Fracted (Book #2)

Chapter 15: Sparks Fly

I was so close. I bang on the closed doors and ran for the stairs. My heart bounced after each step. For the remainder of my instant run, I just skipped and jumped off the railing. Who am I kidding? I thought. There's no one here. I could just jump one more time and phase and land safely.
It was no big deal. I only stopped phasing when I reached the second to the last stair. My heels hurt when I landed, but not my main priority. Eiffel, please. Don't run out on me. Please, girl. I realized that calling her 'girl' would not solve anything. She'd have a heart attack. I bust the doors open. I swear I heard the door hinges crack after hitting the wall. No one saw me, I was fast as lightning.
I sprint for the elevators. I waited for any of them to open. One slowly opened after a ding. But it wasn't her! It was just some shirtless, chunky old man with an iguana lying on his shoulder.
"Nope, wrong one!" I said, sprinting back to the lobby.
I look around, panting. My throat felt like I swallowed a peach pit. But it was dry. People huddle around the broken exit door for the stairs. I ran again.
"Eiffel! Eiffel!" I screamed, but not loud enough so the hotel managers won't notice. I headed outside towards the back, the pool.
I stop a blonde American man and asked, "Have you seen a girl nearby? She's blonde, crying, shorter than me by a few inches, wearing an expensive piece of jewelry, a-a ring. Have you seen her?" But he shook his head and spoke in a different language. German, I think. So I thought wrong.
"Nevermind!" I groaned in frustration. How rude of me. Oh well...
I shook it off and continued running. Is it really that hard to find a girl? I know I'm dorky, but I'm not sure if she likes me, likes me. Does she?
"Eiffel..." I whispered and stopped, my hands on my knees. I panted like a thirsty mutt.
I started walking instead. But I stopped at the railing that separated the pool and the beach. The sand was getting blown by the warm air. The waves crash into each other, creating a peaceful sound. My kind of sound that I'd listen to while sleeping. To ease the fact that I'm exhausted. Exhausted about finding a girl.
Eiffel, where are you? I miss you. What am I saying? You just met her like... yesterday. Gosh, I can't concentrate when I'm with her. No correct things come out of my mouth and it's pesky.
I kept going after two minutes. I asked two more people. She was nowhere to be found. I wanted to give up. But I'm crazy thirsty so I walked over to the juice bar and sat down on the rotating chairs. My shorts were wet, chair's fault.
"A bottled water." I said, handing the guy a crisp dollar bill.
"Here you go." he said, handing me an ice-cold bottle after snatching it from their mini-fridge.
"Thanks."
I looked around, swallowing every droplet of the iceberg water. Then I looked at the shoreline. There was only one person walking in the waves. "Eiffel..." I whisper without a single thought in my noggin.
I jump over the railing, almost scraping myself because of the scruffy bushes and shrubs surrounding it. I ran faster than before, even if I had thorns sticking out of my shins. No pain can beat the feelings I'm experiencing. I wish this was endless.
Her back was turned away. I kick sand as I ran towards her. I got sand inside my shoes as well, like tiny ants creeping beneath my socks. Eiffel, don't turn, I thought. I can just hug you right now. No matter how long I've known her, who cares?
I reach for her, grabbing her shoulders and not letting them go. She flinched and turned.
"Jess!" she said. "How'd you find me?" she asked.
I caught some air and fixed my words, "I just figured that I have to find you."
"Why?" she said, complaining.
"Why?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Because you have to trust me. I made a promise that you and Sky will meet again. And you'll go to your safe haven." She shoved my hands off her shoulders angrily. Sulky
"That promise is shaky. How could I trust you if you won't tell me what's going on? You just keep ruining it because you're so secretive."
I drop my hands to my sides and turned.
"I'm sorry," I said. "I just--"
"No. 'Sorry' won't make me feel any better." She crossed her arms and frowned.
"I... want you to promise me something," I hold on to her wrists as I tell her.
"I'm not promising anything."
I sighed. "What if it's a promise about keeping a secret?"
"Go on."
"My secret."
"Okay... I'm down."
"But let's go somewhere private."
"Like what?" She gestured the emptiness of the shoreline.
"Why don't we..." I take off my shoes and socks. "Go into the water. Just a little bit. Then I can tell you my secret."
"Alright, let's get this with." She said, taking her shoes off as well.
The cold water reached the dry yellow sand. My toes slowly felt the cold, tingly sensation of the water. As we walked further into the water, she asked again, slightly irritated, "So what's your secret? Come on, tell me."
I tossed my water bottle off to the dry sand.
"Give me your hand." I said. I twist my right palm infront of her. She did nothing but look at me anxiously. "Just take my hand."
Nervousness drowned her inside, but she took my hand anyway.
"What does it feel like?" I asked. Her hands cold like a solid, block of ice.
"Warm. I like it. Your hands are warm."
"What else?" Her smile almost full. The bright hot sun making her lips sparkle.
"They're... soft."
"Uh-huh..."
"And they're smooth."
"You're gonna like this." I said with a hint of grinning. My fingers laced her palm. I transfer a tiny bit of electricity into her skin. I sensed it travel all the way to the tip of her fingers.
"Ow!" She yelped and rubbed her hand. I laughed a little. "It's hot, what was that?"
"Zapped you." I waved my fingers playfully.
"No really, it's not funny." Eiffel took a step back.
"Don't laugh at my secret." I said. "Kinda hurts. But still warm."
"Like it?"
"So that's your secret? Static electricity?"
"Sparks fly when you feel great emotions." I say in a sincere tone. "And no, it was not static. I can radiate it all over my body. Not just my hands." The words I let go felt like a blizzard escaping my wicked lungs. They were so cold and soothing, but also kind of heavy to drain out.
"Don't-- You're scaring me," she said, "Please tell me you're just wearing something you bought at the magic store."
"No." I shook my head and smiled."
"But don't worry. I can control it."
"But--" I stop her by grabbing her wrists again, tighter. My forehead rubbing against hers. Nose to nose. I felt her hot breath enter through my lips. But I didn't kiss her. I didn't want to hurt her after telling my secret. That should be a wrap for this afternoon. Sparks flew out everywhere. And I am satisfied.

We finished our walk after getting our shins wet by the waves. She held my hand the entire time. Unafraid of my abilities.