Breath of Magic

By T.L Thorne (Trisha Lynn)

There had always been a niggling in the back of her mind that she was not quite normal. That she did not belong. Especially when she starts doing really strange things... with her mind.
She tries to tell herself she is Adeila Burton; impassioned high school senior, exuberant daughter, sister, best friend. She is an ordinary beach coming, early morning rising, nature loving girl, but when a strange golden eyed boy suddenly enrolls in her school, he elicits strange reactions from her. Kind of like when she does things with her mind, and she can't deny the possibility that he is connected to that part of her, somehow.
She tries to avoid him, but it seems the universe has other plans.
When he tells her insane things about herself she is hard pressed to believe him... but then she finds she has little choice. He takes her to Oakend--a kingdom in Faerie, another dimension of her world, coveted for their lush farmlands, dense forest, giant oak castle and its beloved king and queen. Her real parents.

Adeila is forced to rediscover who she is, gain strength she never knew she possessed and harness an ancient and powerful bloodline of magic like nothing seen in hundreds of years.

She finds peace and friendship in unlikely places and bonds with a being thought to be extinct. Can her magic and new friends be enough to keep her in faerie or will she run back to the human realm? Can she endure or will she crumble to the immense pressure of being the heir to the most powerful throne in Faerie?

• Language: English
• Publisher: T.L Thorne (Trisha Lynn)
• Release date: May 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310960291

T.L Thorne (Trisha Lynn)

I live in Southern New Hampshire with my husband and two quirky Siberian Huskies. I have been writing since high school but stopped entirely upon my mother's death at the age of eighteen. Now almost ten years later I have rediscovered that passion.I love hiking and discovering New England. I enjoy nature, fishing, snowmobiling and pretty much anything to do with the outdoors. I read and write every moment I have down time. Bloodlines is my debut novel and I hope you enjoy my Faerie world, the characters it possesses and the future worlds to come...

Book preview

Chapter One

Dawn painted the California sky with a brilliant array of pink and gold, thin strips of lavender clouds stretched across the landscape, to be lost in the mountain backdrop. From her family's large back deck, the view was spectacular, enough to take her breath away every single time she witnessed the sunrise. Which was often these days, begrudgingly. For over a month now she’d been waking at dawn, feeling completely awake and restless. She had thought everything in her life was perfect, or at least as much as it could be, but the restlessness brewing inside her was enough to drive her crazy, and to ultimately prove that nothing was ever perfect.

She held the front bend yoga pose for thirty more seconds before moving on to stretch towards the sky, elongating her spine. She evened her breathing, letting her mind blank.

She'd recently taken up yoga again in hopes that it would help ease her restlessness, put some balance and meditation back into her life. The spirituality in the movements and breathing regulated her mind and body. So far, the morning sessions did help her focus throughout the day. She tried again at night, but her mind still reeled so much while she lay in bed, that it still took her a long time to fall asleep. So far, she successfully slept only about four hours a night, but woke up feeling recharged as if she'd slept much longer. For a teenage girl, that was plain weird.

Adeila Burton couldn't complain too much about her life. She had an amazing best friend, a great job. Maybe not the best home life, but she was used to it now to the point where her own accomplishments were hers to revel in. School was going incredibly well—so well in fact, that she had gained a half scholarship to study biology at Pierce college, which was no small feat. She had a new car, and oh, yes, the boy of her dreams. The boy she'd had a crush on for half her life.

She should be swimming in a sea of her own blissfulness, but she wasn't. Not entirely. The restlessness that engulfed her was enough to suffocate, and not to mention the weird things she made happen sometimes. But right now, was not the time to think of that, so she tried to push those thoughts from her mind. Her focus right now needed to be getting through her final months of school and moving on to college. Something that should make her excited beyond measure, but instead left her feeling like she was leaving something behind. Like there was something more she had yet to accomplish. It left her annoyed and irritable. It certainly wasn't her family that she felt bad for leaving, as she was almost certain they wouldn't care one bit about her absence. That sad truth should have hit her harder, but instead she only felt the bitter ache of it, and like everything else she pushed it to the wayside to focus on this day. The now.

She finished the last sip of her tea and went inside to shower and prepare for yet another day in the life of a high school senior.

.~.

Oh my God!

Adeila jumped at her friend’s excited exclamation and looked over to where she had stopped on the stairs descending from the main gates of their small high school. Students bustled around her frozen friend, eager to get to the freedom of their cars or buses, so she sent them an apologetic smile. She loved her best friend to pieces, but her dramatics were just too much sometimes.

What? She said it between the very fake smile on her lips.

Look! Marissa shoved the phone to her nose. Adeila squinted and peered at the phones overly close screen. She finally made out the backside of a guy.

He was very well muscled; the deep green t-shirt displayed his biceps and wide broad shoulders and muscled back. You could barely see the faint side view of his strong jawline.

She shrugged. So, who is he?

New guy, I guess.

Adeila rolled her eyes. Who sent that to you?

Although she already knew the answer. Marissa and Becky had taken gossip and boys to a whole new level.

Becky McAlister.

Adeila shook her head and made her way down the rest of the stairs, hoping her friend would follow. She unlocked her car and looked back. Luckily, her nosy friend was slowly trailing behind her, fingers furiously cascaded over the screen of her phone.

Adeila rolled her eyes and let out a sigh as she got into her car and let her mind take in another day she could cross off her school calendar. This day was uneventful. She'd only seen Erik at lunch and at her locker, since they didn't have any classes together. Their relationship was still very fresh and was pretty much on the first level of a teenage relationship. They barely even showed any public displays of affection, some didn't even realize they were dating. Which was fine with Adeila, she was in absolutely no rush and was still getting used to the idea that Erik Thompson was even hers. Although Sadie Simms and her posse still gave her evil glares every chance they got, today she hadn’t noticed any of it. She'd also only run into her sister a few times, and the weirdness of that was slowly dissipating. As days went this had to be one of the better ones.

She had work in a half hour, so she pulled out of the school, and headed to drop off Marissa, who continued to chatter away about the hot new guy, even though she hoped that the girl would reassess her evaluation of his hotness once she at least saw his face, officially met him, and had a real conversation with him. Who knew, he may be a total dick.

.~.

The next day Marissa picked her up, meaninglessly chatting away, again. Adeila wasn't listening, the feel of the day was charged. She'd gone out onto her deck like she had every morning, but even yoga and meditation didn't help. Everything just felt different. Like there was electricity in the atmosphere, but there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. It was utterly gorgeous, clear weather, if not unusually warm, for a late October morning in northern California. Nothing should be amiss.

A peculiar prickling ran along her skin as she got out of Marissa's car in the school parking lot. She looked around but saw nothing suspicious other than a black pickup truck she didn't recognize a row behind hers.

Maybe it was the leftover feelings of how she'd moved her pillow, again, that morning.

In her waking moments when she'd felt the pillow slide off her bed, she'd put out her hand wishing it would come back, and...it had. Again. As it did every time. Things like that always seemed to charge her skin, leaving her feeling edgy.

Adeila!

She looked over and shook herself out of her thoughts. Marissa was staring at her.

You coming?

Adeila took a calming breath, grabbed the strap of her bag, and headed to her friend’s side. She tried not to think about the strangeness of what she had made happen in the night. She was terrified she’d make something crazy happen in front of someone, so she tried her best to not think of anything at all. Blanked her mind to everything but her friends chatter, and the Calculus test she had to take second period.

Adeila had been accidentally moving things, apparently, with her mind, for over a year. First time it had been the TV remote. It had happened one night when she'd been home alone. A rarity that she ate up every chance she got. Her parents were having a date night and her younger brother and sister were over friends’ houses. She'd sat on the couch, bowl of buttery popcorn in her lap, with plans of binge watching her favorite teenage werewolf drama when she'd been unable to locate the remote. Finally, she'd spied it, on the mantle of the fireplace where the television was mounted. She remembered thinking at the time, what a completely useless spot for the remote to get placed. She'd blamed her father, who left things scattered about the house, all the time, in strange inexplicable places.

Cursing him, she'd harmlessly reached out her hand in innocent, lazy desperation and asked the remote to come to her; just as she was getting ready to lower her hand and get up from her comfy cocoon to get the remote, it had shakily lifted from its spot on the mantle and drifted slowly, haphazardly towards her. In utter horror, she had leapt off the couch and sprinted into the kitchen. The remote had dropped onto the floor as soon as her concentration had been broken.

She'd refused to touch the remote for days, insisting to herself that the hallucination had been brought on by lack of sleep and too much studying.

Two weeks later she'd done it with her pillow for the first time. It had fallen off the bed, and she'd woken up with her head on the mattress. She'd blearily looked around and then held out her hand and wished for her pillow, and it had shakily floated to her outstretched palm. She'd dropped it instantly to the ground when she was awake enough to understand what had happened.

She'd tried to remember anything she had eaten that night that could have given her hallucinations, or where she'd gone that someone may have laced her drink or something.

After that she tried to do it on purpose just to make sure she really wasn't hallucinating. Every time she'd stretched out her hand and really focused and asked for something, it had come to her. An electrical current like buzzing, humming along her skin, was the only indication that made her truly comprehend that it was her moving these objects. It was entirely her doing, and it wasn't exactly easy either. It was a process, and never a smooth one, but it always worked for her if she focused her energy on the task.

Completely freaked out by the entire thing, she'd learned to just not ask for anything. It may have been a useful power, but it was a power nonetheless, and that was just too weird. She hadn't dared to tell anyone. She made sure every day when she was around people, she was extremely careful about what she said. The saying be careful what you wish for had taken on a whole new light. She was too scared to tell anyone, afraid she'd be labeled a freak and her parents would send her to a mental institute or worse. The whole situation, as interesting as it was, scared her witless.

She had no idea how to explain the phenomenon. She'd tried to ask her mom about their ancestry, maybe she had some Wiccan practicing women in her bloodlines or something to explain the power, but her mother had completely shut her down. Somewhat rudely, so she hadn’t dared to breach the subject again. Those ancestry websites hadn't gotten her anywhere either, so she'd given up and just began watching her words each day to make sure no one saw her little use her powers or whatever the heck they were.

.~.

Earth to Adi!

Her mind lifted from the fog it had been suspended under and she focused on the pretty face of her best friend.

Yeah, ah, sorry. Didn't sleep well last night.

What's gotten into you lately? You’re acting so strange! Her friend’s eyes brightened, and then narrowed. Is it Erik?

Adeila almost winced with guilt. She'd been thinking of Erik less and less since the restlessness and worry about her weird little power issues. She was supposed to be over the moon with him, since she had wanted him most of her life, but stress of school, and fear of someone discovering she was a freak sucked up most of her thoughts these days. Leaving little room for the athletic, smart, and not to mention gorgeous boyfriend of hers.

She could only shake her head to Marissa. She'd been really neglecting Marissa and Erik lately. She barely left the house anymore, afraid she'd say something wrong, and the words would get her in trouble.

She was always worried in school. Just imagine wishing she hadn't left a book in her locker, just to have it come zooming down the halls after her, hitting students in its wake.

Just the thought made her shiver with the embarrassment and the complete upheaval it would cause. She would be labeled a freak and tossed into an institution. She had to focus on school, studying, not saying the wrong thing, and her future. Hopefully, whatever she had going on would pass. It made her appear like a total nerd but in all honesty, it was more for the safety of her secret than being the teacher’s pet.

She always felt bad lying to Marissa, but she just couldn't confide in her what was going on. At least ninety percent of her life now she had to be on guard and ensure she didn't say or wish for the wrong thing. Even her job, her wonderful, quiet job she had to be careful.

Dusty Cover Books and Cafe was a great place to work. The owner was an eccentric middle-aged woman that loved everything fantasy and witchcraft and had interesting items scattered all about the store.

Adeila hated that the bookstore was now a constant reminder of the weird power—or whatever it was—that she somehow possessed.

She did pick a glance at a witchcraft book now and again to see what it said about her powers. Other than bits and pieces written with spells, all she had discovered was that it was a loose form of telekinesis. She wasn't even sure if that was really it or not, and she most certainly wasn't saying a spell to achieve the affect. So, the witchcraft idea was up in the air.

Despite that, however, something about the atmosphere in the store always seemed to calm her. Last night it had been no different, the book store had given her a bit of serenity. Working itself had given her something for her mind to focus on, and she didn't have to worry about students milling about and judging her. Her shift ended at seven-thirty and on her way home she had called Erik and they'd talk about school and sports.

It had been a perfectly normal night. She'd slept like a rock, and telling Marissa differently felt wrong but what else could she say? As much as her best friend meant to her, and as much as she trusted her, she just couldn’t bring herself to talk to Marissa about what was going on with her.

Marissa was like ice cream on a hot day, or the perfect snow angel. Their friendship was something that ran deep and strong, and it made Adeila feel guilty hiding things and lying to her, but she felt as though as much as she loved Marissa, their friendship would change if she told her anything of the powers. Marissa was, well, a gossip. Not that she’d ever divulged information about Adeila, herself, but she knew her friend had a hard time hiding things. She was loud and boisterous, and Adeila wasn’t as much afraid of Marissa thinking her a freak, as she was about Marissa wanting to record her doing something to show the world. Marissa would love having such a power, and the attention it would bring. Adeila, was the total opposite, which is likely why they were such good friends. Marissa reminded Adeila to lighten up, and Adeila kept Marissa grounded. In all things in life, they were the perfect friends, but when it came to powers, they would have very vast difference on how to handle it, and since it was Adeila’s life at stake…she simply chose not to share that tiny tidbit about herself.

Sighing, Adeila forced herself out of the funk she was in and focused on her best friend, who looked exceptionally beautiful today. The skinny jeans and thin white sweater accented her short five-three stature; her hair was in perfect curl mode, with the blonde tresses falling in tight waves to her shoulders. Her brows were waxed into a perfect arch; her big brown eyes were perfectly accented with shadow and mascara, which highlighted the honey brown flecks in them. Her skin was tanned and smooth, and perfect. Marissa really was the perfect girl next door. She wasn't insanely beautiful but close to it, and she had a warm, bubbly, caring personality that suited her looks. Originally from Louisiana, Marissa had moved to California when she was ten. She and Adeila had been best friends since Marissa's first day of school.

Adeila couldn't help but smile at her.

Marissa put her hands on her hips. I don't know what's gotten into you, Burton, but I'm sick and tired of it! One minute you’re ignoring me as if I'm a skunk under your porch, and the next you’re looking at me with that super creepy grin of yours!

Marissa threw up her hands, but a faint smile played on her glossed lips. Adeila loved when her friends Louisiana accent or twang came out, her southern roots shining through.

You know you can't stay mad at me. I've got a lot on my mind. I'm sorry for being so distant. Adeila batted her lashes dramatically at her best friend.

Marissa sighed, rolled her eyes, and put her arm through Adeila's. That's okay! Today I'm making it my mission to see if the newbies front-side, matches his back-side!

Adeila groaned but sauntered along with her friend to their shared first period class. She passed her freshmen sister and did nothing but nod to her. The girl had made it clear that she didn't want Adeila to acknowledge her in school. She had wanted very separate lives while on school grounds and Adeila had tried to accommodate.

Adeila and Kayla had never really had the best of relationships, but the fourteen-year old's teenage mood swings were out of control. Kayla had asked her before her freshmen year began if Adeila could just act as if she was another student and not her sister. It was an odd request, but since they didn't really look alike it really didn't surprise her that no one even noticed that they were related. Burton was a common enough last name too.

It still rubbed Adeila the wrong way that her sister didn't want to acknowledge her. It's not like she was a complete nerd with no friends or anything. Sure, she got straight A's, but other than the cheerleaders, she was fine with everyone, even the jocks now that she was with Erik. But her sister had been planning on trying out for cheer and Adeila could only assume that that was why. Of course, Kayla would want to do the exact opposite of her. They were, exact opposites, but not in the fun sense like she and Marissa. Kayla had a dark side, a mean streak. She did vindictive things to Adeila now that she was old enough to manipulate their parents, and others. As if she purposefully wanted Adeila to feel outcast, and so Adeila had learned to ignore the girl as best she could—at home and at school.

Chapter Two

When they left first period class and headed toward their lockers, she looked ahead of them through the throng of students, searching, and finally her eyes alighted on him. His back was to them, talking to some of his friends. When he finally turned around, searched through the crowd, his dark blue eyes landed on her. She felt weak and hot all over. His sandy blond hair was perfectly gelled and just long enough to give him a polished but still carefree look. He was tall and athletically built without ridiculous muscle. He was an all-around athlete, good at every sport he tried and loved all of them, and it came across in his long, lean physique. His clothes were also for sport, as they consisted, almost entirely, of long shorts and comfortable shirts. Today was no exception, with sneakers, blue shorts and a plain white shirt. It wasn't the look that Adeila had envisioned herself for a guy, but since Erik was the guy she wanted, had wanted for a while, she couldn't really mind.

Erik strolled over to them. Hey.

Both girls smiled and greeted him. Adeila watched him a moment, just seeing what he would do. He seemed content to just walk beside her. She'd been waiting for him to lay some claim to her in school. Sure, he talked to her whenever he could and walked with her to some classes, but he didn't hold her hand or kiss her. They'd only been a couple for a short time and still testing boundaries, but she was looking for something to show that he was just as interested in her. Teenage love was so ambivalent.

It had been toward the end of summer when she'd finally agreed to go on a date with him. They'd gone to the local burger place, which almost every teenager in their town went to. Of course, with her horrible luck they'd run into Sadie Simms and her cheerleader posse. Sadie Simm's was Erik's vile ex.

It hadn't been exactly the perfect start to a first date. When the horrid girls had greeted Erik and asked what they were doing; he neither confirmed nor denied that they were together. He'd just made a noncommittal murmur and brushed past them, but she remembered very clearly how Sadie had brushed against her in passing and whispered in her sugary sweet yet dripping battery acid like tone, "He's just using you to waste time, he'll be back, you'll see."

She wondered now if that were true. Erik never made any noticeable move that he was still into Sadie, and gave Adeila no doubts towards him, so she'd just brushed it off. The glare the girls gave her every time she came within their presence was enough of a reminder.

Erik smiled warmly at her and moved his arm as if to reach for her, then looking up stopped himself, and let his arm swing back at his side. She wanted to shout at him—to tell him it was okay, it was what she wanted, but she didn't have the guts, nor did she have the guts to take that first step herself.

So, they walked together side by side, listening to Marissa go on and on about the new kid, even though she'd still yet to set eyes on him personally. Erik finding the whole situation hilarious egged her on.

Finally, they dropped Marissa off at her next class, she'd rushed inside then back out with a sad face. Clearly insinuating that she didn't share this class with the new guy. Shaking her head Adeila began walking to her next class, a silly smile on her face. Her friend was just so pathetic, but it was entertaining at least.

Erik slipped up beside her and smiled. What are you doing today?

She looked sidelong at him and remembered why she'd agreed to go out with him. His face was aristocratically handsome, bordering on pretty. You could tell that his family had good genetics, with his perfect skin and toned body. His blue eyes lit on her, and a glimmer of hope shone in them.

Homework, but otherwise nothing that I’m aware of. I have the night off.

He nodded. I know. He knew her work schedule. I was thinking maybe we could get a pizza and watch a movie at my place if you’re free? I'll have you home by nine, I promise.

How is he interested in me? She thought—not for the first time. She’d asked herself that same questions numerous times over the past few weeks. He could get any girl in the school. Was he really toying with her? Her mind reeled with the possibility as her heart denied it. She still couldn’t believe that a few months ago he'd begged her just to talk to him. To give him a chance, and here he was again asking for her. Begging her to take chance on him, and still something felt out of place.

All these years she'd wanted nothing but him, dreamt of him, prayed for him, fantasized about him, and watched him in full stalker fashion, but now that he was hers, it all felt surreal. Like she was on some crazy show where people were going to jump out and say gotcha! and her heart would break.

Still, heartbreak or not, she smiled at him. His interest in her seemed genuine enough, and he was hers, she told herself. He’d been the one to ask her out.

I'd like that.

Relief, so obvious, showed in his eyes. Great! Want me to give you a ride or pick you up at your house later?

She calculated things in her head. Riding with him to his place instead of home with Marissa would alleviate dealing with Marissa's talk about the new kid, but then she wouldn't get to change or brush her teeth, or whatever else she may want to do before seeing him out of school. Marissa was her best friend after all, she could handle the gossip, plus, maybe Marissa could lend her some advice about what to wear for pizza and a movie since she'd never gone to a guy’s house for pizza and a movie before and it felt like it was some weird epic encounter that she should call the troops in for.

Pick me up around five, at my house?

He nodded as they approached the door to her Calculus class, the one she dreaded each day, even more so today because she knew there was a test involved. She turned to him, waiting, and wishing for him to make a move. She looked at his face and saw questions there. She bit her lip. He reached out and ran a hand down her arm, then squeezed her hand. When she squeezed back, he moved closer and with his eyes on hers, he ran his lips across her cheek. It was incredibly innocent and insanely sweet. The knot in her stomach expanded and sent little grenades out, exploding throughout her insides. Just when they started to pull apart, a body brushed past them. The bouncing blonde hair gave the rude action away, as Adeila's foggy brain focused on the girls face as she looked back over her perfect shoulder, showcased in a cut top sweater. The look was one of certain death, and Adeila resisted the urge to groan. She turned back to Erik who was gazing at her.

Don't mind Sadie, she will get used to it, eventually. His passive expression only hinted at a small bit of lie in the statement.

Adeila sighed and pushed a few strands of hair behind her ear.

I'll see you later. She whispered before entering the dreaded math class.

Once she sat, she fished out her book and prepared for another horrible class. This one gave her major trouble every day, and she couldn’t wait for it to be over. This was the only class she truly struggled in. It did not help that she shared it with vile Sadie Simms and her sidekick, Nadine Fisher.

When she finally focused, she realized the class was unusually loud. Miss Carlson, their teacher, was waiting patiently for a few more students. Finally, when everyone was seated, she pointed the back of the classroom. Let's all welcome our new student, Loki Staghorne.

Adeila turned in her seat, and barely caught a glimpse of a dark-haired boy before they were forced to quiet by the teacher and the class began.

So, that was the new kid. Boy was Marissa going to be pissed when she found out that she had a class with him.

Adeila made it through most of the class ignoring the feeling creeping up and down her spine. The hair on the back of her neck zinged with a charge. Sadie was most likely staring daggers at her and her mind was feeling the assault.

As the bell went off, Adeila's annoyance flared. How dare the girl treat her this way over a boy! It's not like she stole Erik from her. They hadn't even been dating when she'd started talking to Erik. Enough was enough. Adeila turned to the back of the classroom where she knew Sadie was. Many of the students had proceeded to the exit, so the seats had cleared out some and she had a better view of the classroom. Her eyes went to find Sadie but were confused when she didn't find her where she was usually seated. Instead the girl was already to the right side of the classroom, head down deep in conversation with Nadine. Their eyes kept peeking to the back of the classroom, seemingly ignoring her. That was weird, maybe they'd just decided to finally give up the evil glare trick on her.

Adeila sighed deeply through her nose, but the electric feeling buzzed along her arms again and she looked up. Her eyes met those of someone in the back of the classroom, the same someone that had Sadie Simms attention. The eyes of the new kid; they were trained directly on her.

She finally had a full view of him. He was tall, broad in shoulder, slim at his waist and well-muscled, just as his backside had shown. But his face was unnerving, magnetic. Rugged, strong, tanned and just slightly exotic.

So maybe Marissa had been right when assuming he was hot. If that was even the right word for him; more like otherworldly, darkly beautiful.

His eyes, a golden honey color, were riveted on hers. When she held his gaze her heart rate involuntarily sped up and the current running along her blood seemed to boil. Feeling incredibly awkward, she turned away and bolted out of the classroom, almost running straight into Erik as she rounded the corner. He gripped her arms to steady her, and an expression of concern etched his face.

Are you okay? Did Sadie give you more trouble? I really need to talk with her about this.

Adeila gulped in some air and waited for the fizzing in her blood to simmer. No, no I'm fine. Just hate that class.

She tried to play it off as they walked together to their next classes.

.~.

At lunch Marissa went on and on about the new kid, although she hadn't had any classes with him Marissa had caught a glimpse of him in the hallway; that was enough to have her tongue wagging about him. Adeila was uncomfortable even hearing about the guy. He gave her the creeps. She knew that most likely the weird fuzzy electric feeling she got when they stared at each other was coincidence, but it felt oddly like how she felt whenever she moved something with her mind, and she did not particularly like or understand that feeling.

She allowed her eyes to drift to the lunch tables, but she didn’t see him anywhere. Nor felt the buzzing in her skin. Good. She chose to ignore the weirdness of the day as soon as Erik's arm brushed against hers. She allowed those feelings to wash over her—the giddy ones. Normal teenage hormones. The feelings she understood. These feelings had started months ago, years in fact, if she wanted to get technical. But the fresh ones were different. Deeper. Not just the longings of a young girl, but the potential romantic feelings of two young adults.

It had all started with a mid-summer party at Marissa's parent’s lake house on Lake Tahoe. Marissa had been dating Ben, one of the football players at the time, and Erik had come with him to the party. Adeila had been just lazing around for most of the morning since Marissa was spending a lot of time with Ben. Oh, Marissa had included her too, but Adeila had wanted to give them privacy. So, she'd been sitting on the dock when Erik had sauntered over. She'd been slightly self-conscious about her jean cut off shorts and black bikini top, but he'd been so nice to her, he'd made her feel comfortable.

The entire party he'd spent trying to talk to her, trying to get her to talk to him. It had been strange, and adorable, and Marissa thought it was the most ironic and romantic thing ever, considering Adeila had been harboring a crush on Erik since elementary school. The attention he gave her was unusual, and Adeila had feared he was just trying to get back at Sadie for something. He had never been unkind to her, just indifferent.

When she had tried ignoring him, he stated that he and Sadie had broken up. Adeila remembered having to resist the urge to roll her eyes, as even though she reveled in his attention, she knew that Sadie Simms would never release him from her grungy little clutches. Sadie was the head cheerleader and he the quarterback, they were meant for each other. Not Adeila, with her mousy pale brown hair and completely average physique. Sadie Simms was thin, with supermodel curves, and boobs. Large boobs, that Adeila, certainly, didn’t have. Sadie’s long wavy blonde hair was always curled and looked like perfection. The girl was model, mean girl status, if ever there was one.

Adeila thought Marissa was prettier, but she was very biased on the matter.

Why Erik Thompson would be remotely interested in her after dating Sadie, other than to pass the time? So, Adeila had tried her best to ignore him, feeling like it was a coup of some kind.

She'd denied his every pass, even if her heart skipped a beat with every word that had come from him. Just being seen talking to Erik would likely start Sadie on a war path that Adeila's senior year could not afford. So even after the party, when he'd asked for her number, she'd denied him. But that hadn't stopped him. Later that night he'd asked Marissa for it, who denied him under her request until the next day, when Marissa's matchmaker heart had taken over and she'd given it to him.

"I'm sorry, it's destiny! I can't fight it!" Had been her only excuse.

Yup, destiny, to have Sadie Simms murder her in her sleep. Adeila had been mad at Marissa for giving him her number, but Erik kept insisting that he and Sadie were through for good. They were just two different people, looking for different things—or so he said. They were really through this time. No going back. The Sadie and Erik duo were history.

Erik had spoken so honestly and openly to her; telling her about how he was planning on quitting the football team to focus more on studying for the upcoming senior year. He wanted to be a coach, even though his parents wanted more for him. It's not like he needed a football scholarship or anything for schooling, his family was one of the richest in California.

After a few weeks of his obsessive calling and texting her, she had to admit she was beginning to feel a bit smitten, and even started reciprocating information about herself and anticipating his calls and texts. A few weeks after that, they'd finally gone out on their first date. A simple dinner at a burger diner in town. That was where her encounter with Sadie Simm's had happened. Erik had deemed to take her somewhere much farther away next time, but despite the evil glare and the warning she had received, they'd had a great night. She couldn’t help but see that Erik was much deeper than just a pretty face. He was highly intelligent, with goals, and dreams. And now Erik Thompson was her boyfriend, and she didn't even know how to be someone's girlfriend.

Sure, she'd gone out with Greg Walsh in middle school for like two weeks, and he'd given her a sloppy kiss on the playground, but that had been the extent of her dating accomplishments.

The first time she and Erik had kissed had been the second date, when he had taken her to The Blue Pearl, a nice coastal restaurant that was a good hour drive away. It had been the Saturday after their first date. He'd been the perfect gentlemen all night, and when he dropped her off at her doorstep, she had had all the giddiness and anticipation that most girls do after going on a second date with the guy they'd had a crush on for so many years. She could barely see straight. Her cheeks were probably stained red, and her stomach was in one giant knot. When he'd touched her arm, then her cheek, and then leaned down to touch his lips to hers, she'd melted right into him. It was so much more awkward and magical then she even thought it would be.

After that night, kissing Erik had become much less awkward and just as magical. Not that they had much time for kissing, with both having school, and her with work, plus still maintaining friends. A lot of their time together was also spent with Marissa and one his friends. Their relationship seemed to be progressing normally, not that she really had anything to compare it to. It was still so hard to believe, however, but Adeila knew she needed to believe it, and enjoy the boy before college tore them from each other. He’d been her dream for so many years, and now she was letting her worry and fear get in the way of enjoying him.

.~.

After lunch she had American Literature and then Chemistry and that made up the remainder of her day. American Lit went by easily enough, she sat next to Amber Martin who had bright red hair and lovely green eyes and a silly giggly laugh that always made Adeila smile even if what the girl was laughing at wasn't even funny to her. She enjoyed the class. Mr. Jones was a pleasant teacher with an easy teaching style.

Adeila breezed out of the class, talking to Amber about the newest TV series they were hooked on. Erik caught up to them and smiled at Amber. Hello, ladies. May I escort you? He put his arm out for both, and it was so silly, both girls giggled and humored him.

Erik was slowly, each day acting more and more like a sweet boyfriend. He'd never been this silly and happy with Sadie in public, and it made Adeila feel like they may have a shot with this whole relationship thing. Each moment he spent time with her, she stopped thinking it was a reality tv gotcha episode, and more of her real life.

When they dropped Amber off at her locker and continued to her Chemistry classroom, her hand was still on his arm, and he smiled at her and touched his other hand to hers for a brief second. They were certainly making progress.

I'm really looking forward to this afternoon. His voice lowered and was so incredibly sexy that she almost tripped trying to stare at him. She'd never heard that husky tone and it made her slightly weak in the knees.

She couldn't just drool stupidly and not respond. Me too.

He shocked her further by pressing another very innocent kiss to her cheek before leaving her at the door.

She was grinning like a complete fool when she stepped into the classroom. She felt unease instantly when she saw many students standing at the front of the classroom and she looked toward Mrs. Anderson, who ushered her over to them. Her foolish smile, gone.

Once all students stood along the front wall, Mrs. Anderson finally address them.

As you all may recall we were studying the effect that soda and other harsh drinks have on our teeth, but first I'd like to introduce our new student.

The new guy with his strange golden, hazel-colored eyes stepped out from the right-side corner and into the center by the teacher’s desk.

This is Loki Staghorne. Please make him feel welcome.

Several greetings and welcomes went through the classroom before Mrs. Anderson continued. Now we are having a lab today, so before taking our seats I'd like to assign lab partners and get right into this.

She grabbed a paper off her desk and gestured to where several one-liter soda bottles were lined up on a table, varying brands, and types.

Mrs. Anderson began reading off names for lab partners, but Adeila was barely listening, her focus was on so many things. Erik, mostly, but also on the uncomfortable feeling that was plaguing her just being in the same room as this new guy. He had to be too old for high school, right? Look at those muscles, and—

When she heard her name called, she looked up, snapping out of it, but had clearly missed whose name was connected to hers. She looked about, assuming that the student who she was