One Touch

26: Red Miracle

It was well past midnight when I heard soft knocks on my bedroom door. My vision was blurry with sleep as I sat up. My eyes cleared and adjusted to the darkness. It was dad with a handful of equipment. “Can I come in?” he asked. Whoa. His voice wasn’t hoarse for once, and it reminded me of his actual age. When I turned on the lights, I saw his fresh eyes and a poised body. He was more alive than I’d ever seen him be.

“Is everything okay?” I asked. I was happy to see him again, and hopeful he’d share more news about the Energy Gods. Lace curtains were draped over my windows and I had no intention of separating them. I knew the red eyes were there.

Dad laid out his equipment on my bed, in order of the simplest to the most complex. “I need to take some of your samples,” he said. I sat straighter. Huh? “Hold still.” I froze as dad plucked out a strand of my hair. He took out a safety pin and extended its clip backward.

All sleep left my body when dad took my hand. “Wait, what are you doing?” I asked in bewilderment. Dad poked the sharp end of the safety pin through the topmost layer of my tender skin. There was no pain when he peeled off a bit and placed it into a container.

“I need a pint of your blood, but I don’t want to hurt you,” dad said, his fingers flexing. Although I was beyond clueless on what was happening, his words warmed my heart. “To compensate, I need a small sample of your saliva and urine.”

He gave me two tubes and I gave them a blank stare. Dad motioned me to go get the samples for him, and I went to the bathroom. Why was I doing this?

Once dad collected my samples, he packed up and padded out my room and through the empty hallway towards his office. He was my father; I had to trust him with whatever he did. Did dad suspect me of something? With thoughts churning in my head, I fell asleep and let it wash away my antsy fear and countless questions. Dad would come back if he wanted to share more. I wouldn’t force him to do or tell me anything.

* * *

Waking up to a weekend never felt better, and it was the first time I loved having no school. It was my birthday.

I wasn’t too big on birthdays, and I didn’t expect to receive presents or congrats. As long as the day was filled with sunshine and chirping birds, the melody of nature consuming my ears, and I was at a peace of mind, I considered it a great gift. No one but dad was home today, and the entire neighbourhood was pin-drop silent. I loved everything about today. I sat on the living room couch, reading a novel and getting absorbed in its beguiling storyline.

The doorbell rang, and I rushed through the last few lines of the page before I went to open the door. Atlanta stood at the doorway.

“What’s up?” I said, bookmarking the page I was on. She dangled her car keys in front of me and I grinned. “You didn’t crash into anything yet did you?” I should be one talking since I was horrible at driving.

“Ha, ha,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I’m going to the hair salon. Want to come with me?” On the mention of her hair, it reminded me of how blue it had become. It was a solid, icy blue that didn’t highlight her hair or peak within her white layers anymore.

“Sure. Let me get my bag,” I said.

Once I returned and went outside, I saw Atlanta on her driveway with Caspian standing on her hover board. As I approached, I heard her complaining and demand he get off of it. Caspian didn’t care the least bit as he calmly listened to her with a lollipop in his cheek.

“Eve!” Atlanta called. “Can you help me get him off? He keeps moving away when I try to push him. I don’t want him hogging it.”

“When was the last time you used it?” Caspian asked her. She didn’t answer, her face turning blank. “Besides,” he switched the lollipop to his other cheek, “you’re not even using it now. Aren’t you going somewhere?”

“You’re letting her go somewhere on her own?” I asked in surprise. I thought for sure being the overprotective brother he was, he’d tag along. Caspian gave me a pointed look. “I mean, a hair salon isn’t that big of a deal. I’ll be going with her.”

“No, you’re not,” Caspian said, his eyes darkening. Atlanta kicked the hover board and he balanced himself effortlessly. “Not today. You can go by yourself, Atlanta.”

“You said we were allowed to spend time with each other,” Atlanta pouted, taking my arm and tugging me to her side. Caspian rolled forward, breaking her hands from my arm. Atlanta cringed. “Sorry. I promise it won’t happen again.” Touching me?

“It doesn’t matter. Go by yourself,” Caspian said, guiding me back.

“Why don’t you trust me?” she whined, but Caspian wasn’t giving in. “Asshole.” Atlanta apologized to me and stormed off. We watched her reverse her car and drive around a corner.

Under his breath, I heard Caspian say, “Finally.”

“I wanted to go with her,” I said. “I feel bad for abandoning her. And you.” I twisted from his hold, giving him a stern look. “Why are you being so mean to your sister? If you want to spend time with me, you can ask me another time.”

“Who said I want to spend time with you?” Caspian retorted. Seriously? This guy. He moved forward, slipping an arm around me before I could move away. “No one’s around,” he said, his hand on his lollipop. It was quiet, not a moving object nor sound on the street. “My mom’s not home. And I’m guessing yours isn’t either.”

“Neither is Rick,” I added with a sudden shyness. This was my first shot at love. I had never trusted or believed in it from the beginning. But this though, felt like I was cruising in the breezy sky and strolling through a meadow full of flowers. "Is it okay?"

Caspian popped out his lollipop, his lips quirking up as he placed his fingers to the side of my jaw. “What? Are you busy?”

“Maybe," I said, and broke free from his arm.

"Later then," he said, and frowned. “By the way, I can’t hold you all the time or...go near your sometimes. At times like that, you have to obey me if I need you to.” He was the dominating type, huh?

“I’m not obeying you if I don’t want to,” I told him. His brows furrowed. I wasn’t sure why he needed to keep his distance, but all that mattered to me was that we were serious. Our relationship wasn’t a game to him. I was positive it wasn’t.

I didn’t tell Caspian it was my birthday today, because either way, I knew this day would be special. Caspian and I agreed to go out this evening, but neither of us asked the other if it was an official date. I wanted it to be, but I was afraid he wasn’t thinking the same way.

The moment he waited for me in his car at six sharp, arrived after a century. It was such a long morning and afternoon and I couldn’t think of anything else. I had been so nervous to wear something nice that I ended up making a poor selection of clothes.

“Well, you’re dressed up,” Caspian said when I sat in the car. He was being sarcastic but it didn’t offend me. Caspian wasn’t too dressy either, but he always wore great clothes so this occasion didn’t make a difference.

On the road, my fingers fidgeted with anxiety. I had never been so unbalanced before, and occupied with all sorts of disparate emotions. It was new to me, but it didn’t feel wrong.

“Caspian?” I said, and he glanced at me. “Is this…is this an actual date?” He didn’t answer, which was even worse. It made me regret asking the question. “What did you tell Atlanta?” She would’ve definitely tagged along with us if she knew.

“I told her I’m going out with Amber,” he replied. Damn it, I shouldn’t have asked that question either. “You do know Amber and I aren’t together, right?” he asked me.

“I know,” I said, and stared out the window into to the darkening, navy sky. “But other than me and a few others, everyone thinks otherwise. It’s okay, I understand.” I wasn’t one to get jealous of another girl. I hoped.

“It’s not okay,” Caspian said, and silence took over after that.

We gave the restaurant another go, and Caspian and I agreed to not storm out in the middle like last time. We took the long way to Olive Garden, and I remembered going there years ago when I was about ten. It was my parents’ wedding anniversary, and I had a vivid memory of dad taking us there. When we stopped in front of the restaurant, it put a smile on my face. It was exactly as I remembered it.

“What’re you smiling about?” Caspian asked me as we stepped out. I told him about the memories running in my head and he listened without breaking his gaze from me. I waved a hand in front of his face and he looked away. “It’s going to be so hard to be with you,” he said.

Fear crawled up my body as we entered the restaurant. Did that mean he was going to…? Caspian noticed my dismay and slipped a hand through mine. Tingles shot up my fingers to my palm, and the warmth of his hand spread like fire.

We sat at a booth, sitting across from each other, as a waitress came to get our order. I made mine, but her eyes enlarged when they moved to Caspian. Like in every romance movie and novel, the waitress tried her best to flirt with the girl’s man right in front of her. I thought that never happened in real life, but boy, I had to hold in my laughter when she bent abnormally close to Caspian and revealed her impressive cleavage.

“Do you go to high school?” she asked him. He neither nodded nor shook his head. Her voice was higher in pitch than when she took my order, and I didn’t want to know why. “Is this your girlfriend? Probably not, am I right?”

Caspian had an astonishing appearance, and I wasn’t going to lie, he could attract any girl in this restaurant. I didn’t mind the clear contempt this girl was showing me, but I was eager to know what Caspian’s answer was. He didn’t answer when he made his order, wanting her out of his personal space. When she left, I burst out laughing and he gave me a cold look.

“S-sorry,” I said, cupping my mouth.

“You know, you’re supposed to be jealous,” he said, not as amused as I was.

I enjoyed myself for some time, and the food was great. But not for long. Every time that waitress showed up, she’d attempt to catch Caspian’s attention and I was starting to get frustrated. I couldn’t stop my rising envy.

“What, not liking it so much now?” Caspian poked fun at me. Aside the waitress, he was upsetting me himself. Caspian had four plates of food already—he sure had a huge appetite. I was on my first plate. I lost my appetite.

The shrill voice returned and this point, I wanted to glue her mouth shut. The waitress put her hand on Caspian’s shoulder, asking if he needed anything else. Caspian shot her a bedazzling smile and I could see the flush across her face. Did Caspian not know she was too old for him? Would he flirt with anyone at all?

My grumpiness turned to sadness when she left and Caspian sat back with satisfaction. I was pushing food around my plate with my fork. I heard shuffling and lifted my head to see Caspian stand up and take a seat beside me. A wave of heat hit me when our bodies were side by side, and my fork froze over my plate.

“Are you mad?” he asked, and for once, it wasn’t sarcastic. I shook my head. Not anymore, but I was a little upset. “You’re not hungry?” I shook my head once more, putting down my fork. “Eve.” His voice was soft, and it took me by surprise. He took my chin, turning my head towards him. His eyes had an unusual glow to them. They were two suns before twilight.

“I don’t get you,” I said, and I wasn’t lying. That was a jerky move, flirting with the waitress to make me jealous and then coming here to console me. “You’re still mean, and it has nothing to do with staying away from me.”

His fingers slipped behind my ear, his hand like a clasp of warmth against my neck. A steady breath escaped his lips when he moved closer, his leg scaling against mine as his head blocked the disk of light hanging over the booth. His hands became tense when his eyes dropped to my lips.

“Push me back,” he said, his face strained all of a sudden. “I need a better way of apologizing.” Did he think kissing me would be a good way to apologize? It was, and I didn’t want to push him away.

But the hard line on his face showed suppression and the strong willingness to stop. My whole body was warmed with feeling the minute he moved next to me, and my nerves pulled with anticipation every passing second. My eyes closed, envisioning it all. Dreaming it all as I began to get weary—

“Eve…not again,” he murmured, the tips of our noses converging as we instinctively leaned towards each other. I was torn by his words, my heart tripping at how desperate he was to stop this.

I opened my eyes with reluctance. Then I gasped. “Caspian, your…” I said, panic pounding in my chest like a hammer. What I saw in front of me had to be my imagination. I shoved him back, recoiling as far as possible. “Your eyes, they’re…” I was speechless.

They had gone from a deep marigold to an unbelievable tangerine, the brink of red. He blinked in surprise, each blink resulting in the red fading back to its flaming yellow. I was shocked. I’d seen that before but shrugged it off. All this time, was I only…imagining things? Or…?

Caspian stood abruptly. “I need to use the washroom,” he told me before rushing out of the booth. A half-hour had gone by, and he hadn’t returned. It was just the right amount of time for me to settle down in my seat and reflect on what happened.

When he returned, his eyes lost their tremendous glow and returned to their natural shine. He said something along the lines of light merging with the pigment in his pupils, but it didn’t satisfy me. Caspian said he couldn’t explain any further, and I knew he wasn’t going to bring it up again when he asked for the bill.

On our way back home, he didn’t utter a single word or look at me. He was focusing on the road ahead of us under a murky, black sky. I could see no star nor moon, except a blanket of clouds. Too soon, the car stopped on our street, a good distance away from our houses so no one would see us. I stepped out and closed the door, bu we didn't moved as the car stood motionless on the pavement.

“Thank you,” I said in the calm air, and he finally looked at me. I wasn’t sure what to make of this moment, but it felt nice. Soothing and contented since I never thought I’d go on an actual date with someone I had true feelings for. What did he think about it? Gah, I’m so insecure.

“This date was the worst one I had,” Caspian said. Ah, so he agreed it was a date. His words were harsh yet I found no regret or disappointment in his face. “I’m guessing it’s your first.”

My nose scrunched as I diverted my eyes. “It’s a memorable present for my birthday,” I said. He didn’t react to that, and I didn’t think he’d care anyway. “We should go home.”

“Right,” he agreed, clutching the steering wheel. Before he drove off, he glanced at me through the window. “And don’t do that with your nose. It makes me think you’re actually cute.”

I was rooted to my spot for a solid minute, pondering whether he was insulting me or complimenting me. It was an insulting compliment. Goodness, I could never figure him out.