The Arrival - The Madeline Calderon Trilogy: Book 1

  Chapter 4

  She is finally here in town, I almost cannot believe the wait is over. Our visual exchange at the airport felt so surreal. To know the proximity between her and I is so close, sets my non-existent heartbeat racing. I know I have to remain patient, ugh but it is agonizing. I could not tell from her stare if she remembered me, which means I will be taking the friend route until the time is right. I found parking close to the front entrance to ensure I will not miss her when she arrives. Listening to morning talk amuses me and helps to make the time move quicker. The ridiculousness of the topic makes for an interesting discussion, which I am quite engaged in when this overwhelming feeling comes over me. She has arrived and it is time we officially meet.

  My dream last night has me rattled, not so much because of the all-powerful supernatural being but because of him. The guy in my dream whose name might be Lance, is the same guy that at the airport terminal. I need to figure out who he is and why I feel such a connection to him. Parking is difficult but after ten minutes I find a spot in the back. I step out the car grabbing my bag. Suddenly I am overcome with a flood of emotions that heightens my power. I quickly decide whether to jump back in or face the situation head on. Realizing someone was whistling at me I turn to face the Demon from last night's dream. The smart thing would be to lock myself in the car, but then I think what good would it really do if he is as powerful as he was in my dream.

  "Hello beautiful, are you new here?" Tall, dark, and handsome asks as he assesses my assets. Is he seriously addressing me? Maybe he is harmless.

  "You might want to try actually looking at a woman when you are speaking to her." I say as I turn to walk away. Not knowing what I was dealing with is making me nervous, but I turn away confidently, certain he wouldn't hurt me.

  "Wait, I'm, sorry," he sounds sincere so I turn back around. "It is hard not to enjoy the view, but I meant no disrespect. My name is Sebastian, but my friends call me Bash." He said with a smile that drew me in increasing the desire to be closer to him. What I have yet to determine is whether the close proximity will lead me to a kiss or a magical attack. Either way my defenses are ready. The silence and intensity we both are feeling as we gaze in each other's eyes weighs heavily on my heart and other areas.

  "Hi," I reply in a curt manner and begin walking.

  "Can I at least know your name? I plan to bump into you again, at which time I will introduce myself properly." I smile at his confidence formality. I too can play this game.

  "I look forward to it, and maybe if you get it right you'll get my name." I shoot him a smirk and continue on. Am I seriously flirting with the demon? What's wrong with me?

  As I approach the stairs leading to the administration building I look to the right and there is my dream guy. It is Lance, or at least Lance in my dreams. He steps toward me with poise, and determination. Our eyes lock and a shiver runs up and down my spine. The intensity surging between us increases as he approaches me. I cannot shake the feeling I'd known him for a lifetime, which of course is a crazy notion. I want him but more than that I want him to be mine forever. I walk toward him unsure of what I am going to do. Stopping just mere inches away from his body, he asks, "Hello. Do I know you from somewhere?" I take a moment to gather my thoughts.

  "I don't know, hang around any airports lately?" I respond breathlessly. Before he could respond and before any sense could enter my mind, I continue. "There's a familiarity about you, but I'm not sure what it is." I look at him with intrigue and suspicion. "I had a dream with you in it." Ugh, idiot, now you sound like a stage 5 clinger. "I mean I am getting glimpses of memories, but I can't piece the images together." The cloud of embarrassment lingering over me only slightly diminishes after he takes a step closer. His scent is alluring, making me want to grab the collar of his forest green button down shirt and pull his lips on to mine. Goodness his shirt did well bringing out the color of his eyes. I need to find out more as I know it is the key to digging deeper into my memories. Despite the intense feelings I am feeling there is also something about his aura. I need, no, I want to take a closer look. "Is your name Lance by any chance?" The burst of hope is in his eyes could not be denied.

  "Yes, my name is Lance, are you from Lodi or one of the neighboring towns? That is maybe how we know each other."

  "Originally yes, but I moved to Delaware when I was six and have just recently returned." His intrigue and desire were evident in his eyes. "Have you lived in town long?," I ask hoping to keep the conversation going.

  "Yes, my entire life," he said eager to shoot out more questions. Just as expected he continues on with his interrogation. "Are you living here permanently?"

  "Well I'm here for school," I respond while pointing at the school entrance.

  Smirking at my smart ass response, he changes the subject, "what was happening in the dream I had a starring role in?"

  "Um, I never said you had a starring role," I stammer feeling caught me off guard. We both start laughing.

  "Good point," Lance says with a chuckle.

  "Listen, I have an appointment with my academic counselor, and really shouldn't be late." The look in his eyes made it unbearable to walk away, but the idea of being so close yet so far was too overwhelming.

  "May I get your name?" Lance asks with a sudden absence of confidence.

  "It's Maddie."

  "Maddie, short for Madeline?"

  "Yes, but very few people call me by my full name," I say leaning toward the fact that I prefer my nickname.

  "Well I will then. It will make me feel special." I am not sure why, but I actually cared whether or not he felt special. He feels special to me, but in what way I am still wondering.

  "It was nice officially meeting you Lance. I'll see you around."

  "Yes you will Madeline." Lance grabs my hand placing a light kiss on my knuckles. He caresses them with his thumb before releasing my hand. The gesture seems so familiar and I dare to say I miss it. Fighting the urge to launch myself at him, I turn and enter the building.