Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes - 7

The classes flew by quickly. Normally, I usually pay attention to all the classes and nothing ever seems to break that focus except for that day. I couldn’t seem to focus on anything but Ashton and I didn’t know why.

During last period, gym, things went wrong. I started to get cold chills and my head was aching. Despite that, I went ahead with class because I was sure it was nothing too bad. But it was bad. My stomach started to cram up and every step I took was painful. Ashton quickly took notice and rushed over to my side.

“Melody, whats wrong?” he whispered.

“I don’t know. Everything hurts and I feel like I’m going to throw up or something.” I said and clutched my stomach gingerly as if it were going to help.

 “I’m 99% sure you’re having a shockwave. We need you out of here now.” He muttered softly. I could barely understand him. There were sounds in my head that only got louder and a felt myself pulsate. It was the weirdest experience I had ever felt. All of a sudden, I was in Ashton’s arms and everything was a blur. All I could tell was that he was holding me bridal style, very tightly to his chest and telling me everything was going to be okay.  All motion stopped and I found myself lying on a pile of hay.

“Ashton?” I whispered in fear as I sat up.

“I’m here love.” He said and stoked my cheek. Worry was dominating his tone but there was a touch of excitement.

“What’s going on? Where am I? OW!” I said and my head throbbed. Beads of sweat formed on my brow and I was starting to burn up. There was a bubbling inside me as if something was building up. It started in my stomach and it was working its way up. I couldn’t concentrate on anything but how much pain I was in. I tried to concentrate on breathing. Okay, in and out, breathe deep but it didn’t work. The pain was getting worse and worse until finally, it stopped and that’s when I felt it. A blinding white light exploded out of me and it hit everything in a 50 feet radius. I couldn’t hear anything for a second. It was like cotton balls were stuffed in them. I couldn’t see anything either because there was a cloud of dust and smoke everywhere.  I was scared and I knew this wasn’t normal. What was happening to me? As the dust cleared, I looked around. I was in what used to be a barn but now, it was broken. There were holes in all of the walls and everything buzzed with electricity as smoke erupted from pretty much every visible surface. I gaped in shock. Was I responsible for that? I saw Ashton slowly get up and my face twisted in hurt. He had been hit by the impact and he was probably hurt. Normally, I would have gone over to him to see if he was okay but at that point, I was way too tired and I fell flat on my back, not moving a muscle. Everything was sore and I wanted to curl up into a ball and die.  

“Melody, love, are you okay?” he asked. There was a huge grin on his face.

“I don’t know.” I muttered and Ashton chuckled. He leaned down and laid a gentle hand on my leg. There was no pressure at first but he slowly pressed his arm harder until I winced and cringed away from his touch. That had hurt.  He chuckled and ran a hand through his dust filled hair.

“I can help with that!” he said and got on his knees beside me. With soft gentle fingers, he started to massage my leg. It felt weird but natural at the same time. His face was tight with concentration as he focused on what he was doing but I had the chance to stare at him. It was weird because I couldn’t stop looking at him. I stared as his brown hair flipped on his forehead as he moved and I stared as he bit his lip in focus but it was all new to me. I couldn’t stop myself from looking, he was perfect.  When he was done with both my legs he got up and sat on me. It was the most awkward position I had ever been in with a boy. I mean, there I was lying in a barn with a ‘vampire’ straddling my waist. He got to work on my arms. He made slow, prodding movements that made me shiver and I knew he noticed because his face cracked a smile. Finally, I looked me in the eyes and a look of confusion clouded his face.

“Why are you blushing?” he asked and cocked his head to the side. I realized then that my face was probably fire engine red. I didn’t say anything but Ashton looked around and realization spread across his features. I could almost see the light bulb go off in his head. He smirked down at me.

“You know, that was pretty hot.” He said as he continued to massage my arm.

“What?” I breathed.

“You. You are powerful and it was sexy.” He said and smiled. It was genuine smile and he looked so proud. I could see that he was happy and proud and excited all at them same time but all I could do was blush.

“I think I am okay now. Co-could you get off me?” I asked nervously. Ashton pursed his lips and got up. He extended his hand and  took it so he could pull me to my feet. My body didn’t ache anymore and I was amazed. Sure I was tired and a bit hungry but my joints and limbs and muscles were all fine and ready to go.

“Wow, you are a good massager!” I said as I flexed my arms and stretched out my body.

“Oh, I am better at other things.” he sad and gave me a flirtatious wink. I couldn’t help but blush. That’s when everything came flooding in. School, my parents, the fact that I had just shot out a blinding white light that destroyed the barn; everything came flooding into my brain. I looked around for Ashton to explain but I couldn’t see him. Where was he? I felt a gust of air fly past me but there was still no Ashton. Things around me were moving and being cleared up but still no Ashton. I was starting to freak out.

“Ashton?” I asked nervously. All of a sudden, he was in front of my with a large pile of wood over his shoulder and when I say large, I mean 30 large pieces and he wasn't even breaking a sweat. I stepped back in shock. How did he move so fast?

“Yes?”

“H-how did…where did you go?” I asked as I took in his form.

“I was right here, cleaning up, sweetheart. We can’t just leave the barn ruined. People would suspect things even if it is my barn.”

“No, you weren’t here. I mean I didn’t see you….just all this stuff moving around.” I said and he laughed.

“Vampires are fast remember, when we run, we are nearly invisible to the human eye. Though luck, sweetheart.”

He went back to cleaning but and I spoke up

“Ashton, what happens at school? What happened to me? What about my parents? I don’t know what’s going on. I can’t handle this.” I said and rubbed my arm. He threw the last pile of wood in a box at the back and stood in front of me.

“Whoa there, love. I will explain all of it on the way home.”  

I nodded as he smiled at me as if everything was going to be okay but I didn’t feel that. I was scared, confused and pretty soon, the tears came pouring down and I couldn’t help it.

“Aw, sweetheart.” I heard him murmur before I was crushed into his chest. He stroked my hair and his chin was rested on my head. “What’s wrong, love?”

“Everything. I am just so confused. Why is all this happening? I don’t understand at all.” I couldn’t stop the tears. Ashton pulled me back and wiped them away carefully.

“We are going to have to talk about this.” He said and sighed “You stay here and I’ll run back to the school to get the car.”

“Wait, what?” I asked in a confused tone “Then how did we get here?”

“I ran and carried you. Now, I know we have to talk so I’m going to get the car so it gives us time to talk. If I ran again, we wouldn’t be able to talk and it we walked, you’ll never get home. I’ll be right back.”

He let go of me and started to walk away but I let out a whimper and extended my arm towards him. I didn’t want to be left alone in some random, deserted barn.  He came rushing back and wrapped his arms around my waist again. He grabbed my hands and kissed each of my fingertips. His lips were soft and smooth under my touch.

“Oh sweet heart, it will only be a minute. I would never leave you alone for too long.” He said and hugged me even tighter. I pulled away and smiled up at his torn expression. I knew he didn’t want to leave me.

“Go.” I said. He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead.

“I’ll be right back.” He said carefully and then he was gone. I sighed and found myself a nice spot on the hay as I waited for my vampire to return.