My senses started drifting back to me. I was warm and comfortable. I could smell salt and something else, something like sandalwood and…vanilla? I moaned happily and turned on my side as this soft surface seemed to mold to my body. I wanted to stay in this state, in this place, forever. However, you can’t pause time, and I knew better than to waste life not living in the moment. I slowly opened my eyes. A bright light hit me as I blinked rapidly and waited for my vision to adjust to the sunshine. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the beautiful blue ocean laid out in front of me. I was in a bathing suit lying on a towel surrounded by clean white sands.
I should be freaking out since I couldn’t remember falling asleep here and didn’t recognize this beach at all, and yet, I wasn’t. I was getting pretty used to waking up in strange places. Plus this was the purest and most beautiful beach I had ever seen.
My eyes drifted to the left, and I realized I wasn’t alone. There was a man, a beautiful man. I couldn’t control the feelings that rushed through me as soon as I laid my eyes on him. The sight should have struck fear in my heart; I should be absolutely terrified, but sweet lord, I wasn’t. My heart palpitated as it filled with so much love a lump formed in my throat. Devotion, gratitude, lust, respect, and countless other emotions raced through my veins as I took in the sight of him. He was wearing a pair of swim trunks and nothing else, lying on a towel beside me. He had a book lounging against his perfectly sculpted chest with one hand propping it up as his other arm resting casually behind his head.
I’m impressed with my own restraint as I keep the moans and drool inside of my body. The sex appeal was oozing off this man in buckets. His arms and chest were adorned with droves of sigil tattoos for gods’ sakes.
“Oh, you’re awake,” the man spoke as he slipped a bookmark into his novel before closing it.
He turned on his side to face me, and I froze. It was startling for me to hear him speak. My eyes finally moved up to his face. Gods, he was breathtaking. He had brown hair hanging slightly in his face, dark blue eyes, strong facial features and a jaw that could cut glass.
“Babe?” he asked as his eyebrows knit together in concern.
Babe? I was this man’s babe? I quickly cleared my throat to speak, but all I could manage was a strangled, “Huh?”
He began laughing, a low throaty sound that sent chills down my spine. I gasped for breath when I realized I needed air. “Weird dream?” he asked as he leaned closer to my face. Concern swam through his dark blue eyes.
“Uh-” I quickly cleared my throat again. “Uh, no, I’m fine.”
He smiled softly, his gaze melting with an emotion I couldn’t read. His hand reached out to grasp mine as he pulled it up to his lips for a lingering kiss. “I love you so much, my dear wife.”
“Hell!” I shouted as I bolted up in bed. I panted as my heart hammered in my chest. I surveyed my surroundings as I attempted to calm myself. I was in my own bed again, the place I had actually fallen asleep. My lamp was still on, exuding a warm glow, and I was slick with sweat.
My head fell into my hands as I struggled to regain control of my breathing. What the hell was that? It was clearly a dream but it didn’t feel like one. It felt so real, so vivid. I truly experienced all of that. This was starting to become a regular habit. Maybe I needed some sort of sleeping pills.
I grabbed my phone off the nightstand. 8:00 AM. I’d been asleep for almost three hours this time.
I dragged myself out from between my sheets and found a dry shirt to change into. I took my time cleaning up in the bathroom as I tried to still my racing heart. I was confused and terrified but also excited. I returned to the bedroom and turned off my lamp before slipping into a pair of sweats.
I took a deep breath as I braced myself to face the new day. I pushed through my door and walked into the living room.
My two roommates stopped chatting immediately when they noticed me from their spot on the couch.
“Good morning, Indie!” Lillian chirped. I glared at my friend as I took in the sight of her. Lillian Jackson was a woman who never stepped foot out of the house until she was meticulously prepped. Nails always done without a single chip, hair styled to perfection, makeup flawless and clothes picked out to accentuate her essence. She was a vixen with an attitude, and I could never get over how immaculate she looked in the mornings. This blue-eyed blonde bombshell put me to shame in more ways than one.
I grunted in response as I made my way to cuddle up in the armchair across from them. I pulled my knees to my chest and rubbed my eyes as I attempted to adjust to the light in here.
“You’re just in time, Indigo,” Layla smiled as she sipped on her mug of breakfast tea. “We were just discussing some important things, like scheduling a training session.”
“It doesn’t really matter to me,” I shrugged. “It doesn’t affect me yet.”
“Yeah, well you should still be around for the lessons. Just because you can’t participate yet doesn’t mean you can’t learn,” Layla pushed. I stared into her light jade eyes and scowled. Layla Evans was the epitome of calm and collected. She had a gentle but firm air surrounding her. Lay’s tan skin was adorned with vibrant tattoos and she sported black shoulder-length hair that usually had color hidden throughout. She was mysterious and shy.
“Fine,” I scoffed. “Just pick a time and I’ll tag along.” I could never say no to Layla. She was too good for this world. She had a smile that let anyone know she was a woman with a kind and gentle soul.
“Your powers won’t stay dormant for much longer. I wouldn’t worry about it,” Layla cooed.
“Who’s worried about it? I’m fine,” I persisted.
“Universal language for not fine,” Lillian shrugged and leaned back in her seat.
“I’d love if we could just drop this,” I groaned. “It’s too early for this.”
“All I’m saying is, I know you’re feeling vulnerable right now, but there’s no reason for it. Clark and I were early bloomers and Layla’s powers just surfaced a year ago,” Lillian interjected as Layla remained decisively silent.
“Lay didn’t even know she was going to be gaining abilities!” I hissed. “But I’m fine. I mean, it’s not great waiting, but it’s fine.”
In reality, I was pissed. I wouldn’t tell them that since it wasn’t their fault, but my situation had well passed ridiculous. We were all part of a small minority of magical folk that spanned across the world. We could harness the power that existed in the universe. We were born from ancient families with the same gift in our blood.
I remember when my parents sat me down and explained the ways of the world to me. It wasn’t long after that we packed up and moved out to California. I was about fifteen when my mother insisted I belonged near similar folk like her dear old friend and her new family. Enter Lillian, my predetermined friend. Luckily, it worked out well. Though, her powers activated less than a year after we met.
Layla was Lillian’s longest friend; they went back to primary school. To say her powers activating last year was a surprise to everyone was an understatement. She never knew her father, so no one had any idea that magical blood flowed through her veins. Luckily she had the right friends.
And then there was Clark. He moved into the area a bit before I did without his parents. He also hailed from the South. It wasn’t long before we discovered we were hiding the same secret. He told us his powers had activated at 13, which was basically unheard of.
Here I stood, 21 years old, feeling like a dud, a magical anomaly… A disappointment to my parents.
“I don’t mind tagging along,” I broke the silence. “I guess I might as well learn before I can practice.”
Lillian perked up as my shoulders slumped in defeat. “That’s the spirit!”
I retreated into the kitchen for a cup of tea as I heard someone knocking on the door. Probably one of Lillian’s lovers. I filled our kettle with water as I heard her move to answer the door. I sifted through our cabinet looking for my favorite mug as I registered movement behind me.
I spun around to and my gaze landed on my hunk of a best friend, Clark Knight. He stood there like a total enigma. His broad shoulders blocked my view into the room behind him as he leaned against the empty doorframe. His short black hair was neatly swept and his dark brown eyes twinkled with affection as crossed his arms and frowned. “Doesn’t Lill know I’m a busy man? If she called this meeting for something that could’ve been discussed over text again…”
“I’m really not sure why you expect more from her at this point,” I shrugged as I turned back around and dug out my favorite vanilla blackberry tea.
“You’re right,” he gave a pained sigh. “Well I’m not hanging around all morning again. If you want a ride to campus with me you better be ready to leave soon.”
“Oh fuck you, impatient,” I scoffed as I took the kettle off the stove and began to pour my cup. “Actually, I think I’m gonna hang back today.”
“What does that mean?” I could hear the frown on Clark’s face as I busied myself looking for honey in the cabinet. His voice lowered as he came further into the kitchen. “Did you have another dream?”
“Fuck, man,” I slammed the honey onto the counter before whipping around. “Why is everyone up my ass this morning?”
Clark threw his hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry to have brought it up.”
“Thank you,” I nodded. “I’m just trying to have a stress-free day.”
“Gotcha,” he backed away. “I’m gonna go see what Lillian wants now.” Clark booked it out of the kitchen to escape my foul mood as I took my time behind him.
I came out to find Lillian seated beside Clark on the end of the couch. She was leaning closer and closer to him as she spoke, practically about to fall into his lap. Anyone with eyes knew that Lillian was desperately in love with Clark. For some reason, he never returned the affection. No one knew why, considering she was sheer perfection. They would make a great couple; they were both so attractive, a blonde blue-eyed beauty with a tall, dark and handsome man. It was a match made in the heavens.
I ignored the lonely pang in my chest and strolled in to join the conversation.
“Oh, Blue, you’re just in time to hear Lillian tell me about how she dragged me down here to talk about something we could’ve just texted about,” Clark shot me a look with his eyebrows raised.
“Sounds important,” I nodded as I hid my smile by taking a sip of tea. The fruity tang of the berries in the tea along with the sweetness from the vanilla helped to immediately lift my mood as the fragrance wafted through my nose.
“Look, Lill, I’ve got to get to school early today,” Clark started as he stood up from the couch and took a step back. “I’ll text you about this after I get there.”
“Okay,” Lillian nodded as her eyes dimmed a bit.
“There’s something I want to show you in the truck, Blue, if you can spare a moment of your time,” Clark nodded towards the door.
“I guess,” I shrugged as I followed him out the door with my mug in my hands. He walked me around his truck and opened the door for me. “What is it you want to show me?” I asked skeptically as I made no move to get in.
“Just get in and I’ll show you,” Clark sighed. “Why do you have to make everything so difficult?”
I took a sip of my tea as I eyed him. “Are you trying to kidnap me and force me to go to my classes today?”
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Clark rubbed his temple.
I thrummed my fingers against the warm ceramic of my cup as I took in his casual appearance. He wore a pair of jeans with a t-shirt and gave off the air that he was too good to be spending his time like this.
I shrugged as I stepped into the truck and relaxed back into the upgraded leather. As he closed the door, I admired how good his car always smelled. There was something so comforting about the smell of leather and pine. I had many wonderful memories inside this truck.
Clark jogged around and climbed into the driver’s side, slamming the door shut.
“So what’s up?” I asked again. I swallowed and snuck a peak over at him.
I watched his mouth slowly turn upwards as his dark brown eyes dragged over me. My breath caught as his sharp gaze stripped me to the bone. A devastating smirk flew across his lips as his gaze left mine. “You’ve been acting so weird lately. I just wanted to hang out for a minute before I’m due to my first class.” He reached into his pocket and fished out a pre-rolled joint.
“Oh, sweet,” I beamed as Clark snapped his fingers and a small fire erupted from his fingertips. I met his gaze as he held the jay in his lips and put his flaming fingers to the end of it. The familiar sound of his snap followed by crackling flames helped to set me at ease. He got it rolling before passing it to me.
I brought it to my lips and took a small drag as Clark broke the silence. “So what’s been bothering you?”
I paused to listen to the silence of our conversation as Clark took a puff. “What happened between you and Lill the other night?” I stammered out quickly before I lost the nerve to ask. “It’s just that when things are weird between you two, they’re weird for all of us. Layla and I included.”
“What are you talking about?” Clark frowned as he passed me the joint and coughed. “Nothing’s ever happened between us.”
“Oh bullshit,” I rolled my eyes and inhaled a puff of smoke. “I don’t truly believe that you just happen to arrive earlier than I wake up on several occasions. I think you just wake up here.” I blew out a smoke cloud and watched as it wafted in his direction.
He reached over and gently gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. Our lips were mere inches apart, and I watched the corners of his mouth twitch as he purred, “Would I lie to you?”
“Just because you haven’t yet doesn’t mean you never will,” I laughed as I wriggled from his grasp and took another hit.
He chuckled as I passed the jay back. “Listen, I know Lill is pretty…intense when it comes to me. I pretend to be oblivious to spare her feelings because it’s not something I reciprocate. I don’t make a big deal about it because I don’t want her to feel embarrassed or unwanted or anything like that. Make sense?”
I chewed on my bottom lip as I watched him roll down his window to ash. “She doesn’t even talk to us about it,” I confided as I leaned back in the seat.
“Oh yeah?” he handed me the joint.
I nodded as I took a slow drag of the harsh smoke that caused my body to feel numb. “She doesn’t hide it well, of course. But it’s not something she wants to talk about, I guess.”
“Maybe she’s not comfortable with you guys knowing she’s having trouble getting something she wants,” he suggested with a wink as I passed it back.
“Yeah, probably,” I conceded as I watched him take a long hit.
The smoke began to filter out of his nose as he exhaled. “So what else has been on your mind, blue eyes?”
I scoffed as I watched him pull out a pocket ashtray and disposed of the lit roach. I contemplated telling him about my latest dream that had felt so real, but my confused feelings complicated things. Something inside me that I couldn’t quite tap down was telling me not to burn this bridge. I had a feeling he wouldn’t take this well.
“So…was there anything else you wanted to talk about?” Clark pried in a soft tone.
I chewed on my lip; I was still torn on telling him about my dream. He’d been so touchy when I discussed my realistic dreams lately. “I, uh-” I cleared my throat. I should tell him.
Before I could work up the courage I was interrupted by a loud ringing. I jumped out of my skin at the alarming noise that broke the quiet atmosphere.
Clark shot me an amused look as he reached into his back pocket to grab his phone. “What’s up?” he answered. A small smile spread across his lips as he listened to someone on the other line. “I guess she left it in the house,” he laughed as he ran his fingers through his hair with his free hand and stuck his tongue out at me.
“Uh-huh…uh-huh,” his tone changed as he let out a small sigh. “She’ll be back in a minute…. I’m not going to be late for class.” His face clouded over with annoyance as he rubbed his brow. I met his gaze as I heard a faint voice speaking nonstop. After a moment Clark rolled his eyes, pulled his phone away from his face and hung up.
“Did you just hang up on someone?” I laughed.
“Yeah,” Clark smirked. “Lillian. She was telling me I need to head to class.” He shook his head and glared out the window. “She better get her jealously under control. I can’t even spend time with my best friend without her harassing me about it.”
“You better get going before she realizes you hung up on her and comes out here,” I laughed as I opened my car door.
“We’re not even together!” Clark growled, helpless. “And I’ve given her no reason to think…” he rubbed his temple.
“Sorry, man,” I shrugged. “Better stop making women fall in love with you.”
“If only it were that simple,” he shook his head. “She said she tried to call you first, by the way. You should really keep your phone on you.”
My hand flew down to my back pocket where I usually kept my phone. “Yeah, yeah,” I played it off as my fingers felt my phone case. “Have a good day of classes,” I chirped as I hopped out of the truck.
“Have a good day off,” he smirked as I slammed the door shut.
I walked towards the front door as I listened for him to back up and drive away. As the sound of his tires pressing against the asphalt faded away I pulled my phone out. I hadn’t heard or felt it ring. My suspicions were confirmed as I showed no missed calls. I rolled my eyes as I put it away and walked back into the house. Any excuse for her to talk to Clark.
