Fate

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Those grey eyes.

The ones from my dream. It took me a while to realize that he is also staring at me.

I know those eyes.

This can't be.

I blinked and turned away. This can't be happening. I looked back at him and he's still staring at me.

This time I'm being drawn to his gaze.

"You okay?" I heard Joshua asked which made me pull away from his gaze.

"Yeah," I muttered. Just as I said it a cascade of fireworks lit up the sky. Everyone gasped in appreciation.

"I guess this is too much for a welcome party," I heard Josh's snide comment.

I looked back at Ethan and he is still looking at me. This time I'm not afraid to look back. His black hair and close to tan complexion came to life as it blended with the lights that came from the fireworks.

Unlike from Ashton, he looked serious and intimidating.

"Hey, the dance is about to start," Claire broke my gaze.

"What?" I asked.

"Hello, are you okay? I said the dance is about to start, now come on," she said as she dragged me to the line of ladies on the dance floor.

The dance is a tradition in Penstone ever since the founders found this town. I used to watch it every time mom and dad take me to parties. Only eighteen and up single ladies and bachelors are allowed to join in this dance. Ever since I was a little girl, I always dreamt of being a part of this. Now, it feels nothing but grief knowing that my parents can't see me doing this now.

Christine's voice interrupted my chain of thoughts.

"Okay young ladies and bachelors this is a dance that has been in our tradition ever since, have a great time," she said. Just as then the lights dimmed a little and the music started.

All the ladies turned right to face their partners and I was shocked on what I saw.

It's him.

He's looking at me as if he's reading my soul. And then like everyone else we started to dance.

This dance does not involve touching at first. I raised my right hand as he raised his left an inch away from mine and we turned around not breaking our eyes. We did the same with the other part of our hands and turned again.

While dancing with him, I can't help but to look at his eyes. He's drawing me near. Looking at his eyes felt like I'm the safest person in the planet. It felt like the universe destined us to meet. Like fate.

My thoughts broke when we parted a few inches away from each other, and I broke away my gaze. Just as then the music started and he held me close to his. His hand on my back, his other hand held my hand, while my hand clung on his shoulder. I looked up to his eyes and we started dancing again.

Being held by him, I felt like I'm finally home after a long journey. Like I've done it before. Like I belong to his arms. I'm still looking at him and I could feel electricity as heavy as his gaze to me.

I stepped out from his arms when I heard the sound of applause that indicated that the dance is finished. I turned away from him and started to head out the room.

I went outside and sat at the porch looking at the lake in front of the Boat House.

What's happening to me? Who is he?

A lot of questions run in my mind.

"Ugh! I'm getting crazy," I muttered to myself.

"Well that's a shame," a voice surprised me. I turned around and I saw Ashton leaning beside a light post beside the bench.

"I think you're too beautiful to be crazy," he said with his cocky grin.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Well what about you," he said as he sat beside me. "What are you doing here?"

"I just need some air," I lied.

"You're not a very good liar, do you realize that?" he asked with a smile. I just smiled at him.

"No don't do that to me," he said playfully.

"What?" I asked.

"The silent treatment. I don't like it," he answered which made me laugh.

"Glad I made you laugh," he admitted.

"Why did you come back here?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Are we not welcome here?" he asked back playfully.

"No," I snorted. "It's just your family left for what... thirty years ago. Why did you want to come back?" I asked with curiosity.

"This is our home. This is where we came from, you know. And also some personal reasons," he admitted.

"And what is that?" I asked with a smile. "A grand welcome party with fireworks and champagne?" I added playfully. Somehow, I feel at ease with Ashton.

"Yeah, and also one beautiful lady," he said as he looked at me. As is he meant me.

"Kath, we better get going!" I heard Josh call me which made me break his gaze.

"Guess I have to go now," I said as I got up.

"Yeah, it's nice to know you..." he asked unsure, as he offered his hand.

"Katherine. Katherine Crestwell," I answered as I shook his hand.

"I'll see you soon, Katherine Crestwell," he said meaningfully and I turn around and walked away.

"What are you doing with Ashton Youngblood?" Josh asked still looking at Ashton who, in the other hand, is still looking at us.

"Just talking," I said which made him look at me.

"Be careful okay. We still don't know those guys," he told me sincerely. There he goes again with his protective mode.

"He seems nice," I replied then turned to my back to see Ashton again, only to find him gone. Maybe he went inside.

"That was fast," I muttered as a matter of fact. I only talked to Joshua for a few second.

"Okay, let's go home," he said as he guided me to his car.

I looked at the Boat House again before we left. Somehow, I feel incomplete leaving. It's like I left something important there.

Or maybe someone...

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