Page 2 of The Knight
Emma had always looked at me in a unique way. Lamont had unshielded her soul just enough that year so that I could hear her melody, but no other Terran could. Her soul’s melody was getting stronger. Being around Emma always made my soul feel lighter. It made all of the heartache from my past more bearable. When unshielded, her melody would swarm warmly around me, and her thoughts and feelings were as clear as the sky was blue on that cloudless afternoon so long ago.
She liked me. On that day, I heard her melody sing it. It was the first time she had thought of it—the first time I had ever heard her melody ponder and reflect upon me in that way.
I spoke back to her with my melody, but I knew she would not understand. She had not been trained, and without training, it was difficult to understand another's feelings, to reach into their soul, even when their melody was blasting very loud.
"Ry, are you coming?" she asked me, tucking a bit of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah, I’m just enjoying the warm weather. I think summer is coming."
"I hate summer; it’s too hot," she groaned as she bent down and picked up a wildflower. I watched as she brought the bloom to her nose.
"It’s beautiful today, though," I answered.
She smiled and motioned for me to take her hand. I did, gladly, and like always, her warmth covered me. She smiled again, and her melody wondered what it would be like to kiss me.
I almost dropped her hand, but I didn’t—I knew I couldn't do anything that would cause her to think that I knew what she was feeling. If I kissed her, I knew Lamont would not have minded, because he trusted me above anyone else. But the real worry of mine was: could I do it?
"Hey, I’m nervous for next year, Ry. You’ll be in high school."
"You can't ever get rid of me, Em." I squeezed her hand.
"Ry, you’re my best friend. I was wondering if maybe—" She paused as if she wasn't sure she wanted to say anything after all.
I didn't want to hear her soul’s melody before her words came out.
"You can ask me anything, Emma." I smiled at her, holding her attention.
"Kiss me," she whispered, and I opened my eyes wide as I watched her blush.
"Kiss you?" I asked.
"Yes, I’m afraid if you don't kiss me now, I'll never get the chance, you know?" She smiled, and I could tell that she was trying to act like it wasn't a huge deal to her.
"Never get the chance to kiss me? Or someone else?" I asked, rubbing my thumb up and down her knuckles.
"I wantyouto be my first kiss, Ry. You've always been there for me, and our friendship is so strong that a little kiss couldn't mess it up."
"I see you've thought a lot about this."
"I have, and if you don’t like me that way, it's fine. I still want my first kiss with you."
"So let me get this straight. You just want tousemy lips? Like a test? Likepractice?"
"Oh, um, I mean—" She turned away from me.
"I'll do it," I blurted. I had heard her soul, and she was worried that I was mad at her for the suggestion. She liked me more than a friend, and she wanted to see what kisses were all about.
"You will?" she asked, her green eyes sparkling.
"Yes, what are best friends for?" I shrugged, acting like it wasn't as big of a deal as it actually was. Inside, my heart was attacking me with joy.
"Okay, then." She cleared her throat and leaned in.
I moved away and smiled. "Not right this instant, Emma." I touched her cheek, and she looked embarrassed. "But soon." In reality, I wanted to kiss her senseless right then. I thought about how kissing her would seal my old life up and create a new one. I was sure if we kissed, my broken heart would finally mend. I said, “not yet,” because we were far too young, and we had plenty of time. Also, when she asked me, my heart began to beat too wildly within my chest as I found myself imagining kissing my lost Ana.
I wasn’t ready.
The memory faded as I pulled a weeping Emma even closer into my arms. Seeing that side of her was still new for me. I had never experienced her sorrowful cries before. That experience wasnotsomething I enjoyed; seeing Emma in pain was horrible.
