Between (9 page)

Everything about Patty’s party was fabulous, except for one thing; sitting across from Austin. I could feel his gaze on me throughout dinner. Whenever I looked up, our eyes would meet. Sometimes he would give a quick smile and other times he would just stare without any expression. Regardless, his warm stare reminded me of the way Michael looked at me, so I looked away. I didn’t understand why his attention was on me when he had a parade of beautiful girls fighting for his attention. In a way, I was flattered that he found me attractive. What did he see in me? I always thought I was an average looking teenager who was too skinny. Michael loving me was a blessing enough. As I felt the heat rush to my face, I began to feel uncomfortable.

The night went well as planned. Patty had a wonderful time and she walked out with many presents, including mine–a gift certificate to the movie theater. Hugs were exchanged as we went our separate ways. Patty and Andrew offered to walk me to my car, but I declined since I had parked right behind the restaurant.

As I headed for my car, I noticed the dark sky that showed no stars; they seem to disappear when the nights are harshly cold, and tonight was so icy cold that it stung uncomfortably through to my bones. I pulled my overcoat tighter as I observed the crescent moon that was hardly visible as it hid behind the thick black clouds.

When I approached my car, I noticed the rear tire was flat.
That’s just great!
Feeling irritated, I took out my cell phone to call Kristina. I didn’t want to bother Patty since I knew she would be with Andrew.

“
You need help?” a voice asked.

Startled by his voice, I nearly dropped my cell phone as it fumbled in my hands. “Austin?” I was surprised to see him; I thought he had gone out to party the night away with his friends.

“
You have a flat tire.”

I didn’t answer him; I was too stunned to see him.

“
Claudia, you okay?” He approached closer.

“
Austin, where are your friends? I thought you were going out with them?”

“
I wanted to make sure you got into your car safely. When I noticed that you were just standing here, I figured something was wrong.”

He was watching?
“I’m a big girl. I don’t need anyone watching over me, but thank you,” I said, shivering and hugging myself from the cold.

“
Would you like me to leave?” he asked, knowing I knew I needed his help.

I wasn’t sure what to say. For some reason or other, I didn’t want to ask him for his help, but I gave in. “I’m not sure what to do. This is my first flat tire.”

“
I see, my sheltered one. It’s okay to ask for help. Don’t have to sound so tough all the time.”

I was thinking of something intelligent to say. “I don’t…
” I stopped speaking when Austin handed me a drink.

“
What’s this?”

“
Hot cocoa. I thought it would warm you up.”

“
Uhhh…thanks. When did you have time to buy it?”

“
The small shop called Sprinkles, next door to where we had dinner, sells cupcakes, tea, hot cocoa and other good stuff.”

I didn’t want it, but I didn’t want to be rude since he went out of his way to get it for me. I took it graciously and immediately felt the warmth on my hand, spreading throughout my body. It wasn’t enough to keep me warm from this dreadful cold, but it was just enough to keep me comfortable.

“
Why don’t we get inside the car and wait? It’s not safe to wait outside with all these cars passing by. And you look like you’re freezing. By the way, I already called the tow truck service. It should be on its way.”

“
You did?” I asked, feeling grateful that he was there, admittedly saving me again. “Thank you.”

Austin opened the door, allowing me to get in while he went around and sat comfortably on the passenger side.

“
Shouldn’t you get going? I mean…aren’t your friends waiting for you?” I asked, trying not to sound rude.

“
I’ll join them later. I’m enjoying the company I have right at this moment, if you don’t mind. Aren’t you gonna drink your hot cocoa?”

I ignored his flirting, and took a sip. “This tastes sooo good,” I said nervously, taking more sips. “I never had one that tasted this good before.” I was wondering if they’d added anything to make it taste this good.

“
It’s called Austin’s specialty.”

“
Really?” I asked, knowing he was being a bit cocky.

He didn’t answer my question. He spoke again. “I’m sorry for what I’m about to do.”

About to do what?
My stomach lurched and my body became tense. It was the way he said it that gave me goose bumps, and I didn’t know if he was joking or being serious, but surely I was overreacting. After all, he was Andrew’s friend. He had helped me many times before. Of course I could trust him.

“
Austin’s specialty,” I laughed. “And what are you sorry for? You came to my rescue… again. I should be grateful.” I was reminding him that he was the “nice guy”, hoping I misinterpreted his words. I was becoming somewhat fearful, wondering what he was about to do that he would be sorry for.

“
It makes you sleepy,” he said, looking straight at me, impassively. “Claudia, go to sleep.”

“
What did you say?” I asked, wondering if I’d heard him correctly. Strangely, my own words echoed inside my head. I began to feel numb, and I could feel the hot cocoa slipping out of my hand. The car felt like it was moving, creating a tunnel vision of long streaks of lights of orange, red and green. Then the pounding in my head got worse. Feeling nauseous, I turned to Austin to tell him that something was wrong when I saw three of him.
Sorry for what I’m about to do
.
Did Austin do this to me?
Is this what he was sorry about? “I don’t…feel…” My eyes began to close, and I felt myself losing control of what was to come next.

Chapter Seven

“
Michael,” I said, surprised. My heart thumped faster with excitement. He was laying next to me, looking at me, his eyes sparkling with happiness.

“
Claudia, wake up,” he whispered, while gently caressing my face.

Wake up?
My eyes were open. I was wide awake. Blinking my eyes several times, I reassured myself that I was awake. “Michael, I’m looking at you. Don’t be silly,” I giggled.

“
My love, you are sleeping, dreaming. Help me find you. I can’t find you,” he said calmly.

What was he talking about? Then I realized, though I could see him, he looked clouded, like a vision, slowly fading away.
This is a wonderful dream
, I thought, waking up to Michael beside me. But panic struck; he just told me that he couldn’t find me. Where was I? Gradually, he started to disappear. I reached for him, but he was untouchable–like a mirage, there one minute and gone the next. Unable to see him, I could hear his voice calling out to me. “Help me find you.” His tone was urgent but gentle.

“
Michael,” I cried out, thinking I could bring him back. I tried to get up, but I couldn’t move. “Don’t leave me. Come back. How do I help you? Michael!” It was too late.

My eyes flickered open and an overwhelming sense of fear and helplessness settled in. Wide awake, my eyes gazed at the unfamiliar white ceiling. Feeling tired and weak, I didn’t want to move, but I needed to know where I was.

Lying there, I reassured myself that everything was fine and that I had nothing to worry about. As I turned my head, hesitant to see my surroundings, I noted that I was lying on a canopy bed. Anxiety rushed through, knowing I didn’t have a canopy bed. My dream told me Michael wasn’t with me, but then could I be sure? I turned my head slightly to the right and I could see through the sheer, white drapes that enclosed the bed. It reminded me so much of the fairytale stories we’d read when I was a little girl, a princess in her tower waiting for her prince to come rescue her.

When I didn’t see anyone in the room, I carefully sat up. I skimmed the room one more time and placed my feet on the cold marble floor. My boots were set to the right of the bed. Someone had taken them off–or I did–and I couldn’t remember how I got here. As I shivered from the coldness, I heard the sounds of waves crashing on the shore. Then I knew one thing for sure; I wasn’t at Halo City. Curiously, I walked to the double doors as I noticed there were no windows.

“
Good morning,” a male voice spoke.

Shaken by Austin’s voice, I turned.
Why was he here?
Austin was leaning against the wall, by the entrance door to this room. I didn’t want to admit it, but my heart skipped a beat, happy to see him. A familiar face brought me comfort. His face looked paler than usual and drained, as if he hadn’t slept in days. “What are you doing here? No, I mean, where am I? Where is this place? What’s going on?” I asked frantically.

“
You can ask me one question at a time, please,” he said in monotone.

I was taken aback by his tone, and now I was mad at him and I didn’t know why. He seemed different, and that frightened me. Clearly, I had to remain calm if I was to get any answers to my questions. “Where am I?”

“
I can’t tell you.”

“
What? You just told me to ask you one question at a time and now you’re telling me you can’t tell me?” I ask furiously.