Page 20 of Visions & Shadows

Before thinking it through, I comment. “You have a beautiful smile.”

Instantly, she looks awkward again and glances out the window while murmuring. “Thanks.”

With every mile I drive, the air grows tenser, and as I turn up the road that leads to the spot where I can park the truck, Alchera asks, “Did you mean it when you said you want to be friends?”

“Yes.” I glance at her before turning my attention back to the road.

“So you’re not going to try anything?”

Not sure what she means, I ask, “Try what?”

I steer the truck off the road, and finding the spot by the trees, I bring the vehicle to a standstill.

“You’re not going to try…” she pauses, and when I look at her, her cheeks are flushed pink, “your luck.”

It takes me a moment before I realize what she’s asking, and I quickly shake my head. “No, that’s not why I’m spending time with you.”

“Oh good,” she breathes as she pushes the door open. “Because I’d hate to kick you in the junk.”

I let out a burst of laughter because I’d actually like to see her try.

After climbing out of the truck, I follow Alchera to the trail she likes to take, and we’re both quiet until we reach the waterfall.

Alchera gestures at the waterfall like it’s a masterpiece. “Ta-da. Welcome to my fortress of solitude.”

When she sits down on a patch of grass, I drop down beside her. Sitting with my knees bent, I rest my forearms on them.

Even though I know the answer, I ask, “Do you come here often?”

“As often as I can,” she murmurs. Her eyes leave the waterfall and settle on me. “So, Ryan Jackson, tell me about yourself.”

The corner of my mouth lifts. “There’s not much to tell.”

“Where did you live before moving here? What was your previous school like?”

Prepared with suitable answers, I say, “I used to live in Boulder, and it was pretty much the same as this school.”

“What’s it like living in a city?”

“Too busy for my liking,” I answer honestly.

She glances at the nature around us before muttering, “I can’t wait to leave this town.”

My eyes are locked on her face. “Why?”

She shrugs before meeting my gaze. “I just feel like there’s more to life than just this.”

There is so much more, my charge.

She sucks in a deep breath, then lets it out slowly. A nervous expression flickers over her features. “So, out of all the open seats in class, what made you pick my desk to sit at?”

Unable to lie, I answer, “You’re the only one I wanted to sit next to.” Staring deep into her eyes, I add, “No one else interests me.”

A light frown forms between her eyebrows, and she looks skeptical, but she doesn’t comment on what I just said.

You’ll learn to trust me.

“How about you?” I ask. “Have you lived here all your life?”

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