The birds outside are not going to let me sleep and when I open my eyes my head feels heavier than usual. The bitter taste in my mouth alerts me that I drunk way more than I should have. I touch my forehead, hoping that the throbbing pain in my head would stop, but when I move the pain increases. I need to get a drink but the bathroom is a priority. My hands are shaking. I put my dressing gown on and walk downstairs to get a drink, hoping to find some painkillers but instead I stop in the corridor to look at George, who is sleeping on the sofa. The events from last night are coming back to me suddenly; the unfortunate party and Gabriel. I lift my hand and caress my lips, remembering his kiss. It was nothing like anything that I have ever experienced it before.
I gasp the air feeling sorry for myself; I can't dissolve the new, exciting emotions that run through my body when his breath met mine. I am not sure why I let him touch me, I was drunk and as far as I remember I had just kicked George out of my room, slapping him hard. Then Gabriel appeared from nowhere and without any hesitation, he kissed me in a way no one ever had.
After the use of the downstairs toilet I shake my head, staring at George, who is snoring loudly; he is still wearing all his clothes from last night. I look at the kitchen clock, its quarter to 9 and no one else is up yet. I drink two glasses of orange juice and think about poor Amy who is still in the hospital. It is too early to call Amy’s parents to find out if I can see her. I feel instantly sick and the pumping pain in my head increases. I take the juice upstairs and decide to go back to bed. I decide to deal with George later. I need a few more hours in bed. My room is in total chaos, half of my wardrobe is lying on the floor, my table is dirty, with makeup and paperwork lying everywhere. I fall asleep once again, hoping that by the time I wake up Amy will be fine and George will have vanished from my living room.
A refreshing shower brings a positive start to the day. I ignore the dark circles under my eyes and put on fresh clothes, wondering if George will be still downstairs. When I pass the sofa George isn't there, so I start preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
‘Morning darling,’ he says walking into the kitchen scratching his head.
‘Morning,’ I answer. George hadn’t magically disappeared as I was hoping this morning. After switching on the kettle, I turn to look at him; his blond hair is tangled and he looks as he thought he had way too much to drink last night. I am also convinced that he doesn’t remember anything that happened. I press my lips together, contemplating how to get rid of him.
‘Amy is in the hospital, I am going to see her now so I need you to go so I can get ready,’ I say, trying to focus on my breakfast. The toast is taking longer than usual, and he is still standing in the same spot.
‘Yes, I remember that. I also remember how you slapped me yesterday when I tried to kiss you, and I ended up sleeping on the couch. I don’t understand – I thought we established that from now on we are together for real,’ he says, stretching his arms and reminding me of the handsome Sprite and the close contact that we had.
George doesn't look discouraged at all, and I am amazed that he actually remembers everything.
‘You established that by showing up here uninvited. I told you I would think about it,’ I say, folding my arms.
‘I thought that’s what you always wanted – for us to be together?’ he asks, still not believing what I just said.
‘Yes I did. Unfortunately, you showed me too often that you don't care. I will call you when I am ready. Can you please leave now so I can find out what’s going on with my housemate?’ I finish, hoping that he finally understands that I need time to digest everything and think about what kind of relationship we have.
‘Fine, I understand what you're saying. I am going but I will be back, babe, only for you,’ he continues, packing his bag and giving me a wink. I roll my eyes.
‘That's fine, just not today. I have to take care of Amy,’ I snap.
‘I will call you. I have changed, baby, and I will prove it to you,’ he insists and gives me a tight hug that I didn't expect. A few minutes later he is gone and I breathe deeply, worrying about George’s sudden change. He always had a problem with expressing his feelings. I was the one that was usually doing all the talking.
When Carl and Michael appear downstairs, we prepare to leave to check up on Amy. I think about calling my mother but after considering all the pros and cons, I abandon the idea of informing my single parent about what exactly happened last night. I imagine the kind of lecture I will get if she finds out that I was so irresponsible. I call Amy’s mum to find out if we are allowed to visit her, she tells us that Amy is conscious and has asked us to bring her clothes to hospital with us as she insists on being discharged today.
We leave the house around half past 12. I avoid looking at Gabriel, who is outside the house with a few other Sprites, staring at me as usual making my heart accelerate. I drive in silence; the boys are staring at the scenery outside, lost in their thoughts. The memory of Gabriel's lips comes to the fore front of my mind, I quickly dismiss this image, feeling hopeless that I am unable to battle with my emotions and allow him to make me feel this way.
Amy’s mum is waiting for us outside in the reception, she looks tired but she smiles when we approach her.
‘How is she?’ I begin.
‘She is better, you can see her now and I want to thank you again for coming here,’ she says. ‘You really didn't have to.’
‘We live together, I couldn’t imagine not being here,’ I add. Michael and Carl nod in agreement.
Amy's bed is in the corner. Her Sprite is standing next to her bed and gazes at us when we walk in. A couple more beds are situated in the room and two of them are occupied by patients. I pretend that the extraordinary creature isn't there. My housemate looks exhausted; she has plaster on her forehead but her face lights up when she notices us.
‘Amy! How are you?’ asks Michael, letting me sit next to her.
‘I’m fine. I drank way too much, guys and I am so sorry,’ she says, blushing slightly, her embarrassment obvious.
‘It’s my fault, Amy. I should have been with you all the time,’ I say, squeezing her hand.
‘No, it’s my fault; I think I should hold off on partying for a bit. I bet people in campus will be talking about this for a while,’ she says, looking worried.
‘Don't think about that right now. You are OK and that's all that matters. Here, I brought you some clothes.’
I hand her the bag to try to take her mind off the uncomfortable subject.
‘Thank you, Ania. I’ll go change,’ she says, leaving the room. Both boys are silent when Amy vanishes into the bathroom. I look at Amy's Sprite who appears uninterested and walks out of the room, lost in his thoughts. A few minutes later, Amy appears in the room looking more confident, wearing her own clothes. We decide to wait for her in the car park, as she has to have a chat with her mother. While driving home, I don't want to approach the subject of the party but I need to find out what actually happened without a witness around us.
‘Do you want a cup of tea?’ I ask when we get home, she declines my offer and instead heads to her room, as do Carl and Michael. I follow Amy to her room, making sure that she doesn't need anything else.
‘Amy, can you please tell me what actually happened at that party?’
‘I drank too much,’ she says, but she looked as if she didn’t believe in her own answer.
‘The guy that you were with said something else; he admitted that there was someone else in the garden, and that he did something to you?’ I challenge her reluctantly; she stares at the wall hesitating to say anything for a while.
‘I can't tell this to the police and I don’t remember much but this guy appeared from nowhere and came closer to me,’ she begins, swallowing hard, still staring at the wall, hoping to find an explanation. ‘He just looked at me for a long while and then pushed me away and I passed out, I think.’
‘What did he look like?’ I whisper, my muscles tensing.
>
‘I don’t remember,’ she says. ‘I can only remember his long ginger hair and his cold green eyes.’
Amy still looks a bit shaky a few days after the unfortunate party, and doesn't leave her room. Gabriel hasn’t shown up in my bedroom again. I am glad that I don't have to deal with him at this point. I have been thinking about the guy that attacked Amy during the party, wondering if she would make this up, but the guy that she was making out with confirmed what happened. The description of a stranger with ginger hair and green eyes sounded unrealistic, but I can’t keep asking her to give me any more details. I am certain that he isn’t a Sprite; otherwise Amy wouldn’t be able to see him. Gabriel's touch reflects my mood and I can't get him out of my head. I try to get on with my assignments, but every time I concentrate my mind brings up the image of Gabriel leaning towards me.
The week passes quickly and every time I leave the house, Gabriel is somewhere nearby. I have been fighting with my new emotions, trying to pretend that I don't remember anything from that magical night. Whenever our eyes meet his expression is always still and serious. The information from the library about Sprites is leading me nowhere, apart from the myths about changelings.
Despite all that happened a few days ago, George keeps calling me every day, reminding me about his proposal. My feelings for George are mixed; he is saying that he’s changed, but somehow I don't believe him. Amy keeps telling me to give him a chance, but my heart cannot make an agreement with my head. The phone calls won't stop until he gets an answer, and I know how persistent George can be.
At the beginning of December, I begin seeing Gabriel everywhere I go, but he avoids talking to me in the privacy of my bedroom. I am not sure what I expect from him, he isn't a human but I kind of hoped that the kiss meant something to him. I slowly get used to the fact that I am able to see him, but I am fooling myself thinking that his feelings for me are mutual.
Everything is so unclear, and not knowing what to expect slowly begins to drive me crazy. I keep telling myself that he is a Sprite and he doesn't follow the same rules as ordinary humans. George calls once again, pleading with me to allow him to visit me again, but I can't make up my mind. My heart is torn between Gabriel, who I expected to make his move so he could explain what he wants from me, and George, the man that I always wanted to be with.
After the disastrous night out, Amy slows down with the parties and focuses on her studies; at least that's what she lets me believe. However, after weeks of staying in, she begins to disappear in the evenings. I know that she isn't drinking as she still wakes up every morning and attends all the lectures with me. A few people keep teasing her about the party, but she seems to enjoy the attention and doesn't take anything seriously. We don't talk about this subject any longer, every time I try to talk about it she instantly dismisses the question and I don't want to pressure her.
A week before the end of the term on a rainy and cold Friday night, I struggle with the assignment for American Politics. The subject is dull and unappealing, but the essay is due within days. I completed it just before midnight, shutting down my laptop and stretching my sore arms. My empty stomach reminds me that I haven't eaten since midday, so I walk downstairs, searching for a snack. I make a cheese sandwich and go back upstairs, noting in my calendar that I have to do food shopping tomorrow. I curl up in bed, feeling even hungrier than before I had my sandwich. Takeaway is out of the question; I never eat this late, plus nothing would be open at this time.
‘What’s wrong?’ asks a familiar voice, making me jump.
Gabriel is standing by the window, looking relaxed but his eyes flash with excitement. My heart begins to race and my breathing quickens. How could I not have noticed him when I came in?
‘Nothing, I am just hungry,’ I answer in an unusually high tone. He is making me nervous. My body reacts, and I blush instantly. ‘What are you doing here?’
I am trying to fight with my emotions, but my body is failing to comply. I have my night shorts and T-shirt on and he is wearing a black cardigan with khaki trousers, revealing his broad shoulders. His hair is tangled and messy and he moves closer to me, stopping by my desk. I stop breathing.
‘I didn't want to come here tonight, but I can’t stay away from you,’ he answers and his eyes darken slightly. His voice is husky
7
I can't stay away from you. A wave of electric current flows through my body and I know that he can feel it too.
‘You couldn't stay away from me?’ I ask, inhaling air deeply into my lungs.
My heart hammers in my chest and I can no longer lie to myself. I’ve fallen for this creature. He steps towards me, hesitating, and his eyes widen slightly.
‘I felt that I had to be around you, the connection that we have is powerful,’ he speaks, moving even closer.
His eyes are still. He is damn sure of himself. My mind is hollow and I feel the blood drain from my face, I can't bear to be so close to him. The air around us thickens and we can both feel the stimulating connection that draws us in to each other. I gasp for air while my muscles clench inside me. He brings his hand to my lips, and my body betrays me, I can feel that my cheeks are burning. Time stops when he leans down and kisses me. His lips are wet and warm, before I can even react, his hips push me forward until we reach the wall, and I allow him to guide me. His lips press mine urgently, they feel for my tongue and I let him explore me further. His hands hold my head while my mind is spinning and I begin to feel bracing heat, which spreads inside my stomach. Then my subconscious begins asking me what the hell I am doing. Alarmed, I push him away.
‘Stop!’ I shout, remembering to breathe again and I slap his cheek, losing control.
We are both standing a step apart from each other, disoriented. I drop my eyes with embarrassment, flushing. When I finally look at him again, his eyes are darker and his mouth is slightly open. It is the second time that I’ve slapped a man within the space of a few weeks.
‘I lost control,’ he whispers. ‘I’m sorry I reacted that way, but I sensed that you were enjoying my touch.’
‘OK,’ I say, blushing again, not knowing how to respond.
I blow the air out of my chest and I purse my lips. He is still playing this supercilious game with me, so my regret for slapping him slowly fades away. I struggle to control myself, but I am no longer willing to show how deeply attracted I really am to him. His feelings for his fiancée aren't real; otherwise he wouldn't kiss me this way. ‘We should talk.’
‘No, we cannot talk. We have to restrain ourselves. I am putting you in a grave danger if I continue to visit you,’ he continues, looking confused.
‘Why not? You can't just come here, try to seduce me and then leave without any explanation. That's not acceptable even if you’re not a human!’ I shout, but I cover my mouth with my hands, wondering if anyone in the house heard me. I can hear the noise from downstairs. I hope that it’s the TV. I look at him again with hesitation. His eyes are still and full of uncertainty.
‘I am sorry, Ania, I have to go,’ he says, giving me an apologetic look and vanishing.
I exhale sharply. I hate him for being so perfect and I hate myself that I can't control myself when he is around me. After a few minutes of recovering myself I look out the window, foolishly believing that he would be there, but he isn't. I cover my head in my hands, wondering how long this will go on for. Looking outside again, I notice someone standing further down the street. The figure is staring directly at my window and I realise that I know her. My room is bright and I freeze. It is the woman that I saw in London when I was out late with Gosia. I draw the curtains and slide back into bed, wondering what the hell she is doing in Swansea, staring at my window in the middle of the night. I switch off the lights and wait a few minutes. However, when I look outside again, the street is empty once more. The mysterious woman has vanished, leaving me confused.
I begin to wonder why Gabriel has a habit of vanishing in the middle of a conversation. He can't stay away
from me and I can't stay away from him. That night I don’t sleep well and the next day I try to get back to normality.
I spend all day in University and then later on I try to relax in front of TV until I hear Amy in the hallway.
‘Come in, I want to introduce you,’ says Amy, walking into the living room.
I am trying to concentrate on some kind of thriller, but I stopped following the storyline in the first twenty minutes of the film. Amy is holding the hand of a man who doesn't look like a student. She has changed her appearance, going for a more natural look. Her blond hair is completely straight and shiny. My housemate looks radiant and happy; I stare at the man who is standing next to her. He is almost six feet tall with chocolate brown hair and a petite nose. He looks much older and too serious to be in Amy's age bracket. I guess that he is in his late twenties.
‘Ania, this is Richard,’ says Amy.
‘Hi, great to meet you,’ I say and he shakes my hand, which is odd. He has a firm handshake. He looks very confident in his cowboy shirt and jeans.
‘I have heard a lot about you,’ he speaks in a deep, low voice.
I wonder how long Amy has been dating him. I am sure that they have been going out. She is staring at him with amazement in her eyes.
‘So Richard, where are you from?’
‘South London, Kingsway,’ he answers.
‘Great, I’m also from Kingsway,’ I continue, pleasantly surprised. Amy walks to the kitchen, offering to make tea for all of us, leaving me with Richard who is looking around the living room.
‘Amy tells me that you are from Russia?’ he adds, directing his dark eyes at mine.
‘Yes, I moved here five years ago. So what brought you to Swansea?’
‘I decided to come back and do my masters here this year. I am studying Psychology and I was lucky enough to meet Amy in the library and here I am,’ he explains while Amy hands me tea in my favourite cup. I study her for a while, wondering why she fell for Richard, who is older and so different from her.