Sudden Departure

Chapter Thirty-Five

“Good morning, Guardians. How was your travel? Did you sleep well?” An automated female voice was rattling on; it was speaking about the activities for our next two weeks in Paradise. It was also asking “oh, so pleasant” questions, to which the Guardians were replying with dirty jokes and innuendoes.

Now, what was it I said about us being middle school-ers again?

“Please prepare yourselves for a landing in approximately twenty seconds.”

A volcano of excitement erupted, producing wild cheering and clapping.

“Welcome to Paradise,” the false voice said as warmly as pre-recorded vocals could.

The hover craft lurched to a sudden stop and gently plopped to the ground. Shortly thereafter, the doors glided open, and a tongue-like ramp spilled out below the mouth of the craft.

The eruption continued as the Guardians burst from vehicle and swarmed the outer-room.

When it was finally my turn to be released unto the poor citizens of Paradise, I was almost knocked over. “Almost” meaning I was, but I got caught.

Shane looked down at me with his startling clear eyes. He pulled me up to a standing position and left his hands lingering on my arms.

“I bet you thought you weren’t going to see anymore of me,” he said with a slick grin. He quickly dropped a half-hazard kiss on my lips and dashed back into the crowd.

I stared after him and groaned inwardly. Why was I always so freaking confused after every encounter with him?!

I mean, he left my heart pumping and my stomach swishing around with giant mutant butterflies. He also infuriated me! Popping in and out of my afterlife like a sick, manipulative magician. He took me on beautiful trips and taught me things about myself, but also ruined my vision with the carnage and results of war. I felt so much for him; all of those feeling twisted and melted around each other, forming a giant blob of unreadable emotion.

“Hey, are you okay?” Alex inquired. She had traces of concern in her big, brown calf eyes. “You’ve been looking kind of dazed for the past few minutes. Is everything alright?”

I nodded my head at her, my eyebrows still slightly woven together. “Yeah, I was just thinking about these next two weeks.”

“What’s with you and thinking, lately?” Alex chuckled. “So, are you excited?” When she said “excited” she wiggled her eyebrows around awkwardly and did a little dance.

I snorted. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“Hey, Shai,” Alex started a little nervously, which was weird because she wasn’t normally jittery or anything. “Since you’re, like, my best friend and so brutally honest, would you come with me to get a dress for the Millennium Gala.”

I found myself snorting at her again. “Alex, you’re so stupid. Of course I’ll go dress shopping with you.”