CHAPTER TEN
Reminders of the Girl I Was
“Oh you look so beautiful.” Mona sipped on her afternoon cocktail. We were sitting in her favorite bistro having what I suppose you could call a meal. There wasn’t even enough food there to fill me up. I was so going to be hungry in half an hour.
“Thanks. It’s going to take some getting used to.” I reached up and ran my fingers down my shortened tresses.
“It’s very fitting for a beautiful young woman.” She took another sip and motioned to the waitress for another. I guess when you don’t have to drive and you have the money it’s perfectly ok to be lit by the end of lunch.
“If you say so.” I laughed.
“So, tomorrow night I’m having a party at the house. I have invited all your old friends.” She smiled. I felt like I was supposed to be excited to see the girls that were a part of my life when I thought I was a normal girl. “We are doing cocktail style. So we need to get you a nice dress to wear. Does your boyfriend have a nice suite and tie?”
I rolled my eyes. No matter how many times I told her that Adam and I weren’t together it went in one ear and out the other. “What color?”
“Oh most definitely red.” The waitress had brought Mona another drink and she had already consumed half of it.
“I can deal with red.” I said taking a sip of my soda. She had offered to buy me a real drink but I had refused. I didn’t want to get back to the apartment drunk.
“Perfect.” She cooed. “Alright so after I finish this drink we will head to the department store and pick you out a new dress.”
Great more shopping. I felt dread again. I hated shopping. I also hated the fact that I had to get another dress. Why had I left my formal hanging in my old bedroom? That was one thing that I never asked Shawn to bring to me, thought I wouldn’t need it.
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I didn’t have to try anything on unless I wanted to. They had girls that dressed in the clothing beforehand and walked like they were on a cat walk. If I wanted to try something on I just had to tell them which one. There was only one that struck Mona’s attention and she demanded that I put it on.
A simple red, straight skirted, strapless number. It actually looked pretty good with the hair and for just a moment I could see the little girl that had walked away from all of this looking back at me.
“Oh it’s perfect.” Mona clapped having me spin. She had yet another cocktail in her hand. The woman either had a drinking problem or the way I looked beforehand really was a mess.
“You think.” I reached for the price tag and she stopped me.
“Honey, don’t look at that. No price is too much for my little girl. Think of this as a graduation present.” She put the champagne flute down and stood up. “Now I saw a black one around here that was similar.” She waved over the sales lady and asked her to find the same dress in black plus a pair of size eight dress shoes that could work with either dress.
I walked out of the store in the black cocktail dress and six inch black stilettos. My white and red dresses hung neatly in a bag. I felt like a whole new girl and not the kind that I liked either. I would probably wear this dress once or twice and it will sit in the back of my closet in a bag for the rest of time.
Mona looked at her designer watch and frowned. “I forgot I have tea with Mrs. Helm this afternoon. Do you mind if I drop you off at your place? I will have a car come around for you and Adam tomorrow at three. You never said if the boy has a suit.” We were back in the limo and she was pointing the driver towards the apartment.
“I don’t think so but we can go and get one tonight.” I said crossing my ankles. I wasn’t as dainty as her I couldn’t get away with crossing my legs.
“No, no I will have Mitch drop one by tonight. If you two are out he has a key he can leave it in the bedroom. You both took the master bedroom I assume.” She winked at me.
“No I took the master, he insisted.” I choked.
“Oh honey, don’t lie to me I looked in the other room that bed was untouched.” She winked again. She wasn’t going to think anything other than the fact that we were together. I felt like smacking her but I let it slide. I hadn’t seen her in years so this is the least I could do.
She let me out in front of the building the driver getting my dresses and other bags of things I didn’t need. She had spent a fortune on me today. I carried everything upstairs and opened the apartment door walking in to Adam getting dressed in the living room while watching old episodes of Three’s Company.
“Holy sweet mother of merciful Jesus.” He said the moment I walked in. “Dawn is that you?”
“Oh don’t patronize me Adam I’m in no mood.” I put the bags down on the floor and straightened my skirt. “My feet hurt, my back hurts, and I’m scared to death my boob is going to pop out and say hello.” I moved around uncomfortably.
“You look amazing!” His eyes were about to pop out of his head and his mouth wouldn’t shut.
“Where are you going?” I asked taking the heels off and basking in the glory that was carpeting. I walked into the bedroom and hung the two dresses up in the closet. I had only worn the white dress for a few hours so it was still good.
“I’m meeting Rose downstairs in half an hour. She was going to show me around town.” He buttoned up his blue shirt and smiled.
“Oh. So you have a date.” I said my heart hurting. I was going to be alone tonight.
“Naw, we are just going to go and walk around. It doesn’t mean anything.” He picked up his shoes and sat down on the couch. “You want to go with us? If you do you will have to change because I can’t pretend to be into her if you are looking all hot.”
“No, I think you need to do this on your own. I will just sit here order Chinese and watch chick flicks.” I put my feet up on the coffee table.
“You sure?” He stood up and looked at his watch.
“Yeah just text me and let me know how it’s going.” I threw my head back and sighed.
“Alright.” He said slowly checking his phone. “She’s here.” He bent down and kissed me briefly on the lips. “Don’t wait up.” He teased.
After Adam left I got up and changed into my comfortable yoga pants and a tank top pulling my hair up into a ponytail and grabbing my laptop. I sat down on the couch, flipped open the lid grabbed the TV remote, and turned it to an old horror film. The Wi-Fi password was on the bar so I got up briefly to retrieve it and sat back down on the couch. My email loaded and I glanced through the lines of junk deleting what I was obviously not interested in. I had an email from Krista. It also had an attachment. I read the email first before opening the picture she had attached.
Dawn,
We had some new allies show up today. One of them looked familiar. I thought that I would enclose a picture for you. He said he knows you.
Krista
I opened the picture and felt tears in my eyes. It was Aaron, he was standing in my backyard looking towards the trees. His hair had gotten longer and his eyes looked even bluer than before. There was an odd beauty to him at this moment. I felt my heart twitch. It was as if it was trying to remember that it once had claim on him. Why was he there? He said that he was busy with training and stuff what made him show up at my house.
Krista,
What does he know? Why is he there? Is he staying or just visiting?
Dawn.
I know I was asking a list of questions but I wanted to know if we got home would he be there. She got back to me quickly which meant she was sitting somewhere swiping through her new phone. She wasn’t sure what she thought of the technology but she was impressed by the ability to connect with anyone.
Dawn,
They came to visit and speak with your parents. He only knows that the grandfather was a ruse. He doesn’t know what you are or where you are. Your mother said he is different, more dignified. He is qui
te a catch, I can understand why you had to have him.
Krista.
My hope was shot. He wasn’t going to be there when we got back. However, if he knew that my grandfather didn’t exist then he knew who my mother and father were. He also knew what they were as well. I gulped.
Krista,
Is he mad? Does he feel deceived? Have you spoken to him?
Dawn.
I waited a second for the response
Only for a moment. He was quite gentile. He said he had a feeling there was something more to you, that the fire was real. Whatever that was supposed to mean. He also said he would call you when they return to their home. I don’t know what he is though. He’s not vampire but he’s just as dignified as one.
Damn it! I was hoping that I would at least learn that bit of the mystery. Why wouldn’t he call me now? Why did he think that there was more to me? Oh so many questions running through my head and I was unsure of any of the answers.
I’m home alone now he can call me tonight.
I sounded needy but I didn’t care. I had to know he was ok. Well I knew he was ok I just wanted to hear his voice.
I will try and tell him. The others tend to keep him quite busy.
I sighed. It was always worth a shot.
Thank you Krista. You have no idea how much it means to me that you are there.
I looked up at the TV as the main female character went running up the stairs, as she was being chased by the villain. I shook my head. Why do they always run up the stairs and not out the open front door?
I will do what I can Dawn. And thank you, it means a lot to me that you are happy I am here. Let me know if he takes the time to call you.
There was no need for a response she knew that it was the first thing I would do. The greatest accomplishment of my life was assisting in raising Krista from the dead. She was an amazing girl. I put the lap top down with no need to finish going through my emails. I didn’t want any more news. All I wanted was for my damned phone to ring.
I fell asleep on the couch at around nine and was woke up by the buzzing of my phone on the inn table. I grabbed it and rubbed my eyes. It was a text from Adam. Good lord was it really midnight?
Adam: Having a lot of fun wish you were here. I shouldn’t be much longer hope you aren’t waiting up for me.
Me: Actually no I apparently was knocked out till you messaged. Glad you are having fun. See you when you get here.
I put my phone down and stood up and stretched. As if on some invisible cue my phone began to ring and when I looked down I saw Krista’s smiling face on the screen. Either she was calling me or Aaron was using her phone. I picked it up and hastily hit the talk button.
“Hello.” I said crossing my fingers.
“Hello.” The male voice said on the other end. It was Aaron.
“Oh good it’s you.” I said my heart racing. Even with the claim broken I still cared deeply for the boy.
“Who else would it be?” Then he paused. “Oh right your friend.”
“Why are you at my house?” I asked sitting down clumsily on the couch. I reached for the remote to turn the TV off.
“I came with the heads of the house to discuss an alliance with your group.” He did sound different.
“I wish I was there to see you.” I whispered.
“It would have been a shock. I wasn’t expecting the head of the allied forces to be your mother and father. I also wasn’t expecting to find out they were Angel and Demon.” There was a bit of curiosity in his voice.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you.” I sighed.
“I know. I am not mad at you. Maybe if I was still the old me I would be but the new me isn’t so easy to anger.” He breathed into the phone.
“That is good to hear. It does suck that you won’t be there when I get back.” I felt like I was falling.
“I will see you soon enough it seems. We will be back in a few weeks to solidify the alliance. We have quite an army where we are as well. Taking in the weak and rejected as well as the pure and strong.” He sighed. “I wish I could feel how I felt for you before.”
“I do too.” I wanted to cry. Then I thought of Adam, if Aaron was still around there would be no Adam and me.
“Look Dawn.” There was a breath. “I hope that seeing you will bring back something but if the thought of you doesn’t I’m not sure that seeing you will.”
“I know.” I didn’t want to sound hopeful. All I wanted was for him to see me and know that he had felt something once.
“I have to go. We are heading out in the morning and we have some other beings to talk to first.” He was ending the conversation not long after it started.
“I understand.” I longed for the talk to be longer but I was going to have to deal with what I got.
“I will talk to you soon. Probably sooner than I will see you. However now I don’t have to be so candid with you. The rules have sort of changed.” He sighed.
“I hope so. I will keep my phone near me so you call me anytime.” I demanded.
“Of course.” Just like that he was gone. I listened to the dead air for a moment before putting my phone down and running my fingers through my new bangs.
There was no need to inform Krista that he had called. I was sure she was there the entire conversation. I laid back down on the couch and looked at the ceiling I must have dozed off again because I was jolted awake by a set of lips touching mine.
I shot up from the couch my eyes adjusting to the dark. I could make out Adam’s silhouette in the darkness and I gasped for air. He started laughing and took a seat on the couch next to me.
“Goodness you would think you were attacked.” He grabbed me around the shoulders and brought me close to him.
“How was it?” I asked. It sucked being woke up twice in one night.
“It was great. We had a lot of fun. She was a bit bummed that you didn’t make it out with us. She said that she has a friend that she wants you to meet.” He leaned back on the couch and put his head back.
“A friend huh. Like a double date.” I groaned.
“Nothing happened. It was rather innocent. We got the first part of my tattoo done. I think you are going to love it.” He grinned.
“Great. Wait is there anything on your bed?” I looked around realizing that I had not heard a knock nor had I heard anyone enter the apartment.
“Yeah a bag with some dress clothes in it.” He said simply. “Is that for this thing tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yeah. I didn’t even know he was here.” I rubbed my temples.
“You must have really been snoozing.” He laughed as he stood up. “Let’s get my lady to bed before she turns into a pumpkin.” He didn’t even let me stand he just leaned down and picked me up like I was nothing and carried me into the bedroom laying me down on the soft mattress. I felt the bed give as he laid down next to me draping his arm over my waist. I turned to face him. “You look beautiful even with the black shit running down your face.” He kissed my eyelids.
I just laid there in his arms that night. Every hope in the world seemed to rest on him. I wondered what Rose was doing. Was she waiting for him to text her and tell her goodnight? Was she feeling more drawn to him after having such a good first date? Would he find that she was far more desirable and let me go? I held onto him tighter and drifted back to sleep.
Wild Fire Page 17
