Masked

XXII

"Michael?" Taran asked as we laid in her bed looking at each other.

"Yea Taran?"

"Thanks."

"No problem," I said gazing at her.

I wanted so bad to go farther, but respected her and would wait.

She laid my hand on her waist and snuggled closer to where no part of the bed was between us.

"How are your legs so soft?"

"I shave," she said as I slid my hand up and down in a circle, mesmerized at how soft and shiny they were.

Taran clearly enjoyed this and rolled me on my back. I watched as she lay on top of me with her head lying on my chest.

Her breathing slowed and I could tell she was asleep. All of the action tonight had tired her out, and would no doubt do the same for me. I just hoped her parents wouldn't walk in on us like this. God only knows what they would think. Closing my eyes, I slept partly with my ears alert.

"Do you miss them?" Taran asked me as we walked along the beach the next morning, putting last night's catastrophe behind, and reminiscing over out after party.

"My sister yes, my parents, no. Why?"

"Because at least they still love you and will still welcome you back into their home and arms. Mine will never allow that, and I always feel like a burden to Mallie and Ryan. Sometimes even my boyfriends, though Derek never mentioned it, and I know you wouldn't."

"Hey it's okay, I know how you feel. Don't worry Taran, whatever you tell me will be kept a secret and not held against you."

"Wow Michael, if only I had met you sooner, and there were more people like you around."

"Me too Taran," I said and kissed her softly as the tide crept closer to us with each step we took away from the house.

"But do you think I'm a burden?" she asked as we kept walking along the shore.

"No, not at all Taran." I held her hand and let her guide me closer to the ocean.

We laid down some towels as she pulled her cover-up off revealing a string bikini that was zebra print. I avoided her gaze and wished desperately I could do the same, but wouldn't risk revealing my identity.

"If only everyone knew about you guys," Taran said and went with me into the water.

"Yea. Hey when's your birthday?"

"April 9th, why?"

"Well you turn eighteen in eight days, and I was wondering what you planned on doing with where you would live."

"Well I'm supposed to be getting some scholarships and letters back from some of the colleges I applied for. So I'll live with Mallie and Ryan until I can move out with money. Why are you asking?"

"Because Taran when you turn eighteen, you can move  out, and we could buy a place and live together." I was hoping she had considered that, but it was looking like it wasn't. Feeling stupid I dropped the subject, "well since your birthday is in eight days, what do you want?"

"Michael I have been considering it, I just never asked you because I thought just at some point you would be tired of me, since I'm human and move on."

"Taran I desperately want to change you so we can both live eternally."

"I don't know if I'm ready, but I'll think about it. But you never answered my question."

"I will never grow tired of you Taran."

"Then the only present I want from you is to stay with me forever."

"Well I know I can give you that, but I want to give you something more too."

"Ask my friends and see what they're getting me. I'm sure they can give you some ideas, they should be able too."

With that Taran jumped on my back and tried to push me underwater. I laughed at her attempt and pushed her instead. She squealed with delight and shot back up shaking from the cold. Attempting to push me back under she pulled my leg, but didn't succeed. I laughed and picked her up ready to hurl her. She screamed when she hit the water as it went flying everywhere. I waited for her to resurface, but didn't see her. Panicking I started to run to where I had thrown Taran. Frantically I pushed through the water and tried looking for her. The water was clear, and I didn't have to look far before I saw her.

"Taran!" I yelled and ran over to pick her up as she was floating on the top. The water around her was a dark maroon...

Knowing sharks would be lurking around I ran back to the shore and laid her on the towel screaming for help. There was a lifeguard who called 911 while I avoided taking my t-shirt off and just wrapped another towel around her. I couldn't tell exactly where the blood was coming from at the moment, and hoped she wasn't dead.

"Oh God please don't let Taran die too," I muttered as the ambulance arrived and put Taran on a strecher.