The Awakener

by Amanda Strong

  Eden was surprised when she glanced up from her book to see her mom standing in the doorway.

  Eden stretched her legs out, uncurling from the tight ball she’d been in on the recliner. She’d spent the past week living in the library.

  Her mom walked in, and Eden already knew what was coming. She’d been here before, back in Portsmouth, when all she did was read, alone, book after book.

  “Eden, the sun’s shining today. Why don’t you go swimming?” her mom asked, fluffing the pillows on the couch next to her.

  Eden shoved the faded receipt she’d found on the desk into her book. “I don’t feel like it today.”

  Her mom eyed the book, and Eden slowly shut it.

  “You’re reading an awful lot, not that I mind it. I just worry it means you’re still upset over your break up.” Her mom sat down, still holding one of the olive green throw pillows in her hands.

  “I’m fine. It’s not that.”

  Her mom glanced over. “What is it then? You seem like your avoiding your friends too.”

  Eden frowned. That wasn’t entirely untrue. Since Jessie didn’t hesitate to remind Eden that she was the one who wanted to break up, and that she’d tried to warn her about Micah, she’d been avoiding her more than usual. It was too painful.

  “You haven’t spent much time with Micah,” her mom continued.

  Eden cringed. Her mom didn’t miss it. “Did something happen with Micah?”

  She glanced at her mom and sighed. “I sort of told Micah I liked him, after I broke up with Andrew.”

  Eden watched her mom’s face; she didn’t seem surprised.

  “And?” her mom asked when she fell silent.

  “And he doesn’t like me more than a friend.” The words caused painful waves to roll through her. Her fingers tightened their grip on her book. She felt desperate to escape her own reality.

  “Oh, Eden, I’m so sorry. I really thought he felt differently. It sure seemed that way to Lacey and me. But, maybe it’s not you. Lacey told me he’s acting strange again. They’re really worried about him.”

  That got Eden’s attention. “Really?”

  Her mom glanced over. “He’s hardly eating anything. It’s like he’s starving himself. Lacey is beside herself on what to do. I was thinking of having the Hawkins’s over for the 4th next week, but maybe we better not.” Her mom gave her a sympathetic look.

  Not eating again? She hated the dread trickling in.

  “No, Mom, invite them. Maybe I can talk to Micah. We’re still best friends. I shouldn’t be avoiding him.”

  Eden tossed the cut watermelon into a bowl as the doorbell rang. When Brendon ran to answer it, she debated what to do. Her mom continued to slice tomatoes and pickles for the relish tray. Eden wiped her hands on a towel; her hands were shaking. Taking a deep breath, she retrieved the knife and deliberately sliced into a cantaloupe.

  A few moments later, Caleb emerged into the great room with Brendon. Since their kitchen was open to the great room, she watched Caleb set up a video game with Brendon on the big screen TV. Lacey came into the kitchen next. They all said their hellos, and then their moms began discussing the new table saw Eden’s mom had bought her dad for his birthday.

  Lacey said, “I think Jared wants a new one too. They’re out in the garage, looking at it.”

  Trent strolled into the kitchen, drawing Eden’s attention away from her mom’s conversation. He plopped on the stool next to hers and began popping chunks of cantaloupe from the bowl into his mouth.

  “Where’s Micah?” She dropped her voice lower and smiled. “Don’t tell me he’s still with Damon.”

  Trent’s smile was strained. “No, he’s out in the garage with his dad, looking at your dad’s tools.”

  What? No snarky come back?

  Studying him closer, she saw dark rings under his eyes. Her bad feeling got worse. He’s not sleeping… Micah’s not eating.

  Hearing someone behind her, she stiffened. Trent glanced over his shoulder, and she did too. She almost gasped, but bit her lip instead. Micah’s stood behind her, his blue eyes penetrating. She almost overlooked the paleness in his skin since her heart was banging against her rib cage.

  She stood and he stepped closer.

  He bumped her shoulder with his body. “Hey, stranger.”

  She nudged him back. “Hey, to you too.”

  His smile sent a thrill through her.

  She glanced away, catching eyes with her mom.

  “We got it in here. Why don’t you guys go catch up?” her mom offered.

  “Ok.” Eden felt awkward knowing their moms were watching. She followed Micah and Trent into the great room, trying to remember she had a purpose. I need to know what’s up with Micah.

  “So, is it true?” she asked him as they sat down on a couch together.

  He glanced over. “What true?”

  “That you’re not eating again?” There, it’s out in the open.

  Trent was the one to answer. “He has a name for it, but I say he’s just starving himself to death.”

  She glanced at Trent and then stared at Micah.

  He shook his head, grinning. “Always the drama queen.”

  Trent didn’t laugh. He stood up to join Caleb and Brendon playing the video game instead.

  “So, why aren’t you eating?” she pressed.

  He gave her a side-glance. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

  “Sweet! Did you see that?” Brendon blurted, pointing at the screen.

  Micah looked at the TV, but she continued to gaze at his profile. She was debating if she should keep pushing him when her mom came in and said, “Time to eat everyone.”

  Guess it’ll have to wait. Lunch was set up buffet style, Eden’s dad bringing in a platter full of hamburgers, hotdogs, and steaks. Micah gestured for her to go first. She shook his head and he gave her a friendly shove forward. She sighed and began scooping potato salad on her plate. His arm brushed hers as he followed her. By the time she’d reached the end of the line, she wondered if all the bumps and brushes were accidents at all. He seemed to be trying to be near her.

  She sat at the table, her heart in a tizzy. She was disappointed when he sat across from her. Guess no more accidental touches.

  But as they ate, while everyone visited and laughed, she caught Micah looking at her, more than once. The first few times she glanced away, afraid he’d see straight through her, but after the third time, she didn’t. She searched his face, seeing something new in his blue eyes. He’s worried. He glanced away this time.

  After lunch was over, she carried her plate to the sink. Trent was in the kitchen, rummaging through the cooler full of soda.

  Sort of missing his teasing, she tried to nettle him. “Kissed any new girls lately?”

  Trent grabbed a can and stood. He cracked it open. “Nope. How about you, now that you’re a free woman?”

  Unsure how to take his comment, she forced a smile. “Trent, you’re losing your edge. I didn’t think you could go a week without a new girl.”

  Trent snorted and grimaced. After a long swig, his expression changed as he gazed back at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to be with Andrew?”

  Eden was shocked by the pleading in his tone. He waited for response, his forehead wrinkled and his mouth frowning.

  “Uh, I’m sure you guys can still be friends without me in the picture,” she joked, but it came out flat.

  His eyes clouded over and, taking another long drink from his soda can, he walked away, muttering, “It’s not the same.”

  She watched him go and her insides sickened. What did I do? It seems imperative I be with Andrew.

  Spinning on her heel to leave the room, she walked straight into Micah.

  “Whoa, where are you going?” He steadied her with his hands.

  She tried to dodge his feet. He was grinning at her when she glanced up. Her heart felt like it was in her throat, her pulse pounding hard. He continued to hold o
nto her, his hands warm on her cool skin. His blue eyes surveyed her face, taking in everything, including her mouth. She couldn’t help but stare at his lips, longing to know how they’d feel.

  Caleb entered the room and Micah let go, watching his brother piling his plate with more food.

  He cleared his throat. “Leave some for the rest of us.”

  Caleb peered over. “Micah, you need to learn how to eat. You look like a skinny girl lately.”

  Micah’s muscular build was anything but skinny, but Eden did agree with Caleb on one thing—he needed to eat.

  Micah stepped away from her. “Move over—did you leave any bacon?”

  She smiled as he built a hamburger to rival Caleb’s, stacked high with bacon, avocados, tomatoes, cheese, and condiments. She wasn’t sure he’d be able to get his mouth around it, but he did, and she was happy to see him eat all of it.

  Everyone was full and mulling around the living room when Micah’s dad asked if they’d like to go swimming at their home, and of course, everyone did. Eden ran upstairs to change and was surprised to find the house empty when she returned. Was I that slow? Maybe her family planned to change at the Hawkins. She paused by the front door. Is it safe to walk? It’s in the middle of the day…

  She tossed her towel over her shoulder and pulled the front door open. Micah was on the porch swing, waiting for her.

  Glancing around, she asked, “Where’s Trent?”

  “He left with Brendon and Caleb.”

  “He seems sort of mad at you today.”

  Micah snorted. “Yeah, but that just means he loves me. Trent’s a strange duck.”

  When he didn’t get up, she leaned against the porch railing and waited.

  “Eden, I’ve thought about what you said the other day. I made a mistake in not telling you more all along. It’s hard for me to know who to tell what to. But you’ve always been there for me, believed me from the start. I should’ve confided in you.”

  She was happy he was finally opening up. “Micah, you can tell me anything. I want to help carry your burden.”

  His face appeared relieved at first, and then pained. “Thank you. You don’t know what that means to me.” His voice sounded husky.

  She smiled at him. “What are best friends for?”

  He gave her a crooked grin and then took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Ok, so you know how I’m the Seer?”

  She nodded.

  “And how I see things that are going to happen?” Another nod and he continued, “Well, I’ve seen visions of a huge fire coming. It’s going to destroy everything and it’s up to me to keep everyone from dying in it.”

  She stared back at him, her mouth gaping open. “Are you serious?”

  Now he nodded.

  “That’s why you went to Rome, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “Yeah, my host family taught me about a Prophet named Enoch. He lived before Noah. He was actually his great grandfather. Anyways, Enoch built a special city that was lifted up to Heaven before the flood came. Everyone inside the city was saved from drowning. I’ve seen a city in my dreams that’s like Enoch’s city. I need to build it so the people inside will be safe from the fire like they were in the flood. That’s what my mission is. That’s what I’ve spent every minute of every day learning and preparing for.”

  “I had no idea. Micah, you have to save the world.”

  “Don’t I know it,” he grunted.

  “No wonder you can’t eat or sleep.”

  He hesitated and then said, “I’m fasting, Eden.”

  “Fasting?”

  “Yeah, to help solve a little problem I have.”

  Oh, you mean the little problem I caused? Her insides sunk. What did I do? Then her mind put the pieces together.

  She gasped. “Oh my gosh!”

  Startled, he glanced at her. “What?”

  “Your life’s in danger, isn’t it? That’s why you need Andrew so badly. He can heal people… he healed me.” She glanced at him. “You already knew that, didn’t you?” She didn’t wait for him to respond. “That’s why you didn’t want me to break up with him, ‘cause now he won’t come on this trip.”

  He was quiet, his blue eyes troubled.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” she demanded.

  “I didn’t want you to do something you didn’t want to for me.”

  She gaped at him. “So you’d rather just die? I’d do anything to keep you safe and alive! And I know you’d do the same thing for me. Micah, I love you!”

  She clamped her mouth shut as soon as the words flew out. What did I just say?

  She was terrified to face him now. She couldn’t bear to hear him say that they could never be together or whatever other excuse he may have.

  She opted for bolting off the porch steps instead. She knew she looked ridiculous, but she ran anyway. It took a minute for Micah to catch up to her.

  “Eden, get back here,” he called after. He grabbed her arm, bringing her to a halt. Her chest was heaving, both with exertion and fear of what would come next.

  “You can’t just say that and then run away,” he said, breathing hard too.

  They faced each other. She threw her hands on her hips. Now it was her turn to be strong.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. I’m calling Andrew today. I’m going to fix this.”

  “Eden, wait, don’t. How you feel matters. I can’t stand the thought of you pretending for me.”

  She recognized his argument. Wasn’t that what she’d said to him only weeks ago? Now it seemed so petty and selfish of her.

  “Who cares how I feel! I don’t! I’d rather be friends with you than never see you again. Why can’t you get that through your head?” Her voice was raising an octave with each sentence.

  He grimaced. “You’re not going to back down are you?”

  “No way.” She tugged his hand free and marched back towards the house.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get my phone.”

  Micah was in front of her, grabbing both of her arms, bringing her face inches from his.

  She stopped and stared back into his eyes. She could feel her anger ebbing, replaced by intoxicating excitement. His lips were so near.

  “Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?” His voice was quiet, his tone pleading.

  “No,” she mumbled.

  He dropped his head and brushed his lips against her jawline, moving from her ear towards her chin, his lips leaving a tingling trail behind them.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, his breath warm against her skin.

  She closed her eyes, the temptation to forget the whole idea overwhelming. She’d dreamt of this moment, replayed it in her head so many times. Now it was here, and now she was the one to have to say no.

  The thought of him injured and helpless flashed through her.

  She stepped back. “There’s nothing you can do. I’m not going to let you die if I can do something to stop it.”

  He sighed heavily. “Ok, well, can we at least go swimming together? Can you give me a few more hours before you’re his again?”

  She stared at him, realizing how he felt about it. “You’d rather die to have one day with me?”

  He grinned. It reached his eyes, making them crinkle. “Yeah, when you put it like that. You’re right. I’d rather not be around while you’re with him. It kills me.”

  She could tell he was teasing, but his words rang true.

  “Well, I’m not as noble as you. I’d rather live a lie to keep you safe.”

  He frowned at her, but she wasn’t going to change her mind. No matter how seducing your lips are.

  “Ok, fine. Just give me the day.” He took her hand in his and squeezed it.

  She didn’t budge when he walked forward. “Just today. I’m calling him tomorrow morning.”

  “I never knew you could be so stubborn.” He grinned at her as she guffawed.

  “You’d do the same thing for
me.” She jabbed a finger into his chest.

  He snatched her hand and pressed her fingers against his lips. “You’re right, I would.”

  That took the fight right out of her. She hoped he wouldn’t kiss more than her hand, she was pretty she’d cave if he did, but he just chuckled as they walked hand in hand back to his house to swim.