Descendants [H.S. & C.S.]

Chapter 14

When Harry opened the door, he looked into the face of Cole.

He wore his letter jacket and carried two helmets. "For the first time in my life, I understand the difference between pretty and beautiful," he said.

Harry's face broke into a smile.

"I hope you like bikes," he said to Harry, offering him a helmet. Harry took the helmet and shot Calum a look as he stepped out.

Calum grinned and closed the door.

Harry walked with Cole down the hall and outside the school, where Cole's Vespa was waiting for them. He and Cole hopped onto it and sped off cruising down a paved road. Harry, grinning ear to ear, held on to Cole's chest as they rode through the beautiful countryside. Sunlight dappled ferns and trees, and birds chirped.

Before Harry knew it, they were slowing through a grove of tall trees. Cole Parker the Vespa and kicked the stand down. He helped Harry off it and began leading him through the forest and onto a suspension bridge high above a rushing stream.

"Tell me something about yourself that you've never told anyone," Cole said.

"Um . . . my middle name is . . . Edward," said Harry.

"Edward?" Cole asked.

"Yeah," said Harry.

"Edward," said Cole.

"Just my mother doing what she does best," said Harry. "Being really, really evil."

Cole laughed.

"Harry Edward," said Harry.

"Mine's Mitchell," said Cole.

"Mitchell? How princely," said Harry. "Oh, that's almost worse." He laughed.

"I mean, you know, it's better than Edward, but it's still not good," said Cole.

They finished crossing the bridge.

Cole grinned at him. "Close your eyes," he said.

Harry closed his eyes and allowed Cole to guide him down a forest path. He took his hands and pulled him gently this way and that, over logs and across puddles.

Finally, he stopped. "You ready?" he asked him.

Harry nodded.

"Open," he said.

Harry opened his eyes.

Cole had bought him to the Enchanted Lake. It was all that and more: Harry looked upon a magical lake that was the color of jade. Into the lake jutted a stone platform with a few ancient pillars wrapped in ivy with purple flowers. Harry gasped at the beauty of it. Cole smiled at him, and he smiled back.

They walked into the platform, where a blue picnic blanket and a lavish array of food had been laid out for them, and they sat down.

Harry took a jelly doughnut and scarfed it down. He got powdered sugar on his face as he finished it.

"Is this your first time?" asked Cole.

"Mmm . . . We don't really . . . date much on the island. It's more like . . . gang activity," said Harry. He licked the sugar off his fingers.

Cole laughed. "I meant is this your first time eating a jelly doughnut," said Cole with a smile.

"Is it bad?" he asked.

"You've got a . . ." He leaned forward to brush the sugar from his lips.

"Gone?" Harry licked his lips. "Can't take me anywhere, I guess," he said.