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Hailey

Hailey stared up at the top of the ferris wheel and shook her head. “You have got to be crazy. I am not going up in that death trap.”

“Not even if I promise it will be beautiful and romantic and I’ll keep you safe the whole time? You won’t fall out, I guarantee it.” Jordan nudged her toward the line.

Still, she did not move more than she had to, staring up at the top of the circle where one of the little buckets swayed. She vehemently shook her head. “No.”

“Why?”

“How many reasons will it take to get me out of going on it?”

Laughing, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and yanked her into line. Luckily it was a long line so she wouldn’t have to face it for a while yet. 

Or better yet, she had a chance of talking him out of it.

“Jordan, I don’t want to go on the ferris wheel.” She added a little extra whine to make her point. “Why do you want to go on it so bad?”

He shrugged, looking around and pointedly not at her. “It’s supposed to be all romantic and stuff.”

“It’s not romantic if the girl doesn’t want to go.”

“Everything online said it would be perfect if I set it up right and that the ferris wheel was my best bet.”

Hailey folded her arms. “Perfect for what? Exactly.”

“Just come on the ferris wheel and see.” He pouted before his smile came back full force. 

“Jordan, whatever it is that you want to have happen in that stupid bucket on the ferris wheel could happen anywhere. Especially on the ground. We could go to the merry go round or maybe do the go kart racing. They both go in just as many circles, maybe more.” She tugged softly on his arm and grinned. 

He shook his head. “There’s no spectacular view to inspire us on the merry go ‘round. And it isn’t just the two of us at any point. Are you scared of heights? Because when we went hiking last week you didn’t seem bothered at all.”

Slowly the line inched them closer to the ferris wheel. 

Hailey sighed. “Jordan it isn’t a thing about heights.” With a groan she laid her head on his chest.

Wrapping his arms around her waist he tugged her in for a hug. “Hailey, come one. Tell me. Help me understand. I put a lot of thought into where to go tonight and thought the ferris wheel would be the frosting on the cake. So if something is wrong, let me know and I can still make this night amazing and change plans.”

“Can’t we just change plans?” It was her turn to pout.

Hugging her close he whispered in her ear. “We should probably talk it out. I don’t want to make this kind of mistake again if it affects you this deeply.”

With a shrug she took a deep breath. “All I see when I look at the ferris wheel is it falling off its hinges and rolling away with me in it and crashing in some big crash either in the ocean or off a cliff.”

“And I’m guessing that nothing I say will make a difference.”

She shook her head.

“You haven’t ever been on one then?”

When she shook her head again, still staring up at the great big monstrosity, he nudged her hip.

“Hailey, have you ever seen one break?”

“In the movies.”

“Ok. Can I make a deal with you?” He swung her away so that she couldn’t see the ferris wheel unless she left the comfort of his arms and turned around. “We talk to the ferris wheel guy and have him only have us go around once, slowly. If you’re not ok with it we get off.”

“We can’t do that. They won’t let us do that.”

He smiled. “At least let me try my incredible powers of persuasion. Then if they say no, we don’t have to go and I’ll figure something else out.”

Taking a deep breath Hailey hesitantly nodded. “And if there is a freak accident and we end up rolling off to who knows where…”

“…We’ll die together.” He chimed in.

She laughed and tapped his cheek. “I was going to say that I’ll haunt you forever.”

“That’s assuming I live through it and you don’t. Too many assumptions there, Hailey.”

Jordan held her close for the rest of the line, slowly making their way up the line, his arms wrapped securely around her. When they were only a few people back Jordan disentangled himself and winked. 

“Time to work my powers.”

He was talking with the worker for far longer than she thought it would’ve taken for the guy to tell him no. Another few minutes and Jordan was walking back with a huge cheesy grin. 

“Bow down and admire my fearsome powers.” Jordan swooped in and tucked her under his arm. “One time around and he will only stop once so there won’t be too much swinging.”

“Stop?”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “Once at the top so we can see the view. Then he’ll let us down. You’ll love it and thank me for the experience for eternity.”

It took a ton of steady breathing and hand clenching to get into the chair-bucket thing. Then they were up and swaying. She may have clung to his arm a little more tightly than necessary. When they came to a stop at the top she may have let out a screech.

Jordan gave a light laugh “Hailey, look at the view. It’s incredible!”

Taking another deep fortifying breath she looked out and laughed. “It’s beautiful.”

When she turned to smile at Jordan she found her lips pressed tightly against his as he pulled her in. She almost didn’t notice as they began their descent, lost in the feel of his lips.

The worker chuckled as they came into view. “Good ride?”

Hailey blushed. “Best first kiss ever.”

Zadie ~Part 2~

When Emmett started pulling her towards the ocean Zadie slowed. “You are going to drown me. You may be convinced that you can breathe underwater but I know I can’t.”

“Zadie, trust me.” His smile tugged at her heart, dredging up memories of all the times he had looked at her that way. And how many of those times had ended up in an epic adventure.

With a sigh, she gave a short nod. “Emmett, if you kill me, I am going to haunt you forever.”

His laughter echoed along the shore and into her heart. She had missed him. Not only the adventures they always seemed to accidentally find themselves in, but him, everything about him. She still hadn’t fully accepted that he was there, standing in front of her. In seconds, they were up to their shoulders in water and he took hold of both her hands.

“I won’t let go but I am going to go underwater. Just keep treading water and I’ll be up in a bit. How long do I need to stay under to convince you?”

“Ten minutes.” Zadie threw out the number without thinking. “Are you expecting me to tread water here for ten minutes, holding your hands while you sit underwater?”

“If that is what it takes, then yes. I’ve missed you and I don’t want to lose you again.”

“Ok.” Zadie shrugged.

And he promptly sank. 

Those ten minutes lasted forever but not once did he struggle or pull, seemingly content to hold her hands.

The entire time he was under the water, Zadie was torn between scanning the shore for late night beach walkers who might mistakenly think that she was skinny dipping or suicidal, and peering out at the water as if she could see down into the dark water. There were no signs of anyone else under the water around them but she almost yanked on his hands to pull him up to ask and make sure. She didn’t want to feel some creepy hand grabbing her ankle and pulling her under.

After what felt like eternity his head rose above the water with a huge grin on his face. 

He intently studied her face for a minute then a grin broke out. “I thought you’d panic.” He laughed. “You’re amazing.”

“Frozen solid is more like it.” She shivered.

Emmett continued to laugh as he swooped her up into his arms and easily plowed through the water and back up the beach. With no ceremony or even any consideration, he all but dropped her onto the sand. He plopped down next to her, shaking his wet hair.

With a groan, Zadie smacked him.

“What was that for?” He pushed back at her shoulder in retribution. “I proved that I can breathe underwater and you slug me?”

“I didn’t bring a towel, genius.” She tried to laugh but it came out as more of an audible shiver. “I wasn’t planning on getting in the water in the middle of the night.”

He scoffed. “Huh. Why not? Perfect night for a swim.”

She couldn’t get the words to come out as memories of the day he disappeared swirled through her thoughts.

Emmett noticed almost immediately. “What happened? Was it something I said?”

She had no words.

“Zadie?” He took her hand and gave it a little squeeze.

Finally she was able to tear her gaze away from the crashing waves and looked up into her best friend’s eyes. Tears began to fall. Her mouth opened several times as she tried to explain, to admit how truly battered she had been since he had vanished. Nothing came out. 

His arm came to rest around her shoulder, giving off warmth and causing her to shiver again. She took a deep breath.

“Emmett, I haven’t been swimming since you disappeared.”

“What? Why?” He shook his head, squeezing her for a second. “You love the water. Most days I couldn’t get you out of the water unless I caught you and dragged you to shore.”

Shaking her head she glowered at him. “How could I get in the water? I watched you drown. You were fine one second, and the next you weren’t there. I didn’t even see you struggle. Nothing. I still can’t get it out of my head.”

“But you just went in there with me. You didn’t even hesitate.”

“I wasn’t entirely sure this was real. A part of me still believed I was dreaming. Still do. You can’t be real.”

Instantly she was enveloped in a back-cracking hug, pulled into his bare chest. He held her for a minute, not saying anything, just holding her.

Her voice was still shaky as she spoke. “Are you going to see your mom?”

He grimaced. “I was planning on it. Has this all been hard on her?”

“Once she found the note she was fine. She’s missed you. Some days I see her staring off into nowhere.” She shrugged. “I always felt like she was just waiting for you to show up again for a visit.”

“Really?”

Again she shrugged, leaning on him. “Everyone just thought you’d be back soon enough. My parents constantly tell me that you’ll be visiting soon and I just need to be patient. I guess they were right.”

“Zadie.”

She cut him off. “Are you going to tell her?”

“No.” She felt his shoulders slump. “I can’t.”

“You told me.” Sitting up she moved so that she could look closer at his face.

He avoided looking at her.

Another pause and she sighed as the realization crushed her lungs. “You wouldn’t have told me either.”

“Zadie, I couldn’t. I’d get in so much trouble.”

Shaking her head she stood, swiping off the sand clinging to her. “You would have let me believe that I was crazy. That I had imagined seeing you disappear under the water. You would have confirmed what everyone has said about me for the past two years.” She took a step away. “I’ve mourned alone for two years, no one believing me. My only comfort was that I knew what I saw. And now, you come back ready to take that from me too.”

A sob tore out of her throat and she spun, racing up the beach. She heard him call out to her but she didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.

When she heard him following, she glanced back. “Go visit your mother. She’s expecting you.”

“Zadie, no.”

“Leave me alone.” Zadie screamed, her tears nearly blinding her. She kept running.

Her mind registered that she could no longer hear him behind her but she didn’t slow. She ran all the way home, slowing only when she was at the door and easing it open. Not bothering to turn on the lights she changed into her pajamas, crawled into bed, and cried softly so her parents wouldn’t hear.

Paige ~Part 2~

My mouth dropped open as Joey moved in close with a pleased smile. He didn’t move close enough to touch me, stopping just shy of my suddenly outstretched arm. I looked down at my hand, trying to figure out when I had put it up. If I inched forward at all, my hand would be pressed against his chest; his well-formed and surprisingly muscular chest. I’d never noticed before. Probably because I hadn’t been this close to him, ever.

“How do you know Joanna?” The words came out of my mouth and I almost laughed at the surprise on his face.

He didn’t back away. “She’s in my Chemistry class and Calculus. We’ve even been partners on a project once. Why?”

I nodded. My brain skittered to other questions I had popping through my thoughts. “Why did you kiss me?”

At that, the spark in his eyes faded a little. “That’s complicated. Can we go somewhere else and talk about that? I’ll explain.”

“Yeah. I don’t know. Apparently kissing is your main form of communication it seems and you just admitted that kissing me is complicated.” I reached out and smacked him. “Everything about you is complicated, Joey. Were you really looking for me specifically? Why?” The questions just kept tumbling out of my mouth and I couldn’t seem to stop them.

Joey sighed. “Somewhere else, Paige. Please.”

I put my hand over my mouth and nodded. After a few seconds of not moving, I spoke through my hand. “Where?”

He let out a loud laugh and gestured further away from my group of obviously eavesdropping friends.

“Paige, are you ok?” I instantly recognized Sarai’s voice, though she didn’t sound very sincere. She probably just wanted to be the first to spread whatever gossip-worthy info I could provide her. “Yep, I’m good.”

Sarai’s gaze skipped over to Joey though she couldn’t see his face, since he angled away from her. When her sharp eyes came back to me, they narrowed. “I didn’t know you were dating anyone. Who’s the lucky guy?”

I faked confusion. “Oh no. I’m not dating anyone. This is Joey McClure. Don’t you recognize him? Though, since I slapped him a few minutes ago I don’t think I’d label him a lucky guy.”

The confusion on her face was genuine. “What?” She shook her head and giggled. “I wasn’t saying that you were dating Joey.”

“Then what are you asking?”

Joey snorted with laughter as he moved to stand behind me. “I know what she’s trying to say.” Sarai narrowed her eyes even more, waiting. So he continued, “Your friend wants to know who you are dating because the only reason I would be kissing you or even talking to you is to break up you and your new secret boyfriend. It couldn’t possibly be for any other reason.”

Sarai snorted. “Now that I think of it, there has to be another reason. Paige hasn’t had a boyfriend since elementary school, and even then she had to bully the poor kid into saying he was her boyfriend.”

I clenched my hands, trying to keep from physically lashing out.

Joey jumped in. “Are you talking about Stuart Print? He wasn’t bullied. The stupid idiot made up the whole story himself when she wouldn’t let him kiss her. And that wasn’t her last boyfriend either.”

Surprise flooded through me as I whirled on Joey. “Would you stop talking?! Do you think I want the whole school to know everything about me? Besides, how would you know who my last boyfriend was?”

His arm went around her shoulders. “I pay attention, Paige. And since you have been a subject of interest, not only to me but to several guys who will remain nameless, I have paid closer attention than I usually do. And I have to say, you are fascinating. Which is how I also know that you don’t currently have a boyfriend. If you did, you would have suckerpunched me before I had a chance to even come close to kissing you.”

Sarai dramatically tossed her hair over her shoulder as she whirled around to go rejoin the rest of our friends without saying another word.

I shoved at Joey with a groan. “I can’t talk right now. Especially now that I know you’ve been stalking me. I have to go find Joanna. She just barely told me about Tanner and how you ruined that relationship when you jumped in out of nowhere.”

“And kissed you.” 

Folding my arms, I peered up at him. “Yes, you did. Thanks for that little reminder. Would you like another slap?”

He leaned forward. “Only if I get another kiss out of it.”

“Not happening. We can talk later about whatever it is that is so urgent that you had to…you know.”

“Kiss you?” He supplied.

I scoffed. “A lot later. No more talking right now. Go away.”

“Today though?” He immediately pressed, looking back toward where Sarai was still glancing over at us. “I really do need to talk to you. Tangier Park, after school, next to the swings?”

I poked him in the chest. “Only if you promise to behave.”

He didn’t appear worried at all. Instead he gave a jaunty nod. “I can promise that. I’ll be on my best of the best behavior.”

“Huh.” I took a step back and looked him over. “You must really need to talk to me.”

His laughter reverberated off the walls as he released my shoulders and sauntered away. “Or I find that I really like kissing you.” He called out, shooting Sarai a wink that had the snotty girl sighing at him in a near swoon. “Oh and Paige, I didn’t ruin Joanna’s relationship. If talking to me destroyed what they had, it wasn’t a relationship. It never would have lasted anyways.”

The whole group of girls gasped and I refused to look over at them. Now I was going to have to deal with them gossiping about Joanna on top of them thinking that the infamous Joey liked kissing me. 

Instead, I focused on the direction that Joanna had fled and took off to find my hurting best friend, inwardly cursing Joey McClure as I went.

Danielle

“Ugh.” Danielle threw another shirt on the pile of rejected date outfits. “You’d think I’d be past this by now.” She muttered to herself. Her cute jeans were on and really anything would match them. It was just that none of them were right. Since when did she have too many overly casual shirts and too fancy blouses? She wanted to impress without him reading too much into it. And now she was saying ‘too’ too much in her head.

Diana peeked her head in. “Date’s here, Dan. Get a shirt on.”

Groaning, Danielle grabbed a pretty pale yellow blouse and jammed in over her head as she reached to pick up her shoes. When was the last time she was late getting ready for a date? This wasn’t even a first date. 

…Maybe that was the problem.

She’d had plenty of first dates lately. Even some second ones. That’s when the numbers took a nosedive. It hadn’t even occurred to her that it would be difficult getting to date #3. This one was the first she’d had in almost a year. And her last third date had ended with her covered in sticky caramel. The guy didn’t even open her car door when he took her home. It was the sign she was coming to recognize as ‘no longer dating’. 

Apparently gentlemen were only gentlemanly when you were dating material. Though she seemed to be having better luck with Brooks so far. Of course with this being the unlucky #3 she might find out otherwise before the night was through. 

“Brooks.” Danielle nearly stumbled out of her room as she was trying to walk and tie her shoes at the same time. Not easy. Hence the stumbling. 

“Danielle?” Brooks stood with a goofy smile. “You know you can take the time to finish getting your shoes on. We aren’t in that big of a rush.”

“Aren’t we? I hate being late.”

He shrugged. “I’m ok with a little lateness. I figure it’ll give me a little leeway if I ever find myself running a little late.”

“True. That is a good point. Seems fair enough.” Danielle grabbed her coat. “Now, where are we going on this fine date?”

“If I suggested it stay a surprise would you be less than thrilled?”

Danielle was shaking her head no before he even finished asking. “I’d say that I don’t have a good history of surprise-type dates. Will it ruin the date if you tell me?”

“Oh, no problem.” He held out his hand. “I’ll tell you on the way to the car. I just figured it would be more fun if it was a surprise. Maybe I have to wait till later dates to think of a good enough surprise. Or will you never like any surprises?”

Taking his hand with a bright grin she laughed. “Later dates means more dates in the future. So I’d say there is a definite possibility that surprises might be ok then. After all, you just surprised me with that little tidbit of info so I guess not all surprises are bad.”

“Does that mean I can keep today’s date details a secret till we get there?”

Danielle tugged him to the door. “You can tell me on the way to the car. Let’s take all this one step at a time.”

“Yeah, I guess the best surprises are fourth date material.” 

Hiding her gulp, Danielle smiled. “That sounds rather nice. Now where are we going?”

“Nothing too special. I was thinking of maybe going over to Harmony Farms.” Reaching the car he opened her door and motioned her in. Once they were driving he cleared his throat a little and chuckled. “Does that sound good?”

“I’d like to say yes. I just don’t know what we would be doing at a farm for a date.”

“Oh.” He smacked his forehead. “I guess I should finish telling you what I was thinking. Sometimes you still make me so nervous. We’d go to the farm to pick produce. I think right now they have blackberries, peaches, zucchini, and I’m sure some other good stuff that I don’t remember right now. The website had a whole list.”

“Pick produce?”

“Yeah. Then have a picnic. We can eat what we pick.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Does that sound stupid? We don’t have to. Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t keep it a surprise. Right? We can do something different.”

Danielle laid her hand softly on his arm. “No. It sounds fun. Creative even. I’ve never gone blackberry picking before. This’ll be a first.”

“So we’re good?”

“More than good on my side of things. I can’t wait.” Laughing, she nudged him. “Good thing I didn’t try wearing heels. Dirt and heels do not mix.”

Brooks quickly smiled her way. “I wouldn’t have let you make that mistake. I woulda thought of a reason for you to change your shoes.”

“Aww. You’re so sweet.” Settling her head lightly on his shoulder she sighed. “To the farm we go.”

“It’s a bit of a drive. We may have to think of some things to talk about till then.”

They had reached the edge of town and there began to be less buildings. 

“We could make a list of acceptable times for surprises.”

Brooks burst out laughing. “Birthdays?”

“Yes. And Christmas. Unless you’re breaking up with me, then I don’t think that kind of surprise should happen anywhere near those two days.”

“Agreed.” He reached over to take her hand. “However, if we were going to break up at all we would need to officially be dating and not just going on dates. Are you saying you want that?”

“With you?”

He did a double take. “Yes, with me.”

She laughed softly. “Well in that case I would say yes. Though I don’t have much luck with third dates so maybe we should save anything edging toward commitment until the end of the night. Just in case.”

“In case I suddenly discover I don’t find you gorgeous and funny anymore?”

She nodded. “That would be a big one.”

“Then I might as well ask you now because I definitely don’t see that happening. Will you be my girlfriend?”

“Really?” Danielle blushed, sitting up straight to look at his face.

He nodded.

“Best third date ever!”

After a full minute of silence Brooks nudged her. “Can I take that as a yes?”

“Yes.” Wringing her hands she smiled. “Yes. Sorry to keep you in suspense. I could have sworn I’d said yes before but maybe I had only screamed it in my head.”

Jana ~Part 2~

Didn’t read Part 1? Click here to read it!

“My car is not worthless!” Jana repeated as Deuce bodily lifted her into his truck. Her hand shot out to keep him from shutting the door and closing her in. He didn’t answer, he simply shrugged and walked around to his side of the car, leaving her door wide open.

His smile as he took his time situating himself had her clenching her hands to keep from smacking him. “So, old friend….” He tilted his head toward her, his arms looking way too fit and tight for his shirt. 

“We are not old friends.” She snapped, cutting him off.

The sparkle twinkling merrily in his eyes deepened as his smile grew wider. “If we aren’t friends, J-Babes, what would you call me? Champion? Hero? Rescuer? Beloved? Best Kisser ever? Dream made real? I’d accept any of them but I think I should reaffirm that kissing one. It’s been a while.”

Since her fists were clenched in her attempts at restraint, she ended up delivering a good solid right hook to his arm instead of a slap. “Deuce!”

“Do I at least get chivalry points?” He laughed, completely unfazed by her hit. “I did stop and pick you up in the middle of nowhere and give you a ride.”

“I would have been fine.” Jana crossed her arms and leaned toward the door. She determinedly peered out the window, praying he would drive faster.

“Now J-babes. Talk to me.” He flicked her hair. “This is going to be a very long drive if we don’t say something.”

She hugged the door tighter.

He slowed down, driving well under the speed limit. Slower and slower until they were practically crawling. 

She glared over at him. “What are you doing? I can walk faster than this.”

He winked. “Getting you to talk to me. And now that you are…” He nodded out the front window. “I might as well point out that I could make this the longest ride down Amaryllis you’ve ever had or we can be friendly and have ourselves a little chat. Sounds like you have a few things you’ve been wanting to tell me.” With how slow he was going he was able to lean over across the cab, hook his arm around her shoulder, and haul her back into the middle of her seat. “That looks more comfortable.”

“You’re a jerk.” She glared.

With a shrug, he shot her an easygoing smile. “You don’t know me, J-babes.”

“You were a jerk. In high school.”

“To you. Yes. I could see how it would come across like that.” His voice lowered and almost sounded serious. “My more gentlemanly attempts at gaining your attention usually were credited to other guys.”
Curiosity had her looking over at him as if she could figure out exactly what that meant. 

His smirk reappeared when he caught her staring.

Finally she gave up searching through memories and huffed. “What things were you supposed to have credit for?”

“And let you know how much of a sap I was? No.” He shook his head but didn’t lose his smile. “Though I will tell you that Bobby Hanson wasn’t nearly as romantic as you thought he was. Neither was Tyler What’s-his-face.”

Jana’s spine straightened. “Tyler Derr?”

“Yeah him!” Deuce chuckled. “Idiot.”

“What do you mean? He was all sorts of nice and sweet. He left me all sorts of surprises in my locker.”

Deuce merely looked at her and her pulse skittered. 

“Huh.” Deuce finally laughed and looked away, letting their speed climb just a little. They were still well under the speed limit. Too bad no one else would be driving this way to hurry him up. He smirked. “That was uncharacteristically sweet of him. Figuring out your favorite candy and flowers and color and stuff. Amazing. Never heard of him doing that for any of the other girls he liked.”

Her mouth dropped open. “No.”

“What?” He glanced over at her, though suddenly he focused on the road as if driving needed his full and undivided attention.

“No!” She grabbed his arm. “No, no, no.”

He flashed her another one of those honey sweet smiles. “Saying no doesn’t change the past. Or the truth.”

“That was you?” She smacked him hard, causing him to chuckle. “He was my first kiss. And I thought it was so romantic because he had just left me the best valentine in my locker.”

He did a double take. “It was that good of a valentine?”

She sat back suddenly and refolded her arms, refusing to look in his direction as she blushed. 

“If I claim it as mine, do I get a kiss too?” His smile notched up past sweet and friendly and on toward smoothly charming. “Better late than never.”

Instead she gave his arm another smack. “Not likely. With everything you pulled in high school? The pranks, the teasing, telling Hunter that I had a crush on him. Do you know that I didn’t go on a single date my senior year because of that little announcement?”

“What?” He seemed genuinely surprised for once.

She nodded. “What did you expect? You told everyone that I had been pining for him for years like a deranged psychotic stalker. You were the star of the school, Mr Popular Senior. Then you left. I could barely show my face.”

“Wait! I didn’t mean to do that. I just didn’t want you dating Hunter.” His hand was soft on her arm, tugging at her.

“You tormented me for years.”

He shrugged. “Only seemed fair…at the time.”

“How so?”

“You tormented me long before I ever thought of getting your attention by acting like a jerk.” 

She punched his arm again, though with less force. “Again, should I remind you of the milk dumping?”

His sudden laughter filled the cab. “That was definitely a lapse in judgement. I didn’t think it through. But I stand by what I said. I got you to notice me.” Then he turned his gaze toward her. “And fair warning J-babes, if you don’t stop hitting me I may have to pull this truck over and kiss you again.”

“You wouldn’t.”

He leaned closer, his hand reaching up and tugging her hair softly. “Would.”

Brietta ~Part 2~

Stalling on the stairs, Brietta took a deep breath before entering the small drawing room where mother insisted they meet after breakfast. 

“Ah, my dear. It has been ages since I have seen you working on your embroidery. Have you finished it?”

“No, Mother. Indeed, I misplaced it and have not been able to locate it just yet. Would you like me to set out and discover where I placed it last?” How many small bits of fabric and thread would she have to secretly burn at night to escape the endless practice of embroidering daintily?

“Yes, yes. Look around.” Lady Davenport did not glance up from where she sat perched at her writing desk. “I am going to return some correspondence before anyone comes to visit. Lady Bristol and Lady Merhume promised to come by before the end of this week. So I expect visits any day now and you must be on your best behavior when they are here, for they both have eligible sons.”

An image of Lord Trenton and their brief conversation in the garden flashed into her thoughts. That short interlude away from her mother, confessing a truth she had hidden for so long, was ingrained into her heart and made her smile every time she thought of it. This time she studiously hid the smile from her mother, not wanting her to think she was eager to meet these two ladies of eligible sons.

Only moments later, as her mother lazily flipped through the mail, Brietta startled at her mother’s squeal of excitement.

“You have a letter from a Lord Trenton. Do I know Lord Trenton? Yes I do.” She tapped Brietta’s letter to her forehead several times as she tried to think of how she knew the name.

“Mother.” Brietta rose from the settee and reached for it. “If I recall correctly, Lord Trenton is Lady…”

“Bristol’s son!” Her mother completed. “Yes yes. Whatever could he be writing to you? How scandalous. His mother and I should be doing the conversing at this stage of a courtship. I haven’t even heard from her to know if he views you as anything more than a mere acquaintance. You haven’t even been formally introduced.”

“We met in our garden just last week, Mother. He stopped by for a moment to see Lady Bristol before he went to a concert or something of the like.”

“That isn’t formal.” She was busy fanning herself as if she were going to faint from the idea of a potential scandal. Lady Davenport sat up straight and thrust the letter at Brietta. “You will read it aloud so that I may insure that no impropriety is involved. Read it now.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Taking the thin letter, she opened it and read.

Miss Davenport,

Forgive my intrusion to whatever it was you were doing when my letter arrived. My mother has insisted I write to inform you of our wish to come by for a visit in 3 days time. Would you please be so kind as to inform us if that would be acceptable to you and your dear mother.

Lord Trenton

Brietta stared at the letter. It lacked the personality he had presented in the garden, so stiffly formal. A part of her was disappointed at its content, yet the larger part of her was more relieved that he had not written more informally since she had been required to read it aloud.

“What a thoughtful boy!” Mother cooed. “You must write to him at once. Tell him what a pleasure it will be to receive him and his mother. I have longed for a good chat with her. Quickly now. We will send it off with your father’s urgent responses.”

“Yes, Mother.” Brietta moved to the nearby table.

She had not begun to form a response when her mother exclaimed again, though not as loudly this time. “My, aren’t you popular. You have another. From Miss Woods? Do I know her?”

The letter landed on the desktop in front of her. She didn’t know of any Miss Woods, yet the handwriting looked familiar. 

Brietta shook her head. “No, I don’t believe you do. She is a newer acquaintance.”

“Hmm.” Her mother was no longer paying attention. “Write Lord Trenton before you read whatever gossip your new little friend wrote.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Brietta quickly wrote out a dull and perfunctory response that would be sure to alleviate any hint of anything more than mere brief acquaintance. Handing it off for her mother to read, she opened the other letter.

Lord Aubrietta,

I apologize for the subterfuge. However, I found myself unable to write anything I would have wanted to in my previous note to you. My mother was looking over my shoulder and practically dictated it word for word to me. So now I am writing to you again with several hopes.

One, you have already read the first letter I sent so that you know who this is and what I have been talking about. Two, that my upcoming visit is not one you are looking towards with distaste and abhorrence because I could not figure out how to arrange a meeting in the woods without it sounding scandalous or that I was proposing we run away. And three, I wanted you to know why my mother insists we both come for a visit.

I didn’t realize that I was but apparently I have brought up your name more than once since our meeting last week and my mother has taken it as a sign that I am in love. Please allow me to apologize for the presumptions and I hope you will not hate me now or after our visit. I must confess, I am looking forward to seeing you again.

Lady Bristol’s son, Lord Trenton

Brietta quickly folded the letter and hid it away so her mother would not be curious. He had been speaking of her to his family?

“Good news from your friend I hope.” Mother asked, not looking up from the letter she was reading.

“Yes, Mother. Good news indeed.” She stood. “I’ll find my embroidery now.”

Brietta curtseyed and fled the room as slowly as she could manage with a smile on her face, already composing in her head what she would write to her new friend Miss Woods.

Deah ~Part 2~

“A pleasure to meet you Lord Dunharein.” Deah Rose took several abrupt steps back, practically dancing away from her tall, newly-acquired fiance, and swept a low curtsy. She was still a little flustered to discover that the man she had run into in the hallway was also the man her father had arranged for her to marry.

“Ah, my lady.” Lord Dunharein nodded, followed by a surprisingly low bow. “And we are to be formal now that we are alone?”

Deah sighed, trying to smile prettily. “You make a fair point. Though I must warn you, we will only have a few moments to ourselves before my father will surely come and demand to introduce his future son to everyone he knows, individually.” She felt a blush beginning to rise. “Given such time constraints, forgive my bluntness. What induced you to accept marriage to a stranger, my Lord? To me? I would feel better knowing if our marriage is nothing more than a mere business arrangement with my father.”

“I prefer Alarik. Especially from you, my future wife. How do you prefer to be called?”

Deah glanced over to find her new fiance smiling over at her. She slumped against the wall and faced him. “I suppose my question was not the best first question in order to become better acquainted with what little time we have. My mother always called me Deah Rose and though I prefer it, my father insists on calling me Deah. Everyone else follows suit. You may get odd looks if you call me Deah Rose.”

Alarik regarded her closely for a moment before approaching her and bending down to kneel before her. “I hope I am not too forward in my proposal to you, Deah Rose. However, I feel that a marriage proposal, no matter its origins, should have much more personal sentiment and feeling behind it than what has happened thus far in our relationship.” He gazed up at her, steadily holding her attention. A smile quirked just a tiny bit in the corner of his mouth. “Our long and lengthy courtship. And so I make you these promises now, at the beginning of our courtship, our relationship, and the rest of our lives.”

“Promises?” Deah breathlessly interrupted. “You make promises now? Should they not wait for our wedding day?”

Alarik stood, taking both of her hands in his own. “I will take our marriage vows on our wedding day and hold true to them forever. The promises I make today are my assurances in my character and hopefully allow you a glimpse into how our marriage can be.”

Deah nodded. “Oh.”

His smile broadened. “Does this mean I have your permission to be so bold as to make promises to you now, though we have just met?”

“I believe the promises you make will give us a wonderful foundation with which to build upon. And how well you uphold and stay true to those promises will bespeak of your honesty, integrity, and commitment. So by all means, I am most curious to hear your proposal.”

“Deah Rose, these promises I make to you on this day, when we have met and become engaged so quickly. I promise to hold your thoughts and opinions in the highest regard, never pushing them aside, though I do not promise we will always agree. I promise to listen. I promise that you will come first. I promise to endeavor to always provide a feeling of safety and security in my home and in my arms. And I promise to respect you, even when you say no. Especially when you say no.”

Deah shook her head slightly. “Where did my father find you? I have never heard a man speak any such promises to a woman, even on their wedding day.”

Alarik rose to his feet and took both her hands in his, gently drawing her to him. “He did not. It is I who found him.”

Tilting her head to the side she gazed up at him with curiosity. “Why would you seek my father out? He has no great reputation that would travel a far distance to tempt a man such as you.”

He chuckled. “You speak as though you know me and my motivations for seeking him out.”

She shook her head. “No, not you in particular. I do know a great many of the men that do business with my father and know of their many different motivations for trade here. And though I have heard awed whispers of your name, none of what I have heard would bring you here. Which brings me back to my first question, why accept marriage to a stranger?”

“You accepted.”

“No. I was told. There was nothing to accept.” Deah sighed. “My father is desperate to make sure that I am protected. There have been rumors that the nearby warlords are beginning to steal women in the night again. My engagement to you is the result. I knew it was coming, though I did not know it would be you who I would be marrying.”

“You wish to say no?” He bowed, stepping back. Formality stiffened his frame. 

Deah took a step toward him. “That is not what I am saying. Indeed I am honored. I merely wish to know what induced you into this arrangement.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Your reputation brought me here.”

“My what?”

“Surely you know that you are beautiful. And men love to remark on beauty.”

She was shaking her head as he spoke. “I know that men love to exaggerate but I do not know why they would talk of me in particular. And at such great distances.” Deah’s hands flew to her chest. “People talk of me?”

“This troubles you?”

A gasp shook through her. “How far away?”

“What?” 

“How far away do they speak such fantasies about me?” She’d grown quite pale.

“I do not know. Though I travelled over a week to arrive here, I do not know how much farther it has spread. You and your beauty are common knowledge there, almost as if you are a myth.”

“You came for me?” Deah gazed incredulously up at him.

As she sank onto a nearby bench, Alarik once again found himself on his knees at her feet. “If it is any consolation, the tales told of your beauty do not lie.”

He did not have a chance to say more as the door leading back out to the great hall burst open, as Deah’s father rushed in. “Ah, Carrington. Come meet some of my friends. They are all anxious to meet you.”

Etta ~Part 2~

Glancing out at the blur of barren landscape passing by her, Etta struggled to make sense of what her rescuer/kidnapper was saying. He kept pointing ahead and saying “Holgen.” 

When it became apparent that she still didn’t understand, Ryk looked as confused as she felt.

“Yi da ultenen?” He asked. “Riesta yi goern?

Etta could tell he was asking her questions but couldn’t guess at the meanings. Shaking her head she fought the urge to cry. “I don’t understand.” She kept shaking her head as he babbled off more incomprehensible questions. 

Looking back, she stared at the billowing sand clouds caused by their rushing speeder. The heat was overwhelming as the suns crept further up into the sky. With no shade, there was no escaping the heat. Even the wind did nothing to cool her.

“Nish yi olnoi Etta. Etta.” 

The repetition of her name drew her attention. Again, she shook her head. “Ryk. I don’t understand what you are saying.” She pointed to her mouth and shook her head.

“Da ultenen?” He nodded. “Da ultenen. Ryk tam yi holgen.”

Etta sighed. They may not know what the other was saying but now at least he wasn’t trying to continue asking questions. By the time they neared the rock he had pointed to earlier, Etta was struggling to breathe. The heat felt like it was searing her throat and nose as she drew in breath.

“Wees holeer.” Ryk’s voice was soft, almost fuzzy. 

She could see him glance over at her but she lacked the strength to do more than breathe shallowly. She couldn’t even manage to choke out the words that she needed water. Her eyes could not summon the moisture to even cry.

“Ta illi holgen. Etta, wees nish holeer.”

With a tiny shake of her head she closed her eyes.

Seconds later a blast of cool air shot into her face and she bolted upright. “Ahhh.” She screamed hoarsely.

Ryk’s arm caught her before she could fall out of the still flying car. “Stul.” His sheepish grin caught her gaze and she was drawn in.

“What was that?” Etta asked in confusion.

“Ta illi holgen.” He repeated. He looked relieved. 

She hadn’t realized how worried he had looked until now, when all the tension was gone. With a jolt, she realized that the overwhelming heat was gone and she was back to breathing normally. Looking around, she could see that the light surrounding her was coming from artificial light and she was completely surrounded by what looked like a gargantuan dome of rock.

Etta plunked down in her seat and gazed up at the gray rock ceiling.

Ryk pointed around him. “Holgen.”

Ryk’s flying car slowed down as they neared what looked like a house shaped like a natural rock formation, except for the door and a hole that could pass for a window.

Stepping out of the car, Ryk hauled her out after him, not even offering his hand first to see if she would come willingly. Etta growled and Ryk looked back at her in surprise. He swooped around and lifted her back off her feet as he had when he caught her.

“Put me down.” She shrieked, she could feel her hysteria bubbling out but couldn’t stop. When he didn’t loosen his hold and continued to walk to the rock house she began to squirm, then wiggled, then outright flailed. Somehow he managed to set her on her feet. 

“Stul.” He commanded with a growl of his own. “Stul hak.”

Whatever he said didn’t matter because she could hear the threat in his tone. She quieted and stood still.

Once again he picked her up and carried her into the house and this time she didn’t protest, aside from quietly grinding her teeth. Once inside, he set her down again. This time however, she practically slid down his body until her feet touched the ground. He held her close, not giving her more than an inch to move. When she pulled back he tightened his grip and she found her face smashed into the fabric of his shirt. 

Doing her best to look around from where she stood plastered to the man holding her, she took in what looked like odd, blue bubble stools.

A tall woman approached them with a bow. “Mylar Ryk. qua de ta?

Back and forth the woman and Ryk talked, speaking faster and faster. It was all noise to Etta as she tried to ease back from Ryk’s strong chest.

“Etta.” Ryk’s voice saying her name once again drew her attention to the pair. “Ta illi Etta. Etta illi Ryk madua.” His voice was stern.

With a long suffering sigh, the woman nodded. “Ti roste Meayan. Coll.”

Etta didn’t move, even though Ryk stepped away.

“Coll.” The woman beckoned. Ryk nudged her toward the woman. They stepped further into the house and into a room filled with ornate dresses. The woman stopped and pointed to Etta.

“Etta.” Then she pointed to herself “Meayan.”

“Meayan? Is that your name? Meayan?” Etta’s focus sharpened. At the woman’s nod, Etta felt relief. If the woman was nodding then she would at least be able to understand when someone was saying yes.

Meayan grabbed a beautiful rust colored dress that almost seemed bright compared to the grey of the rock surrounding them. “Dirfa.” She shook the dress at her. “Dirfa.”

Pointing to the dress, Etta guessed. “This is a dress? Dress? Dirfa?” At Meayan’s delighted nod, Etta felt less on edge. Maybe she would eventually understand enough to figure out where she was and how to get home.

Meayan held the dirfa up against Etta. “Etta marr Ryk. Yi nish Ryk madua.”

“Madua?”

The word seemed important to both Meayan and Ryk but she couldn’t figure out its meaning. After trying on several dirfas, Meayan set one aside and pulled Etta out of the room. Ryk and two other people were standing there, an older man and woman.

Ryk stepped forward. His smile was broad as he opened his arms to her. “Etta. Etta illi madua.”

At that, the older woman did an odd trill with her tongue and rushed forward to hug Etta. When she pulled back, Ryk was looking at the both of them with a pleased smile on his face.

Ryk pointed to the man. “Tamor.” Then he pointed to the woman who had hugged her. “Dansha. Dansha illi Tamor madua.” 

Tamor lifted his hand and Dansha went running back over and snuggled into him. He patted her hip and held her against him.

Ryk repeated slowly to her, commanding Etta’s gaze. “Dansha illi Tamor madua. Etta illi Ryk madua.”

Etta staggered back as Ryk lifted his hand expectantly toward her. He wasn’t telling her that they were a couple, like Dansha and Tamor appeared to be. He couldn’t. Meayan pushed her toward Ryk. Ryk pulled her in close as Tamor had to Dansha. When she didn’t step away Ryk gave her a happy squeeze, patting her hip. 

Ryk gently pulled her over to a large chair and sat her next to him. He nuzzled her and whispered. “Madua.”

She froze.

Paige

“Joey McClure has the formidable reputation of successfully stealing girlfriends and then dumping them as soon as he ‘wins’.” I scoffed at the sight of another sobbing girl desperately clinging to Joey’s tall frame across the school’s large courtyard.

And yet, he simply shrugged the girl off and walked away.

“I’ve heard that guys pay for him to test their girlfriends’ loyalty.” Nina chimed in.

I laughed again. “That’s one way to make a living, I guess. But I doubt he makes many friends in the process, either way.”

Joanna had been silent during the whole conversation, watching Joey walk away. Not for the first time, I wondered if something had happened between the two of them. A month ago I had commented that she seemed starry eyed and she blushed and denied it. A week after that she had steel in her eyes and glares for the infamous Joey McClure.

“No reason to worry about ever dealing with him then.” I crowed. “I refuse to have a boyfriend who would test me like that and I am definitely not the type of girl to start shopping for a new boyfriend while I still have one.”

“Don’t say that too loud.” Nina snarled. “He might take it as a challenge.”

Joanna’s eyes narrowed in on me. I moved closer to her. Maybe she would finally let me in on what was keeping her so silent. The Joanna I knew and loved had been squashed by the always-glaring-at-Joey Joanna. I was sure of it. I missed my friend.

She leaned toward me and whispered, “Prepare yourself to never have a boyfriend. They are all suspicious creeps.”

“What do you mean?” I whispered back.

I watched as she moved away from our circle of oblivious gossipy friends. When she glanced back at me I quickly followed.

“I met a guy.” Joanna said as we slowly walked away. “I thought he was sweet and kind. I fell for him fast.”

Not sure how to respond, I shrugged. “And he made you hate all guys?”

“No. Yes.” She groaned. “Joey came up and said hi to me one day out of nowhere and my almost boyfriend started accusing me of cheating. He even called me a slut. All because stupid Joey McClure said hi to me.”

“And you blame Joey? Is that why you are always glaring at him?”

Joanna stopped and looked over at me. “No, I don’t blame Joey. I blame all guys. I am well aware that it wasn’t Joey’s fault for my new crush being a suspicious jerk.”

Before I could answer her I was pulled away by my arm. I was shocked to see Joey himself connected to that hand on my arm.

“Paige. Just the girl I wanted to see!” Joey declared. And just like that, he used my momentum of being pulled to swing me into his chest and swoop in for a kiss.

To say I was shocked would be a vast understatement. And while I will never ever admit it out loud, especially in Joanna’s hearing, I have to admit it was an amazing kiss. One that lasted way too long and not long enough.

Don’t worry though, with my dignity wrapped around me like a shield, I pulled back and slapped him good and hard.

“Ow.” He chuckled, holding a hand to the cheek I had pinkened.

Stomping around him and back to Joanna I called back to him without looking, “You’re lucky I barely tapped you. Next time you come near me, I’ll make your head spin off your shoulders.”

“What’d I do?”

I shot a glare back at him. “What haven’t you done?”

“I need to talk to you.” He paused. “Paige.”

He caught up to me in seconds, careful to stay far enough away to not touch me, even by accident. Joey glanced over at Joanna before saying in a low voice. “Two minutes.”

“How do you even know my name? I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Ouch.” Joey stepped back but didn’t go away as I’d hoped. He fell into step beside me. After a minute of semi-awkward silence, Joey looked around me and over at Joanna. “Hey Joanna. I hear that Tanner is a jerk. I’m sorry.”

Joanna stopped walking and faced him. It took him a second to pull back.

“Did you do it on purpose?” She nearly shrieked.

Now Joey really did look ready to flee. Maybe he would learn to listen when a girl said to leave.

“Do what on purpose?”

Joanna spoke slowly. “Did you say hi to me to get Tanner to break up with me?”

I don’t think Joanna saw it but I definitely saw him gulp.

“He didn’t deserve you.” He muttered, looking away, anywhere but at her.

With another shriek and a stomp of her foot Joanna was gone, storming off in the direction of her locker.

“Was that necessary?” I rounded on him, whacking his arm.

He shrugged. “I told the truth, necessary or not. And Tanner is a jerk. She would be screaming at him and not me if she’d heard the way he was talking about her.”

“Do you know what he said about her, to her?” I could feel my ire rising but he didn’t back down. Instead he firmly held my gaze.

“Better she hurts a little now than devastated when he turned on her for some other imagined slight later.” He put his hands up. “I didn’t go in looking to hurt her. I figured that maybe I could help her see that Tanner is a self-centered egotistical jerk and she would break up with him.”

“You could have told me and I could have talked to her.”

He laughed. “Because we are the best of friends, right? You were shocked I even knew your name. And why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

I folded my arms, trying to keep both the irritation and the smile off my face.

“Fine. I wouldn’t have listened. And yes, I’m still shocked you know my name because you seem to only notice the super gorgeous girls who are already in relationships. And I don’t have a boyfriend because I don’t need one and I haven’t found a guy that I could put up with for more than 5 minutes.”

“Valid observations. I have known your name when we had homeroom together freshman year with Mrs. Orville where you sat in the front left desk every morning. And may I point out that you have been talking to me for more than five minutes and are still putting up with me if that hint of a smile is any indication.” He paused while I gaped. He flashed a smile at me that knocked me further into a stunned girly stupor. “Does that mean I get to be your boyfriend?”

To read part 2 of Paige’s story: click here.

Zadie

Zadie plopped down on the sand, gazing out into the darkening ocean. It was at this exact spot 2 years ago that she had sat laughing at Emmett as he goofed off among the crashing waves before he had disappeared beneath those same waves and never resurfaced.

The coast guard had searched but they never found his body. Most people on the island didn’t believe her when she had told them what had happened. Over the months-turned-years Zadie had grown used to the looks and scoffs that followed her in their small town.

When he had first disappeared, the police had taken her witnessing him disappearing into the ocean as a serious, time-sensitive matter but less than an hour after the police had arrived on the scene they found a note in his room addressed to his mom saying that he had decided it was time for him to go explore the world and get to know his dad’s family. And at the very bottom it told her not to look for him.

After that, his mom simply gave up looking, stating that he was gone. And since his mother accepted the note and seemed unworried, the police merely nodded and closed the case, assuming he had run off to finish out high school with his dad. Zadie’s parents accepted that the boy who had almost been like their own son had left. Less than 24 hours after his disappearance and no one but her wondered at his sudden absence. And according to everyone in town, her one parents included, she simply couldn’t let go. That she had lost her touch with reality. Some even speculated that drugs were involved.

But she knew she had seen him die.

And no one believed her.

Somehow this same spot became her refuge from the whispers. Here, she stared at the last spot she had seen him, imagining how different life would be if he hadn’t disappeared. How much less lonely she would be.

Evening turned to night and the moon was her only light reflecting off the water. And still she did not move, staring. 

Blinking tiredly, Zadie continued to gaze at the never-ending rolling of the waves crashing against the shore. She stood and wiped the sand off her jeans. When she heard a decidedly non-ocean sound coming from the ocean’s direction she jolted up straight. She squinted her eyes against the darkness. A shiver shot through her when she spotted a dark outline of what looked like a man rising up out of the ocean.

Unfortunately she tripped when she went to move back another step. Her startled cry seemed to amplify across the sand before being drowned out by another large crashing wave.

As she frantically scampered back to her feet she thought she heard her name called. Yet she saw no one else down the beach.

“Zadie?”

Her eyes fixed solidly on the figure moving toward her as tears sprang to her eyes at the familiar voice she never thought she would hear again. “Emmett?”

“What are you doing here?”

 Zadie froze, unable to move as she watched her lost friend walk toward her. Shaking her head she began to cry. “I can’t hallucinate now. Everyone looks at me weird enough already.”

“Zadie, you aren’t hallucinating. I’m right here.”

She threw her hands up in exasperation. “That’s exactly what a hallucination would say.”

“It would?” His surprised expression gave Zadie a second of hesitation.

Sinking to the ground, Zadie sighed and buried her face in her knees. She felt the sand shift as Emmett sat down next to her. 

Softly, Emmett spoke. “Why do you think I’m a hallucination? Why can’t I be real and get that big Zadie hug I’ve missed so much?”

“You died!” Zadie sobbed, looking up at him through tear filled eyes. “I watched you drown. You never resurfaced.”

When he didn’t respond, Zadie slugged him on instinct, as she had so many times before then gasped as her fist actually connected with his shoulder.

He turned to pull her into a hug but stopped short when he saw her face. “With everything that happened, I forgot that you were on the beach with me that day.”

“Forgot?!” She shrieked. “What could possibly have happened to make you forget that your best friend was standing on the beach when you disappeared into the ocean?”

“This guy grabbed me and pulled me under. I freaked out.”

“You were kidnapped?” Zadie interrupted. “I didn’t see anyone.”

His face softened as he smiled. “No. You wouldn’t have seen him. He was underwater. And yes, I guess you could call it kidnapping, though they said they left a note for my mom.”

“Why didn’t I get a note?”

“I didn’t pick who got notes, Zadie. I was only informed that they had left one for my mom to find. Now, did you want to hear what happened or not?”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll try not to interrupt.”

He chuckled and gave her a side hug. “I know how hard that will be.”

“So they left a note. Who are they?”

“I’m getting to that.” Emmett looked back out at the ocean. “Apparently there is a race of humans that evolved to the point that they could breathe underwater.”

“Mermaids?” Zadie shakily stood. “I’m going home.”

Emmett snatched her hand but didn’t move to stand. “Wait. Let me finish.”

“You just told me that you were taken by mythical fantasy creatures. As if it could be that easy to explain away.”

His soft grip on her hand was firm. “Zadie. I came back to find you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.” He chuckled and gently pulled her back down next to him. “Apparently I have the gene that allows me to learn how to breathe underwater. And no, I don’t have fins. They discovered me on a hunting expedition, to find more people to join their kingdom.  After they took me, I was required to complete my training before I was allowed to choose whether to stay or leave.”

“And you chose to leave?”

He shook his head. “I haven’t decided. All I know is that I had to see you before I made that decision.”

“To join the merpeople.”

With a groan, Emmett pulled himself up. She stood after him and crossed her arms. “Zadie, they call themselves the Vand.”

“And now you can breathe underwater.” Zadie stared out at the water over his shoulder. “I’m going home. In the morning I’ll wake up to discover this was a dream.”

Emmett’s hand on her back stopped her. “I’ll prove it.”

“How? Are you going to go disappear in the ocean again and I can come check back in a few years to see if you come out again for a quick visit?”

“No.” He laughed. “Come with me. I’ll show you.”