The Leader

The Leader: Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen: Talia.

I open my eyes and find myself sprawled across Liam's body. I roll off and can't help but admire his beauty. He's just so amazing, and now I feel as though we are closer than ever, because of what we have now done. He opens his eyes and smiles at me, obviously hearing my thoughts, then he pulls me back to him, kissing my neck. He rubs my bare back and lies over me, brushing his lips on my cheek.

"Good morning Tal. I just experienced the best night of my life. You?" I nod, and he drops himself back on top of me.

"You know, Liam, I've got half a mind to just skip school and spend the day here with you." He runs a finger down my sternum, making me giggle, and then I reach up. I put his hair behind his ears, and then I interlock my fingers behind his head. He lies his head down over my heart, obviously content to just stay there. Eventually I push him off, and I stand. He gapes at me, looking me up and down.

"Wow, Talia. You're... beautiful, sexy, and perfect." I smile to myself, and turn around, heading for the bathroom. He follows me. I go into the shower, and at first he watches me. Then he disappears out the door for a moment and returns with two towels, before stepping into the shower with me. He embraces me as I rinse the conditioner out of my hair, and then he puts his face on my shoulder. He sniffs my hair and grins.

"I love the shampoo you use," he tells me. I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of the shower on my front, and the warmth of his body on my back. Then I feel another warmth build up in my chest, and I switch off the shower. My hands are dry in a second, and the rest of me is so hot all of the water on me is evaporating. I close my eyes, and then I feel an intense burning in my palms. Once again, no flame appears, yet I notice that it's getting hotter each time. I step out of the shower, feeling the heat fade, and wrap myself in a towel. Liam wraps a towel around his waist, not voicing the fact that I'm already dry. We get ready for school in silence, and I begin to feel so guilty. I should never have let the heat come.

"Don't be silly, Tal. You did nothing wrong. I'm just reminiscing about last night. I love you so much, and I will accept any new powers that develop." I shrug, and he drops the subject wisely. When we arrive at school, I feel as though everyone is staring at me, or accusing me for having sex before I'm married. I cling to Liam's hand, and I wait as everyone approaches me to say hi. I search for someone, and I find him sitting by himself, staring into space.

"Hey Ethan," I say, standing in front of him. He looks up miserably. "I'm beginning to discover my new power." His whole face lights up, because he knows it means that Santia will be home soon. I look behind me for Liam but he's not there. I see him a short distance away, talking to Caleb's sister Selene. She's twirling her hair and giggling at him, and he's frowning, talking and maybe asking questions. She replies, and he nods a few times. He gives her a small hug, and then walks over to me. I glare at him and walk into the school building quickly, ignoring the stares of people around me. All day I ignore Liam, and I don't let him say anything to me. I sit between two people at lunch, preventing him from coming near me. I should have known. Of course. How could one guy be so faithful and so loving? But actually, this whole time he's been faking it, just to sleep with me. Now that he has that, he's going to move onto Selene. As soon as I come to this realisation, I feel so upset that I stand and run to the bathroom. I sob in a cubicle, and I listen as the bell rings for fifth and sixth period. When there's five minutes of school left, I retrieve my bag from my locker and begin towards the front gate. Selene stops me. She laughs.

"So, how you feeling, Tal? You're so beautiful, and I love you so much. As if he'd mean it. You're as ugly as you are stupid." Rather than crying, I feel the all-too-familiar heat in my palms, but this time it seems to sear them, burn them to ash. I look down and find a bright yellow flame. I walk up to Selene and place one hand near her arm. She jumps back, and then someone pulls me backwards.

"Talia, listen. She's just baiting you, okay? I was just asking for an update on Santia's return, for Ethan's benefit. Calm down." I hear Liam's soothing voice, and I turn and sob into his shirt.

"I thought...I thought I lost you. You're too perfect, I thought it made sense."

"I love you Talia, and that will never change, okay? Remember that. You just have to trust me. Just trust me."

"Liam, wait. I produced fire. That means..."

"Santia will be on her way home tonight, Tal. She's being Initiated right this second." I feel a thrill, because finally my best friend is going to return.