After the Storm (Gifted and Special Adolescents Hospital Book 1)

by Cheryllynn Dyess

  “Seriously, Kyle. They call and you jump?” She snipped as she snatched up her jeans and began putting them on.

  “No strings. Ever. That was the deal and I meant it. She will always be priority,” he replied as he slipped his shirt over his head.

  “I don’t know what hold she has over you but she won’t ever return the affection, we both know that.”

  Kyle looked at her and growled, “Leave. Now.”

  Less than four minutes later, Kyle pulled into the back of the salon where Charlie sat on her hood waiting. Unfolding her legs, she slid down and walked over to him. “Sorry to have disturbed your morning man, but she is in there destroying everything.” Just as she finished speaking, they heard a loud crash coming from inside.

  “Shit. Did it just start?”

  “The moment we left.”

  Sighing and running a hand over his face, Kyle knew he was in for a long day. Bec didn’t come down from her anger outbursts quickly and didn’t care who was in the way. Holding the doorknob in his hand, Kyle sent Bec a quick message, ‘can I come in?’ The salon went silent. Taking that as a yes, Kyle mentally spoke to her once more, ‘I’m coming in Bec.’

  Pulling the door open, Kyle stepped inside. He could see the glass shards laying all over the floor covered in shampoos and chemicals. With each step, a loud crunch responded to him. Walking past the bathroom and supply room, Kyle could see Bec standing in the middle of the room. “Bec, you want to come from out of that mess?”

  Her head turned towards him; hands clenched by her side, Bec’s chest heaved from the exertion of basically demolishing her salon in a temper tantrum. “You shouldn’t be here!”

  “Now you don’t think I could leave you be alone while you destroy your life’s work?”

  Her eyes bore through him, Bec knew he was right, but she didn’t want to hear it, “Leave!”

  He shook his head, “I’m not going anywhere. I never do. I told you I’d always be here.” Kyle tried to soothe over her anger, to calm her. She needed to see that destroying her salon wasn’t the answer.

  Just then a file levitated in front of him, “Open it. This is the next job.”

  “Oh, no you aren’t! There is no way in hell you can take on a job while this angry, you’ll kill someone!”

  “My choice. Think I can’t control myself?”

  He stared at her blankly before looking around, “Well, no I don’t think you can. Look around Bec.”

  “I know.”

  “Can I come closer?” The man had learned long ago to always ask before trying to close in on her. Bec had thrown him across a classroom once because he tried to hug her to calm her down after she punched another student. He didn’t make that mistake again.

  Her fists eased out with her fingers hanging down. Glancing around at the destruction that was once her salon, Bec cursed under her breath. “I need to clean this up.”

  “I’ll help. I’ll grab the broom and be right back,” her truest friend offered and left the room. When he came back and started to sweep, he found her picking up bottles from everywhere. “Ya know, you have this really cool gift that could just pick up everything and put it back where it came from.”

  She snickered, “yeah I do but maybe I need to clean up my mess the old-fashioned way.”

  He shrugged, “Maybe. Or you can do it quickly and we can sit and talk about it.”

  Turning away from her friend, Bec continued to pick up her mess while softly replying, “I need to think and deal with this.”

  Two hours of silently cleaning side by side, Kyle and Bec finished restoring the salon to its original condition outside of the mirrors and glass shelves needing to be replaced. Bec plopped down into one of the stylists chairs and sighed, “I have to order new shelves and mirrors now.” covering her face with both hands, Bec sighed at the thought of the amount of money she’d have to use to once again repair the damage one of her tantrums had caused.

  Kyle sat across from her with one leg crossed over the other at the ankle, tapping his fingers against the opposite hand he nodded his head up and down, “Yup. Big ass mess you made here.

  Looking up at him between her fingers without raising her hand, “Way to support me there, buddy.”

  Laughing, the man stared at the ceiling, “Yeah well...I told you to take some time off,” he threw his head down looking towards her now, “but do you listen to me? NOPE.” Uncrossing his legs, he leaned forward, elbow on knees, “You know I only want what’s best for you, right?”

  Chapter 15

  “Bec, want to show us what you can do?” The professor asked after her third day in the new school.

  Looking around at the whole class looking at her, she turned back towards the professor, “Not really!”

  The class snickered. The professor pushed his hands downward on the air to silence the class smirked at the girl, “Let me rephrase that question. Bec, come show the class your gifts.”

  “Why?” She stood defiantly with her arms crossed over her chest. Bec didn’t feel she was a show and tell and damn sure wasn’t going to start now.

  The professor began to pace back and forth in front of the class, “Well, for one I asked. Two, because every student must demonstrate their gifts for the class. When you are done...the others will do the same.”

  Bec looked around at the faces staring at her. When she looked at Wale, he gave her a small smile and a wink. Her only response was “fine.” Walking to the front of the room, she looked around for some random things to manipulate. Picking a stapler, a ball, a book and a random purse Bec mentally reached out picking each one up and moving them around the room in random movements then placing them back down where she had removed them from. Turning to the teacher bowed her head a little to the side in such a way that asked if he was pleased.

  He knew she had more than one gift and pushed back a little, “And?”

  Bec rolled her eyes and sighed then took off running in the classroom until she became a blur. Twenty laps around the room later, Bec stopped still. The wind from her running shuffled papers all over the room and people’s hair whipped around them.

  “Very good Bec. Thank you, Kyle will you got next?”

  As Kyle demonstrated his gift, Wale leaned closer to Bec. “He likes everyone to know what everyone can do. So, if you happen to develop something new... I’d keep it to yourself. Bec’s eyes glanced at him and then back to the front of the room. She was listening to what everyone was saying and made mental notes of the important stuff. This was definitely one of those things she didn’t want to forget. The entire class time was spent demonstrating gifts before it was time for lunch.

  Bec’s day went on dragging with monotonous activities and boredom set in early and when the alert sounded ending her day, she was glad to be going back to her room. Jack, once again, followed her silently until she turned on her heels looking up at him, “Do you work every day?”

  “Of all the questions you can ask me, you want to know about my schedule?” He smirked at her. He was flirting with her in his own way and she knew it.

  “Wasn’t sure how personal I could get with you?”

  “To answer your other question first, seven years. And yes, every day I work.”

  “Why me?”

  “I chose you.”

  Her face scrunched, “You chose me?” She took a tentative step backward.

  “I had four students to choose from. When they showed me your file, I picked you.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve been through a lot of what you went through. I knew I could understand how you felt more than the others,” the older teen responded.

  “How old are you?”

  “Eighteen and you turn sixteen tomorrow.”

  Bec’s eyes narrow in suspicion, “You’ve been through what I went through?”

  Jack looked away. Shame fell upon his face, “Yes.”

  “What?”

  He wouldn’t look her in the eyes, stuttering to respond, “the sexua
l abuse. I’ve been through that.”

  “Oh,” Bec turned away from him. She had never heard of that happening to a guy and she didn’t know how to react. She felt a soft hand on her shoulder urging her to turn and look at him.

  Slowly she turned and looked up into his dark brown eyes. He looked over every inch of her face, memorizing it for later. “I’ve come to terms with what happened. It also brought my gift to life. I was so terrified the last time that it triggered it. The guy had become so violent, during... that I phased right through the wall into another room where there was a couple laying on their bed watching television. They called the police, saw a child protective counselor and ended up here. That was the fourth time it had happened to me. I was eleven.”

  “I’m sorry,” Bec placed her hand on the man’s chest for a brief moment then turned and went to her room, closing the door and ending their conversation. With the door shut, Bec leaned against the door sliding down to the floor and wept for the first time since arriving at the GASAH. On the outside Jack stood at the door, a hand on the cold wood imagining Bec on the other side hurting. Dr. Wilson had told him not to get too close with her, but he knew the only way to get her better was to let her know she wasn’t alone.

  That night, Jack came back to Bec’s door. Knocking lightly there was no response. He decided to take a chance and phased through the door. As he reappeared inside her room, Bec just stared at him. “Mighty bold of you to come in here uninvited.”

  “I’d hoped we could talk some more,” he took a small step closer.

  She raised a brow in warning. Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Bec quarreled with herself inwardly on whether to invite him in more. Finally, she waved him over and patted her bed.

  “It's past midnight,” he pulled a small cupcake from behind his back, “Happy birthday, Bec.”

  Shocked Bec could only smile. She hadn’t had anyone think of her like that in quite a long time. Her mother forgot her last two birthdays, so she had given up on even thinking about it. Reaching out cautiously for the cupcake, Jack pushed it towards her. Smiling at one another, Bec removed the paper and tore it into two, handing Jack the other half. In silence, they sat and enjoyed their portions together. Licking her fingers, the sixteen-year-old looked at her newfound friend and said, “Thank you. It means a lot.”

  “They don’t do much in ways of birthdays around here and your sixteenth should be as special as possible.”

  Pointing absently with one of her thumbs towards the camera, “Won’t they see you?”

  Shaking his head as he leaned back on the end of the bed, “Nope. Turned them off. They won’t notice. They rarely do. Right now, they think you’re sleeping.”

  “Clever,” Bec smiled. “So, what now?”

  “Now we talk Bec.”

  Chapter 16

  The Doo You Styles salon stayed closed another week until replacement shelves and mirrors were installed and Bec had control over her emotions. In the meantime, she did some more of her side jobs earning her enough to pay her staff for the week of work missed due to her temper.

  One morning Bec woke to Kyle sitting at the end of her bed. She leaned up, wiping the sleep from her eyes, “What gives?” He was wearing his typical well-fitting blue jeans with a tee shirt that was a size too small. A dark blue hat that matched his shirt covered his head and was pulled down nearly covering his eyes.

  He pointed to the nightstand where there laid a plate with fruit and pancakes for her. “You need to eat.”

  “So, you’re sitting on my bed watching me sleep because you think I need to eat?”

  He was looking at the floor between his hands that were interlocked and extended out from his elbows on his knees. Tapping his thumbs together, deep in thought, Kyle was determined to make a change in Bec’s life, and he was concerned how she’d react. “We need to talk, Bec.”

  Concerned, Bec sat up in the bed and looked at her friend. “What’s up?”

  “I’ve been there for you as a friend from the first day we met, right?”

  “Yeah...”

  “I’ve never crossed you. I’ve done everything in my power to be supportive.”

  “Kyle? What’s this about?”

  “Let me finish, Bec,” he glanced at her. When their eyes met, they both froze. “I’ve been in love with you from the beginning as well.”

  She threw back the sheets and tried to leave the room, “We’ve been through this Kyle. Friends only.” Wearing only a tee shirt and panties, she suddenly felt very vulnerable. Grabbing her robe, Bec quickly tied it closed.

  He grabbed her hand and pulled Bec around causing her to crash into his chest. He quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, “Why? Why only friends?”

  She looked up at him through her long lashes, fear crippled her causing her to quickly look away. “anything more and it’ll ruin everything, we’ve been over this before.”

  With his forefinger on her chin, he guided her gaze back to him, “I want to take that chance. Bec I can’t keep loving you and idly standing by.”

  Keeping her head down to avoid looking at him, Kyle laid his forehead to hers, “Please. I can’t imagine after all this time that you don’t at least have an interest in me.” Putting a hand on his chest, Bec attempted to push away but Kyle held on, “don’t push me away Bec.” With one last sigh, he pleaded, “Please.”

  With a little more effort, Bec pushed out of his grip. Stepping back, she stared him down, “Don’t ever corner me like that again. Friends or nothing, Kyle! You know what happened the last time I let a friend be more? I won’t have a repeat of that, ever...”

  “You’re afraid of us out here in this world versus what happened to you and him behind the walls of GASAH! Seriously, it’s been three years since we left and four since that happened. It wasn’t your fault!”

  “He died,” a tear slipped and fell down her cheek betraying the strength she tried to portray.

  Kyle took a cautious step toward her, “We’re safe here.” He reached out with a hand to take hers. She let him. He stepped in closer, pulled her chin up, “I know you want to be safe, to be strong... but sometimes we have to take a chance in life.”

  “If I-,” Bec was cut off by Kyle’s lips gently touching hers. Inside she felt an explosion when their lips met. She didn’t resist, so he attempted to kiss her deeply. His lips were soft against hers and it had been a long time since she let a man kiss her. Lost in his touch, their kiss deepened. Bec let a soft moan escape her and Kyle held her tighter. He ran his hands up her arm and onto her face, holding her head as they kissed more deeply. Breaking off the kiss, resting on each other's forehead, breathing heavily, she replied, “I. I just don’t know.”

  “Are you telling me no?” He looked down at her.

  Looking up, “I’m scared Kyle.”

  “Are you saying no Bec?”

  “No, I’m not saying no. I’m saying I’m scared.”

  “We’ll take it slow. This thing between us. Just remember that I will never hurt you.”

  “I know you wouldn’t. You never have. But are you sure taking this step into a relationship is best?”

  His lip curled on one side, “Oh yes.”

  Chuckling, “Fine. But don’t you dare tell anyone I went soft!” She said as she play hits him on the chest.

  His head fell back laughing then smiled at her. “I love you Bec and I wouldn’t dare use the word soft to describe you...except when I hold you.”

  Blushing, she looked away, “We should get our day started.”

  “Eat!” He pointed to the plate. As she walked over to the plate, he left the room and let her have some privacy.

  Once Kyle was gone, Bec sat on the bed with her fingers on her lips. Remembering what it felt like to kiss him reminded her of Jack. Fear overwhelmed her that her past would repeat itself. She had to keep telling herself that she was in control now, although that kiss felt very out of control. Closing her eyes, the face that looked back was Kyle’s.

&nbs
p; Slowly she opened her eyes and thought back over the years since they had met. He had tried to make this more than a friendship once before he realized that her and Jack were involved. As she flipped through her memories, which Bec remembered every moment of every day as if she had a recording of each one, she realized just how much Kyle had been there for her. Had Bec been so oblivious to his feelings all these years to not realize just how much he loved her? What a fool she had been! So, focused on her revenge and herself that she didn’t notice how long he has loved her. Immediately, she felt like one of those ditzy women in the movies that has the best friend loving her and she was clueless. She vowed to change that as of today!

  Chapter 17

  Bec was now in classes full time, eating all her meals with the other residents in GASAH, and enjoying three days a week with outside time in the courtyard. Although having more time outside is exactly what Bec needed, she still didn’t open up much to Maria.

  As Jack followed Bec out, he leaned around her and pushed open the door, letting her go out first. Since her birthday, they had spent several evenings in her room talking and becoming closer. When the door clanked shut, Bec looked over her shoulder up towards the man who was capturing her heart one conversation at a time and offered a smiled. Looking out at the courtyard, Bec sighed as she saw Maria sitting on the table where Kyle was sitting. They were engaged in deep conversation since neither noticed her there until she jogged past them.

  “Hey Bec,” Kyle called out to her as she continued on her laps.

  Maria watched the other hot pink haired teen run a few laps before speaking and giving a nod, “Bec.”

  Bec continued running, ignoring them both. She had greater things on her mind. Over the last few weeks, Dr. Wilson had been pushing her to talk more about the things that haunted her. The more she thought about the abuse she endured at the hand of her mother, the faster that she ran.