Inspiration Point (5 page)

“I don’t understand,” I whispered feeling my face
blush, I looked down to avoid his gaze. 

“Well, maybe we should give it a try.  We could
think of it as an experiment if you like,” he said.  I looked back up at
his face now, he was sincere. 

“An experiment?” I questioned, not quite believing
that he used the same words I did, only moments before.  “Who would
determine the results?”

“You of course, although I have a few ways to measure
the results myself.”  His hand swept around to the small of my back and
pulled me closer to him.  Then he slid his other hand from my shoulder,
down my arm and held my hand, entwining my fingers with his.  I held my
breath as I shivered at his touch. 

“Firstly, if you put your hand here,” he said as he
pulled our hands up so they were pressed between our chests.  “You can
feel the other person’s heart beat.” 

I looked down again thoroughly embarrassed.  My
heart was definitely racing, but his was too.  He leaned forward, placing
his forehead on mine. 

“Second,” he whispered. “Is to listen to the other
persons breathing.  Normal breathing isn’t generally a good sign, but if
the other person is holding their breath, or maybe breathing a little unevenly,
it could show their level of… anticipation,” he continued. 

We were both silent for a moment listening.  I
was holding my breath, not knowing if I could breathe even if I wanted too.
 And he was unmistakably breathing unevenly. 

“And finally,” he said.  “Is to look into the
other person’s eyes, to see what they are feeling.” 

Still I couldn’t move, I didn't want to shatter this
strangely perfect moment.  He let go of my hand placing it on his chest,
and then brushed my face gently before he lifted my chin to look into his
eyes.  As soon as our eyes met I realized something.  The color of my
shirt that I was so drawn to today was reflected in front of me.  His eyes
were the most beautiful shade of emerald green and looked more alive than I had
ever seen on another person before now – almost glowing.  I couldn’t stop
myself, my hand left his chest and went to his face, brushing his hair away
from his beautiful eyes.  Then, as if that was a sign, he pulled me closer
again, until there was no space between us at all.  Our lips met, and the
heat of his mouth reached every part of my body.  My hands went to his
hair, twisting it through my fingers.  I didn’t want to stop, but before
long I needed to catch my breath. 

He leant his forehead back on mine and said, “So how
do you feel now?” He was still catching his breath too. 

I decided to be honest and try and get some answers.
 “Well more confused actually, where did that come from?  Don’t get
me wrong, I liked it – obviously, but I don’t understand.  Was this just
an experiment?”  He took both my hands in his as he tried to explain.

“No, it wasn’t just an experiment.  Hayln the
truth is, I have felt this way for a while now.  The last few times I saw
you, I started noticing different things, like the way you smile when you’re
nervous, and the way your hair falls in curls down your back.  Things I
probably shouldn’t have been noticing.”

His face was so sincere now, I could see it was a relief
for him to talk to me like this.  “You see, there's an unwritten law
between best friends, sisters are off limits.  And you know your brother
is like a brother to me too, I didn’t want to jeopardize that.  So, I
stopped visiting when I knew you would be around, thinking maybe time would
change how I felt.  But it didn’t.  As soon as I walked through the
door last night I knew it immediately.  It took every bit of self-control
not to go onto that dance floor tonight and take you away from Tyler.  I
wanted to be the one with my arms around you.”

He waited for me to respond, but I still had no idea
what to say.  I had just left Tyler to avoid a similar situation with him,
and now here I was with Zeke.

“I know this seems to have come out of the blue
Hayl’s, and to be honest, I didn’t plan on laying all of this on you so fast,
but Tyler kind of forced my hand.  But it’s the truth – all of it,” he
said. 

I stood there trying to take everything in, my body
still felt the heat of our kiss, then he spoke again. 

“I think we should go inside, I don’t want your father
coming out here.  And I'm guessing that you probably need that time alone
now.” 

He was right.  “Sounds sensible,” I said, but I
didn’t let go of his hand, I just couldn’t.  We walked the rest of the way
to the house in silence, but I could feel his eyes on me as I opened the door
and made my way up to my room.

I stopped at my doorway still holding his hand and
turned to face him leaning my back on the wall.  Totally exhausted, but
feeling more alive than I ever have. 

“Hayln, I know this all must be pretty confusing for
you,” he said speaking softly.  “I mean, I've had a lot longer to sort my
feelings out and I don’t expect any answers from you right away.  You can
take all the time you need – no pressure, okay.” 

I was grateful for the offer, but at the same time,
all I wanted to do was kiss him again.  I stopped myself knowing I did
need to think things through. 

“Thanks.  I think what I need right now though is
some sleep, it’s been an…. interesting day,” I said smiling. 

He leaned forward spreading his arms either side of
me, positioning his hands on the wall near my head, and then kissed me. 

It was a different kiss altogether this time, except
for the warmth that still washed through me.  The only part of us touching
was our lips, and it was gentle and tender.  He was the one who pulled
away – a little too soon for my liking.  He reached for my door and opened
it for me and then looked back at me. 

“Night Hayln, sweet dreams,” he said, just like the
night before and then he kissed me on the cheek.  The exact spot Tyler did
earlier, as if he was trying to erase that kiss altogether. 

“You too,” I said as I walked into my room. 

“Oh I am pretty sure I will have good dreams,” he said
with a mischievous smile.  “I’ll see you in the morning”. 

“Night Zeke,” I said and then closed the door behind
me. 

I knew he hadn’t moved away and that I all I would
have to do was open the door again, and I could pull him into my room and kiss
him the way I wanted to, but I didn’t.  It took every ounce of
self-control to move away and get ready for bed.  As I got undressed, I
looked at my emerald green top and realized the color of it didn’t do his eyes
justice at all.  I got into bed and started thinking through the evening.

What the hell had happened?  Yesterday morning I
would have laughed at anyone who told me Zeke was interested in me that
way.  Not only that, but Tyler seemed to be too.  If this was an
experiment, what would I write as a conclusion? 

I decided it wasn’t truly fair to compare them, in a
true experiment both environments should be the same, and I had kissed Zeke and
not Tyler.  But then again, I could have kissed Tyler if I wanted
too.  But I didn’t, I avoided that situation.  Whereas with Zeke I
don’t think I could have avoided it if I’d tried.  So I suppose that's my
answer for now, at least until I talk to Tyler tomorrow? 

I decided that was something to think about in the
morning, so I tucked myself in bed and went to sleep.

When I woke up I was surprised at how well I had
slept.  I stayed in bed a moment longer before going downstairs for
breakfast.  Then remembered how I’d looked yesterday morning and decided
maybe I should have a shower first.  After a quick shower, I grabbed my
khaki pants and white tank top then went to the kitchen excited and nervous
about seeing Zeke this morning.  I was disappointed to find the kitchen
deserted.  My father is usually always the first one up so it was surprising
that he wasn’t awake at the very least. 

After a minute, I started getting some things ready to
cook for breakfast.  I was starving since I'd missed most of my meals
yesterday, so I decided to make some scrambled eggs and bacon knowing that this
would soon get everyone up once it started wafting upstairs.  I had just
started on the eggs when I heard the voice I was waiting for behind me. 

“Morning Hayln,” Zeke said.  “Did you sleep
well?” He asked with a certain smugness. 

“Very well actually.” I said as I turned to face
him. 

He was already dressed in his blue jeans and a grey
sweat shirt that had the three top buttons undone.  His hair was still
damp after his shower, and his eyes were even more beautiful than I had
remembered from last night.  I suddenly found myself wondering whether he
regretted anything and that maybe I was the only one with butterflies in my
stomach at the moment. 

“What about you, how did you sleep?” I asked a little
nervously. 

He moved beside me, to lean on the bench and took my hand. 
I knew then he hadn’t changed his mind. 

“Well it took me a little while to get to sleep.
 I was a little um….. over stimulated.  But once I got to sleep I
managed to have some seriously good dreams,” he said.  “Thanks to
you”. 

We both smiled at each other and then he said, “this
looks good, what can I do to help?” 

“Well, you could start on some toast if you like,” I
said as I turned the bacon. 

We worked together, side by side not saying anything
else but occasionally looking at each other to smile as we got breakfast
ready.  I had just finished setting the table when Emin came into the
kitchen looking like death warmed up. 

“Whoa, who looks like a wreck this morning?  Did
you have a hard night?” I said laughing. 

“That’s enough from you,” he grumbled.  “And
you,” he pointed to Zeke “don’t you start either.” 

Zeke raised his hands surrendering, but he was
laughing too.

“I am sooo hungry – I hoped you cooked enough,” Emin
said.  I placed a plate in front of him and Zeke, and I both joined him to
eat.  

“So, who was the girl?” I asked after a while not
wanting to let a moment pass where I got to turn the tables on him and make him
feel a little uncomfortable for a change. 

“Tasma, now shut up I want to eat,” Emin said.  I
was satisfied watching him squirm. 

“You have been seeing quite a bit of Tasma lately
haven’t you?” Said Zeke with a massive grin knowing he had given a secret
away. 

“Shut up, Ezekiel.  Just because I'm interested
in someone, there is no need for you to be jealous,” he said as he started
piling his plate with seconds.  Zeke and I glanced at each other and
smiled.

“What now?” Emin said, thinking we were still teasing
him. 

“Nothing,” I said as I got up.  “I think I better
go wake Dad otherwise there will be nothing left for him to eat.” 

I left the table and went upstairs to knock on his
door.  There was no answer so I peeked in to find his bed made and no sign
of him. I headed to his office to let him know that he'd better hurry up if he
wanted any breakfast, but he wasn’t there either.  I paused to consider
where he could be and then I noticed a letter sitting on his chair addressed to
me.  I opened it quickly, knowing in the pit of my stomach this was not
going to be good. 

Dear
Hayln,

I've
had to go away for a bit to see my old friend that I mentioned to you.  It
is nothing to worry about, but you probably won’t be able to contact me where I
am going. 

I
will call you when I can, but I should be home Sunday night in any case. 
Please don’t let this ruin your night tonight, go and have a fabulous time – I
will be home soon and try not to worry.

Love
Dad.

He'd obviously left this for me yesterday, before I
went out, so he had been gone all night!  I reread the letter and hurried
downstairs to tell the boys and regardless what the letter said, I was worried
– very worried.

I grabbed my mobile to call him on the way downstairs,
but as I thought it went straight to message bank.  I hung up without
leaving a message because I was in the kitchen now, and Zeke was watching me
confused about my mood. 

“Hayln, what’s wrong?” He asked as he stood up. 
He had a worried look on his face, probably reflecting the expression on
mine. 

“Dad’s gone,” I said.  This got Emin’s attention
immediately.

“What do you mean he’s gone?” 

“He left yesterday afternoon without telling us, he
just left us this note,” I threw it on the table and Emin picked it up straight
away, Zeke walked around to read the letter over his shoulder. 

“This doesn’t sound too bad,” Emin said. “He'll be
home tonight Hayl’s.” 

“It’s not just this letter though Emin.”  I was
annoyed he was brushing me off. 

So I explained about when I was in his office on
Friday, the sleepless night he said he had, the phone call and of course the
lies. 

“This is not like him Emin.”  I said, getting
upset now, I needed them to understand that I wasn’t over reacting about
this.