“Well, whatever it is, I hope it’s as good as flying or shimmering. I mean, if it’s just some amplification of being an Empath or something I’m gonna be really pissed,” I said, only half-joking.
Chapter 19. Fire
The bonfire party was already in full swing. Sparks from a monstrous fire pit danced high in the sky. About forty or fifty people mingled around, laughing and talking over the sounds of music coming from a portable radio.
We approached the inner circle of people huddled near the fire. Spotting a boy skewering several hotdogs and holding them over the leaping flames, Sophie muttered, “Eew, gross. I knew we made the right decision to eat at home.”
“Hey, you guys made it!” a cheerful voice called.
“Hey, Justin.” He looked extra cute in his casual, button-down shirt and baggy jeans. His sun drenched hair hung tousled in his face, and he brushed it back to reveal his sparkly baby-blue eyes. Once again, I questioned my inability to have more romantic feelings for him—how could I not feel something more for someone who was always so happy to see me? Someone who seemed to get sexier each time I saw him?
Glancing around, I saw several faces I recognized from school. At first it was weird seeing them dressed in regular street clothes, and not the usual St. Morgan’s uniform.
“Quite a good turnout, huh?” I remarked.
“Yeah, well, you know how it goes…one person invites someone, they invite someone. I don’t even know who half these people are, but hey, the more the merrier, right?” Justin smiled good-naturedly. “Can I get you guys something to eat or—”
“You babes look like you need a drink,” a loud voice cut in. A rotund boy wedged himself between Justin and me, and shakily held out three beer bottles. “Hey, Justin, aren’t you going to introduce me to your beautiful friends? Don’t be hogging all the hotties for yourself,” he said, waving the beers in our faces.
Justin’s lack of enthusiasm in introducing us to this newcomer was evident. “Sophie, Calista, Lily, this is Luke. Luke goes to Bayside and surfs with us sometimes,” he said, his voice flat.
“Hey…what’s happenin’ chicas? Go on, these are for you,” Luke slurred as he pushed the beers on us again. He looked greasy and unkempt, like he hadn’t showered in days. His breath reeked of alcohol, and he swayed back and forth, obviously drunk.
“No thanks, beer makes you fat,” Sophie quipped, eyeing the young man’s noticeable stomach. The slight went over his head as he tried to hand one to me. I just shook my head and stepped back, mostly to escape the foul odors emanating from his body.
He held it to Lily, who was more direct. “My father would kill me if I drank alcohol and would kill the person who gave it to me.”
The scroungy boy looked confused. “Suit yourself,” he slurred, and wobbled off to the other side of the gathering.
“Gross. What was that?” Sophie asked, disgusted. “Friend of yours?”
Justin shook his head. “No, he just sometimes hangs around some guys I know. He’s a real loser. I didn’t invite him. Just ignore him.”
“I didn’t know this was a drinking party,” I said quietly. I didn’t want to sound like a prude, but I didn’t like the idea of being around a whole bunch of people who were going to be drunk.
“No, no worries—it’s not. I don’t drink,” Justin said. “Some people brought their own stuff. Most people aren’t drinking...just chilling and having a good time hanging out. That guy probably brought two cases just for himself. I’m surprised he even wanted to part with a few of them.”
“That’s sad,” I said.
“That’s pathetic,” Lily corrected.
“Well, don’t worry about him. There are some really cool people here. Hey, do you guys know my friend, Roman?” he asked as a tall boy came to stand beside him.
“Sure. Hi,” Sophie chirped. I felt Lily stiffen next to me.
“I don’t think we’ve been introduced yet,” the boy said to me. “Hi, I’m Roman Banks.” He reached out to shake my hand.
“Hi, Roman. Nice to meet you. I’m Calista…do you know my friend Lily?” I asked with a smile.
He shuffled nervously and dropped his head slightly. “Yeah…of course,” he mumbled. “Hi, Lily.”
“Hi, Roman. I saw a bit of your practice this week…you guys are looking really good,” Lily said.
“Yeah, we’re really starting to pull together. Got a big game against West Charleston next week. You gonna go?” he asked, looking up shyly.
“It’s at home?” she asked. He nodded.
“Sure. We’ll all go and root you on,” Lily said, motioning to us.
“Sweet. Can use all the support,” Roman said, more relaxed.
We were chatting amongst ourselves when I heard a familiar, high-pitched laugh. My heart sank. Savannah stood by the fire pit laughing with some of her friends as she guzzled one of the beers the foul boy had tried to pawn off on us.
“Great, I didn’t know she’d be here,” I thought to Sophie and Lily, who turned to look at her. The large pimple on Savannah’s forehead was covered up by a bandana she’d tied over the top of her head. Her long, blonde hair flowed out beneath the glittered cap, and she wore large golden hoop earrings.
“She looks like a pirate,” Lily scoffed.
“A sexy pirate,” I amended.
“I should have put it on her nose instead,” thought Sophie. “See how she’d cover it up then!”
The boys noticed our sudden silence and looked at us quizzically. “Everything okay?” Justin asked.
“Yes, everything is fine,” Lily replied. “But I am really thirsty. Roman, do you mind coming with me to get a soda?” She smiled up at him. His face was a comical mixture of elation and disbelief. I swallowed a giggle.
“Uh, yeah…sure. You guys need anything?” he asked us, and we all shook our heads. Lily linked her arm through his, and they wandered off to the other side of the party.
Once they were safely out of earshot, Justin said, “I think she just made his whole night.” Sophie and I glanced at each other and smiled.
The three of us wandered around for a while, and Sophie got plenty of appreciative looks in her skintight shirt. Everyone was laughing and talking and generally having a good time. That is, until we found ourselves standing next to Savannah and Luke.
As soon as Savannah spotted us, her expression turned sour, and she took a long swig of beer. The firelight caught the evil glint in her eye, and her voice rose loud above the chattering crowd.
“Ugh…it’s just so disgusting! There used to be standards. People had to be worthy of attending St. Morgan’s. Now they let in any pathetic hillbilly swamp orphan who scams a demented old woman.” As usual her words were punctuated by the sounds of approving giggles from her followers.
From across the way I saw Lily, who’d been talking with Roman, turn sharply in our direction, and heard Sophie’s “Ignore her!” loud in my head.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine…carry on,” I thought to Lily. No reason her fun night should be interrupted, now that it looked like she and Roman were finally making some progress.
Savannah glanced over to where I stood between Justin and Sophie, and then back to Luke, who was busy chugging from a beer bong. She stomped over to him, pulled his scruffy face toward hers, and kissed him. After a brief moment of shock, Luke responded, grasping her body closer and crudely groping her breasts and buttocks.
“Oh, I think I’m gonna throw up,” Sophie said, making a gagging sound.
“Well, at least she has something else to worry about other than me for a change,” I said as we walked away.
“Yeah—like catching a disease,” Sophie snickered.
We wandered over to a new group of people, and Justin waved at the boy tossing driftwood into the fire pit. “Hey, Brady, come here,” he called out.
“Is that Brady Cafferty?” I asked Sophie silently.
“Yes,” she giggled back.
The boy sauntered over, and I could in
stantly see why Sophie was so smitten with him. He looked like a junior movie star, but his easy going mannerisms and open smile avoided any hint of arrogance. “Hey, guys,” he greeted us, “anyone hungry? I’m about to throw some more dogs in the fire.”
I noticed his eyes linger on Sophie, who nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love one!” she said, and followed him to the pit.
Justin and I shook our heads. “We’re good, mate,” Justin said, and turned to me. “And then there were two.” He was clearly pleased by the fact both Sophie and Lily were otherwise engaged, and he had me all to himself.
I hadn’t planned for this. Somehow I’d assumed we’d be surrounded by people all night. In a way we still were, but now people were pairing off. The earlier atmosphere of a big open group was gradually reducing into small, intimate couplings.
Lily and Roman cuddled under a blanket next to the fire, their faces only inches apart. Sophie and Brady were laughing and playing by the pit, pretending to sword fight with the long hot dog skewers. Savannah and Luke were nowhere in sight.
“You wanna sit down for a while…or do you wanna walk to the pier or something?” Justin asked.
I was comfortable with him so far; he hadn’t made any romantic gestures toward me, behaving only as a friend. But I could feel that he hoped this would change. Tonight.
I surveyed several couples kissing by the fire. “Let’s walk some. But let’s not go too far away,” I added as Nicholas’s words rang in my mind: Stay close to your friends.
But Justin was my friend, and Lily and Sophie were in their own little worlds at the moment. I grabbed a bottled water from a table and we started off down the beach, away from the music of the party and toward the lights of the pier.
“It’s so beautiful out,” Justin sighed as we walked along the sand. “I love the beach at nighttime.”
“Yeah, me too,” I agreed. We listened to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore as we walked side by side in the darkness, guided by the bright light of the almost-full moon.
Justin reached for my hand. I wanted to pull it away, but his hand was soft and warm, and he was being so sweet, I let it stay. When I glanced at him, he remained silent and stared out at the water.
Suddenly, and without warning, a violent wave of terror hit me with the force of a speeding bus. I fell to my knees, shaking and moaning, and wrapped my arms around myself.
“Callie! What is it? Are you all right?” Justin knelt beside me.
I couldn’t breathe. “Help me…,” I eeked out the words. “Stop...help...” I had a hard time speaking; something was crushing my chest. I couldn’t move.
“Stop it…stop it,” I cried softly.
Justin looked around frantically, his eyes wide. “What’s happening? Do you need me to get someone?”
I took several deep breaths, trying to compose myself. “No…I’m okay,” I whimpered, and held out my hands so he could help me up.
The terror had subsided only slightly, but enough for me to realize that it wasn’t my terror I was experiencing—it was someone else’s. Someone nearby. I clutched Justin’s hand fiercely as I hurried in the direction of the cliffs, toward some boulders nestled up against the hillside.
“Hey, maybe you should sit down a minute,” Justin said, his voice full of concern. He held out his water bottle. “Do you want some of this?”
I ignored his gesture, and dragged him toward the spot I felt the fear emanating from. There was someone there—and they were in serious danger.
As we got closer, we saw movement… two bodies squirming on the ground. “Come on,” I whispered urgently.
Justin paused, reluctant. “Uh, I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea. Maybe they want some privacy…”
“Come on!” I repeated. I knew something was very wrong. A few seconds later, we saw I was right. I gasped in horror.
Hidden behind a large boulder, Savannah was sprawled on the ground, desperately struggling under the heavy weight of the boy on top of her. Luke had one of his hands covering her mouth, the other, pulling open her top. Her cries muted, Savannah kicked and twisted, trying to get free of her attacker’s grip.
Instantly, Justin lunged forward, yanked Luke off her and threw him to the ground several feet behind us.
The oafish boy slowly staggered to his feet. “Hey, what’s your problem, dude?”
I moved to where Savannah lay whimpering and scared. “Are you okay?” I whispered to her. She sat up looking dazed and disoriented...and very drunk.
“What’s going on? Why’re you here?” She coughed several times, trying to catch her breath.
“Just breathe.” I rubbed her back gently. “Are you hurt?” She didn’t answer, but just sat there, a vacant expression on her face.
Luke advanced menacingly toward Justin, who was alert and angry. “What’s your problem, bro?” Luke spat angrily and lunged at Justin, who easily dodged the drunken boy’s feeble attempt. Justin repositioned himself, and when Luke took a swing, he ducked and tackled him. They both landed on the soft sand.
“Knock it off!” Justin shouted, and swiftly jumped back to his feet. Luke still lay on the ground where Justin had sacked him. “I don’t want to have to hurt you, but I will!” Justin warned.
Luke clumsily struggled to his feet again and rushed at Justin, who promptly hit him in the jaw with a right hook that sent him flying back. Again, he landed in the sand, this time knocked out cold by Justin’s single punch.
I patted Savannah’s back as Justin trudged back toward us, shaking his wrist. “Is she okay?” he asked.
“I feel sick,” Savannah whispered and promptly threw up next to Justin’s feet. I was surprised she hadn’t turned to vomit on me, since I was within range.
“Here,” I said, handing her Justin’s water bottle. “Have a sip, you’ll feel better.”
Savannah looked at me through bleary, bloodshot eyes and frowned. But she drank some water, only to turn and heave again.
“Want us to get your friends?” Justin asked gently. “Maybe they can help you. You should probably go home.”
She shook her head adamantly. “No, please don’t. I don’t want anyone to see me like this,” she said with a scratchy voice and started crying.
Justin whispered in my ear, “Maybe I should take her home – make sure she’s all right.”
“Why you?” I whispered back.
“I feel bad. This is all my fault,” he said. “She went off with him trying to make me jealous. This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for me.”
“That’s not true. You don’t know that—”
“Callie, I have to. It’s the right thing to do,” he whispered, and knelt down beside Savannah. “Come on,” he said, lifting her gently, “why don’t I give you a ride home instead.”
I thought this offer would make her happy, but she looked humiliated and angry. “Okay,” she whispered.
She stood up shakily, and Justin and I helped her down the hill. When we passed Luke’s motionless body splayed out in the sand, she gave it a ferocious kick. “You’re dead you little maggot. Do you hear me? Dead!” she hissed.
She swayed, and Justin wrapped his arm around her waist as we headed up the beach. Two figures were racing toward us, and I realized it was Sophie and Lily.
“Callie, what’s happening? Are you all right?” Their voices rang with alarm in my head.
“Everything is fine—I’ll explain later. And act casual—like nothing’s wrong!” I thought desperately, as I noticed the odd way Justin looked at me. I couldn’t tell them anything now. It was going to be hard enough explaining away my strange knowledge of Savannah’s attack, but it would be impossible if Sophie and Lily showed up knowing everything, too.
They both slowed down, and Sophie yelled, “Hey, Calista, there you are! We were looking for you. Your dad called. He says it’s important.”
Savannah groaned. “Oh my God, what are they doing here? Justin,” she said, pulling away from me, “please let??
?s get out of here.”
“I’ll go see what they want. You guys gonna be all right?” I asked hurriedly.
“I’m fine. Just go,” Savannah croaked, and Justin nodded.
“I got this,” he said with a strange look in his eye. “Go back to your friends.”
I jogged toward Sophie and Lily, while Justin and Savannah veered away toward the public parking lot.
“What the hell just happened?” Sophie demanded when I reached them. “We both heard you freaking out all the way back at the party.”
“I didn’t realize I’d called out for you guys. I was so scared, and…I think I screwed up.” I moaned.
“But you’re okay? Nothing’s wrong with you?” Lily asked, confused.
“No, I’m fine—well, I am now. I was just walking with Justin when I felt something horrible happening. I was more scared than I’ve ever been in my life. I actually fell to my knees.” I shuddered at the memory as I told them what happened.
“Holy crap.” Sophie muttered.
“And now Justin knows something’s up,” Lily finished.
“Yeah. He didn’t say anything, but the way he looked at me…”
“Well, you’ll just have to think of a good story to tell him,” Lily said. “Most people accept a simple, rational explanation, even if it’s not true. They want to believe a simple, rational explanation. You’d be amazed at how many things I’ve managed to have overlooked just because people aren’t open to the idea of it being anything out of the ordinary.”
I knew she was right, but I needed to be careful how I explained myself to Justin. He was not a stupid guy, and judging from the look in his eyes as we parted, this was not something he would just forget about.
“Well obviously this dumb thing doesn’t work at all.” I fingered the woven bracelet.
“Why, because you felt her?” Sophie asked.
“Well, yeah. It’s supposed to block my Empath powers. Obviously it didn’t.”