Between Ascension Page 2

  Wracking her brain for a reasonable explanation, she came up with nothing. She had hoped to catch up with Jena when her last class of the day let out even though it was only noon. Since winter break was officially begun, she would have the next two weeks to figure out what had actually occurred with Willian. Surely she had overthought the event, and it would amount to nothing.

  She had hurried to her locker to try to get outside before the twins left. Unfortunately, she was too late and had seen Jena and Juila leaving the parking lot inside Sofia’s car. She belatedly waved to catch their attention but soon gave up when she realized none of them was looking her way. Now she would have to wait until almost the end of winter break before she would be able to talk to either girl since they were going to their grandparents’ house as soon as they got home.

  Now she sat in her room and wondered what she should do next. Surely she was putting too much meaning into the innocent meeting in the hall at school. When they all returned to school in a couple of weeks, everything would be back to normal, and she would not have to worry about any awkwardness. She had managed to convince herself of this just when her brother came to her bedroom door and announced she had a visitor.

  She frowned over at Behn and asked, “I’m not expecting anyone. Who is it?”

  Behn raised his hands as he shrugged his shoulders, “Beats me. Mom just told me to tell you as I was passing through the living room.”

  More curious than anything, Valentina scooted off of her bed and brushed past her brother as he remained standing in her doorway. She did not have many other friends than her brothers, the Stel twins, Sofia, Luke, and Ryan. Surely Behn would have mentioned it if it were any of those people, so she had no idea who could be coming over to see her without calling first.

  She turned from the hallway to the living room and only stared in shock as she saw Willian sitting in her living room chatting with her mother. How had he found out where she lived? What was he doing here? What was she going to say to him? Her steps slowed down as she tried to figure out what she should do next.

  Willian turned slightly and saw Valentina enter the room. With heightened senses, he had felt her energy before he even saw her physically. He immediately rose from the couch and turned to face her as he said, “I hope you don’t mind my dropping by without calling first. I didn’t have your phone number; otherwise, I would have. I’m sorry.”

  Valentina clasped her hands in front of her and finished walking toward the couch. “How did you know where I lived?”

  “I asked a few people at school.” He turned to Valentina’s mother and thought she looked nothing like her daughter. “I wanted to apologize to Valentina for running into her in the hall at school today.”

  “That’s very kind of you,” she replied. “I’ll leave the two of you alone.” She stood up and left the room with a smile on her face. This was the first time a boy had ever come to the house for Valentina other than the school dance. She was curious to see where this would lead.

  Valentina watched her mother’s hasty retreat and then whispered harshly, “What makes you think you could just show up here? You should be concentrating on spending time with Jena before she goes to her grandparents’ house for the break.”

  Willian frowned slightly at the idea of Jena leaving again but then realized it was perfect timing for him to get to know this mysterious girl before saying anything rash to Jena. “She has a life of her own. Besides, I would like to get to know you better.”

  “What about your betrothal contract? Don’t you think you should be honoring that?” Valentina was more than willing to seem rude if it would only get Willian out of her house. Even though they had not touched, she could feel the energy coursing from him, and it made her feel things inside her which she was scared to acknowledge.

  “I’m already here. Can’t we talk for a while?”

  With an exasperated sigh, Valentina sank onto the chair across from the couch. “Fine. Whatever.”

  Willian smiled and resumed his seat on the couch. It already felt as though he had won the first battle by getting Valentina to spend time with him. Unfortunately, he had not thought this through and found he had no idea what to say to her.

  Valentina raised an eyebrow at his continued silence. Finally, she accused, “I thought you wanted to talk.”

  “I did. I mean, I do. I just don’t quite know what to say. It seems as though you found out more about me than I did about you, so you have an advantage.”

  “Hmph.” Valentina was not going to make this any easier for him. She sat back in the chair and crossed her arms. She was going to remain silent as long as he did even as she could not help but appreciate his chiseled features and admire his good looks.

  Willian finally decided on what to say and leaned forward to speak quietly. “You don’t seem surprised to hear that Jena and I are betrothed. It’s not something which is very common here, but it is where we come from.

  “I don’t know how to explain our situation to you, but suffice it to say, Jena and I have a strained relationship. We always have, in fact. I hate to admit that I’ve been jealous of Jena’s ability to do everything better than myself. I haven’t always treated her right, and I came here to make amends and let her know I’ve changed.”

  “That’s good of you. If that’s true, then why are you here at my house?”

  “I think you know why. When we ran into one another today, I felt something amazing. It wasn’t what I was expecting or even looking for, but it happened all the same. I think I came here, not to fix things with Jena, but rather to find you. At the risk of sounding crazy, I believe we are meant to be together.”

  “You’re right; you do sound crazy. Jena is one of my best friends, and I think you are out of line coming here, Willian. I think you should leave.”

  “Okay,” Willian replied as he rubbed his sweaty palms down his thighs as he remained seated on the couch. “I’ll agree to go if you can tell me you didn’t feel anything when we touched. In fact, I could feel your energy even before you entered the room. Can you explain any of this to me?”

  “I don’t have to explain anything to you, Willian. You came here to make things right with Jena, and I think you should continue to do so. You can see yourself out.” Valentina leaned forward to pick up a magazine from the coffee table. Her birth crystal came free from her shirt and swung in front of her.

  Willian’s eyes caught the movement, and they grew wide as he wondered if it could truly be what he thought it was. The pendant was as it should be, however, the necklace was a leather strap instead of the usual intricate swirling chain. “Valentina, where did you get your necklace?” He could not keep himself from asking. Ever since he had felt the electrical touch between them, he could not help but wonder how he could possibly be destined for someone from Earth.

  Valentina’s hand involuntarily rose to clasp the pendant and hastily tuck it back into her shirt. The magazine was forgotten in her lap as she tried to come up with an explanation. She opted for the truth as she answered, “It was a gift from my mother.”

  Willian’s gaze instantly shifted to the doorway where her mother had left them. “You don’t look much like your mom.”

  “This was from my birth mother.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wished she had remained silent. For as long as she could remember she had tried to believe her adopted mom was her real mom since she recalled very little of her birth mother. Here in a moment of confusion, Valentina had told this stranger about her being adopted.

  “Ah,” Willian answered as he rapidly grasped the situation. “Where’re you originally from, Valentina?”

  “I fail to see how this is any of your business. Please leave, Willian.” Valentina stood up from her chair and let the magazine fall to the ground unheeded. She stepped around the coffee table, intent on escaping Willian’s questions. As if anticipating her, Willian’s hand reached out and grabbed her arm gently. Liquid fire raced through her arm, and she only stared at
his hand where it touched her bare skin. All of her nerves seemed to ignite, and she did not know what she should do.

  It seemed pointless to deny what she felt when she shifted her gaze to his and saw the same expression on his face as she surely had. “It doesn’t prove anything, Willian.” Her denial sounded weak to her own ears.

  “It proves everything, Valentina. Tell me where you’re from; I need to know.”

  “Tuala,” she whispered.

  A huge smile spread across Willian’s face as his last reservation evaporated. To know she shared the same heritage as he made everything perfect. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

  “It doesn’t mean anything.” She jerked her arm from his grasp and practically fled from the room without looking back. A sob tore from her throat at the loss of their physical touch, yet she ignored it as she somehow found her way to her room through the tears which suddenly sprang to her eyes. How could this be happening? If she had met him a week before, she would probably have different ideas, but she could not even face this situation after what Grobin had done to her. She did not want to have feelings for Willian, yet his touch had done something to her. She craved his touch, and it scared her more than she could even admit to herself.

  She wished she could talk to Jena and end her emotional torment. She threw herself face down onto her bed and let the sounds of her wracking sobs be absorbed by her pillow. This whole situation was intolerable. The energy in the room changed, and Valentina knew without looking that Willian had followed her to her bedroom. She stilled her body and hoped Willian would get the hint and leave.

  After a few moments of quiet, Valentina turned her face from the pillow to see Willian standing in her doorway with the most heartfelt expression of pain on his face. “Why didn’t you leave?” Valentina cried out passionately. “Can’t you see what this is doing to me? You need to go!”

  “I can’t go when I know you’re in so much pain. Please tell me what’s wrong. I want to be your friend if nothing else.” Willian stepped into the room and stopped when he reached the edge of the bed. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch her again to feel the powerful connection between them. Deciding against it, he sat down on the bed careful not to have any physical contact with her prone body.

  Valentina brushed the tears from her cheeks angrily and sat up. She did not like the helpless feeling she had felt when she was lying down. She needed to be on an equal level with Willian. Against all reason, Valentina wanted to prove to herself that she could not be with Willian. She knew if she had any intimate contact with him, her mind would rebel against it, seeing visions of Grobin violating her body.

  To confirm her worst fears, Valentina practically lunged forward and kissed Willian on the lips. What was intended to be a quick kiss, immediately ignited passion in both of them as the electrical charge passed between them. Without knowing how it happened, Valentina found herself lying flat on her bed with Willian poised above her. Their lips never broke contact, and her mind raced with the possibilities the kiss promised.

  Suddenly Willian was gone. Valentina opened her eyes in time to see Jon pulling a fist back and letting it fly into Willian’s gut. She watched in horror as Willian crumpled into a heap onto the floor. “Stop it, Jon! What are you doing?” Valentina lunged across the bed to prevent Jon from landing a second punch.

  Chapter Three

  JON LOOKED OVER at his sister in surprise and asked, “What are you doing, Val? Do you even know this guy? What’s he doing in here making out with you anyway?”

  “I…I don’t know how to explain any of this, Jon. He’s from Tuala.”

  Jon’s gaze suddenly shifted from his sister to the guy on the floor who had been wise enough to remain sitting. “Tuala? What are you talking about? What’s he doing here? Why would that be an explanation for him kissing you?”

  Valentina struggled to explain anything. Her gaze continued to shift between her brother and the man on the floor who made her feel things she never thought possible.

  “I think I should leave,” Willian murmured. “I believe I got the answer I was after anyway. Are you going to be okay, Valentina?”

  “I’m all right, and yes, I think you should go. Jon, let him go!” she suddenly cried out as Jon made an aggressive move in Willian’s direction. She grabbed her brother’s arm and urged him with her eyes to leave it alone for now.

  “Can I get your phone number?” Willian asked from the doorway.

  “Are you kidding me?” Jon asked in astonishment. He turned his head to look at his sister and asked, “Is this guy for real?”

  Valentina wished she could tell her brother to shut up. Realizing she desperately wanted to talk to Willian again, she pushed past her brother and went to her desk. She grabbed a pen and groped around for a piece of paper. She finally tore the corner from a page of her textbook and scribbled her number on it. Rushing across the room, she shoved the scrap of paper into Willian’s hands and said, “Please go!”

  Willian smiled as his fingers caressed hers. Gladly he would go now that he had her number. “I’ll call you when I get home,” he whispered and then turned to leave.

  Valentina remained in the doorway, effectively blocking Jon from going after him. She lifted her arm to keep him in her room and realized her hand was shaking uncontrollably. Immediately she clasped her hands together and sighed with relief as she heard the front door close.

  Jon stood with his feet apart, and his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “Have you lost your mind, Val?” He leaned around her and called out, “Behn! Come to Val’s room so we can talk!”

  “Really? What business is this of yours or Behn’s? Get out of my room!”

  “What’s going on?” Behn asked as he came up behind his sister. He saw his sister jump in fright at his quiet arrival. He looked past her to see Jon looking angry. “I could hear you both yelling. Is someone going to tell me what happened?”

  “Uhhh!!” Valentina cried out in anger as she glared at Jon.

  “Come in and close the door, Behn,” Jon ordered.

  Behn did as he was told and wondered what had happened in the short time since he had last seen his sister. The three of them stood in the center of Valentina’s room, yet nobody seemed inclined to speak. “Well?” Behn prompted.

  “I was walking down the hall to go to my room, and I happened to glance in here. Do you know what I saw?” He glared at Valentina to deny what he told Behn. “I saw a guy lying on top of Val, kissing her. I’m sure it would have progressed to something more if I hadn’t pulled him off of her and punched him.”

  Behn’s gaze swiveled over to Valentina, confident she would deny Jon’s accusation. He frowned in confusion as his sister merely looked down at the floor without saying anything to refute the story. Behn could hardly believe his brother’s tale since his sister was usually so cautious and reserved. “Val? Is that true?”

  “Yes! No! I don’t know! It’s none of your business!” She crossed her arms defiantly and faced her two brothers squarely as if defying them to say another word.

  “None of our business? You tell me that guy is from Tuala and now it’s none of my business?” Jon spat back.

  “What? Wait! He’s from Tuala? What made him show up here at our house, Val?” Behn asked reasonably.

  “I ran into him at school today before the last period. Literally, ran into him. He apologized and asked me my name.”

  “That makes sense then, of course, he would come over here to practically have sex with you! Do you realize how dumb you sound, Val?”

  “Not nearly as dumb as you, Jon.”

  “Stop it, both of you!” Behn shouted. He wanted to hear Valentina’s explanation, and Jon was not helping the situation with his accusations. “Why did he come here, Val?”

  “We had a strange connection when we touched at school,” Valentina began lamely. “He wanted to come over and find out if there were more to it.”

  “I guess, based on what I walked in
on, you two definitely decided there was more,” Jon said sarcastically.

  Behn glared at his brother to keep quiet as he tried to coax Valentina to tell the story. “Go on.”

  “I don’t know how to explain it where it makes any sense, but he said what we were feeling was a sign that we were soul-mates.” She turned around to try to figure out how to express what had happened. It was easier to think without her brothers staring intently at her face. “After what happened in space, I needed to see if…” She stopped talking as she realized what she was admitting to her brothers. They could never know what Grobin had done to her; she had to protect them from themselves.

  “After what happened in space?” Jon questioned as he tried to turn her around to face them again.

  Thinking hurriedly about how to cover her mistake she said the first thing which came to mind. “After thinking I was going to die in space without ever finding a man to fall in love with. I wanted to see if what Willian said was true. What if we really were soul mates and I sent him away without even looking into his claim?”

  Behn frowned slightly thinking there was more to it than Valentina was sharing. He decided to let it go for now and asked, “What was he doing at school? How did Tuala come up in your conversation?”

  “He saw my necklace and asked me where I got it. I told him it was a gift from my mother. He asked me where I was from, and I said Tuala. If he were from Earth, then it would mean nothing to him except the name of some obscure city. He knew what I was talking about and said he was from there too. He said it was further proof we were meant to be together.”

  “Gahhh, he brainwashed you, Val! Don’t you see it?”

  “What was he doing at our school?” Behn repeated as a suspicion began to form in his mind.

  “He was looking for Jena.”