by Dima Zales
That stopped me in my tracks. "You know what? You're right."
"So you'll try out for the track team?"
"I'll think about it. I need to get through this weekend before I start thinking about sports though."
"You're going to the dance?" he asked, looking surprised.
"Yes. I'm sure I'll see you there."
"Who's your date?"
"He's from out of town."
"I'll look out for you then," he said. "You'll think about the track team, right?"
I wanted to throw a book at him. "I told you I would."
"Okay, okay. I still can't get over how fast you are. You've been hiding some mad skills."
Emma walked in between the two of us. "Alexis, is Tanner bothering you?"
"No, he was just leaving."
"Just think about it." He walked off.
"What was that all about?" she asked. "Why was Tanner talking to you?"
"He wants me to join the track team."
"Have you been holding out on us, Lexi? I never knew you could run."
"I decided that I need to be more well-rounded," I told her, pretending that it was my idea. "I can't just be all about brains and grades. I need to outshine my sister, right?"
"Oh, I get it now," she winked. "At least it sounds like you have some serious running skills if Tanner wants you on the team. He's picky about who he accepts."
That afternoon, the crows were waiting for me again. They were flying in a large circle over the parking lot. I wasn't sure if they had noticed me or not, and I decided to look for someone to walk to my car with me. It was worth a try.
I walked back into the school, looking for someone who might be about to walk out there or who might need a ride home. I knew that several other clubs would be letting out soon too.
Some guy was heading toward the main doors. I walked a little behind him, happy to see the crows fly off and scatter. I knew that they weren't gone for good, but at least they were gone for the moment.
I drove to Amanda's place to talk about what she'd discovered at the court house. I knew there had to be at least something good, because otherwise she could have told me at school.
"Luckily, my aunt didn't question what I was looking for," Amanda said. "She just let me in and let me get to work. At first I didn't find anything on your family. There's nothing on any of you before you were three."
"That backs up their story about our moving here after the old house flooded," I said.
"Yeah, but then it gets weird," she said. "Right after you guys showed up, your dad put in a hospital request for your birth certificate and then a social security number request for you. It was like you had no identity before coming to Delphic Cove."
Chills ran down my spine. "Did you find anything else?"
She was quiet for a moment. "I did find more. But first I have to ask if you really want to know what I found."
"How could I not? I'm on a mission to find out about my past."
She sighed. "Okay. Well, some relative of yours that wasn't named needed bone marrow. Your parents, sister, and you were all tested to see if any of you were matches. None of you were, but you know that I took that genetics class—I saw right away that you're not related to your family."
"I knew it."
"But that's not all. All the documentation shows they've been claiming you to be a fully natural child. Most adopted kids do have birth certificates with their adopted parents' names on it, but there's always documentation of the adoption."
"They obviously want everyone to believe I'm not adopted." I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach.
I quit playing detective for the rest of the week and allowed the information to sink in. I hadn't said a word to Natalie, even though I'd promised to tell her as soon as I found anything out. In a way, it seemed as if saying it out loud would make everything feel more real.
In order to get my mind off of my questions, I began researching crows.
After reading past the information about their high intelligence and other normal facts, I learned that for centuries, it was believed that crows are associated with death. People used to think if crows followed someone, it was an omen of impending death. Could these things indicate my impending death? My heart sank. Why had I gone on this search?
I decided then and there to stop playing detective. On top of everything else, now the crows could be a sign that I was about to die. It was time to focus on the dance and my handsome date.
I was thrilled when Saturday arrived, and it was time for Brooke to get me ready for the dance. She wanted me to come over a full five hours before it was time to leave for dinner.
When I arrived, Brooke said, "Steve and Cliff are out for a while, so you won't see Cliff before you're beautified."
"Oh. That's why you need five hours," I said, finally understanding.
She laughed. "There's a lot to do—and I spent hours yesterday getting ready for my dance last night."
When we got to her room, all the mirrors and windows were covered with dark paper. "You really don't want me to see myself before you're finished, do you?" I asked.
"That's right," she said. "You won't be able to capture a reflection of yourself until I show you what you look like in a full-length mirror."
She started by taking me into the bathroom—the mirrors were covered there, too. Then she washed my hair in the sink.
"You know, I did take a shower this morning."
"Trust me, my shampoo and conditioner will make your hair gorgeous. You're going to beg me to take it home."
While my hair was still damp, she put in a wide array of different sized curlers all over my head. It felt strange, tugging and pulling in all directions. I probably looked like an alien, not that I would know with the mirrors covered. Then she sprayed something all over my hair that smelled like honey and flowers, and then covered it with some kind of bag.
We moved back to her bedroom, where she put some funny smelling liquid on a cotton ball and rubbed it all over my face. Once that dried, she applied layer after layer of lotions on my face and neck. It seemed that she used every color in the rainbow.
Once that was done, we went to the kitchen and had some lunch. I was glad that Steve and Cliff weren't there. I was sure they'd be laughing at me if they could've seen me.
Back in her room, she gave me a manicure and pedicure. Brooke started by cleaning and massaging my fingers and toes. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensations.
"Is this why so many people get manicures and pedicures?" I asked.
"It's heavenly, isn't it?" she asked.
Brooke continued with my royal treatment. When she was finished, I stared at my nails. Each was a work of art. They were all similar, but also slightly different.
I was beginning to feel like a work of art myself…and I was starting to like it.
After my nails had set, Brooke started on my hair. She removed the bag and tested the level of my hair's dryness, which met her approval, so she slowly removed the mass of curlers. She bustled around pulling this curl, pinning that one, spraying another.
It took about an hour, and it was a challenge keeping my head still. Brooke kept tilting it back to the correct angle.
Once she was done, she used nearly an entire bottle of hairspray and I was sure that it would take several washings to get it out.
After that, she allowed me to stretch and walk around before she started on my makeup.
"With all of this work, I'm sure that I'll look better than normal," I admitted. "But I still doubt I'm going to be beautiful."
"Alexis, even without the makeup or the dress you look stunning. I can't wait to see the finished product."
"I am curious." I couldn't help smiling.
"We're almost done. Can you believe it?"
"No. It's been a marathon." I sighed. How would I make it through a dance? I was already exhausted.
Just as she was finishing up my makeup, there was a knock on her door.
"Sta
y out," Brooke shouted.
"Just seeing if you guys are ready," Steve's voice came from the other side of the door. "Cliff's ready."
"We're not," Brooke hollered. "Just wait downstairs."
"Okay," Steve called back.
"Almost done," she told me. She stepped back, looked over my makeup and smiled. "Perfect. Now it's time to get you into the dress."
"I haven't even seen it. Bring it out."
She pulled a dress bag out of her closet and laid it on her bed in slow motion.
"I can't take it anymore. Take it out of the bag."
She slowly unzipped the bag. "Close your eyes."
"What? Are you crazy?"
"Nope. Close those eyes—and no peeking." She looked giddy.
I vowed to get her back. I closed my eyes.
"Grab my hand and step into the dress," she said putting her hand on mine. I stepped into the dress, and she pulled it up. "Okay, now hold still as I zip it up."
Brooke zipped it and then pulled at it here and there. She stepped away, I assumed to give me a full look over.
She helped me slip on uncomfortable heels. Then she placed a necklace on my neck, a bracelet on my left wrist, and finally some earrings on my ears. She stepped back again.
"Amazing, simply amazing." Brooke sounded in awe. Then her tone changed to bossy. "Listen closely. I want you to look up to the ceiling and walk over to my full-length mirror. Don't look down to see the dress or anything else. Just look at the paint on the ceiling and walk to the mirror. I'm going to remove the paper and then you can see how you look."
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, looking up. I walked carefully and stood in front of her full-length mirror. I looked in anticipation at the large sheet of paper, which she couldn't have removed any slower.
When I saw the unbelievably beautiful person staring at me from the mirror, my breathing stopped. I thought I was looking at the cover of a magazine. I couldn't be looking at myself. I didn't even recognize myself.
"What did I tell you?" Brooke asked. Her eyes were wide, obviously full of excitement.
I was speechless. The dress was gorgeous and elegant, fitting me perfectly. It was multi-colored with silver sparkles. My hair cascaded perfectly around my face and down my back.
I didn't even recognize my own face. It wasn't as if she'd applied so much makeup that my face was hidden. It looked natural, but yet brought out my features in a way that I never imagined possible.
The jewelry, hair clips, and nails were the perfect finishing touches to complete the picture that was me.
"You're breathtaking," she whispered. "You really look like royalty."
"I can't believe it's me," I said, finally able to speak. I couldn't take my eyes off my reflection, unable to believe what I was seeing. I'd never seen anyone more beautiful. I truly couldn't believe that it was me. It just couldn't be plain, boring me.
"It's you, Alexis. Now you see why I've always been jealous of your beauty."
"I just can't believe it."
"Time to meet your date." Brooke winked. "Everyone's waiting."
My heart plummeted to my feet.
5
"We're ready," Brooke called out at the top of the stairs. "Is everyone ready for my latest creation?"
My heart sped up even faster. I drew a deep breath and then took the first step with care, since I was not used to wearing heels. That was the one thing that Brooke hadn't thought of, teaching me to walking in them.
Everyone was downstairs: Emma, Amanda, Natalie, and even my parents. All waiting to see me.
I was assaulted with flashing lights. They all had to have had cameras.
When I got to the bottom of the stairs, everyone started talking at once.
"You look beautiful, honey," my dad said.
"I can't believe it. Stunning." That was my mom.
Natalie grinned. "Alexis, you're gorgeous."
"Where have you been hiding yourself?" asked Emma. "Holy cow."
"Smart and beautiful," said Amanda.
"You look fantastic," Steve said.
Once the room stopped spinning, I told Amanda, Emma, and Natalie how great they looked.
"Alexis," Brooke said, pulling my attention away from my friends and family. "There is someone that I'd like you to meet."
I'd almost forgotten about my date after the shock of seeing everyone else.
Brooke grabbed my hand and walked me to the other side of the living room. The most handsome guy I'd ever seen stood, looking as nervous as I felt.
As our eyes met, everything else disappeared. I became lost in his chocolate eyes. It felt as though I'd entered a new world. Strange, new feelings washed over me. I was not a romantic. This was something that I thought was reserved only for movies.
Stars danced in front of me, and I looked around for the nearest chair. My heart raced and my skin was afire. My mind swam. The room spun out of control.
How could a stranger bring such a reaction? I had just seen him, and neither of us had even spoken.
He took a step forward. He hadn't stopped looking at me. I had found my home. I felt safe and secure, everything I lacked with my family.
I shook my head. I needed to get a grip.
"Alexis, this is Cliff," Brooke said. She sounded miles away.
I blinked and then breathed. I hadn't realized that I was holding my breath—that he'd taken my breath away.
He smiled. "It's wonderful to meet you, Alexis."
His voice was the most amazing sound that I had ever heard. It was familiar, but how? Tears of happiness threatened to escape. I nodded.
I needed to regain control. There was no logical reason for the feelings. I took another deep breath. It was just a regular day, only with fancy clothes. I needed to keep a level head about this. If anyone could stay rational over a storm of feelings, it was me.
As I looked at his perfect features. It felt like I knew that face a lifetime ago. He was the answer that I had been seeking. I knew that I didn't belong with my family but somehow I belonged with this breathtaking stranger.
So much for a level head.
I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came. Instead, to my horror, I threw my arms around him and whispered, "I've missed you so much."
He wrapped his arms around me, leaning close to my ear. "Not as much as I've missed you." I felt like I was in the arms of someone who loved me and would go to the ends of the earth to protect me. His breath tickled my skin. "Do you actually remember me, my beautiful?"
Before I could answer, I heard my parents and friends gasping in surprise.
My face warmed, and I let go of Cliff and then turned around. I couldn't explain why I'd leaped into a stranger's arms. I only knew it was the right response.
Amanda saved me. "Let's get into the limo. We still need to pick up the others and get to the restaurant."
"A few more pictures first," my dad said. We all posed for the camera. I felt like a princess standing next to my prince.
Before I knew it, we were all in the limo, and everyone spoke excitedly over one another. I sat next to Cliff and tried not to look into his eyes because I knew I would get lost in them again. I needed to stay focused on my friends.
At the restaurant, I sat across Cliff. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.
"Alexis," Amanda whispered, jabbing me in the side.
I looked up. Everyone at the table and the waiter was staring at me. I blushed again, though I doubted anyone could tell through all of the makeup. "Yes?"
Cliff covered his mouth, obviously to suppress a smile. He must have thought I was a total fool, and for good reason.
"What would you like to drink?" the waiter asked.
"I…uh…I'll have what he's having." I looked at Cliff.
I wanted to bang my head against the table. And to think that Brooke had been so sure that we would hit it off.
Cliff smiled at me. "Brooke told me how beautiful you are, but you're more stunning than I imagined."
"Well, I don't usually look like this. In fact, I usually blend in so much that people don't take note." I restrained myself from smacking myself.
"I would've taken note of you, even dressed plainly," he said. "You're beautiful. It's something mort…most people can't see. They can't see beyond what the fashion designers tell them is attractive."
"That's true," I said.
"It's admirable that you haven't gotten sucked into that. It's a trait to be truly treasured."
"Admirable? I haven't heard that one before. Well, your cousin is into fashion, and you trusted her opinion of me."
"My cousin? Oh, right. Brooke. She loves making people beautiful, but she isn't shallow. She knows how to bring out people's best. Even when they don't see it for themselves."
The waiter was back with the drinks and took orders. I hadn't even looked at the menu.
Cliff leaned toward me. "Don't worry. I know a dish you'll love."
"Have you been here before?" I asked.
"I'm familiar with French food," he said. "Will you let me order for you?"
"Sure." I was probably better off letting him choose than taking my chances with the unfamiliar names on the menu.
As everyone was ordering their food, I looked at Cliff's majestic features again, and my heart sped up again. I'd never met a guy who held any visual interest for me, and yet I couldn't deny the pull that I felt toward Cliff.
After the food had been ordered, Cliff said, "Maybe we should talk to the others. We don't want them to think that we're snobs."
I laughed. "Okay."
He winked at me and then turned to talk to two of the guys sitting next to him. I turned toward the girls, who didn't notice.
"I had no idea she was so beautiful," Emma whispered.
"I knew she was pretty beneath the boring clothes," Amanda said, "but I didn't know she's freaking gorgeous."
"You think she'll stay our friend?" Emma asked.
"Yeah. She's not going to start hanging out with Natalie's friends," Amanda said. "Just because she's hot now, she isn't going to drop her brains."
"Or she could."
