Submit (Book 1, The Karyln Trials)

Chapter Eight

     "August, this is the Fields family, they live next door to my family. This is Josh Fields, Mandy Fields, Lincoln, and Clara." The feeling of being out of place returns. Having the two extra families just doesn't feel right. But, there's no changing what is, I'll just have to tough this out.

August dips his head in the direction of the Fields, apparently feeling the same as I. "Nice to meet you all. I hope you liked our performances." He squeezes a small conversation into the space that is occupied by this awkwardness that feels like it has claws, each point in a different person, tightening until we can't bear it any longer.

"Oh! You both were just astonishing!" Mrs. Fields claps her hands in front of herself with a large smile. "You both look breathtaking as well."

"Why, yes you do." Mr. Fields' eyes are glued to me as he seems to address both August and I. His eyes travel the length of me as they do every time he sees me, but it doesn't make this any easier. I stiffen on August's arm, my somewhat relaxed state destroyed with four words and a look. I keep a smile plastered on my face even as tears burn the back of my throat.

August glances down at me, feeling my change. "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Fields. I would love to continue this conversation, but the two of us still have a few people to meet and I'm sure that the first dance is expected to happen any minute now. If you don't mind, we really should go." His voice is smooth as he works over the adults with a smile on his face like nothing ever happened.

"Of course, Lincoln," Mrs. Fields looks over at her son and I finally allow myself to truly look at him. "Would you please introduce them to the Summers?"

Lincoln nods, his hair having been cut since the last time I saw him. His curls were chopped short, giving his hair more of a straight look. He wears black slacks and a black shirt, I've never seen him without his grey daily shirt and it unsettles me to see him in so much darkness.

Lincoln turns, walking in the direction of the Summers while August and I follow a few steps behind. I can still feel Mr. Fields eyes on my back as we walk away and I can't relax my posture.

"You can do this." August whispers in my ear, I can feel his breath on my skin and hair. I look up at him and see a bright smile as he repeats the words I told him. My back relaxes and my shoulders drop. I take a deep breath and nod.

"Thank you, but how did you know?" I don't speak the rest, knowing he was ready for the question.

"As soon as how you looked was mentioned and he looked at you, you were as stiff as a board. It's pretty obvious to notice if you're paying attention. You're usually very fluid in your movements, I mean, you're a dancer, of course you are. So, when you changed, I noticed." I smile and meet his gaze again. "Now, I have a question for you. How did you know I would hear you?"

I laugh lightly and remember how quiet it was while everybody waited for him to start. "I was up there on stage before you. I was able to hear how every sound the audience made was amplified by the hall and could be heard up on stage. Even if the audience couldn't hear themselves, we'd be able to hear them."

His smile falters slightly, like he's been caught in a lie. "What did you hear when you were on stage?" Now it is his posture that is slightly stiffer, and I shake my head.

"I could hear people's breathing when the curtain opened, but I had to tune it all out and pretend that nobody was there or else I would've been distracted." I lift an eyebrow and challenge his composure. "Why do you ask?"

His cheeks pinken slightly before he waves it off. "Nothing, just that Aidan said something stupid like he did just a bit ago, Andrew wasn't much better."