Hunter's Moon

Chapter 17

            Juli and Ed walked along the sidewalk in front of a strip mall. Coffee cups warmed their gloved hands.

            “Ed, I'm really confused,” Juli said. “I'm just not sure what happened last night. I don't know why I felt so strongly about her. I've never believed in love at first sight . . . or the possibility that I might be the type of . . . well, like you.”

            “You can't say it now? Now that she's staring you in the face?” Ed asked.

            Juli's face went red. “No. I mean, I've never seen a problem with it, just thought 'No, not for me', but . . . honestly, looking back at whatever happened when our eyes met? It was more than just images. There was emotion wrapped up in it. There were deep feelings in it, deep feelings that I felt-- or will feel? I just don't know what to think. How did this change to my feelings occur like this? I've never thought about women this way. But now, when I think about Taylor . . .” a smile came to her face just at the mention of the name.

            “It's okay Jules, everyone comes to the realization differently. There are some who arrive at the point you are at and start to hate themselves or others for it. I know you and you're fine. But the question is, what's Taylor's opinion on all of this?”

            “Well, I saw . . . I felt us together . . . she must've . . .”

            Ed thwapped her playfully. “No. Nuh-uh. You can't assume that. Even if she is playing for the right team, to immediately assume she is as infatuated with you as you are with her is the path to failure.”

            “But . . .”

            “No buts Jules. You know,” he emphasized his statement using air quotes, “she'll come around, based on what you saw. She doesn't know. She may not even be receptive to the idea. I mean really, how certain are you that what you saw will occur? You weren't killed by that vampire. I say take it slow. Let it happen naturally.”

            Juli mulled the idea over, and while unhappy at the thought of not having that sensation of love immediately with Taylor made her sick to her stomach. The very idea that she could do something that would force Taylor away from her forever took that sickness and amplified it exponentially. How and why her feelings for this woman were as strong as they were, it confused her, but they were there. She needed to find out about this thing that happens with her eyes.

            She let out a sigh. “All right, I see it your way. Why are you so smart?”

            “Oh, that's an easy question. I, unlike you, am not distracted by breasts and a shapely female figure.” Ed grinned and ducked out of the way from Juli's shoulder-punch.

            Matthew sat on his bed and looked at the number in his cell phone. He knew he should not be as nervous as he was. It was important that he call Juli and explain to her about the magic she had. Checking the clock, he figured that he didn't want to be calling too early, but he didn't want to put this off too long.

            C'mon, you're over-thinking this. No reason to be so worried, he told himself, but if I come across too strong and she refuses to talk to us . . . No. no. Slow down.

            He would just have to call, and hope everything went well. He stared down at the phone, Juli's number highlighted in the address book, his thumb hovering over the 'Call' button. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, Relax.