Balancer's Soul (12 page)

“Thank you Kara, really.” She had on that
same wolfish grin again.

Red faced in his own embarrassment, Connor
ran the rest of the way to school in utter silence except for the
sounds of running from his stealthy foot falls and the wagon that
needed more lubricant for the axles. Arriving at school and putting
away the wagon, Kara ran to go meet with her friends as perky as
ever.

Mark showed up not too long after
wearing a grin, when he spotted Connor again in the old oak tree.
“So you and Ms. Sarah huh?” He heard Connor groan.
“Does anyone around here not know about how I feel
about her?
“Don’t worry, Buddy. Relax, I won’t tell a
soul about your romantic getaway. Kara and I talked about it last
night, when I got off of work and we both agreed that you two are
perfect together. Oh and on a different note, are you ready for
today’s tests?”

Jumping out of the tree Connor exclaimed
“Yes.” And Mark didn’t flinch again as Connor landed right beside
him. They punched their fists together as he said “Thanks Mark, for
the first time in my life I’m happy about myself.”

The day went by rather quickly. Connor took
two tests, one was for science and the other in geometry. The
football team only glanced his way during lunch, but kept to their
corner. Nothing really bad happened for once. The day couldn’t have
been any better or spoil the mood.

Then Connor meandered his way to History
class, he sat at his usual seat in the back of the room, by the
window.

Mark sat beside him and talked until Sarah
opened the door.

As she entered the classroom she was smiling.
Their eyes met, but only for a moment and their eyes spoke, ‘I
missed you.’ ‘I missed you as well, Princess.’ She turned to the
front board and started class. Her long and beautiful brown hair
was pulled back in a pony tail which exposed her fair complexion.
He wanted to kiss her soft and elegant neck and inconspicuously
licked his lips as he imagined how silky they’d be. She was wearing
a deep red t-shirt that fit snug to her petite torso revealing
breasts that he didn’t realize that were perfectly proportional to
her elfin body. They weren’t too big nor too small, they were just
right and had an ideal shape. Her jeans complimented her shapely
hips and Connor couldn’t stop staring until Mark elbowed him. “I
think she wants to look good for you Connor. I can see also see
that you aren’t the only person who is happy around here.” He
chuckled under his breath while hinting at Sarah.

When the final bell rang, signaling the end
of class, everyone left except for Mark and Sarah and Connor. She
smiled at the two of them when Mark cut in “Go ahead.” With that
said he stormed out of the room, leaving the two of them alone.

Sarah walked up, asking “What did he
mean by
go ahead
?”

“It means that we weren’t as good of actors
as we thought.”

Her voice and eyes constricted as she asked
“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s ok, Princess.” Reassuring her seemed
always the best approach.

She said in the same voice “Connor, please?
Tell me what’s happening?”

Sighing, Connor explained. “My Mom,
Kara and Mark know when we came back from our
excursion
that I liked you more than just a
friend or a teacher. They supposedly noticed the same things about
you too.” He sounded a little annoyed at their meddling.
“Why can’t they leave well enough alone and let us
make our own decisions.”

“And?” She started blushing and began biting
her lip in a nervous way.

“They all pretty much said “Go for it, we
approve.” That’s all. Promise.” Relief washed over him after
finally revealing this.

“Really?” Her features remained flushed, but
those emerald eyes of hers shone full of hope. With a sigh of utter
relief, Sarah put her arms around him; clutching Connor’s ribs to
her breast saying “I’m glad that your family approves of me. You
have no idea how much that truly means.” She looked up at him as he
hugged her himself and both smiled upon each other in love for the
first time.

Pulling away Sarah asked “Connor, what time
may I come over tonight so that we may study.”

With a heartfelt smile and a bit of a smirk
he answered “I have a lot I need to learn, so how about from six
till midnight?”

Her face flared as she said “Ok, but on two
conditions.”

Blinking in confusion he asked “And they
would be?”

“Since I am legally your teacher and
cannot show favoritism, we cannot got
that
far into our relationship, at least until
you get out of school.” Her voice became a little disappointed, but
also there was more she meant yet she didn’t voice. “We could wind
up…”

“I understand that we would both get into
quite a bit of trouble even though we are both consenting adults.
You would be suspended if not outright fired and I would most
likely not be able to graduate.” Connor said explaining that he
knew why she said what had to be done while also not hinting at his
observation.

“At least we only have to wait two more
months.” She said perking up.

“Nope,” She looked up at him in
disappointment and confusion. “Only fifty three more days left.”
Then she beamed. “Now what is your other condition that must be
asked?”

“Oh right… What’s your favorite dessert?”

“Wild apple pie.” She looked kind of
confused, “The main ingredient is fresh wild apples, not store
bought or farm raised.” He looked up at the clock. “I’m sorry, I
have to go take Kara home… See you tonight.”

When Connor passed beyond the door he heard
Sarah quickly say “See you tonight then.”

A few minutes later, he spotted Kara heading
towards the wagon, Connor caught up to her and she turned and asked
“How did it go, Brother?” Smiling as an answer, she beamed back in
pride. “Brother, I’m so very happy for you, you finally found
someone who you like. Just don’t do anything scandalous that will
end up on the news…”

Breaking Kara’s stride he said “Again, I do
not forget. You know that all too well. Sarah is coming over
tonight at six to tutor me. So when she gets there, make yourself
scarce.”

Not missing a beat she laughed saying
“She will
tutor
you, but not
in history, big brother. I know what will really be going
on…”

“And what do you mean by that?” He
interrupted her which didn’t take all that much.

“It won’t be history being
taught,
Anatomy
sounds like a
more apt description.” And her feral grin became even more
pronounced.

His face flushed as he pulled the wagon out
of the thicket. Putting on the harness Connor pulled Kara home as
quickly as he could down the trail. He wanted to say a few choice
words, but Kara was just being herself.

***

After the mandatory teachers meeting
ended, Sarah hurried home full of joy.
“I
still cannot believe that Connor’s family is gracious enough to let
him court me…”

Upon pulling into the driveway at her house
Sarah noticed that her father was working out on the front side of
the house. He finished stripping off the old paint from the front
of the house and currently begun painting the walls in deep scarlet
or blood red paint. Turning off the engine and stepping out of her
vehicle Jack called out “Sarah, please come here for a moment.” He
said evenly.

“I hope that I’m not in
trouble again.”
“Be right there Father, just let me
set my work into the house. Ok?”

“As you wish.” Using a humoring tone of his
own wasn’t very uncommon. She hurried nonetheless.

Going inside through the garage door, she set
her purse and keys on the table beside the door. Sarah then walked
into the living room and sat down all the paperwork from her
classes. She stepped back outside and walked into the front yard
where Jack continued painting. “You wanted to talk?”

Covered in red paint, Jack smiled happily.
This was indeed a new development. He rarely smiled without his
mate near. “Yes I do, but first tell me how your day went?”

Not in the mood to keep beating around the
bush Sarah asked calmly “Father, what’s going on? What’s with your
change in demeanor?”

His expression softened. “I was able to talk
with Jillian today.”

“Oh no! Mother, you didn’t?
Couldn’t? Wouldn’t?”
Trying to hide her distress she
quickly asked “And what did Mother have to say?” and noticed a
slight hysteria to her own words.

His face became somber as he sat the
paint roller in the bucket. “After her brutal chastising she gave
me about last Friday, I wanted to say I was wrong for my
actions.”
“Sounds like Mother tore you a
new one, Father.”

“I accept your apology.” Sarah’s expression
remained casual, but her joy rose from the confession.

His face brightened and along with a smile
came “Good news, Sarah. Jillian said that she will be here in two
weeks instead of a month like she originally planned…

“Oh and another thing, I can’t wait! Jillian
stated ‘Sarah and I have a big surprise for you, My Love.’ Your
mother sounded giddy on the phone and now I’m very curious about
this surprise. Just what are you two planning?” He was still
grinning from ear to ear. It looked like he hasn’t had a drop of
liquor all day.

Sarah walked away slowly and without
another word. She felt numb and cold all over.
“Mother what are you planning? Are you trying to give your
mate a heart attack? Or are you trying to get someone
killed?”
Sarah stopped and turned back around to look
at her father. “I have to go across the street to tutor one of my
students.” She heard the sounds of Connor running up the street
just then.

“Which one? The little girl or the mule?”
Sarah wasn’t sure if Jack was being sarcastic, but his last words
weren’t leaving her euphoric.

Getting angry Sarah spoke steely
through her teeth. “He is
not
a beast of burden.”

Connor ran along the road just then, cut
across the grass of his front yard and moved right in the garage
and didn’t glance at her the first time, but she recognized the
tense setting of his jaw. He was obviously annoyed to be spoken of
like that. Connor then went inside quickly and didn’t seem to see
her even though she stood in front of the house hoping to see his
eyes again.

Jack brushed her off by saying “Ok, ok what
time are you going to get home then?”

Still upset, she returned with “When I feel
like it.”

He yawned saying “That’s your
prerogative.”

Still steamed, Sarah went into the house and
had a snack. Afterwards she took a shower and asked herself while
looking at her bedroom mirror “I wonder how Connor likes my hair
done?” She decided to put her hair in one long braid. When she was
completely dry she put on comfortable shorts and a tight green
top.

Walking across the street at six in the
evening with some paperwork, Sarah knocked on the blue front door.
Her heart started beating wildly knowing that she gets to spend
more time with him.

Kara opened the door and yelled over her
shoulder “Brother, I’m going outside to practice my cheers!” Connor
replied from the other end of the house, “Ok Kara!” Kara looked at
Sarah in the eye and quietly said “Sarah, please come and have a
chat with me real quick.” Without waiting for a reply she grabbed
Sarah’s free hand and pulled her around to the side if the
house.

As Kara finally let go of her hand Sarah
asked “What’s going on?”

She wore a one sided smile and said “It’s
about you and my brother.”

Fear and insecurity set in. “Connor said that
you all liked me?”

She relieved Sarah by saying “My mom and I
were talking for awhile last night about you. We decided that as
long as you can make my brother happy, you are welcome to join our
family.”

Smiling shyly Sarah gratefully said “Thank
you so much Kara, this means more to me than you realize. Also
Connor means more to me than I have ever thought possible.”

Kara was no longer smiling and applied a
serious expression to her features. “Saturday at the dining room
when Brother yelled at me…” Sarah nodded in understanding where she
was being led. “Yeah, well never in my whole life has he said
anything to me in that tone before, let alone show me how dangerous
he can be. I was truly frightened by him. I almost told you about a
very painful secret from his past. It was not my place to say it
and I am truly sorry now, but just trust him because he is a good
man. I believe he was, in a way, protecting you from me. Brother
doesn’t want to lose you for some reason and I won’t be the cause
should something happen. I couldn’t do that to him... He will
protect you with his life so don’t toy with him. He doesn’t act his
age. Never has. Everything he does is serious.”

“I know.” Because Sarah truly did know he
would risk his life to save hers. If he didn’t, one of them would
be being digested or rotting right now. That’s just who he is. “One
last thing,” she began “when he shows you his secret. Please do one
thing.” Her eyes were sincere and intense.

“Kara said
when
not
if
, well that’s a good sign.”
“Anything.” Sarah said flatly.

Kara then revealed a dangerous smile of
her own. “Just don’t laugh or run away when you see it. Otherwise
you will have
me
to deal with.
Got it!” And with that she walked away, swinging her arms around
quickly, stretching them out.