The fire inside

Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes I was back in my room again and it was morning. I sat up and instantly got a head rush, then i felt strong arms around me. I knew they didn't belong to either my mother or grandmother but I was too dizzy to fight them. I leaned into them until I could see straight again then I gently pushed the stranger away.

"Are you okay, Ella?" the man asked.

I finally looked up at him and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine," I replied. "How do you know my name?"

"I'm surprised you don't remember me, Ellie Belly." He laughed and I knew exactly who he was and I laughed with him.

"Trent, how many times have I told you not to call me that?" We hugged each other and laughed like we did when we were kids. "I always hated that nickname."

"I know," he said smiling at me. "That'

s why I always called you that." I remembered it was his smile that kept me from staying mad at him when he called me that.

"How have you been? And when did you get so big?" I squeezes his bicep for emphasis.

He laughed again and flexed a little. "I had to start working out to scare the bullies at school once you moved."

I giggled "Oh yeah. All of the mean kids thought I was going to put a curse on them if they were mean to us." I laughed at the memory.

"The funny thing is now you could," Trent joked. "Though I hope you never would. That wouldn't be very Ellie Belly of you." We laughed more then my mother walked in.

"I hoped you two would still get along," she said and smiled. "But you will have to leave the room for a bit, Trent. Ella has to get dressed."

"Yes ma'am." He hugged me tightly for a moment and whispered so only I could hear "I'm so glad you're back, Ella."

I whispered "Me too," and hugged him back. We smiled at each other and he left.

"You two act just like you did when you were kids," my mom laughed. "Now you have to get dressed, Ella. I'm sure Trent is dying to catch up with you."

I nodded and she left. I put on the shirt Trent sent me for my birthday and a pair of jeans. I brushed my hair and looked myself over in the full length mirror. I thought I looked a little dorky but I loved the shirt. Then I went down stairs and was swept off my feet.

I laughed as Trent spun me around in his arms. He put me down and we both stumbled a little and caught each other. We laughed and walked to the table holding hands like we use to as kids.

"You two are such kids together," my grandmother said giggling. "Just like you use to be."

Trent smiled at me and squeezed my hand. "Well not exactly like we use to be," he said.

I smiled at him and squeezed his hand back. Then I took my hand from his and ate my breakfast.

After breakfast I expected to do some more training but my mom and grandma told me to go with Trent. He wrapped his arm around my waist and we went for a walk in the woods.

"Do you remember this trail, Ellie?" Trent asked. I nodded remembering the time we ran from my mom on this trail. "I remember the last time we were on this trail." He looked down and I could see a blush come to his cheeks. Remembering it I blushed as well.

*****

We were walking through here the day I moved and he was holding me like he is now. We stopped at a large rock and sat there for a long time.

"Ellie I'm really going to miss you," he said hugging me tightly.

I laid my head on him and said "I'm really going to miss you, Trent."

"Can I give you something before you go?'' he asked. I nodded looking up at him. He leaned down and kissed me softly and I kissed him back.

*****

Trent shook me a little. "Ella? Are you okay?"

I mentally shook myself. "Yeah. Just thinking." I bit my lip thinking about how his lips felt on mine.

He caressed my cheek and whispered "I know exactly what you were thinking about."

I put my hands on my hips and smiled. "Oh really?"

He smirked and said "Yes really." Then he pulled me close and went to kiss me.

I pushed him away and stepped back. "I'm sorry, Trent." Then I started to walk further down the path.

"Ellie?" He sounded so upset. I turned around and he was looking at the ground.

"Yes, Trent?" I said walking closer to him slowly.

"I'm really sorry. I just wanted to see if the spark was still there." He looked so young and I smiled.

I lifted his head and caressed his cheek. "Its okay. I'm just dealing with a lot of craziness right now. I need you to be my something normal."

He smiled and hugged me. "I'll be anything you need me to be, Ellie."

I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek and hugged him. "Thank you, Trent."

"Any time, Ellie Belly." He laughed.

I laughed with him then whispered "I love you, Trent," then laid my head on his chest.

He rubbed my back and whispered "I love you too, Ellie."

I felt something rush through me just then. Almost as intense as when I invoked Spirit last night and my vision started to get dark.

In the distance I heard Trent, "Ella! What's wrong?!" I felt like I was getting further and further from him and I was scared. I fallowed Trent's voice and opened my eyes. He was squeezing me tightly with tears in his eyes.

I wiped away a tear from his cheek. "I'm okay Trent."

"You scared me half to death, Ella," he whispered and held me close. "Please don't do that again." He held me tightly and rubbed my back.

"I'm sorry, Trent." I felt the feeling start to rush through me again. I forced it down and made a mental note to ask mom about it later. For now, I just want relax in the comfort of Trent's arms and forget all the crazy thing going on in my life.