Dakini's Hope

Chapter 25

I've never felt as light as I do this morning when I open my eyes. All the negative thoughts are almost completely non-existent and I see joy in everything that I do. Even in my own reflection for once. I've never felt like this before. I find myself daydreaming more and more often about that moment as the hours go by, but I don't bother stopping myself. A girl's allowed to daydream about someone she likes, isn't she?

The full moon still looms over me like an intimidating deadline but, for once, I'm looking forward to it. Not to the shifting, but to the day after I've shifted. It means I'll have another few glorious weeks with Chase all to myself, without the main threat of being unable to stop myself from shifting looming over our heads. Ever since that moment, my eyes haven't phased out. Not even when I got nervous when my mum asked what's gotten me so happy and my heartbeat skyrocketed. I guess I must be too high on whatever this feeling is to really give my eyes the chance to phase.

Chase and I haven't spoken since that moment, which both worries and comforts me. Once we'd had to say goodbye, it had been painful for the both of us to part ways - even though we would most likely see each other on Monday since most of our classes are the same. I wonder what he's doing today; maybe I should send him a text and see if he wants to hang out again.

Then I remember that Mum wants me to stay home today so that we can do some mother-daughter bonding - which consists of reading books together, talking about girly things, walking in the woods and watching movies. It's not that I don't enjoy these mother-daughter days that happen every once in a while, but today I just want to see Chase. It's surprisingly painful that I'm not allowed to see him. But there is always tonight - if he's not busy, of course. I get out of bed, get dressed and head downstairs to get ready for the bonding day.

As I sit on the couch towards the end of the afternoon and read my old copy of Promise of the Werewolves, Mum suddenly clears her throat to get my attention and closes her book. I mark my page number and then put my book on the table next to hers; turning to face her expectantly.

"So, how bad is it?" She asks, her tone extremely teasing.

"How bad is what?" I reply, although I already have a feeling at what she's getting at. Mum smiles and lets out a small laugh.

"C'mon, Ducki. You really don't think I haven't noticed?" She asks again, propping her arm up on the back of the couch and leaning the side of her head on her hand.
I feign confusion; my cheeks flaring up and my whole body feeling like it's gonna set itself on fire any second now. Okay, now I know for sure what she's getting at. I was hoping it wasn't so obvious! My mum laughs out loud, making me jump as I nearly go off into another daydream; her yellow eyes dancing with mischief.

"You've been acting happy ever since you got back from the 'meet-up' with Chase." Mum's voice takes on a proper teasing tone now. "You've not once had a down moment, you've actually smiled at your reflection AND you aren't worried about the full moon coming up soon."

I refuse to say anything and look away sheepishly with a small smile.

"You've got it bad, haven't you?" Mum chuckles at my silence. "Like, really bad."

"Shut up Mum no I don't!" I answer, slightly flustered as she keeps poking at the feelings that I'm trying so desperately to stifle.

"Uh huh.."She smirks playfully. "You like him, don't you? You reeeeaaallly like him."

"N-no I don't! Drop it, mother!" I growl, squirming where I sit and reaching for my book again just to avoid talking to her.

"Oooooo!" My mother laughs again; her whole face lighting up with the expression. I refuse to even look at her now and turn my back on her; folding my arms across my chest out of stubbornness, as if I can cocoon the emotion that is taking my heart for an endless dance. I'm pretty sure my mother can hear my heart beating, since it's thrumming so hard against my ribs that it's starting to become painful.