Visitation and Visions

A little bit of party... A whole world of trouble...

SIX YEARS LATER...
CORY age 16
It's my sweet sixteen, finally. I mean I knew it was coming. Obviously, but to this day I still don't know if Austin will show up. He's been away at college for the last 6 months, and even though I sent the invention to him I haven't gotten a RSVP or even a phone call. And I'm just too chick shit to use my ability in case I don't like what I see. But today is all about me so I am trying really hard to look at it that way. Of course if Austin doesn't show I can't get my dream present from him. My first kiss, I've been saving it just for him. And wonder of all wonders he doesn't have a clue what I've planned.
"Cory Creed get your behind in here right now, I have to do your makeup yet." Mama yells across the yard to the lake where I stood in the gentle breeze. My skirt blowing against my knees. "Okay mama I'm coming in now."
"Better get the lead out guest will be arriving any minute." She yells back i chuckle as I start her way shaking my head once she's back inside.
Once there she leads me back up to her room, since at most I wear eyeliner and lip gloss we have to use her makeup. Besides I don't know how to actually apply the stuff.
"Oh my," mama fusses "your hair will need brushed out again, this time I'm pitting some clips in." She looks like she's scolding me and I chuckle and say "Okay mama. Whatever you think is best." She hurumphed and continued to putter around me gathering supplies. She brushed the wind blown knots out of my hair and snapped the bejewled clips in my hair pinning it in place behind my ears. She smiles "Much better. Now makeup." I just smile at her my mind a thousand miles away thinking of Austin again. "Eyes closed." Mama demands I obey. About 15 minutes later mom says "open your eyes we are done." I open my eyes and gasp. I look grown I think to myself. Mom willingly hands me my eyeliner and leaves the room. I stare for a minute until I snap out of it and apply the liner. This is the first time I'm wearing lip stain. Something I said I specifically wanted to try. Mom didn't question it which just proved she had no idea what I had planned. I smile at my reflection. If Austin shows up tonight will be perfection. I hear the door bell ring and it's my cue to get down to the living room and greet the guests.
It's been 2 hours, still no sign of Austin. Maybe he just won't show I think depressed from the mere thought of not seeing him on my special day. But just as I start to believe that's what's happening I feel him enter the yard. Showtime I think with a smirk on my face I turn towards where I know he is. Our eyes connect...
AUSTIN age 19
Our eyes connect across the lawn and it's like the last 6 months disappears, all the space and time I put between not only her and I, but me and my family, just poof gone in one look. I've denied my feelings to everyone including myself for such a long time that I thought I believed it. Until I finally accepted that I had feelings for her at 17. I then decided she deserves better then me so I've been trying to avoid things like this and left at 18 for college and haven't come home since. I'm determined to make myself stay away from her. But then a month ago I got a card, and invitation to her sweet 16 along with a note in her sweet curving almost cursive short hand. It simply said all I want for my 16th birthday is for you to come home. I argued with myself and held back all the way up until today. But in the end I just couldn't deny her her one birthday wish. Which is why I'm the last one here almost 3 hours late. God I'm a douche. Her smirk finally registers and I have a feeling she's up to no good, and it might involve me. But as she starts walking across the lawn towards me, barefoot the little heathen, it just doesn't matter. I stand there and take in the flowing short (for her anyway) dress, the plain black satin choker I got her on her 13th birthday a single ring her dad gave her at 14 and dangling earrings that seemed to float. I look at her hair wind blown and pulled back with what looked like fireflies in the setting sun. When she's about a foot from me I notice the makeup, and I just want to plant one on her, stake a claim in front of all the boys in her class. But I hold back just barely and the main reason I do is because she pauses for a second looking almost uncertain. I open my arms and she flies into them. Holding me like she'll never let me go. I wish I didn't have to let her go. But I do, I set her back on her feet and smile at her she grins the steps back. I raise an eyebrow. She pulls her arm back and let's it swing. She hits me in the shoulder hard enough my mouth gaps.
"That's for being late." She states. Then smiles again. "But I'm so glad you came." And she's in my arms again before I can even take a breath. The next inhale smells of lavender summer and something that's just Cory. I stiffen then force myself to relax.
Then I hold her, hug her just be with her. Until she backs out of my arms and grabs my hand leading me god only knows where. I'd follow her anywhere. God I'm pathetic. "Where are we going?" I ask because I mean surely I should ask. A normal person would. Not that Cory had any patience for normal. She's extraordinary. "Your just in time we've been waiting on you to unwrap gifts." She smiles at me over her shoulder. My heart jumps and I feel like a bigger dick. "I didn't get you a gift Cory." I say ashamed. Her smile brightens which just confuses me more. "I only wanted one gift for my birthday, and by showing up you have given it to me." Talk about a gut shot. Damn. That smile. Those eyes. The dress. The makeup. Just her today, it's everything. Everything I'll never allow myself to have. I take a deep breath force a smile and say, "then I'm glad I came." Her eyes narrow and she slows enough for me to take the lead. I do and take her to the gift table that's almost overflowing. I sit her in a chair. She pulls me down in the one right beside her. I feel eyes on me one pair I know for sure is Jamie Creed. Shit can he tell I have a serious thing for Cory? Mostly likely. There's not much he misses especially about his girls. I ignore the eyes watching me and stare at the birthday girl under the guise of watching her unwrap her gifts. 2 hours later we are the only ones left. Her parents are inside taking a break before cleaning up the party mess, which I agreed to help clean up since I was late and felt horrible about it. We sit on the dock feet in the water enjoying the quite. She turns and smiles at me. "I really miss you ya know, you're my best friend. And texting isn't the same as seeing you." She smiles again this time sadly.
"I know. And since I'm the dumb ass who was late AND didn't get you a gift I owe you one and you can name it. How about that?" I say trying to make up for my big mistake today. She smirks again. "I was hoping you would say that...."
CORY
"Why's that?" Austin asks looking suspicious. He should be I'm about to use his words against him. "Because, you see I've been having this problem at school lately..." I pause he looks ready to kill. "What problem?" He asks almost deadly quiet. I look at him from under my eyelashes. "I'm being made fun of because... well it's embarrassing but... I've never been kissed before." I blurt out. I had planned to go about it a bit more smooth he looks shocked. But asks me, "What does this have to do with your birthday gift from me?" He swallows and his adam apple bobs. He knows or suspects and is nervous and hopefully excited. "Well..." I say looking through my lashes again not playing shy actually being shy which doesn't suit me so I sit up and look at him. "I want you to be my fist kiss Austin. I trust you more then I trust myself." I watch him process that and once he does he freezes. He clears his throat. "What? That's what you want for your gift?" He looks shocked. I can't tell if it's because I asked or because he wants to... or doesn't want to. "Yes." I whisper leaning into his side. He gasps. I smile the slightest bit leaning into him more.
AUSTIN
I can't believe that she asked for this. Or that I'm going to let it happen. Wait am I? Hell yeah I am! I can say no to me and fight myself, but her, Cory never. I could never really ever say no. Plus I don't want to. I grab her arms and turn her so we are facing each other on the dock. I pull her face close. I close my eyes and let our lips touch. Electric. That's all I feel. That and heat. A heat I've never felt before. I grab her waist and lose myself in my bestfriend. Knowing this is the only time I'll be able to let this happen I lose my damn mind.
CORY
I'm losing my damn mind! It was supposed to be a simple kiss, but instead I feel Austin's arm around my waist and I take that as an okay to crawl into his lap and sit on him. His other arm goes up to my head and his had tangles in my hair, knocking the pins out. I open my mouth to talk a small breath. His tonuge pushes into my mouth. I gasp. Then moan. I didn't ask for this I know what we're doing now is far past kissing. We're making out. I'm loving this I start to move in his arms.
AUSTIN
God I have to stop this madness. A simple kiss that's all she asked for. Now she's in my lap with my tonuge down her throat. And now she grinding on me. So innocently. Not even knowing what she's looking for or doing even. Never mind what it's doing to me. I pull back slowly so she doesn't take it as a rejection. I open my eyes and watch her. Eyes closed breathing heavy. She licks her lips. I just bite back a groan. "Why'd you stop?" she asks in a husky lust filled voice. "Because that was way more then either of us bargained for." I answer hoenstly. Her eyes open and damn but I want to kiss her again. Forget all the promises I made myself. But I can't. So I get up and help her to her feet. Eyes open now she smiles at me shyly. "Thank you." She whispers then stands on her bare tiptoes and presses a quick kiss to my lips. She runs off so fast she doesn't hear me say. "You're welcome." Into the summer night.
CORY
By god I'll never forget this night or my first kiss. I spin in the field behind the tree happy as can be. I go inside straight to bed after washing my face. I wake up at 10 am. Only to find that Austin had already left. Did he regret what happened last night?
AUSTIN
God I'm ass. I left in the middle of the night. Without a goodbye. I just couldn't relax after that kiss. I don't regret it. Which is why it can never happen again. If it does, it'll go to far. And if I end up in bed with her, and if that happens I'll never be able to let her go. But I'll call her and talk to her tomorrow. Maybe explain it. Probably just make some excuse up though. Like I said I'm an ass. I know it. But it can't be helped. I'm not good enough for her. She has a big life ahead of her and I plan on moving home eventually.
CORY
Its 5 o'clock and I get the call I've been expecting all day. Austin. I answer on the second ring. "Hello" I say breathlessly into the phone. "Hey ya Cory, sorry I didn't have the chance to say goodbye. I needed to get back. Did you have a good birthday though?" He asks as though he doesn't know. Is he second guessing if I really wanted or liked the kiss? He couldn't be could he? "It was perfect!" I sigh. It really was too. I felt truly beautiful for the first time in my life. "That's awesome to hear." I smile into the phone. "So how are classes?"
"One word boring!" He laughs and I giggle. I've never giggled before! He notices and goes quiet for a second then all the sudden "look Cory I have to go now but I'll be back home in a couple of weeks we can catch up more then."
"Okay I'll see you soon then be careful and stay sharp." We hang up. I end up on my bed with my headphones in doing my online classes. My dad walks in sits beside me and waits until I take out my head phones. I look at him and I know, I just know I'm in for another lecture. I sigh. "What is it this time dad?"
"You kissed Austin last night. He won't stop thinking about it now and how I might react."
"What! Why would that be what he's worried about?"
Dad smiles, "Maybe because he's my friend." I roll my eyes. Leave it to Austin to be worried about the wrong Creed.
Dad sighs and says "Just give him time he has to come to grips with it on his own." I sigh now "Yeah, I know." Sometimes my gift sucks.