W*tch

Chapter 6: The Man in the Tree

NOVA

I looked up to see the hottest guy I'd ever seen. His hair was sandy brown and a sprinkle of freckles a crossed his  tan face. I swear even my brain was drooling over this man. He looked no older than 25. He was sitting in the tree with an open book in his hands. I couldn't tell what the book was and I don't think my brain really cared to read the cover.

The man proceeded to impossibly jump down from the tree as if height was nothing to him and landed with the softest thud. His movements seemed surreal and I could barely comprehend what was happening. Hayden pushed me behind him but I sighed and moved to his side. I was not a damsel who needed rescued.

I took a moment to look over him. He was a little taller than Hayden, who'd I say was average height for a guy and he wore pretty nice clothes for hanging out in a forest. A gorgeous blue button up shirt that complimented his golden skin and gray pants that seemed to be tailored to his body. My body slumped for a second, acknowledging that I looked awful. I practically wanted to kick myself for not trying for once. 

"Where are you guys going?" He asked and I could feel tension radiating off of Hayden. I glanced over at my friend who seemed to be rippling a gray fog but figured my fall caused more damage than I was willing to explore right now.

I glanced at the man and smiled at him. My stomach filled with butterflies when I looked into his deep blue eyes. A feeling that I had never experienced before. He smiled back at me and I realized I had been staring at him like a freak. Probably not the best impression.

"We are new here," I spoke calmly and extended my hand out to him. "I'm Nova."

Before the man could grasp my hand, Hayden slapped my hand out the air lightly and shot me a warning glance. What was his problem? First, he was trying to make me believe that we weren't safe and now I couldn't greet this kind looking stranger. I glared back at him. He did not control what I did or said.

The man chuckled and shook his head. "Dude, I'm not going to hurt you."

"Just because you said that doesn't mean that I have to trust you," Hayden bit out and my body shook at his sudden aggression. In all the years I had know this guy, he'd never acted like this. He was like Zoey, too sweet that even candy would shudder. 

I touched his arm and stared at him worried. Had the fall changed him? "Hayden," I whispered. "Are you okay?"

"He's just in just shock," the man spoke. "By the way, I'm Theo by the way." He held at his hand out to me and, this time, I grabbed it before Hayden could stop me.

An electrical shock ran through my body and my eyes grew wide. The butterflies in my stomach intensified. My brain spoke his name over and over again. As if his name was previous imprinted on my brain in secret. I found familiarity in his touch and tried to figure out where I've met him before. 

"Do I know you?" I asked. My came out weird and I could barely tell that it was my own.

He gave me a small smile but I couldn't read him. We stood in silence for a moment and our hands still touching. "I don't think so. You said you were new," he breathed. Thoughts clearly filled his mind as his eyes looked clouded by our acquaintance. 

"Ever been to Manitou?" I asked, slowly regaining a small portion of my composure.

Confusion crossed over him and but then he let out a slow sigh. Had I said something wrong?

"I have no idea what you are talking about," he said calmly, as if he was finally understanding what was going on.

"Where are we?" Hayden asked. Breaking the spell Theo had over me with his touch. I let go of his hand and turned to my friend. Registering that my brain had forgotten for a moment of his existence. The butterflies that had consumed me mellowed. I started to feel a little more like myself or at least what I thought was my normal. This whole situation had caused more confusion that I could wrap my mind around.