortably.

  “They force you apart?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can’t you get back together now?”

  “No, the damage is done. It’s time to just move on.”

  She studied my face. “Really loved him, didn’t you?”

  “Yes.” I could still feel it.

  “What days are you off?” Kailani asked, changing the subject.

  “Sundays and Mondays.”

  “Do you want to hang out on the beach?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you surf?”

  I raised my eyebrows. “No.”

  The side of her mouth quirked up. “Have you ever been?”

  “No.” I laughed.

  “Well, I’ll teach you.”

  “I’m not sure about that…”

  She rolled her eyes. “What do you like to do?”

  “Ice-skate.”

  “Ice-skate? You do realize you live in Hawaii?”

  “I know.”

  “Where do you skate?”

  “I haven’t since I’ve been here.”

  “I’m not sure there even is a place.” She pursed her lips in thought. “How about you let me teach you how to surf, and if you find a place to ice-skate, you can teach me.”

  I thought about it. “Okay.”

  “Good.”

  “I like dancing too.”

  “Dancing is closer to my kind of thing than ice-skating.” She laughed. “Maybe we can go dancing sometime. Where do you want to go now? I’ve got an hour before an appointment.”

  I shrugged. “Not really sure what there is to do in an hour.”

  “Eat?”

  “I could use some ice cream.”

  “Ice cream? Ice-skate. You sure like cold things.”

  I smiled. “I know.”

  We both had big bowls of ice cream at Frozen Sweets and then went back to her shop. “Do you want to stay and watch?” she asked.

  “Will it distract you?”

  “No.” She rolled her eyes.

  I stayed and watched as she tattooed a dragon on a man’s shoulder. I didn’t leave until close to midnight.

  A month later, the haze had long worn off. I no longer felt as if something were wrong. I did have vivid dreams though. I dreamt of four waterfalls often. And butterflies. Occasionally faces flashed in my dreams, but I didn’t know who they were. Sometimes I’d wake up feeling loved, and other times I woke up feeling lonely.

  After waking up from one of those dreams, I got ready to meet Kailani. I pulled on a pair of jean shorts with premade rips in them and a baby blue tank top with a bow around the middle. I slipped on blue flats and began the walk to her shop.

  Kailani and I had grown closer. We had lunch together before she went to work, and I’d come visit her when our salon closed.

  Her cousin, Akoni, constantly flirted with me. I didn’t mind, but I wasn’t ready for any kind of dating. I told him that, but it didn’t stop him from trying.

  “Ko’u aloha,” Akoni said when I walked in the shop.

  “Hi, Akoni.” I flashed him a smile.

  “You’re looking hot today.”

  “I’m hot every day,” I said with a sigh.

  “Mm-hmm…” He raised his eyebrows.

  I whacked him on the arm. “Cut it out.”

  “Kailani! Rory is here!”

  “I know, cuz. I can see her on the cameras,” Kailani said, coming out of the back room wearing flower jean shorts, a shirt that said Dream Big, and a black hat. “Ready to go?”

  “Yup.”

  “Bye, cuz. Bye, Rory.”

  “Bye, Akoni.” I blew him a kiss.

  Kailani rolled her eyes. “He eats that up, Ror.”

  “I know.” I laughed as the door closed behind us.

  Kailani put her sunglasses on. “You sure you don’t want to take the bus?”

  “No. I’m good. Can you handle all the walking?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good. Where are we going?”

  “Shopping.”

  “Um…okay. For what?” I asked.

  “Clothes. You need a new wardrobe.”

  “I don’t have that kind of money.”

  “I know places,” she said with a smile.

  I searched the clothing racks for blues, purples, and whites. The second I pulled out a white skirt, Kailani ripped it out of my hands. “No. All I ever see you in is white, blue, teal, or purple.”

  “I like those colors. And look at this skirt. It’s cute.” I yanked it back and held it up. It was long, white, and had lacy strips.

  She sighed. “It’s cute and hip. I suppose you can have that. It’ll go with anything.”

  She held up a short sleeveless dip dye dress that was white on the top, but then yellow, light green, and dark green at the bottom.

  “That’s cute,” I admitted. Searching through the clothes, I found another skirt. This one was floor length and wrapped around. It was beige, but it had designs covering the waist area down the edges.

  Kailani held up a pair of long brown boots. “Nice, huh?”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Seriously?”

  “Trust me, will you? I won’t steer you wrong.”

  “Okay.”

  “And this.” She held up a tan sweater.

  “It’s hot out there!”

  “For winter.”

  “Fine.”

  Kailani picked out a few more things that were colors I didn’t wear often—red, orange, pink
. Then she picked out a few things for herself.

  “Aloha, Kailani, what’s up?” the cashier asked.

  “Hey, Waiola. Not much. This is Rory. She’s new in town.”

  “Hey, Rory.” Waiola reached out, and I saw her tattoos.

  “Your work?” I asked Kailani.

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  “Kailani’s the best!” Waiola said. “I go to her for all my tats.”

  “And she gives me a discount.”

  Waiola extended the discount to me too, and I couldn’t believe how little I paid for my clothes. We walked out with our bags, and Kailani turned to me and said, “I’m very proud of you.”

  “Thanks. I think.”

  “Next weekend…” Kailani stared at me. “We’re going to start surfing lessons.”

  I gulped. “Okay.” Thinking of my dream, I asked, “Are there some waterfalls we could go to?”

  “Of course. This is Hawaii.”

  “Would you…” I hesitated, not wanting her to feel obligated to go with me. “Either go with me or tell me how to get there?”

  “Sure! I’ll take you. We can make a day of it. You’re off tomorrow, right?”

  “Yup. You?”

  “I don’t have to be in until night. Let’s do it. Tomorrow morning. Meet me at my shop.”

  In the morning, I put on a pair of jean shorts and a dark blue tank top. I had to dig through my closet to find a pair of sneakers. Standing in front of the mirror, I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and put a blue headband on to keep the hair out of my face. I filled up a backpack with some water and snacks and headed down to Kailani’s store.

  Akoni was standing with Kailani when I got to the shop. “Aloha, Rory.”

  “Hey, Akoni. What’s up?”

  “If you think I’m letting you two go hiking to the falls alone, you’ve got another thing coming.”

  “Yeah. He’s being all protective now.” Kailani rolled her eyes before studying me. “So…we’re going to have to get in a car for a bit before hiking in to where it’s at. You gonna be okay with that?”

  I pursed my lips. “We can’t just walk?”

  “Really too far from here.”

  I let go of a sigh and nodded. “Okay.”

  Akoni put his arm around Kailani and me. “Let’s go, ladies.” He led us to his car.

  “Do you want to sit in the front?” Kailani asked.

  I looked between the front seat and back. Neither looked inviting. “I’ll be fine in the back.” I reached out to open the door, but my hand froze.