The Alpha and I

Chapter Ten: Hide and seek

The next morning came and I am too lazy to get up from my bed. Suddenly, I felt the need to be absent from my classes. I am not feeling well. My head is aching and my chest is pounding like crazy. Henry's confession is still clear on my head. Even his endearing words are reverberating in my ears. I checked the time and it says eight. I decided not to attend classes today. Hiding from Henry for one day or two is all I could do for my own good. I am not going to face him, not yet. I have to clear my mind first, decide what to tell him and end whatever his plans are.

I closed my eyes and tried to think clear. But my head is not cooperating. Maybe I need to go somewhere close to nature. My witch side is calling out for me. I have not touch a single blade of grass since my seventeenth birthday. And I need to sink underwater. I am missing the warmth of the sun. The nature will surely give me answers and probably, calm me. I got up and change my clothes. Then hurriedly went to the kitchen. My aunt wasn't there. I saw her note above the kitchen table. She's at the grocery. I grab an apple then walked out locking the door behind me.

There's a clearing near my school, just five kilometers away. That is where I am going. It is sunny in there and safe from wild animals. I hiked from our house going to the clearing.

But as I am getting nearer into my destination, I smelled Henry's scent. He is close from where I am right now. Did he skipped classes again? He really needs a strong kick from his mom for always doing that. I slowed down my pace when I saw the clearing. Henry is lying down at the center, like he's fallen into deep thoughts.

Now what? I came here to clear up my head and sort out things. But seeing Henry here is not a good idea. He's just few feet away from where I am hiding. I saw him got up and he seems to sense my presence because he started walking in circular path.

Uh-uh! This isn't good. Henry is getting closer! I have to hide myself.

"URANUN CARIPE BAGLEN OL

GEMEGANZA DE-NOAN CHIIS GOSAA." Right in time after I casted the invisibility spell, Henry appeared infront of me.

That was close! I made myself invisible for two reasons. Firstly, I knew he's gonna tell me again that he loves me. Secondly, he's going to ask if I feel the same. I am not ready to answer him! Not yet.

Invisibilty spell lasts only for minutes so I have to walk away from him. I stared at him once more. He is still standing infront of me. He's inhaling deeply. Can he possibly smell me? Then his mouth longingly uttered my name.

"Maib." He just whispered my name. My plan to walk away melted as my feet turned like jelly. How could Henry love someone like me? His dreams made him believe that I am the girl he wanted to be with. Dreams are not enough. He barely knew me. And I barely knew him. Will he still love me if he knows I am not human? I am so afraid to be hurt. Pain is always unbearable for almost all witches. Such emotion can kill. If a witch's lover cheated on her, her anger could lead to dark magic. I would rather hide my feelings for Henry. It is too risky. Dark magic awaits for me. I don't want to become evil. Plus, I am also a faerie. I still do not know what my faerie blood can do.

Henry, I called his name in silence before I stepped backward. I am sorry.

"Maib," he called my name again. I smiled bitterly. I hid myself behind a big tree as the spell worn out. I stayed there until Henry was gone. My chest suddenly ached and tears were already running on my checks before I could avoid it. I knew, the nature could not help me right now. My heart is aching and only him can make it stop. I got up and decided to go home. I wanted to hear aunt Beth's advise.

There's a black car outside our house when I arrived. We have a visitor and who would that be? To answer my question, I peeped through the small window in our kitchen. I was literally surprised when I saw Henry talking to my aunt. Obviously, he is looking for me. I should be happy right?

I hid at the back door and waited for him to leave. He stayed for fifteen minutes more and then I heard him said goodbye. 

"Maib, show off! I know you're in there," my aunt shouted. Her voice was not angry.

I slowly walked to the living room and slammed my body on the couch.

"Poor boy! He's nice. Why don't you give it a try,"she suggested. I made a face. I do it everytime I hear something impossible or annoying.

"Auntie, I don't want to see him." I said looking problematic.

"I know. But that boy loves you. He told me about his dreams, Maib."

"Did he tell you by his own free will?" I scoffed.

"Of course. I guessed that was his explaination why he loves you the moment he laid eyes on you." My aunt smiled, showing her crow's feet beside her eyes.

"I never asked about his dreams."

"Maib, if a twelve year-old boy dreamt about a girl for the first time and kept on dreaming about her for six years, what will expect to hear from him?"

I did not answer her. So, Henry dreamt about me every night for six years now. Well, that is so flattering! I thought about it with sarcasm.

"That boy is inlove with you, my sweet."

I beg to disgaree. "Henry is inlove with the girl in his dreams and not with me."

"That girl is you, don't forget."

"Still, I can't love him!" I said it loudly.

"Why not?"

I shifted my position uncomfortably. "Because...," I couldn't say it.

"Because you're immortal and he's human?"

"Exactly!" I exclaimed.

My aunt shook her head. "This is what we wanted you to experience. How can you balance emotions and power if you don't even try? And besides, you like him. Why complicate things that aren't?"

"But auntie, I am a witch and now also a faerie. If he-" she cut me right away.

"Hush! Nonsense! You can still act like you are not. If he learns about it, then let's see how he'll react. Just don't freak out before him. Control your emotions. Think about this way, Henry is going to help you to balance energies. But of course, he'll never know."

Hopefully, it will work. I sighed deeply. Is Henry worth the risk?