Finding ELE (ELE Series #2) Written By: Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels (22 page)

I crinkle my eyebrows, not sure what he's
getting at.

"I used my healing on you." He pushes some
stray hair behind my right ear.

"Oh." I grab his hand in mine. "Thank
you."

"You're welcome. I'm sorry I didn't do it
sooner. I was just so worried. I hate seeing you like that. It
reminds me of when you fell back in the tunnels a few months ago.
That helpless feeling is horrible!" He leans in and rests his
forehead on mine.

I know very well what he means. Seeing Tony
like that last night was almost excruciating. "I know. I'm
sorry."

He moves back and turns serious. "No, don't
be sorry. You did what you felt like you needed to do."

I nod my head. "Yes, I couldn't just leave
him like that."

"I know babe. I wouldn't expect that someone
with as good of a heart as you could." His hand cups my cheeks. "I
still don't like him though...at all."

I laugh uncomfortably. "I wish you two would
give each other a chance. You might find that you aren't that
different from one another."

"Yeah, we both have the hot's for my
girlfriend." Alec gives me a funny look that's mixed with
jealousy.

"Nuh-uh!" I push at his arm softly, but it's
hard to mask the blush that I'm sure, rises to my cheeks.

"It's true Willow." His expression softens.
"I can't blame him though. You are an amazing girl."

I raise my eyebrow at him, feeling a little
uncomfortable with this conversation.

He qualifies quickly, "I mean, I'm not cool
with it but still, if you want me to try to get along with him, I
will." He gives me a quick kiss on the lips. "But I won't put up
with him trying to pull any moves on you."

I laugh. "I think you are seeing things that
aren't really there." Although, deep inside, I know he's right.
"Thank you for being willing to try."

"I will do anything for you." He tells
me.

The door to the room opens and my dad walks
in. "I see you got the winning shift huh Alec?" He smiles at me. "I
didn't expect you to be up so soon."

"Yep, someone helped speed up the healing
process." I squeeze Alec's hand.

"Good. I'm glad you are okay baby. I didn't
like seeing you like that." My dad comes to my other side.

"I know." I tell him.

"I am proud of you though." He pats my
hand.

"Thanks dad." I give him a hug.

He turns his attention towards Alec. "Alice
wants to make sure you get to go to at least half of your training
today. The Reapers are stepping up their attacks and everyone needs
to be prepared."

"I shouldn't leave." Alec looks at me.

I shake my head. "You should go to
training." He doesn't look like he's going to budge so I tell him.
"I'm feeling nearly one hundred percent better. How about I come
watch you?"

That was the magic phrase. "Okay, as long as
you feel up to it."

"She's a big girl Alec, you don't need to
coddle her. She will be just fine." My dad says.

Both Alec and I turn to him, surprised he
would speak that frankly. I can't help but laugh a little which
helps diffuse the situation.

I take a moment to freshen up before we head
out. I look in the mirror before jumping into the cold shower.
Blood from Tony is still on my shirt. I take it off and throw it in
the hamper then jump under the water. I'm getting used to the cold
water. It wakes me up and leaves me feeling refreshed.

I come out of the shower and find a new pair
of clothes and a towel waiting for me on the counter. I'm guessing
my dad left them there seeing as how I know he wouldn't let Alec
near the door. Not that Alec would take advantage of any kind of
situation like that anyways.

Both of them are waiting for me when I come
out ten minutes later. Without any words, we head out of the room
and down to the training area.

The training room is filled with a lot more
action than usual. All of my friends are practicing with their
trainers. I watch Alec join in. While I don't do anything more than
watch, the afternoon passes by nicely. I find myself thoroughly
entertained watching my friends learn to kick butt. The best part
was watching my mom teach my dad a few things.

When we wash up and go to dinner we find
that the second team returned without incident. New food and
supplies are stacked in the corner of the dining hall. Everyone is
talking excitedly about the bonfire tonight.

Instead of eating with my parents I take a
seat next to my friends, sans Tony. I spot him across the room
eating with some of the other soldiers in his unit. Taking a deep
breath, I excuse myself from the table and walk over to where he
is. Before I get there one of his friends sees me and nudges him
playfully with an elbow to his side.

I pick up on the anxiety that flutters
through him as I approach, but I do my best to push the emotions
away. “Hey, Tony.”

“
Hey,” he repeats.

“
Um, I was just wondering,” I bite my
lip hoping I don’t sound stupid. “I was just wondering if you’d
like to come sit with us, I mean, with my friends and me?” I try
and give him a small smile of encouragement.

Tony shrugs his shoulders and grabs his
food. “Sure, I can do that.”

“
Cool,” I say. Turning around I lead
the way back to where my friends sit.

When I get back to our table Alec gets up
and pulls out my chair for me. I wonder if that’s yet another way
of marking his ‘territory.’

Alec has a seat to my right and Tony finds a
seat to my left. Not awkward, not at all…

“
So Tony,” I say breaking the pin
dropping silence at the table. “Why don’t you tell these ‘newbies’
about the bonfire tonight.”

He takes a bite of his potatoes and nods his
head. “Well,” he begins. “Do you want me to tell them about the
animal sacrifices or about painting ourselves with animal
dung?”

Candy makes this horrid screeching sound
with her voice as a piece of her food lodges in her throat. She
coughs and sputters till it flies out and lands on her plate.

I playfully punch Tony’s arm. “Nice Tony,
real nice.”

Tony gives me a look like, ‘what did I
do?’

“
None of that is going to happen
Candy, promise. The bonfires are a really special time for everyone
to unwind. It’s a time to celebrate and a time to relax. That’s it.
There’s music, dancing and smores. Need I say more?”

Candy still looks suspicious but starts
eating again after putting the regurgitated food in her napkin.

***

“
I like this one,” I say holding the
dress up to my body.

“
No, that looks too…girly.” Claire
states. “It’s not you at all.” She digs through the pile and pulls
out a light blue number that has offset shoulders. “Try this one,”
she says throwing it in my direction.

Candy’s still sorting through the pile as my
mom comes in the room. “Finding everything okay girls?” She asks in
a sweet, motherly voice.

Candy picks up a sequined number and puts it
up to her body. “Look what I found at the bottom of the pile…and
it’s pink!”

It’s no wonder it was at the bottom of the
pile. There’s not really a use for sequined numbers around here.
Plus, I don’t think they have a senior prom here in the
compound.

“
It’s…lovely,” my mother says trying
to find words. We all nod with fake enthusiasm and she runs to the
bathroom to change.

“
Alrighty then,” I say holding up the
dress Claire picked out for me. “Hey mom, what do you think of
this? Too much?”

She gives me a smile. “I love the color, why
don’t you try it on so I can see what it looks like on you.”

Candy comes out of the dressing area
looking…well there really aren't words for how she looks. Tacky?
No, that’s not nice.

I smile against everything in me as she
twirls around. “It’s a nice color on you,” I tell her, not sure of
what else to say. If an eye blinding, sparkly dress makes her
happy, then so be it. She deserves a dose of happy after what she
gave up to leave the shelter.

“
Thanks,” she chirps.

I walk into the changing room and put the
dress on. Claire was right; it is a really good fit. Almost too
good. It definitely shows off my curves in a not-so-teenage
way.

I walk out expecting my mother to order me
to turn right around and take it off. Instead she puts her hands to
her cheeks and says, “Oh, Willow! You look stunning!” Then she
comes over to me messing with the sleeves, turning me around and
looking at me from different angles. “I’m not sure if your father
would agree, but you are sixteen now. I think it makes you look
beautiful.”

I try hard not to blush as Claire takes a
dress she picked out into the dressing room. Candy is still
standing in front of a full length mirror turning ‘round and
‘round, checking herself out from every possible angle. Every once
in a while the diminishing sunlight that's trickling in from the
windows hits it just right that I have to turn my face away in
order to avoid being blinded. I feel like I'm having to dodge
deadly laser blasts. My mom has to dodge the elusive sparkle beams
too. We both do our best to stifle our laughs.

My mother bends down and opens a small
satchel she brought. She opens it up and pours out a few bits of
makeup on a small table. “I thought you girls would like a few
finishing touches. I know it’s just a bonfire, but it’s fun to get
dressed up sometimes.”

Candy comes running over. “Lip gloss!” She
squeals in delight.

Claire finally comes out of the dressing
area in a full-length lavender cotton dress. She looks stunning,
especially with her matching eyes. My mother catches sight of her
and begins the same doting process she did on me, with Claire. I’m
so grateful. I know Claire, deep inside, is doing cartwheels now
that she has a mother figure.

My mom stays with us a while longer making
sure each of us look our best. She is beamingly happy too and I can
tell she loves this. Candy and Claire head down, leaving us
alone.

She applies a fresh coat of lip-gloss to my
lips. “Willow, I just want you to know how proud I am of you.” She
says. “And, that I think you picked a winner. Alec, he’s one of a
kind. Believe me when I tell you, they are hard to come by. Take
your father for example.” Okay, that might be awkward, considering
he’s my dad and all, but it's not. She continues. “Just know, I
want you safe and I really want you to make the right choices.”

Oh boy, I see where this is going. As much
as I love my mom, ‘the talk’ is never pleasant.

“
Mom,” I say interrupting her. “You
don’t have to worry about a thing. Alec is a gentleman, true to the
word. He’s never pushed me to do something I don’t want to do. And
I know he never would. Plus, I'm not ready for that. I know it's
old school, but I want to be like my parents and wait.” There,
that’s about as much as I feel comfortable sharing.

My mother accepts this thankfully and gives
me a small smile with a nod of her head. She places her hands on my
shoulders and looks deeply in my eyes. “Baby, I love you so much.
You are becoming such an amazing young woman. I am honored to be
your mother.” Her words strike a chord in me making my eyes tear up
in response. “Now, now. Don’t you go crying on me. You don’t want
to mess up my masterpiece!” She exclaims. I give a little giggle
and she wraps me up in a hung. “Now, you go join your friends out
there and have a good time tonight.”

I tell her I will and then head out.

Back in my room I find Claire fastening her
shoes on. My mother left us both a pair of dressier shoes in our
room earlier tonight. She insisted that we couldn’t wear tennis
shoes with our dresses this evening. She left me a pair of ballet
flats, which work perfectly. I’m not one for heals of any kind.
They make my feet hurt.

“
Claire, you look beautiful,” I gloat.
“Connor isn’t going to know what to do with himself!”

Claire turns about fifty shades of red. “You
do too, Willow. I can’t wait to see the guys’ faces when they see
us.”

We squeal like schoolgirls as Candy barges
into the room. I think my chin drops to the floor as I take in her
six-inch stilettoes and sequined dress. I’m completely speechless
and at a total loss for words.

“
What, you don’t like?” She asks
me.

I stammer for a few seconds and thankfully
Claire steps in for me. “You look wonderful. Everyone will have
eyes on you tonight.” She says. Boy is she ever right!

The three of us finish up and walk towards
the stairs. At the top of the stairs I spot Alec and Alec spots me.
He looks amazing. He's wearing a pair of black slacks and a black
polo shirt that hugs him tightly, showing off the curves of his
muscles. His short black hair is combed just right where it doesn't
look perfect, but it doesn't look like he just rolled out of bed
either. His navy blue eyes widen and his mouth drops slightly.
"Beautiful." He says a little breathlessly. Blushing, I take his
hand.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dreamt
of this moment. Since I was a little girl I dreamed of going to a
dance when I was older and having my prince charming pick me up. I
always wanted to be dressed to the nines and descend down a
staircase. Every time it happened in a movie I would swoon at the
way the guy looked captivatedly in love as the girl walked
gracefully down the stairs. Because of the virus I never knew if it
would be able to happen or not. I guess the big guy upstairs saw to
it that I got my wish.

Claire and Candy are already at the bottom
and soon I'm alone at the top of the stairs. I didn’t realize Alec
and I were staring at each other that long. I walk down easily in
the ballet flats and come to a stop in front of Alec.