Promises

Another New Kid?

"Are you sure you're okay? You've been like this a week now. You just seem more... distant. Is there anything I can do?" My aunt always worried about me. I could sense her conflicting emotions of whether or not she's doing a good job of raising me or not. Maybe I should've stayed with Aaron.

"I'm fine. Finals are coming up in school, so it's just a little stress. I'm okay, promise."

"Delilah, you've hardly touched your food. I think we should take you to a doctor. Maybe some medicine-"

"I've already told you I'm fine. See? I'm eating, I sleep well at night, I'm as happy as I will ever be with life. I'm fine." I was starting to get annoyed with the false accusations of depression. I know she was just trying to look out for me, but it was getting on my last nerve.

"Okay, well if it gets worse-" She was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. "I wonder who that could be." She walked over to the door with purpose and opened the front door. There was a boy standing in the doorframe.

"You must be..." Allyson started, not knowing if she's met this friend of mine yet or not.

"Umm I'm Drake. Is there a Delilah that lives here?" He glanced at me sitting on the sofa with a plate of untouched food.

"Yeah, she's right there. Come in, you must be freezing." She turned to me. "Delilah, one of your friends are here. I have to run to my office across town really quick. I'll be home in 10 minutes."

That was her way of giving me my space with my friends. She would go to work and find something to do, or she would go to her art studio to draw or paint. He stepped in the door after he let her out, shutting the door behind her.

"Hello, I'm Drake. I don't mean to stay long, but the lady who guards the gate, Stacy is her name I think, well she told me that you were the only other high schooler who lives in this community. Maybe you could show me the way around when you have the chance."

He was incredibly gorgeous. He had perfect facial features along with a perfect body. How could someone as handsome as him end up at my house with someone as ugly as me? "Umm.. yeah, of course. I mean, when it warms up a bit. Wait, I've never seen you at school before."

"I'm new, nice to meet you. My name's Drake." He held out his hand for me to shake.

"And I'm Delilah, as you already know." I shook his hand, but I pulled back immediately. His hand was icy cold. Much colder than mine, at least. "You're freezing. Let's go to the fireplace, maybe that'll warm you up a bit."

"I'm fine, I must get going now, though. It was a pleasure. I'll see you tomorrow?" He smiled that warm smile of his that just seemed to melt my heart.

"Y-yeah, tomorrow. I'll lead you to the door." I walked him to the door but paused before opening it, seeing the worry on his face. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yes. Just... where did you get this?" He pulled back my hair and felt over the injury on my neck.

I jumped when he touched it. Not even Allyson noticed it. I thought I had done a good job at hiding it both behind my hair and makeup. "Umm... nowhere. There's nothing there."

"It's right there. It looks pretty bad. My mom was a nurse. I could heal it up for you. I just... I need to know where you got it."

"It's nothing," I said, knowing even I couldn't explain it. All I could remember was Chelsea locking me up Friday, Jayde (the gorgeous girl with the icy eyes and blonde hair) freeing me, and afterwards her driving me home. I feel as though something was missing, but I couldn't explain it, so ever since Friday, I kept my mouth shut. "I-I don't know what happened. I honestly didn't think anyone else could see it."

"Well some eyes are more keen than others," he said smiling. "Can I?" he asked, slipping his fingers up to my neck. I shook my head 'yes' as he wiped off some of the powder. "Here." He pulled out a container of cream from his pocket. "This will help it. I had a bite on my leg the other day, but it's healed now. You can keep this. It'll heal quickly."

He took the lid off and gently rubbed my neck with it. "Ouch. What is this stuff called anyways?"

"Well, it doesn't have a name. I was apprenticing my mom one day and found that this combination of elements and ingredients actually work, so it's a homemade recipe. You'll find I'm not a total idiot and quite an alchemist if I put my mind to it." He laughed. It was one of those stomach-flipping laughs that turn your world upside down. He was perfect in every way.

"Oh, okay. Well at least you're a cute nerd." I giggled.

"Oh, so I'm a nerd now?" He died laughing. "Well, at least you think I'm cute."

"Wait- I-I didn't mean..." I trailed off, my cheeks turning bright red. This only made him laugh harder. His face drew closer to mine until we were practically touching.

"I'm home!" It was Allyson bursting in through the front door. "I brought candy, snacks, and soda. If you want, I could also go get some energy drinks."

"It's okay Allyson, you really didn't have to."

"Ms. Allyson, I was just leaving. Thank you, though for your generosity. Do you mind if I steal Delilah away from you this Friday? She's going to give me a tour of this gated community. The weather is supposed to be in the 70s, so she won't freeze too bad." He got that heart-warming smile going again that lighted up my life.

"Oh, of course. Such manners you have! Your parent must have raised you right! Are you sure you have to go so suddenly? You can have some dinner if you would like. It's still warm."

"Oh, I have to be home before my curfew. Maybe some other time, though."

"Oh, okay..." She drifted off, seeming to be upset at his sudden leaving. "Well, you're welcome to come back anytime." He headed for the door and shot me a smile as he left. "Well, well. Is this some kind of secret boyfriend you've been hiding from me??" she said excitedly.

"No, he's new around here. He just wanted me to show him around the neighborhood." I smiled as she gave me the look. That was the look that told me to go for it. It was the same look mom would make every time a cute boy would stare at me. "Maybe," I laughed.  "He is pretty cute."