Elemental (The Keeper of the elements) (3 page)

Chapter Three

When I woke up, I felt groggy and stiff, like I hadn’t slept at all. My body was heavy and each motion caused new aches to shoot through my tender muscles. My chest hurt with every breath and my breathing was difficult and labored. Sweat beaded off my skin and rolled into my hair, clothes or sheets. I lay silently in bed, wondering whether it would be best to get up. Soon I started drifting in and out of sleep, already deciding school wasn’t in my cards for that day. Amelie had brought me some tea at some point during my fitful rests. The nightmares didn’t return but I still couldn’t drift into a peaceful sleep.

By about four in the afternoon, my body felt a fraction better and I was able to move a little bit. My head throbbed with each beat of my heart and my breathing was still difficult, but at least I could make it to the bathroom. I had never really been sick growing up, a mild cold here or there. This felt like the full blown plague.

My antique cell phone buzzed as a call came in; I didn’t have to pick it up to know it was Aydan worrying about me. I had barely ever missed school. I sighed, flinching at the sharp pain that accompanied it. I snuggled further into my blankets and gripped the necklace Aydan had given me. It was warm and comforting and the dull pulse I felt lulled me back into a dreamless sleep.

Amelie came in later, the light of the day already gone and the moon shining brightly through my window. “What hurts?” She asked kindly as she set a steaming cup of tea on my night stand. Her accent was barely noticeable and I wondered if maybe I only thought I heard her speaking French.  I adjusted myself as she gently lay her hand across my forehead. I caught a subtle whiff of her perfume and smiled. Lilacs, it was also my mother’s favorite. I allowed myself the smallest of hope that it was a sign that I would finally get the family I craved.

“Well it seems your fever broke early this morning and this is all residual “ She smiled
and handed me some pills and the cup of tea. I gladly took them and swallowed quickly, scalding my throat in the process. “Do you think you can try and eat something?” The way she said 'something’ that time sounded more like ‘somezing’, her accent slightly slipping through. I shook my head no, slowly. Even if I had wanted to eat, which I did, I doubted the pain would allow it to stay down. Amelie hesitated before smiling and then quietly exiting the room.

I could hear Amelie humming in the other room. It sounded almost familiar to me, but I couldn’t place the words. The melody itself sounded like something I had heard Aydan sing long ago. I’m not sure when I fell asleep this time but when I woke to a soft knock I groaned and practically had to pry my eyes open. Pink light filtered through my grey curtains, announcing morning and I pulled myself into a sitting position, groaning at the deep tissue pain throughout my body. “Come in.” I mumbled grumpily. Amelie opened the door slowly and peaked inside, she already looked practically perfect. Her hair curled around her shoulders and even though she was wearing a fuzzy pink bathroom, she still looked wide awake and put together. “Mon elu, you have a visitor.” She announced kindly. She stepped aside, allowing Aydan to pass through my doors. His grey eyes nearly matched my decor and I snorted a laugh. “What?” He asked, his eyes wide with alarm. I shook my head, “Nothing” really I had briefly thought I could keep him in my room permanently as an accessory. His lips tilted into a smile and immediately I felt a mixture of butterflies and warmth spread throughout my body. He sat down on my bed and laid his hand on top of mine as he looked around. I was feeling marginally better just being close to him. I could breathe again and the aches seemed to be melting away slowly. “Nice digs you got here.” He joked. He was a foster like me and knew not to get attached to anything nice, it would most likely get taken from you. “I think this could be a keeper, Gem.” His gaze shifted and met mine and my heart rate picked up a little bit. I took a breath and my heart rate slowed and Aydan shifted next to me.

“Did you get tossed?” I asked quietly. Aydan smiled widely, excitement nearly bursting from his eyes. “That’s why I tried calling yesterday.” I’m sure my face was comical, having screwed up in confusion. Aydan was never excited about getting tossed. Sure he smiled on the outside but I could see the pain lingering beneath the surface. “I got tossed the other day, but this time I got put with my brother.” The shock must have been evident because Aydan let out a loud boisterous laugh. “I was just as shocked.” He said between chuckles.

Blaze was Aydan’s half-brother, older by three years. I had only seen him once when we were fourteen. At the time Blaze had promised Aydan he would do everything he could to get custody of him. Aydan had just recently turned eighteen and Blaze must have jumped at the chance to have him. My face broke into a smile. “That’s fantastic Aydan!” I was really happy for him, but deep down I felt that jolt, that fear that he would leave me like everyone else. I swallowed and pushed it aside, refusing to let my insecurities ruin he joyous news. “I really need to take a shower.” I said with a smile. This news had opened a small chasm of pain that I needed to trample down before Aydan could see. He nodded and headed down the steps as I dug through my bag for one pair of my two pairs of jeans and one of my three neutral colored t-shirts. I headed to the adjoining bathroom that I just noticed was there. Before I even hit the bathroom, I felt the tears fall and the panic rise. The terror I felt at the thought that Aydan would leave me nearly ripped me apart. They rolled hot paths down my cheeks. Someone knocked on my door and I jumped, quickly turning on the water to drown out the sound of me crying. “Gem, are you okay?” Aydan called through the door. I took a deep breath and called back. “Yeah I’m good! be out in a few.”

I stepped into the steaming water, burning my skin before I could turn down the temperature. I let the hot water pound into my sore muscles and wash away the tears that streamed down my cheeks. The last time I had cried, I was eight years old. The thought of Aydan leaving me brought those feelings bustling back. I stayed in the shower until I had stopped crying and the water had run cold, leaving goose bumps on my skin.

I stepped out of the shower and dressed quickly, leaving my hair wrapped in a towel. I came out of the bathroom and made my way to the kitchen down stairs. Just before I crossed the door way, I could hear Aydan and Amelie laughing. It sent my heart fluttering again. “Good morning!” Aydan announced happily, having must have heard me. I rounded the corner and he smiled impishly. “Would you like some breakfast Mon elu?” There it was again, that term. “What does Mon elu?” I asked finally. A strange look crossed Amelie’s face, almost like she hadn’t realized she had been saying it. She formed the expression into a flawless smile before returning to the refrigerator. “It simply means young one. I apologize if it offended you.” She offered kindly. I shook my head, “ Not at all, I was just curious.” I sat down at the lightly colored table and looked around. The kitchen looked flawless, decorated in white and cream colors. “Anything imp articular you would like for breakfast?” Amelie asked me sweetly.  I chewed my lip thoughtfully, normally I would indulge in my guilty pleasures but I wasn’t sure Amelie had anything that would satisfy my sweet tooth. “Oh that’s right, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t come baring gifts.” Aydan smiled widely as he lifted up the wide bakery box and set it on the table with a flourish. “Bon appetite” He announced as he kissed his fingertips. Amelie laughed and sat down at the table with us. So far she was the most involved foster I had ever had. I truly hoped it wasn’t too good to be true.

I eyed the box of freshly baked honey buns, feeling my mouth water expectantly. I greedily ate three of the large pastries before I finally had my fill. “I will never know how you eat those things” Aydan laughed as he washed me lick my fingers of honey and sugar. I smiled, it was no secret Aydan and I didn’t appreciate the same sweet things. “I remember when I was ten, it was shortly after we met, and I had tried one. I’m pretty sure I went into sugar shock. It was the most disgusting thing I had ever tasted.” Amelie laughed and I smiled. I was there that day, and remembering his face was pretty funny. “Well I must excuse myself, I believe it is time to get ready for the day and stop lounging in my old woman clothes.” Amelie announced, gesturing to her fluffy pink rob and ratty white slippers. I smiled and nodded watching as she left. I looked up to find Aydan studying me. “I’m worried about you Gem. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I said as I carefully avoided his gaze. I took another bite of my fourth honey bun, making it clear I didn’t want to further discuss things. Truthfully I was terrified he would pry and break open the wall I carefully constructed and I would turn into a blubbering mess begging him not to leave me like everyone else. Aydan leaned forward, placing his forearms on his knees and eyed me skeptically. My eyes looked at anything but him. “That’s obvious a lie, Gemma.” I ignored him and focused on shoving large pieces of honey bun into my mouth, praying I wouldn’t choke. My heart was pounding frantically in my chest and I was barely even tasting any more. “I was worried,” Aydan continued, his voice barely above a whisper, “that you may have gotten the wrong idea about my gift and thought that expected more from you.” His voice trailed off uncomfortably and I dropped the rest of my breakfast unceremoniously onto the table. We stared at each other.  My mouth was hanging wide open and I’m sure my eyes were as round as golf balls.

I didn’t have a clue how to respond. Deep down I think I had wanted things to change. I had wanted him to see me differently. It was obvious he was trying to nicely make it evident that we would only be friends and nothing more would ever come of our relationship. Somewhere along the line, I can’t pinpoint exactly when, my feelings for Aydan had changed. Maybe they had always been there and I just refused to acknowledge them. I snapped my jaw shut and tried to smile, hoping it portrayed as such and not more like a grimace. “Yeah, No I get it. I love the necklace but I know it’s not, I mean we’re not...I mean I understand.” I felt the butterflies swarming crazily in my stomach and the heat creep into my cheeks.

I looked up to him, desperate to find the right words and not sound as utterly heartbroken as I felt. He was watching me carefully, almost like he was gauging my reaction. His stormy eyes watched me protectively and my heart fluttered excitedly in my chest. Was that a look that a friend gaze? I shook my head slightly, expelling the thought. I was reading far too much into this. His lips twisted into a knee buckling lopsided smile that showed off his dimples that I always found adoring. I wanted to reach out and glide my fingertips over them.

I carefully fixed what I’m sure was a look of disappointment into more of a smile and reached under my shirt to pull the necklace out. The stone was warm to the touch and sparkled against my fingertips. “I can give it back if you like.” Aydan began to shake his head quickly, his eyes wide with something akin to fear. “No!” he shouted, causing me to flinch back in surprise. “I mean, no...it was a gift and looks beautiful on you. I don’t ever want you to take it off.” His voice had taken on a softer tone, “Can you promise?”

I nodded and he shot me that weakening grin again, grabbing my hand. Jolts shot through me at our touch and I jumped, but Aydan just held fast with a wide smile on his face. “Okay great.” My face must have given away my emotion, just briefly and he came forward, scooping me in his arms. The soothing smell of the ocean washed over me, a hint of lemon and so uniquely Aydan. He enveloped me in his arms and instantly I calmed. I loved the safety and comfort that I felt when he would hold me. My heart rate didn’t increase, the butterflies didn’t violently rip from my stomach in an attempt to burst free; instead I was instantly soothed, almost as if Aydan had administered a drug.

I smiled at the thought; Aydan was definitely my drug of choice. Minutes went by, I’m not sure how many since I was comfortably cocooned  in Aydan. His lips brushed my hair and blew a warm tingling breath along my ear lobe, sending shivers down my spine. His chest shuddered as he chuckled, the sound low and husky by my ear. My eyes snapped open and I pushed away, a warm blush seeping into my cheeks. Just moments ago he had made it clear that he only wanted friendship, hadn’t he?

I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably. “So I have this thing I have to go to for school. Kind of like a saying good bye party. Come with me?” He pleaded. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be seen, in public, with him. At school I successfully hid myself away and our classes were spaced enough apart that I barely seen him in the halls. Rumor had it that he was involved with Gabrielle Chauncey, I of course knew better but I honestly don’t think she did and the last thing I wanted was to draw her attention to me. That was practically social suicide. I chewed my lip nervously as I contemplated my choices. “If you don’t go, no more bakery bought honey buns.” Aydan taunted. I scowled at him. He knew my weakness and he had used it against me. “Fine.” I grumbled angrily. Aydan just laughed it off and squeezed my shoulders affectionately.

My mind flashed to an image of Aydan and me. My back pressed firmly against a tree, his one hand threaded into my hair, his other resting on my hip and his grey eyes boring into mine. I blinked it away and licked my suddenly dry lips as he wasn’t me with confusion and entertainment. I was a lost cause.