Hidden Wings (3 page)

“Yeah, and then we became the terrible three,” Jeremy howled and snorted, holding his stomach. I’m glad he thought it was funny, because Lia and I didn’t. We both rolled our eyes and shook our heads.

After humoring himself, Jeremy finally pointed to my bulging right arm. “So what’s up with that?”

“Oh,” I said, attempting to tug the long sleeve up, revealing the bulky, white cast. “It’s broken, but the doctor said it can come off in a few weeks.”

“Oooooo! Can we sign it?” he asked with a gleam in his eye.

“I guess. Why not?”

“I’m first!” Jeremy exclaimed, excited like a little kid.

Lia inhaled sharply and I turned to watch her dig through her purse, pulling out a bright-pink pencil case. She zipped it open and sifted through the pile, picking out all of her multi-colored sharpie pens. She held them up, fanning them out to Jeremy.

Jeremy plucked the black and orange from her grasp. Go figure. They were his favorite colors.

I grinned and shook my head. “Go ahead Michelangelo. Create your masterpiece. But you only have about ten minutes to do it, or at least until my
escort
arrives.”

“Do you even know what part of Alaska you’re going to?” Lia asked.

“No. I just found out yesterday that I was being banished to the place. Nothing more than that. I guess that’s what the escort is for,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

“Escort…now that’s very interesting,” Jeremy said sarcastically, patting the spot on the bed next to him, ushering me to sit. He lifted my casted arm onto his lap, and pulled off the black cap proceeding to draw a circle with squiggly lines all around it. I think he was going for a sun, or what he thought resembled a sun. Its long rays extended over half my cast, and I was guessing it was because he wanted me to take a bit of sunshine to Alaska. He then proceeded to draw orange rimmed glasses on his sun’s face, and a huge smile with lines for teeth. Jeremy was definitely more of a Picasso than a Michelangelo.

“Jeremy!” Lia scolded, glaring at him through her narrowed, Asian eyes. “You better save me a spot!”

“Don’t worry. There’s lots of room on the back,” he grinned slyly. She rolled her eyes and huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and slouching back into her seat. “Oh, and could you
please
pass me the yellow, Lia darling?” he said in a dramatic voice.

She flashed him another wicked glance and reluctantly tossed over the yellow sharpie. He pulled the cap and began to color in his sun.

Lia was next. They switched places and she neatly laid out her choice of pens behind us on the bed, proceeding to draw a rainbow, a multi-colored flower, a butterfly, and her name. Every letter was a different color. Hers was a work of art, compared to Jeremy’s kiddy sun and illegible signature.

“Wow! This cast will definitely brighten the whole state of Alaska,” I said twisting and turning my newly pimped arm. They both smiled and nodded approvingly, giving each other a high-five.

“So, did you know that Alaska is like this ginormous place, one- fifth of the size of the whole United States? You can get lost easily over there. I heard that people, criminal types, move there to escape justice… you know… lots of places to hide. So you’d better be careful, Emma. Don’t go out alone at night. And, watch for bears…and moose that have babies. They will charge at you if you get too close,” Jeremy noted, pressing his glasses back up on his nose. He must have done some online research. That’s what he was good at. At least it showed he really cared.

“I don’t know much of anything. But I’m sure I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“Well, you better call us when you get in so that we know you made it safely,” Lia said nodding her head.

“I will, as soon as I can get to a phone.”

“What happened to your cell?” Lia asked.

“I’m not sure,” I said. “It didn’t end up with the rest of my things from the crash.”

Jeremy turned and gave Lia a dirty look, and her eyes became saddened. “I’m sorry, Emma,” she whispered.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll get a new one.” I tried to sound like it didn’t bother me, even though it did.

“Do they even have cell phone service in Alaska?” she asked.

“Yes, they do, but not in all areas. AT&T has the best overall coverage,” Jeremy noted so matter-of-factly. Wow… he actually did research on it. The poor boy needed to get a real life.

“I wish I could pack you both up in my suitcase and take you with me,” I sighed.

“I’d love to come!” Jeremy said excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to try snowboarding, and I’ve heard Alaska is the place to go.”

“Oh please,” Lia huffed, shooting him an exasperated look. “You can’t even get both feet on a skateboard… while it’s standing still… while you’re holding onto something!”

“Whatever, Lia!” he scuffed. His bushy eyebrows furrowed and his nose scrunched up. They were just as bad as real siblings. I actually felt a tiny smile emerge on my lips.

“So did you manage to scrounge up all my warm stuff?” I asked.

“Yes, but it was a bit unnerving going into your house with no one there… you know… knowing what happened.” Her gaze flittered away from me and went to Jeremy.

“Yeah, Lia was pretty freaked out,” Jeremy chuckled.

“Was not, Jeremy! You were way more freaked out than me…you big chicken,” she snapped, throwing her arms over her chest. “He made me go in first, and then was glued to my back the whole time we were there. Every single noise made him jump.”

“Well, it was a bit uncomfortable,” he admitted.

“But we did grab everything warm we could find… shoes, socks, pajamas, every single long sleeved shirt, jacket, and blue jean you own,” Lia said, patting the suitcase with every word.

“We also put some snacks, the camera, and your new Kindle in your carry-on,” Jeremy noted with a wide smile. “Oh… and the picture of you and your parents is in there too. We had to take it out of the frame because it was metal, and we didn’t want the glass to break. It’s best not to take anything that is questionable to the airport. You know how they are these days,” he said.

“Thanks guys. I’m gonna miss you SO much,” I said, as tears stung my eyes again.

“We’re going to miss you too! What are we going to do without you our last, crucial year? We’re finally going to be seniors,” Lia said, her eyes tearing as soon as she saw mine. Jeremy looked at me, and a single tear grazed his cheek. He quickly turned away and lifted his glasses, quickly wiping his face with his shirt. That was the first time I’d ever seen Jeremy get emotional.

“You guys will be fine. And it won’t be forever. I promise to email and send pictures.”

“You better,” Lia said, wagging her finger at me.

And then… something happened. A sudden euphoric feeling; an unexplainable heat shot through every cell in my body. My pulse quickened, along with my breath, and tingles pricked my skin. A rush of adrenaline flooded my veins and my surroundings began to haze. I grasped onto the edge of the bed, taking in long, deep breaths.

“Hey, are you okay?” Jeremy asked, scooting over to me, grabbing hold of my shoulders.

“Emma, what’s wrong?” Lia called, jumping behind me, pounding my back.

Hello! I’m not choking!
I wanted to speak those words, but I couldn’t answer them. It was like all the breath had been sucked out of my lungs.

Then…there was a knock at the door, and we all turned to look.

Chapter 3:

As soon as
he
stepped through the door…my breath seized.

“Emma? Emma Wise?” the young stranger asked with a crooked grin, combing back thick, dark-brown hair through his fingers.

Was that my escort? Holy hell, I hope so!

He looked a little older than me, had dark, perfect features and flawless porcelain-like skin. Long eyelashes framed the brightest hazel eyes I’d ever seen in all of my seventeen years. Dark denim jeans and a fitted, black V-neck sweater adorned his tall frame. His physique was statuesque, but his skin was pale…almost colorless. I assumed it was because he came from Alaska. No sun for half the year. That had to explain it.

I finally caught my breath. “Yes,” I exhaled.

He smiled, revealing the whitest, straightest teeth. “I’m Kade Anders, your escort.” I noticed that he said ‘escort’ like he wasn’t too sure about the title.

Lia turned to me. Her cheeks were blushed in bright pink, and her Asian eyes were the widest I’d ever seen them. She swallowed hard, and then mouthed the words,
“Oh-my-God-he’s-so-hot!”

I laughed and then glanced back at him. His eyes were fastened to mine, and I was suddenly bewitched by his beauty; frozen in a trance. I noticed something in his eyes; something in the way he was looking back at me, like he’d known me forever.

He suddenly broke eye contact and turned to Jeremy.

Jeremy must have noticed my immaturity and cleared his throat… extra loud.

I had to compose myself. I had to snap myself out of the fog that just crept in through the door. I was acting like a complete idiot, gaping at him like some silly little girl with a kindergarten-crush.

You’re so immature Emma! Snap the hell out of it!

I had to spend the next who-knows-how-many-hours with this guy, and I did NOT want him to think I was immature, which was hard when both of my best friends were very immature for seventeen. But that’s why I loved them so much. They made life so much more fun because of it.

“So, do you have any type of paperwork to prove you’re the escort?” Jeremy asked, staring inquisitively at Kade with a raised eyebrow. I’d had a million things swirling through my mind, and knew an escort was coming. I just assumed that when the person showed up… I’d follow.

“Right here,” Kade answered with a grin. He pulled a paper out from his pocket and handed it to Jeremy.

Jeremy carefully looked over the paper, folded it up, and handed it back to him. He then shuffled over to me and gave me an awkward, one-handed hug.

“So, I guess this is goodbye. Don’t forget about us, okay?” his voice was shaky and tears began to well behind his coke-bottle lenses.

“How could I ever forget you two crazies! And I promise to shoot you an email as soon as I get set up.” It was taking everything in me to be strong. I hated goodbyes. And I hated leaving everything and everyone I’d ever known behind. My heart was breaking all over again.

Lia leaned in and gave me a soft squeeze. “Looks like you’ll be in great hands,” she said smiling, her eyes shooting again toward the hot boy at the door.

“I hope so,” I whispered. She quickly spun and faced my escort.

“We’re leaving our best friend in your hands. She’s in a very fragile state right now, so please take really good care of her,” she instructed. She looked so tiny, but she had a bossy side to her.

“I promise to take the greatest care of her,” Kade answered politely, with a bow of his head.

Lia giggled and then turned and winked at me. Within seconds her smile turned into the saddest frown. I heard her sob as she turned away from me. I was hoping she wouldn’t have a bi-polar moment like this. She was trying to be strong, but didn’t quite make it. My heart was wrenching inside.

“Bye Emma,” Lia said bravely, and then buried her face into Jeremy’s shoulder. Jeremy waved at me, and then quickly escorted Lia out of the room. I could tell he wasn’t taking it well either. My best friends were leaving, and I didn’t know if, or when, I’d ever get to see them again.

I felt tears drip down my face, and was just about to lose it, when my escort headed towards me. I quickly wiped them dry and took in a deep breath.

His powerful smile seemed to pull my sinking heart from the unknown depths of sadness, and place it somewhere a little safer. What kind of magical charm did this guy have on me? I was usually calm and collected, even when hot guys were around. But this guy was definitely in a league of his own, almost other-worldly.

“Hello, Emma,” he spoke in a warm, subtle voice. “Your Aunt Alaine sent me to assist you to your new accommodations. Are you ready?” he asked, holding his hand out to me.

“What?” I was completely distracted by his closeness. His scent was intoxicating; fresh and crisp with hints of warm spice. I inhaled, becoming high and lightheaded with his mere presence.

“Are you ready…to leave?” he politely asked again.

I mentally slapped myself back into reality…several times.

“Yes. I’m ready,” I said grasping his hand.

As soon as we touched…
WHAM!

An electrical current surged through my veins, and the same euphoric feeling, which I’d felt earlier, shot through me… intensified times ten. Heat rushed through me, and my body felt like it was being pulled toward him, like we were magnetized. I gasped and he released my hand. As soon as he did, I felt flustered and bewildered. He looked at me. His eyes were wide and bewildered.

“What happened?” I questioned, still feeling a bit woozy. That was the craziest, random, internal, emotional shocker!

He remained silent, puzzled, gazing down at his hand.

“I don’t know,” he finally answered. “That’s never happened to me before.”

I tried to shake it off and stood up. I pulled my carry-on over my shoulder, took in a deep breath, and flattened my arms down to my sides to avoid his touch. But, he bent down to pick up my suitcase and offered me his arm, again. I froze, not sure if I should or shouldn’t.

“Shall we try this again?” he asked with the cutest, crooked grin.

I felt my pulse quicken, but then… instant embarrassment as I held up my colorfully, casted arm. Jeremy’s huge sun with orange-rimmed glasses smiled at us. That was awkward. I mean…sheeze…it looked like a kindergartner had drawn it.

Kade immediately took notice and commented. “Nice.”

“Yeah,” I huffed, completely embarrassed.

He was very careful not to touch my bare skin, and looped his arm through mine. This time there was no shock, but there was still that overwhelming warmth and tingles that seemed to emanate throughout me with his closeness. The cast seemed to be a good conductor.

As he escorted me out, the nurses waved and said goodbye, but their eyes weren’t looking at me, they were glued on Kade. He was cordial and smiled back, making them swoon.