by E. S Night
She grabbed my hands and looked at me, trying to calm me down so I could answer her questions.
“They didn’t accept me and Grayson together, they could see we were serious about each other and they didn’t like it. I’m not the girl they want with their son.” I struggled to tell her part of the truth. They say when you lie you should keep some level of truth in it, that way it's easier to remember the lies you’ve told, hopefully it would work.
“What! A girl like you? You mean respectable, polite and intelligent - these aren’t the things they want in their son’s girlfriend? What did Grayson say; he opened his mouth to stick up for you didn't he?” I would have been blind not to see that my mum was getting angrier at each answer I gave her.
I sighed. “He stuck up for me, he did everything right – his family were just terrible. Anna and Colton were fine and little Ella, but the rest of them; it was like they were out for blood.” I rehashed the incident in my head.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that sweetheart, it’s taking all of my strength not to go over there and give them something to talk about! How dare they? Who do they think they are? So, we have little money – so what! If they were going to treat you like this what was the
point of them even thinking of helping us out at the hospital? Did you tell them about your dad? He has money, is that not good enough for them? It looks to me darling you have made a lucky escape.” Mum hardly breathed at all during her rant.
I cried again. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.”
“I can’t have you treated like that Abigail, no matter how great Grayson is, you understand?” Mum hugged me.
“I know, but I love him.” I let my head fall softly onto mum's shoulder.
Mum looked up to the ceiling frustrated. “Okay, how about this? Why don’t you give everything a chance to settle for a while and have a good time with Riley tonight? You need some cheering up, I will not let you mope around here because of a few idiots who can’t recognise how amazing you are.”
The door of the living room opened, my brother and Riley were standing under the archway. “We will have an awesome time I promise you Abi, let’s go! Let’s go right now. I’ll get you a drink and we can have a sing.” Riley shouted, hearing every word I said,
eavesdropping from behind the door.
“You all heard everything, didn’t you?” Their silence made me laugh which then made everyone else start giggling.
“I’m sorry Abigail; I tried to get them away from the door.” Uncle Konrad attempted to look innocent but was failing miserably. “And they’re disgusting, let no one make you feel worthless – don’t give them another thought Abi and as for Grayson, I think you should keep away from him, anyway.” He continued.
I felt a heavy sickness come over me. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.”
“Yeah, it sucks Abi although I’m still allowed to like Ella, though right? I mean I’m in the same boat, they probably don’t like me either.” Logan spoke.
“Yes, you can still like her, I’m sure Grayson and Ella can think for themselves.” I added, whilst Konrad helped drag me and mum up off the floor. Riley impatiently pulled me in for a hug although her hugs have always been a form of strangulation.
“Right let’s go, I’m ready – you’re ready, I’ll sort your eyes when we get outside, to the Mermaid!” She yelled readily grasping my hand
pulling me towards the front door.
“Look after her Riley and have a good time girls! I’d say don’t be home too late but that would only fall on deaf ears, so go on, get gone.” Mum laughed.
I held my arms out for a cuddle. “And I could say we won’t be home late, but that would be a lie, so I’ll just say thank you.” I let go of mum as Riley continued to nudge us out of the door.
I don’t know how my family did it in under an hour, but I was feeling like myself again.
The walk to the Mermaid Inn was a long one, but it gave me a chance to explain everything to Riley, obviously leaving out the part that, my boyfriend and his family are werewolves. We arrived at the bar, I hadn’t been here for at least seven months, I hated coming without Riley – it’s kind of our place. The Inn is right at the entrance to St Mary’s harbour and it definitely likes to show off its' maritime past, the bar is like the social centre of the island and we loved it here! The only big difference now was we could drink a hell of a lot more because we are at the right age. I remember when we used to sneak in vodka in a water bottle and drink it in the toilet; it would go all over Riley’s purse, so we rarely got
to drink much alcohol.
I was hoping we could eat in the bistro first, I never got to eat that meal at Grayson’s house and I was starving. Riley must have had the same idea as me because she led us right into the restaurant which overlooked the old quay. I’d forgotten that you could see the other islands from here. Sitting down in the restaurant made me feel much more relaxed, I couldn’t wait to forget what had happened just hours ago, at least for tonight anyway.
There were three young guys I’d never seen before, sat just a few tables ahead of us, Riley was already flirting with them from what I could see in her body language. They were all gorgeous but even after everything that happened today, there was only one man still on my mind. The friendly staff took our order right away and thank God because I was thinking I’d eat Riley soon if I didn’t get something in my stomach. I ordered the Merman beef burger, I was so hungry. The waitress and Riley looked at me strangely and I knew what they were both thinking, especially after Riley had chosen a measly chicken salad to eat, but I didn’t care - I wanted comfort food and I wanted it now.
“I can’t believe you ordered that when those guys are sat there.” Riley honestly admitted.
I scoffed. “Why would I care what they think? I have a boyfriend and I’m upset – this girl eats when she's upset.”
After about ten minutes our food came, I dove straight into my burger, destroying it with huge bites - washing it down with sugary coke. Riley glanced up at me from her meal, looking at me as if I was possessed.
“What has gotten into you? You normally eat slowly.” Riley had confusion written all over her face. She was right, I do normally eat slowly, like an ant in fact - the day’s events were obviously catching up to me.
I instantly felt my stomach reject the food. “I know - I’ve just never felt like this about a guy before it's making me insane. Oh no, I need the bathroom – I don’t feel so good, I think I'll be sick.” I rushed out of my seat towards the toilets. I was in the bathroom for about fifteen minutes throwing my guts up. Luckily, I always carried a tiny bottle of mouthwash in my bag; I use it when I run out of chewing gum. I still felt dreadful though; I think it was my body’s way of telling me to deal with what Grayson had told me instead of
running away from it. I was fixing my hair in the mirror when the bathroom door flew open; it was one of the men sat near our table.
“You’ve been in here a while haven’t you? We kind of guessed you were seeing if one of us would follow you in here.” He slowly approached me.
“No, I’ve been sick, you idiot! Get out of my way.” I yelled, trying to get passed him.
The guy wasn’t letting me leave; he pushed me to the bathroom wall and touched my face. “Come on; don’t be like that, I know you were flirting with us back there.”
I attempted to push him off me. “No! I wasn’t!”
Suddenly, the door was thrown off its hinges, crashing into the wall. “Abigail!” A voice roared from the corridor. It was Grayson; he threw the man aside, punching him in the face.
Riley and the manager, Philip came dashing in behind Gray to see what all the commotion was about.
Not wanting Grayson to get into any trouble, I yelled. “It was that guy, he came at me - Grayson stopped him.”
“Oh, my God, I’ll call the police!” Philip spoke.
I cried. “No! It’s okay, I’ve had my fair share of
> drama today, and please I don’t want to talk to the police, please just make it so he can’t come in here again. That’s enough, he was just drunk.”
“Hey! You hit me.” The guy shouted as he awoke on the floor.
Philip pierced his lips. “You’re lucky that’s all he did, it’s time for you to leave – never think of coming back in here again.” The man was escorted out of the bar and the staff couldn’t apologise enough for what happened. Grayson paid for a new door for the bathroom, I think he doubled the amount of money just because we caused such a scene.
“Now that idiots gone, do you not want to sing a song before we go?” Riley asked gently.
“You sing?” Grayson asked me looking surprised.
“Aww that would be nice Abigail, you have such a lovely voice, I’ve not heard you sing in ages. Please sing in here, I know you're thinking you want to go to the Brae but I'm sure these regulars would love to hear you sing in here again.” Philip said, overhearing our conversation. I’d known Phil from being a kid, singing all over the island with my dad. I used to think singing was what I would do for the rest of my life; it was
something my dad always shared with me. When my parents separated, and he moved, I changed my whole life plan and began writing, I guess literature then became my dream.
“I don’t think so, I don’t really sing anymore.” I insisted, hoping that they would all drop it.
“Please.” Grayson added. Grayson had just rescued my ass from that guy; I knew I owed him one - even if he ignored my request for some space.
“Fine, one song.” I walked up to the stage.
I reached for the microphone and I could feel the fear trembling inside me, I’d not performed in front of an audience for years, I didn’t even know if I was any good any more. I told Phil to play I Waited for You, I loved that song, and I always used to sing it to myself after my dad left.
I stood there waiting impatiently for the music to start. I couldn’t cope with looking at the other customers in the bar so my eyes roamed around the room. I was drawn to the local artefacts coated on the walls. There was a name board taken from a wrecked fishing vessel I hadn’t noticed before and postcards plastered all over it on from visitors all around the world, I wanted to read each one of them. Although, they would
probably say the same thing, that our island was heaven on earth.
As the song kicked in, I sang, feeling myself come back to life with every word. I could hear Riley whispering to Grayson whilst they moved closer towards the stage.
My days are filled with your smile,
In the mirror, I just can’t look away.
You follow me around.
When did I stop feeling?
How can my heart no longer break?
When you left, you took me with you,
Now there’s nothing left to take.
I waited too long for you,
You made it impossible to fly,
You broke what dreams I had
And you left them in the sky.
I waited for you. I waited for you.
My life is defined by you here,
When a door closes, nothing opens.
“How did you know where she was? You
stormed straight past me into the women’s toilets, how did you know she was in there?” Riley demanded.
“I guessed.” Grayson snapped.
“Sure - of course you guessed?” Riley understood she wasn’t going to get any answers out of him. “You know this is a big deal, right? She hasn’t performed in years because of her dad and now to sing because you asked her – that’s big. You’re changing her Grayson, I just thought you should know that.”
He smiled. “No - she’s changing me.”
“I thought this relationship was a bit of a joke, it’s been nearly two months and you’ve already said you love each other. I’ve got to tell you I didn’t believe in it.” Riley sighed.
“Believe in what?” Grayson asked her, not breaking eye contact with me.
“True love. That’s what this is, right? If it’s worth anything to you, I give my blessing to you both. It’s different somehow, what you two have, it’s as if you’re connected or something. She moves, you move and vice versa. It's strange but lovely to watch. Hell, if she's happy, I'm happy but you need to sort your family out before I go and kill them.” That was the most vulnerable I’d
seen my best friend act in years.
“It means a lot you approve of us, I mean it, thank you and I will - sort them out.” Grayson smiled, finally turning to face Riley.
When did I stop feeling?
How can my heart no longer break?
When you left, you took me with you,
Now there’s nothing left to take.
I waited too long for you,
You made it impossible to fly,
You broke what dreams I had
And you left them in the sky.
I waited for you. I waited for you.
I’ll find a way without you,
You shouldn’t think of me again,
I will always remember – that,
I waited for you. I waited for you.
When the song ended, everyone cheered and made me feel welcome again. Most of the people were locals, and they knew I could sing, I just hadn’t done it for a while.
Grayson had a way about him that brought
the best out of me, mum's been trying to get me to sing like that for the past three years and I never would, he asks me and I’m up there in two seconds. It scared me how much I wanted to please him.
Grayson came to the stage and offered his hand. “You were incredible; I didn't know you could sing like that.” He helped me down from the steps. “I’m proud of you, seriously that was amazing.” Grayson kissed my cheek.
This man was everything I’d ever dreamt of in my entire life and Riley hit it spot on - it was as if we were connected. I don’t think I could walk away from this even if I tried, I knew he would always pull me back.
After everything that had happened today I didn’t feel like drinking or staying late, I wanted to go home. Grayson made sure Riley, and I got home safe and walked us all the way to our front door.
Riley spoke. “Bye Grayson, it was nice meeting you properly tonight.”
“You too Riley.” Grayson smiled, as she headed inside, closing the door behind her. “I can see why she’s your best friend, she’s protective – I like that.” He added.
“Yes, she is, I love her. Did you compel me to get on stage?” I asked, thinking again about my need to please him.
“What? No and I won’t that was all you. Is there anything else you need to ask me, I thought there might be a few more questions?”
“Gray honestly I have a thousand questions to ask you.” I admitted, looking down at the ground.
He laughed. “Like what? I’ll answer anything.”
“I don’t know, erm, are any of the things real that I already think I know like - silver bullets, wolfs bane, the moon for God’s sake, I feel like I don't know anything anymore.”
Grayson sniggered, lifting my spirits slightly. “Well, you said the moon, right? Somehow, we are connected to it, it heightens our powers, we get easily aggravated I suppose but everything you’ve seen in the movies and read in books when people change into wolves because it's a full moon, it’s not real. I can change anytime I want to.”
“Does it hurt?” I asked the question, not wanting to know the answer.
“The transformation? It used to when I was kid and it all kicked in but no it doesn’t now, it's
fine.” He smiled, knowing I still loved him. “Do you need to see?”
“You turn? No. I don't mean that in a bad way. I just - erm - need time with this. I believe you. Obviously. I saw the wolf - I mean you - wi
th my own eyes. I don't need to see it.”
“That's okay. Let's just carry on. You said silver bullets and wolfsbane – silver bullets - not so much. I mean they hurt, but they won’t kill us. Quicksilver on the other hand can kill us if it gets in our heart.” He continued.
I was confused. “What’s quicksilver?”
“Mercury, it hurts like hell and it takes days to recover, sometimes weeks depending how bad it is. If it gets in our heart, we're as good as dead.”
“It can kill you? I’m guessing the Lasair know that.” I was terrified of something being able to kill him.
“Yep, as they’ve proved in the past but we can heal from almost anything. When I told you the story about Ula, whatever second spell the Lasair later enchanted on my people enhanced us. They ironically made us better.” I could tell from Grayson’s face he wanted to change the subject. “Erm, wolfsbane, it can hurt us, but often we can fight it, quicksilver is the deadliest thing
to us. Other than that, you will be pleased to know we are pretty much indestructible.” He grinned, although he was not settling my nerves any.
“Can you live a long-time? A longer than normal lifespan or something?”
“Nope. I will grow old just as you will and I don’t need blood to survive either, or have fangs.” He joked, I realised that I was talking about a completely different legendary creature.
“Do they exist?” I asked, not caring how ridiculous I sounded.
“Blood sucking vamps, I have no idea but as far as I know, we have never come across them. Sorry to end your dreams of running off with one.” He made me laugh and once again, I was taken with his eyes, but reality set in. This was real-life, this was no fairy-tale, and I needed to be smart.
