The Price of a Gift (The Price of Secrets Series) (11 page)

"She looked just fine the way she always dressed." He frowned and I could feel his anxiety when he thought about her getting anyone's attention.

Oh yeah, he likes her. Now what am I gonna do about it? Maybe I can have them together before my pool party. I smiled and turned to look out the window and saw that Daniel was looking at me again. I kept quiet the rest of the way to Jacob's house. The guys resumed talking about sports. Last thing I remember hearing, was Jacob saying what a drag it was that Daniel didn't get to sign up for football in time, before I zoned out. Feeling the car come to a stop brought me out of my own little world just in time to tell Jacob goodbye.

"See
ya Hannah. You getting up front?" He asked.

"Umm, yeah sure."
What else was I gonna say? That I didn't want to sit beside Daniel? But it would look stupid for me to stay back here. I got out of the car and walked around to where Jacob was standing with the door held open.

"Thanks," I said while climbing in the passenger side, "See
ya tomorrow." I closed the door and it was just me and Daniel. He pulled out of the driveway and headed toward my, well, his house. It shouldn't bother me that he hasn't spoken a word to me. Because I had no idea what to say to him after what happened at lunch today. Although, you would think he would say something. I tried to get a feel from him. It was difficult, but I could pick up a faint sense of anger. I took a chance and looked over at him. He was clenching his jaws. I was right. He is mad... at me! Why?

"What's wrong?" The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them.

He gave me a quick glance then back at the road. "Is the stuff you wrote in your diary true? Can you really do those things?" Well there's my answer. He's mad at me over something I have no control of, something that is a part of who I am. I played this scenario out in my head to try and prepare myself. But it still hurt worse than I thought it would. I turned and looked out the window. For someone who never cries, it looks like I will have done a lot of it before this day is done.

"Yes." I whispered, determined I would not let these tears fall.

"So do you do that often? You know, get into everyone's head like you just did with Jacob. Do you get a thrill out of it? Or go tell your friends so you all can have a big laugh."

What the heck is he talking about? I turned to him as anger replaced sadness. "If you think I'm a freak just say it! But don't you sit there and judge me or assume you know anything about me just because you read my diary!" I folded my arms over my chest, like I was three, and turned back to the window.

"Are you crying?" he asked.

"No, I have allergies." I tried to lie but I didn’t
fooled him at all.

"Listen, I'm sorry. Please don't cry. I didn't mean for that to come out sounding so bad. But were you or were you not looking into Jacob's mind?"

I might as well tell him the truth. I took a deep breath, and unfolded my arms. "Yes I did. But not for the reasons you think." He said nothing, waiting for me to elaborate. "I can't tell you why, but Kayla is having a really bad time in her life right now. She has been so sad and she is such a good person. I'm talking Mother Teresa good. I know she likes Jacob and I thought I could help her have some happiness. So I looked to see if he likes her too."

"And does he?" He asked with just a hint of a smile.

And I couldn't help but grin back at him. "As a matter of fact he does." We pulled into his driveway in front of the garage.

He laid his hand over mine while I reached for my seat belt. There was that electric zap again. "I'm really sorry I was a jerk to you. I got the wrong impression and thought you were being mean and shallow and that really bothered me. Forgive me?"

"For this, yes. For reading my diary, not just yet."

"Well I guess that's a start. Come on, let's go get it."

Walking into his house felt so weird. They had it decorated beautifully, but seeing other people's stuff in the house I grew up in was hard to accept. My Dad had a recliner that my mom hated and it sat over there, in the right corner of this living room, all my life. Now in that corner is a pair of wingback chairs. It's weird. It's also weird that Dad's recliner didn't make it to the new house. I bet Mom had to do some sweet talking to get him to throw it out…. or she paid the movers to ‘lose’ it.

"The house looks great." I said following him up the stairs. Walking into his room was worse. It was grey and red. He painted over my purple and I know that shouldn't bother me, but it did. I stood inside the doorway while he went into his closet. He was neat and tidy. Everything was in
it's place. He had the typical guy stuff. Like a big flat screen on the wall, games stacked up on his dresser, and posters everywhere. The poster beside the window caught my eye and I walked over to it. It wasn't taped flat against the wall, so it puckered a little bit. Behind I could see purple. Taking a closer look, I could see that behind the poster was a perfect square of my purple he hadn't painted over. I wonder why? My heart wanted to say it was to have a reminder of me. My head on the other hand said he just didn't finish painting and hid it with a poster. I hurried back to the doorway before he caught me.

"Here
ya go." He handed me my diary.

I took it and held it tight to my chest. "Thank you."

"Maybe one day you can tell me all about your gift." He caught me off guard and I panicked. I'm not use to talking about it with anyone except my parents and Jaycee. I've only known Daniel for like a minute.

"I really need to get home." That was the best I could come up with.

"Oh, ok let's go." That was awkward, all thanks to me. I followed him out of his room and down the hall.

By the time we got to the steps I couldn't wait any longer, I had to ask. "Are you
going to tell?"

He stopped so abruptly that I almost ran into his back. He turned around and, him being on a lower step, we were almost eye to eye. And what gorgeous eyes they were. Such a deep dark brown and they were focused on me. I must admit, it made me a little light headed. "Is that what you're afraid of? Hannah, I will never tell anyone
your secret. You have my word." It was said with such emotion that I had no doubt that he meant it. I was relieved, but I couldn't thank him because all I could do was think about his breath that I could feel on my skin. And what it would be like to close the six inch gap between us and kiss him. Get a grip Hannah. It's those kind of thoughts that will get my heart broke. Not to mention the embarrassment if he would push me away, probably in shock and horror. I realized we were still standing there on the steps in silence and he was still staring at me. Maybe he was waiting on me to say something.

"I believe you and I forgive you for reading it."

He blinked a few times, like he was trying to clear his head. Then there they were, those yummy dimples. My whole insides melted. "I better get you home." Or you could just keep standing this close to me. I'm also not opposed to kissing. Or we could go back to that whole ‘handcuffing myself to you’ idea.

On the ride home to my house, Daniel asked me the question I was dreading. "Have you read my mind?"

"I can't read minds Daniel," I love saying his name out loud, "I see images."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"No, not at all. If I wanted to know what your favorite color was, but you were thinking about taking an algebra test, I couldn't get my answer. All I would be able to see is algebra stuff." That wasn't the best example, so I tried another one. "I brought up Kayla's name to Jacob because I wanted his mind on her. So I could see how he sees her. Also so I could feel his emotions that were brought on just by thinking of her."

I thought that any second now he is
gonna stop in the middle of the road and make me get out. But instead, he tilted his head to the side, looking like he was taking this all in. "That makes sense. Red by the way." I must of had a blank look on my face, because he went on to explain. "My favorite color is red. You never answered my question."

Crap.
Might as well tell him. "I tried to take a peak when Jacob got out of the car earlier. I couldn't see anything but I picked up on your anger. I think that since you know what I can do, you block me."

He thought about that for a second before asking, "Anything else you pick up from me?" He was taking this well.

"I can also see your aura."

"Really?
How cool. What color is it?" I stand corrected, he is taking this very well. He didn't even ask what an aura was. I wonder if it's because of his heritage. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on Indian culture but I think I've read where they believe in gifts and abilities. Even passing down stories about ancestors who were blessed with sight, healing or other gifts.

"Your aura is purple. What is your ethnic background?
If you don't mind me asking.”

"My mother is full blooded Cherokee Indian. My dad's side is mixture of Irish, German and a little bit of Cherokee also. What about you?"

"Me? Well my ancestors come from Scotland, Spain, Germany and also Cherokee."

"Really?"
He smiled. "From what side?"

"Both actually, but mainly my dad's dad sides.
Wait let me get this right," I used my fingers to count, "my great, great, great grandmother was full blooded Cherokee. Also, my great great grandfather was like three fourths, but from the other side of his family tree." I waited to see if he was going to say anything else before asking, "How old are you? And why are you already in town? My dad said you all went back to Oklahoma to tie up loose ends." I realized I let on that I know stuff about him, which means he knows I had to have asked about him.

He smiled and answered. "We were, but then my dad decided that my mom, brother, and I would stay here and get settled in while he went back. He should be home next week, and I will be 17 in December. I was held back a year." I could tell by his tone of voice that asking questions about being held back wasn't an option. We turned onto my street. That was fast. For someone who was dreading this all day, I've had a really good time with him. It's a crazy combination of being a nervous wreck, mixed with a feeling like I can be myself with him.

Coming to a complete stop in my driveway Daniel turned to me. "I really am sorry for reading your diary. I had no clue what it was or even whose it was until I started reading it. And to be honest, once I started I couldn't stop. But I'm glad I did. I think you were given a big responsibility in the form of this gift. I really think you are meant to do great things with it and you will."

I was suddenly aware of the changes going on inside the car. The best way to explain it is like the feeling right before a lightning storm. The air around us was getting thicker and I could feel the electricity making the hairs on my arms stand up. Do I lean into him? Cause I really want to. What if I'm reading him wrong and he is just waiting for me to get out of the car? Before I could make a decision, it was made for me.

Daniel sat back in his seat. "Sorry, that sounded creepy intense." There went my moment.

"No it didn't. And thanks for the vote of confidence in me." I opened the car door and got out making sure my skirt didn't rise up. I leaned down to look at him, trying to let my hair fall around my shoulders and gave him my best smile.
"Thanks again for giving this back to me." I held out my diary. "Oh I forgot to get my wind chime while I was at your house."

His smile widened and there
was those much anticipated dimples. "Finders keepers." Was all he said. Was he flirting with me?

Let's push this a little farther. "Hey, um, next Saturday I'm having a back to school pool party if you want to come."

He looked down and put his hand on his gear shift. "I don't know if I will be able to make it or not. But thanks for the invite." Ok, mix message much?

"Ok, well, thanks for the ride. See you at school tomorrow." I said while closing the door. I walked around heading for my front porch.

He rolled his window down while backing out. "See ya around."

Unlocking my door I could feel my cheeks flush. I guess I totally misread that. Dad was sitting on the couch pretending that he hadn't been watching me through the curtains. "How was your first day back?" Before I could answer he added, "Who dropped you off?"

"It was good. And that was Daniel Carver. You know, the people who wasn't gonna be here for another week."

"Oh Hannah, I'm sorry..."

"It's ok. You were half right. Dr. Carver went back to Oklahoma. The rest stayed here to get settled in. He took me to his house so I could get my diary. And yes he had already found it and read it." My Dad looked genuinely upset. "It all worked out. He gave me his word he wouldn't tell a soul and I believe him."

"How did he react to what he read?"

"He was open minded about it. He had a few questions, naturally. But he didn't call the men in white coats to come take me away and that's always a good sign."

Dad was relieved. "Well good. Maybe you have another friend now you can talk to."

"Yeah, maybe. I'm gonna go swimming for a little bit before supper."

After swimming a few laps I laid on a float trying to get a few afternoon rays. Naturally my thoughts drifted to Daniel. He totally blew me off about my pool party. Then after I said I would
see him at school tomorrow he says 'See ya around' what the heck was that? When just right before that he had said he's keeping my stupid wind chime. What did that mean? I thought we had a moment on the stairs AND in the car. Plus, I was sure I caught him several times today checking me out. Maybe my attraction to him is clouding my judgment. On the bright side, he knows my secret and doesn't think I'm crazy. So I think I'm just gonna let the ball be in his court. If he wants me as a friend, or hopefully more, he can come to me. I'm not going to make a fool of myself over a guy. Even if that guy has dimples…. and the sexiest eyes ever… and a body that male models would die for. Way to be strong Hannah. Time to put Daniel out of my mind for right now and just relax and enjoy the sun.