Entwined

Birthday

It was my sixteenth birthday when our family went to Maine for vacation but obviously was an excuse for my dad’s film screening, again. Why would everyone consider sixteen as sweet and why not all birthdays the same? At least this time I could spend it with my parents. He even tagged his colleague Aaron Maxwell. I would be happy not only if Luneth wasn’t with him. I feel cold chills in my body whenever he’s around. I’ll never forget that day, when he stared down at me and cut the line in front me on the cafeteria way back then. I considered him as my rival, he always out-smart me and I always end up ranked two although I made a promise to myself that if I’ll rank number one, mom and dad might recognize me more.

Famous artists were everywhere on Bourbon Street, where our limousine pulled to a stop. When mom and dad stepped on the red carpet, the fans went wild. They really are famous. I felt out of place.

I stood alone in the middle of the lobby of Lennox Theater, lost. My heart started to race as I glanced around looking for a trace of my parents but not even a single one. Maybe they are already inside. What am I here for? I should leave them alone, for good. But as I took my first step toward the back exit, I began to wonder if I was making the right choice.

I proceeded forward. Images of mom and dad I would be leaving flashed before me. My mom crying for the lost and dad looking for me. I took a step. Watching Dracula on DVD starring mom and dad during their high school. Another step. My best friend, Scarlett, and I trying win another blackmail threat against her brother Luneth. My knight of night, my dreams of him. Step. They all began to haunt me.

I was leaving a boring, safe, yet filled with emptiness and committing an eternity to an unknown darkened world after this useless running away.  

As I continued to walk down the theater’s back exit, I could see the crowd awaiting my parent’s show now only a few feet away, I reminded myself, I was making the right decision. I wouldn’t have to spend my life being alone in a world without being loved. I’d have the ability to live a new one. And most important, I would be loved by someone in the least. I finally reached the backdoor and slowly grab to knob to open. I felt a warm hand tapping me on the shoulder. Tears started. Mom? Dad? 

I’d know that blond hair and pair of green eyes from somewhere, Luneth. The wind that escaped from the door caressed his hair revealing a look that was feline, half determined and half tentative—all trouble. Yes, they were just right, those eyes. Rising up to his fine, elegant brow, inches from the cascade of his hair. As he held up his arms crossed in his chest.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, more annoyed than worried.

“Luneth!” I declared the words barely escaping my lips. My nemesis flashed a wicked grin. “Uh, nothing,” I replied, startled. I rubbed my pathetic wet face and stepped away from him, embarrassed.

“You look hysterical and lost deep in thought.” He said, tagging my hands toward him.

“Get off!” I cried. “Let go of me!”

“Was that your way of thanking me? I went all the trouble looking for you,”

“I’m sorry”

“I know. Can you believe it? I got into trouble looking for you, my dad insisted me plus your parents asked me. Boy, if I wasn’t indebted to them.”

“You are annoying and stubborn as always, Luneth.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Luneth and I laughed so much that we caught some attention. He motioned me towards the stairs and asked me to seat.