Reflections of another world (Book 3) Now published so sample only)

Chapter 3 - A mystery solved

It was later that afternoon and Hayden had dropped me at home to get ready for the dinner with his Mum. I was floating on cloud nine when the doorbell rang.

I raced down and tore it open to find Hayden standing there with a broad smile on his face. He had a bunch of deep red roses in his arms which he smartly handed to me before brushing his lips against mine.

"What are these for?" I asked quietly while secretly thrilled as I smelt their beautiful aroma.

"Because I forgot to tell you something." He said and I instantly felt worried. Was this where he said I was just too complicated or something? But then he had given me roses.

"Calm down my Leena. I just need you to know that you are not a freak. But if you still think you are then it’s pretty obvious that I'm one too. I meant it last week about us being freaks together. We are in all of this together I promise." He reassured me and I smiled hesitantly.

I don't think I've ever smiled as much as I had in the last day or so and it felt so wonderfully refreshing. I walked into the kitchen to find a vase for my lovely roses. As I poured the water in the vase Hayden grabbed it off me.

"I went home to get them. They don't need water to survive." He explained and I stared at him. How could he talk so casually about this place that seemed to be everything I could wish for?

"But you've only been gone a little while." I said quietly and he grinned at me.

"That’s 'cause it doesn't take long to get there. I can't wait to take you through the Gate, but Mum said we have to make sure you’re from Argonia first." He said excitedly.

"What if I'm not?" I forced the words out not really wanting to ask but the fear that I might be on my own occurred to me far too quickly.

"You are so don't worry." He reassured me "But right now if you haven't got anything else happening I thought we might go to my place for a while." I shook my head at his words and instantly felt nervous. I still wasn't sure about dinner let alone going over there earlier.

"Come on, I promise you'll be alright." He urged and I found like always with him that I couldn't say no.

"I want to get changed first." I told him looking down at my track pants and loose t-shirt. I saw him roll his eyes at me.

"Fine let’s go."

He quickly trotted up the stairs and gestured for me to move quicker. He strode confidently into my into my walk in wardrobe and tossed out a pair of skinny jeans, my favourite pink T-shirt and a hoodie. I looked at him curiously but he flicked his hands at me impatiently so I went into the bathroom and got changed.

Wouldn't his Mum want me all dressed up? I mean I was almost like the girlfriend meeting the parent’s right? Dear God what if I wasn't? Actually what if I was?

"Leena hurry up! My Mum is the last person you want to dress up to impress. She hates anything fake with a passion." Hayden warned me so I walked shyly out of the bathroom to face him. His brown eyes looked me up and down in such a way as to make me tingle all over "You are absolutely perfect." He stated seriously.

"Are you sure it’s okay?" I asked shyly.

"Honey you are more than just okay. You take my breath away every time I even look at you." He told me warmly and I felt my fluttering stomach take flight at his words.

"Can we just walk to your house?" I asked him as I pulled my sneakers on and he sighed but nodded. I was doing everything I could to put off this meeting and Hayden knew it.

"She won't bite you. Okay she might have awesome powers but really she just wants to help you." He tried to reassure me but I said nothing "Plus she always wanted a daughter, apparently I wasn't good enough." He huffed quietly and I had to smile at him. The underlying affection in his tone told me just how much he truly loved his Mum.