Fae (22 page)

“He does not know that,” Odin interjected.

“They come now because she is of age. The prophecy states—” Ella began.

“I know what the prophecy states.” I did not want to hear it again; I knew my voice had been harsh. “I'm sorry.”

“You are forgiven,” Ella said softly. “See how easy it is?”

Dana watched me closely. “Alderon would never think that you would keep yourself close to her. He knows you, and he knows that the best way to protect her is to shield her from our world. What she doesn't know won't hurt her.”

“What does that mean?”

“Keep her as close to you as possible. I know your initial plan was to make her dislike you, even though you know that is impossible.”

“It is not impossible.”

“You were made for one another,” Dana said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

“We will be nearby watching the forest. If she enters, we will protect her,” Rowan spoke out. The look of gratitude was written all over my face. It was undeniable. They would protect her. I knew if I failed, they would take her away. Odin nodded his head, and I knew that it was time to leave.

“Until we meet again,” Dana said as she watched Odin lift his hand.

“Good bye, my King,” Ella called out. Before I could answer, we were gone and back in my room.

I pulled a sweater over my head and smiled in anticipation. I dared myself to have a little hope. I grabbed my schoolbooks, ran down the stairs, and headed out to my car. As I drove to school, I couldn't remove the grin of hope on my face. It would be a good day.

But things didn't go exactly as I had planned.

“He who is not impatient, is not in love.”
—Italian Proverb

I arrived at school pretty early Monday morning. I went straight to the Math lab and decided that I would try and complete some of my homework before our weekly meeting for the school paper. I had had such a difficult time getting anything done all weekend that I thought that if I came an hour or so earlier than usual, I could get it done before Natalie Simmons passed out our assignments for next week's edition of the paper.

Our meetings were typically very short, and most of the reporters had quite a bit of autonomy. Unless of course there was a particular story that piqued Natalie's interest. Then the person who was assigned to it would usually have one heck of a time. After our assignments were given, we would usually have a few days to complete them before she would get them out to press for the following week. Some took longer than others to write, so starting fresh at the beginning of the week was always helpful.

If I hadn't been so behind in my homework for the week, I would have gladly welcomed a new story, but this weekend had been filled with so many distractions that my work had been piling up. It wasn't like me to procrastinate.

I grimaced in anticipation of the week of long nights ahead of me, one that I definitely wasn't looking forward to. I was also a bit nervous about the History project with Devilyn. I had so many things left to do for it and was hoping that I would be able to have some time to complete all of my research.

I looked at the clock. It was half past seven. I continued to silently pray that Natalie would go easy on me when she arrived. We usually started our meetings promptly at seven thirty, so I knew our irritating school editor would have to be making an appearance soon. Just as I began to drift off into another daydream, Natalie's voice called out, interrupting as usual.

“Okay everyone. I had such a crazy weekend,” she practically screeched as she walked in the room like a tornado. It was a wonder she could keep it all together.

She planted a pile of papers on a desk and started rummaging through them.

“I've compiled a list of some interesting stories. It's here somewhere,” she said as she moved the stack around. “I've got to say we have a bunch of exciting things happening this week that need all of our focus and attention,” she said in an eager voice that was shockingly chipper for being so early in the morning.

I glanced out the window and longed to be running through the grass or walking through the Elizabethan Gardens. The leaves were changing, and soon snow would fall. I loved this time of year.

“Earth to Caroline?” she called out.

I turned suddenly and forced a smile, “What do you have for me, Natalie?”

“You have the most coveted story of the year,” she told me in glee.

Coveted?
That usually meant the story that no one else in the room wanted.

Great.
I was beginning to dread what it was.

“Which is?” I asked silently fearing her response.

“Okay fasten your seatbelt because you are going to be so excited you might just jump out of your chair,” Natalie said unable to contain her glee.

She had to be kidding. Fasten my seatbelt? Jump out of my chair? I tried to feign excitement but knew that the next words out of her mouth would surely be my undoing.

“You will be riding along with the entire football team to their first away game!” she said as she practically jumped up and down.

“What?” Did I hear her correctly? I had to be hallucinating.

“Female sports reporters are making a killing. So this is your opportunity to try it first hand,” Natalie continued. “Seriously Caroline, who's luckier than you?”

Luckier than me?
If I was so lucky why didn't she want this job?

“When is this game Natalie?” I asked as I took in a deep breath, trying desperately to compose myself.

“Tomorrow night,” she replied. “You're going to have a great time. It will probably be a late night, but
you
are going to have the time of your life. I'm so jealous!” she continued on as if she had given me some great treasure.

I knew that I must have looked angry, but I couldn't help myself. Not only was I drowning in schoolwork, so much so that I would no doubt be delayed in completing all of it, but now I was forced to sit on a bus filled with a bunch of football players and
him
.

I knew it without a doubt. The universe was plotting against me.

“Don't worry Caroline, I've got your back; I've already talked to the coach, and he's so excited about having you on board the bus. You'll be sitting on the bench with the rest of the players during the game, and you'll even have access to the locker rooms!” she exclaimed. Again, I couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't taking on this amazing assignment. I couldn't help but voice my thoughts.

“Wow, Natalie, thanks for this. But if you're so into this story why don't you take it? I wouldn't want to deprive you or anything.”

Natalie waved me off. “You are so sweet. Seriously. But I've got so much homework I don't even know where to begin. I can't be gone for an entire night.”

Of course.

Our first away game was at Plymouth High School, over seventy-three miles away. Plymouth was a big rival of Manteo's, and the game was an important one for the school. There had been a pep rally earlier in the morning, where the student body helped pump up the players for the game day ahead, and a practice session on the field afterward. This was a crucial game in the season, and it seemed that even all the teachers wanted the players to be ready.

I had run into my sister on my way to practice. I was surprised to see that she was waiting for me.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Fine,” she said as she studied her manicure. “I just wanted to wish you luck, not that you need it or anything, but I thought that would be the sisterly thing to do.”

I tried not to smile. She had certainly not come to wish me luck; there was something else on her mind.

“What's going on? Do you need something from Odin? Another vacation?”

“Honestly, Devilyn, sometimes I don't even know why I bother with you,” she turned to leave.

I grabbed her arm.

“I'm joking. Tell me.”

Tatiana looked uncomfortable with the topic at hand.

“What is it?”

She lowered her voice, “I have a serious problem.”

My heart stopped. Had the dark thoughts finally consumed her?

“Tell me.”

“The boy—”

“Boy?”

“Ted,” she muttered.

“Did you do something to him?” I asked.

“Do something to him?” Tatiana said angrily. “That wouldn't even be possible.”

“What do mean?” I was thoroughly confused.

“He doesn't want to do anything but talk. He keeps asking me annoying questions like what books I read when I go home and what my favorite courses are.” She was clearly appalled. “I've even tried to make the first move. Can you believe that Devilyn?
I'm
making the move. And every time he turns away, like he's disgusted by me. Which just simply isn't possible.”

Tatiana sounded so horrified by the prospect that it took all my energy not to burst out laughing.

“I mean, Devilyn. Look at me. How could he not want me?”

My sister was beautiful; I'd give her that. But somehow my respect for Teddy grew even more. Obviously brains meant something to him.

“Why not try and talk to him about the things he likes to talk about?”

“Why? They're boring!”

I couldn't stop the laughter from rushing out. Tatiana didn't seem offended by it, and I was grateful for that.

“It's a first, Devilyn. And I don't like the feeling of being rejected.”

“Has he rejected you?” I asked.

“No. But I feel like he's about to.”

“Amuse him. Read a book. Maybe you'll like it?” I told her.

Tatiana seemed genuinely horrified by the prospect. “I knew I couldn't talk to you about this.”

She disappeared instantly. I looked around to make sure no one saw, and thankfully luck was on my side.

I shook my head at her predicament as I made my way out onto the field to throw some passes. I had quite a big game ahead of me, and I needed to get my head in the right space.

Only the game I was preparing for had nothing to do with football.

I looked around the locker room, and the other players were laughing and joking about how they were planning on “destroying” and “cremating” the rival team. I was thinking about the long bus ride and the fact that I would be away from her for another day. Silently praying that harm wouldn't come to her in any way while I was gone playing this silly game.

“We're going to kick their ass,” Mark, our linebacker, said as he gave a high-five to another player. I tried not to look amused. I was already an outsider on the team because I kept to myself; the only reason why the guys didn't outcast me completely was because of my tremendous skill.

Laughing wouldn't help my situation.

I looked up at the clock and pulled my bag out of my locker. The coach had told us that we had about twenty minutes to get our things together before we made the trip. Everyone was told to be on the bus no later than three o'clock.

I took a moment before I went over to the bus. It was already proving to be a challenging start to the week, as I had set out hoping to find an opening with Caroline but unfortunately hadn't found one. In fact, I barely saw her, which surprised me quite a bit considering we had every class together. There simply hadn't been any time for us to interact beyond the usual hellos and goodbyes. I couldn't help but feel frustrated.

She had avoided me all day yesterday, spending most of her time in the library. She made it a point to excuse herself from many of the classes that we had together by telling the teachers that she had a deadline and needed to work on an assignment for the school paper. Given that she was such an excellent student and rarely took advantage of the teachers, they excused her and allowed her to work on whatever it was “that needed her immediate attention.”

I knew she wasn't being truthful, but thought it wise to give her some space. But not for long. When I returned, things would be different.

I had actually planned on visiting her at the restaurant this evening but then realized that we had an away game, and I wouldn't be home until very late. By then, the restaurant would be closed, and she would be home unable, and most probably unwilling, to talk to me. I knew that she was confused by me and the way I treated her. Probably confused by the way she felt.

I couldn't help her with any of that as I suffered through the same emotions. I stood up and stretched my legs, then zipped up my gym bag and headed out to the parking lot. As I walked the row of cars, I scanned it looking for some sign of her. Row after row, until I was finally in luck, her car was still there. I wondered what she was up to and how she would be spending her afternoon.

Hoping and praying that she wouldn't be naïve enough to walk home or work late at the restaurant. I just wanted her to be safe and secure until I returned.

I glanced over at the trees and knew that if she decided to do anything out of ordinary or if anything happened at least the Tuatha DéDanann would be watching.

Once I reached the bus, the driver motioned for me to drop my gear off at the other end in the trunk. I slowly walked towards the back of the bus and handed my stuff over to the assistant coach.

“Let's have a good game, Devilyn. Everyone is counting on you for this one,” he said cheerfully as I handed him my bag.

“I'll do my best, Coach,” I answered, knowing that the fate of the team rested solely on my shoulders. Brian Baker had been a phenomenal player, and definitely the star of the school, but his skills paled in comparison to mine. And it wasn't his fault at all.

“I know you will,” he said smiling widely as he patted me on the back. “This is going to be a great night. They're not going to know what hit them.”

I made my way to the front of the bus. The other players were slowly gathering around, and all seemed very pumped up about the night that lay ahead. I tried to get myself to feel some of their excitement, but it was a hard task to achieve. I walked by each of them, and I noticed how they made a wide path for me, avoiding any contact off the field at all costs. The bus door was already open, so I grabbed a hold of the railing and made my way up the stairs. The second I reached the top I looked at the rows of empty seats.
At least I had my pick,
I thought.

And then I saw her.

Sitting toward the back with her head turned staring out of the small window. I was instantly elated and curious. What was she doing here?

“Caroline?” I couldn't keep the surprise out of my voice.

She looked up startled. I could see the emotions play across her expressive face, both annoyed and pleased at the same time.

“Oh, hi.”

I quickly moved down the aisle and took the seat right next to her. I knew I was invading her personal space as the seat was too small for the both of us to sit without touching one another, but I didn't care. My leg was plastered up against hers. She tried to wiggle away but couldn't.

I looked down at her exquisite face. She was wearing a thick jacket and jeans. Her hair was once again pulled tightly away from her face in a high ponytail. She looked fresh and innocent.

“Are you joining us?” I asked with a warm smile.

“Unfortunately,” she replied as she lifted up her tiny notebook of paper and pencil. “Story for the school paper, and I know how much you love those.”

I laughed and was suddenly so happy about the long ride ahead.

“I'll try to be more welcoming this time around,” I told her apologetically with a wink.