True Intentions (23 page)

"The only way we can die is for another one of my kind to break our neck. It takes extreme force. No human would be able to do it. Only an immortal has that type of raw strength. But once our neck is snapped, we turn into ashes. It's not pleasant to see. Sad to say, but I've actually seen it done once. It must be extremely painful by all the hollering," he admits.

The lump in my throat triples in size. I can't imagine that happening to my Sam, and I can't imagine life without him. I'm not sure if I would even
want
to be alive without him.

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Unsure

Will Kate inform Sam of the details of our conversation? I have to assume so . . . .

This entire subject is challenging. It's my best dream and worst nightmare rolled into one. I have the most awesome guy in the universe, yet he is not human. It's like having the winning lottery ticket and then finding out the lottery is not real.

I'm still disappointed because I wanted to meet Stephen and Susan. Yesterday, Sam showed me some photos since I won't be able to meet them for a while.

Neither of them resembles what I had expected. Stephen has jet-black hair slightly longer than his chin, olive-green eyes, and looks to be in his forties. You would never believe he is from the 1100's. Now, finally their awesome house makes sense because Stephen is an architect.

Sam's mother, Susan, is very blonde, very petite, and has her in a pixy-style haircut. Both are very slender and good looking. However, they don't look like siblings, not from the 1100's or now.

Today I'm way more nervous than usual, which says a lot since I've practically changed into paranoid schizophrenic since meeting Samuel Perry.

I told him to come over next Wednesday night, so he can meet my mom, and we can reveal we're dating,
if that's what you call it
. At least I have a few days to figure out how to tell her I'm in a relationship without giving her a coronary. Since Sam will be constantly around me at school, we'll have to go public there too. That makes me nervous.

I'm not worried about people I don't care about. How will I explain our relationship to Sara without enlightening her on the whole devil's-dark-angel situation?

Will she think I'm one of those girls dating a control freak boyfriend if Sam and I are together all the time? I can only imagine how she'll react. Before I left for Chicago, I wouldn't dare even talk to Sam Perry, and now I'm exclusively dating him?

This is so complicated.

I wait impatiently at the end of my driveway where Sam is supposed to meet me,
in his car this time
, so he can follow me to school.

I used curlers in my hair this morning to "pretty up" for my big début as his girlfriend. Not sure why I'm bothering. Sam looks like a movie star, where the only script I would be qualified to audition for is that old TV show,
Ugly Betty
. People around here have to think, "What does he see in her?"

He is so amazingly, completely marvelous in every possible way. It should be illegal to have someone so incredibly gorgeous on this earth. How does a human girl not fall for his temptations? Is it possible? Of course, I could have a complete makeover, and I'd still look out of place standing by his side. Having curls in my hair won't change that fact.

I meet Sam at the end of the drive as planned, then try to focus on the road instead of watching him from my rear view mirror. I am struggling not to salivate uncontrollably. I feel like Pavlov's dog.

I take another quick peek in the mirror. Sam has a mischievous smirk on his face.

What is he thinking?

He's probably making fun at my attempt at curls.

My anxiety doubles as we pull up into the full student parking lot.

Breathe
.

People date all the time, no biggie.

I've never had a boyfriend
period
, not to mention one as unbelievable in every way like Sam.

I pull into a parking space, but instead of getting out of the Jeep, I stare blankly through my windshield.

He knocks on the driver side window to get my attention, causing me to jump.

"Were you going to class or home schooling from inside your Jeep?" Sam jokes.

He flashes his gorgeous smile then winks.

"I can do this," I mutter. I hope my tone is too quiet for him to hear.

I get out of the car. I'm focused on slowing down my breathing. Last thing I need is to hyperventilate and pass out. I'm trembling.

We move across the parking lot toward the main doors. Sam gives me some basic instructions, "Remember to be safe. Don't go anywhere alone with
anyone.
I'll see you at lunch. Do you want to sit with your friends, or do you want to meet mine?"

"Mine," is all I can spit out. I feel apprehensive again. I wonder if Sara is included in the
anyone.
He doesn't believe she would hurt me, does he?

Without any hesitation, he grabs my hand, catching me off guard. He wraps his fingers together with mine and lets our hands drop casually to our sides. His touch is calming. By the time we reach the front doors of the school, some of the students are staring
in total disbelief.

"Why is everyone looking at us," I point out, not lowering my voice.

"They're wondering how I got such a hot babe," he whispers, squeezing my hand.

I roll my eyes. "Oh yeah, I'm sure that's what they're thinking."

He stops and turns around. He releases my hand, but then wraps his arms around my neck, locking his hands together behind my shoulders.

"Ava, you're so incredibly beautiful . . . every guy in here is wishing he is me right now."

"I believe the wanting to be you part, but every guy wants to be you because
you're
gorgeous, not because they want to be dating me."

Any guy would trade his soul to look like Sam. Actually, it might cost him his soul
.

"Have I told you lately that you are sincerely the most utterly absurd girl I have
ever
met?" he asks.

Our eyes lock together, and I smile.

What's there not to smile about?

Samuel Perry is 100% mine.

Even if everyone on Earth thinks I'm not worthy, looking at him right now,
I
don't care.

Then from the corner of my eye, I see Sara staring with her mouth unintentionally wide open and her eyes wide like she just saw a ghost.

"Hi Sara, how was your spring break?" I ask innocently as she walks up to us.

Sam drops his arms down to his side, all too soon for my liking.

"Good, but I think it wasn't as
good
as yours," she says with a mischievous smile.

Sam jumps in, reading my mind.

"Hi Sara," he says and then pretends to look down the hall behind her. "I'll be right back, Ava. I see someone I need to chat with."

He quickly kisses my hand and heads down the hall. Sara immediately looks at me as if I'm now an alien.

"Do you need me to ask you
what the hell
, or are you going to explain?" she demands, not waiting until Sam is out of hearing range.

"I don't even know where to start," I whisper. I'm being honest.

"Start with explaining what happened during spring break that caused you to go from avoiding Sam Perry like he had a venereal disease to looking like you two are a couple?"

"Actually, we are sort of a couple," I love hearing the words come out of my mouth.

"Are you seriously joking?"

"No."

"Oh my God!" Sara screams, smacking her hands against her thighs. "I think I need to sit down."

"It's not that big of a deal."

"Not a big deal . . . . Not a big deal! You're hooking up with Sam Perry and it's not a big deal!"

"I'm
not
really hooking up with him," I add, trying not to let my disappointment show through. Unfortunately, that's the truth.

"Whatever . . . . I can totally tell. You're
with
him."

"Sara, we've been talking over spring break. I guess we're dating. But, seriously, it's not what you're thinking."

"What I'm thinking? Believe me. You don't wanna know what I'm thinking," she giggles. "I'm just in shock. You hated his guts two weeks ago."

"I didn't hate him. I just didn't understand him, that's all."

"So now that you
understand
him, I want every single detail!" She grabs my shoulders with her hands, almost shaking me. It reminds me of a shark attack.

Apparently, I'm the seal.

I shake my head, implying okay. At this point, I'm afraid to tell her no.

She smiles and waits for the scoop.

"I wish I had tons of details to tell."

"I totally saw the way he looks at you. You have enough to share!"

I laugh and play with my hair, twirling strands between my fingers.

Did he really look at me in that way? I never noticed.

I look over at her desperate-for-gossip expression and know I have to give her something . . . . It's cruel to deny her at least that much.

"Sara, it's beyond my wild dreams," I admit, whispering in her ear. I pause and then continue more loudly. "He is so totally awesome. I don't know how to explain."

To my surprise, I notice him making his way through the crowd, heading toward us.

"I will try to explain more,
later
," I promise as I nudge her.

"You better," she demands. Then she lands a punch to my shoulder.

Before I can respond, she starts walking down the hall.

* * * * *

The rest of my day is similar; everyone glares at me as though I've crossed over to the dark side.

If they only knew . . . .

Jack has been the most interesting. He sits quietly, staring Sam up and down during lunch like a father might when his daughter's date comes to pick her up.

Although Jack didn't actually say saying anything, he continued giving Sam some sort of 'male challenge' the entire lunch hour. It was like watching the Discovery Channel. I waited patiently for one of the male bucks to strike first. I never realized how territorial males are,
no matter
what species.

Sam was graceful during the ordeal, but I could sense he was getting irritated with Jack's attitude. I was stuck watching them, unable—more like unwilling—to get involved with their male dominance behavior.

I silently prayed for the lunch hour to end before someone lost their temper.

Luckily, lunch did end, but a new challenge began.

While dumping our trays into the trash cans, Sara breaks the awkwardness with an announcement.

"Jack asked me to prom the Friday before spring break." She's blushing and nervously tapping the ground with her shoe. It's adorable to see her so excited.

"Congratulations!" I exclaim, hugging her tightly.

"Are you two planning on going?" She asks. She isn't looking at me, only at Sam!

OMG. What is she doing?

"I wouldn't let Ava miss it for the world." Sam winks.

I freeze.

Prom? Is he clinically insane?

"Then we should go together!" Sara says in a squeaky voice that reminds me of a three-year-old getting presents.

I 'm too nauseated at the whole idea of prom to register her together comment.

Prom? What the heck is Sam thinking?

I didn't have a chance to ask him what planet he is living on. I'm not about to let him drag me to our prom—or any dance. As we walk toward our classrooms, he squeezes my hand and whispers in my ear, "See you after school."

He blends into the crowd of students, leaving me outside my class staring in disbelief.

The rest of my afternoon is a complete blur. I can't take my mind off the prom comment. Although I'd be going to prom with the most breathtaking guy in this world, it doesn't relieve my anxiety.

Chapter Twenty-Nine – May 1st

I wake up to rain pattering gently on my windowpane. Last night was the first time in quite a while Sam didn't spent the night. Yet, I can still smell his scent lingering on my pillow. Since returning from Chicago, it has become his usual habit to crawl in through my window each night as soon as I get ready for bed. How could I not feel entirely safe in his presence?

Even though I love having him sleep here, this arrangement is not just for my benefit. He needs to stay away from his home since it will be the first place Satan and his followers look for him. It's an unspoken certainty: if they find Sam, he'll be killed.

Over the last few weeks, I've been learning how to use my influence. According to Sam, I still have a lot to learn. I'm only able to cause a feeling of happiness to some people when they're angry. Still, that's really comes in handy with Mom. Sam ensures me there is much more I will be able to do—
in time.

Snuggling with him is a comfort I'm becoming too accustomed to. Even with him next to me every night, I've remained
pure,
as he calls it, despite wanting more. We've learned to be careful, watching how far we let our physical contact go so we won't get too tempted. I guess I'm content with just kissing . . .
for now.

Last evening was unusual. Sam sensed something was wrong and had a strange feeling something was brewing. He wanted to check with his family and make sure everything was okay. I was reluctant to let him go, but I had to trust his instinct.

Now, as I lie in bed, the rain doesn't seem like it will let up this Saturday morning. I can smell the freshness of the air through my open window. I left the window open a crack
just in case.
It must have stormed most of the night.

I frown.

I'd hoped Sam would make it back before morning.

My mom is gone. She is taking Grandma to a local nursery to pick plants for her homegrown garden. My grandfather is out fishing with some buddies.

I hear my stomach growl as loud as the stereo system I normally play in my bedroom. I walk down the steps, still hearing the roar from my gut. I was too nervous thinking about Sam last night to eat dinner. That was despite my mom making one of my favorites—homemade pizza.

I creep down our stairs slowly, feeling the old house's cold hardwood creaking beneath my bare feet. I'm dressed only in shorts and a tight, tunic T-shirt, but the house seems cooler than usual. I stop at the laundry room and grab a hooded sweatshirt. The distinct scent of lavender and chamomile fills my nostrils. I smile as I think about how much I love our fabric softener. I pull a sweatshirt from the folded laundry on top of the dryer and head toward the kitchen smelling my shirt the entire way.