Scintillate (Scintillate Series Book 1) Read online

  “I remember you from history. Mr. Parker caught you daydreaming.”

  “Oh, yeah, that was me.” I felt the burning in my cheeks as I blushed. So he’s gorgeous and observant. I rested my head in my hand and ran my thumb along the edge of the pages of the book. “This is my favorite book.” I smiled and gently tapped the cover of Pride and Prejudice.

  “It’s a great book.” He opened his notebook and picked up his pencil.

  Ms. Stevenson continued her introduction of Pride and Prejudice, beginning with background knowledge on the history of the times. I soaked up every detail I could when not distracted by my handsome classmate.

  He took some notes; however, he spent more time sketching in his notebook. I casually glanced at his drawing and realized he was a gifted artist. A beautiful young woman whose eyes penetrated my soul stared back at me from the paper. Her long hair flowed over her petite shoulders. A simple smile formed by perfect lips graced her face.

  He glanced up and caught me snooping. “What do you think?” he whispered, leaning close to me. The scent of pure nature filled my nose; I leaned closer to breathe in more.

  “She’s beautiful,” I whispered. “Is she your girlfriend?”

  He shook his head. “No, at least not anymore. She’s from my past. It seems like a lifetime ago.”

  “Oh.” I smiled, figuring he was still crushin on her. “You’re very talented. I can’t draw to save my life. Once I was playing Pictionary and got the word pterodactyl.” The butterflies in my stomach started to flutter as his baby blues stared into mine. “I started drawing, and my teammates threw out these ridiculous guesses. Maggie screamed ‘Casper’ — you know — as in the friendly ghost. I knew my team was in trouble when my pterodactyl looks like Casper.” I laughed and looked down at the desk. My fair skin almost glowed against his beautiful golden skin. Apparently, during my rambling I’d rested my arm against his. I quickly folded my hands together and brought them up to my face while I nervously chuckled.

  Nick smiled. “Come on, you can’t be that bad.”

  “No, that’s a true story.” I nodded. Did he think it was weird that I just rested my arm against his like that? What was I thinking!

  The final bell rang, and I started packing up my things. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Nick staring at me. I looked at him.

  “Kate, it was nice meeting you,” he said. “I’m glad we have two classes together.”

  “Yeah, me too.” The chair screeched across the vinyl tile floor as I stood. “What did you think of your first day at Reagan High?”

  “I really liked it.” He lifted his chair and placed it behind his desk. “I heard there’s a football game tonight. Who’s it against?”

  “We’re playing Washington High. It should be a close game.”

  “Are you going?” Nick slung his backpack over his shoulder.

  “Yes, I always go to the games. My brother, Reese, is on the team.”

  “So you go because you have to, or you might ditch?” A playful smile brightened his face.

  “There’s no way I’ll ditch. The games are crazy,” I said. I felt that mysterious rope cinch tighter around my waist and draw me closer to Nick. “Plus this is our last game. You should come.”

  “I think I will. Maybe I’ll see you there.” Then he walked out the door without a backward glance. I stood there dazed while the rope disintegrated from my waist.

  Then it hit me… the football game. I’ll see him tonight. Did he want to see me at the game, or was he just being nice? Should I go up to him if I saw him there? My stomach flipped a little as I thought about running into him at the game. What should I wear?

  I reviewed my day as I walked to the car I shared with my brother. It started out like any other day, but it quickly became more interesting with the introduction of Nick. What would happen tonight?

  Let the Games Begin

  I parked my red Mustang V6 in the overflow parking lot. The band’s music pulsed through the air as Maggie, Meghan, and I walked to the football field. My adrenaline quickened as the tempo raced and the excitement among the crowd rose. We quickly spotted Adam, Maggie’s boyfriend, in his band uniform and waved.

  The kernels in the popcorn machine burst relentlessly, mimicking the explosion of firecrackers. The aroma of popcorn filled the air and made my mouth water. Popcorn crunched under our feet and stuck in the grooves of our shoes. People milled about the concession stands, getting food and predicting the outcome of the game.

  “Let’s eat,” Maggie said as we weaved through groups of people.

  Meghan stopped at the end of a concession line. “Yeah, I’m starved.”

  “Hey, do you think that new kid will be here tonight?” Maggie asked.

  “He said he was coming. Why are you looking at me?” I asked defensively.

  “You’re the one without the boyfriend,” Maggie replied. “You need to work on that this year. Besides, you actually talked to him in English. Didn’t he say he’d see you here tonight?”

  Meghan giggled; her blue eyes seemed to burst with joy. “Sounds like a date.”

  “It’s not a date!” I gasped, surprised at how much I wished it was a date. I did enjoy how he flirted in English. “Anyway, I’m not going to just throw myself at him. I’m not interested in making a fool of myself,” I said, irritated that she’d even think that I’d stoop to that level of desperation. I definitely wasn’t going to tell them about the bizarre attraction I felt to Nick.

  “Hey, you’ll never catch him if you don’t try,” Meghan said as a breeze blew her strawberry blonde hair into her face. She brushed the wild strands aside.

  “Oh, gee, where did you read that sage advice?” I mocked.

  “At least you have two classes with him. Maybe that will help your odds,” Maggie said, casually shrugging.

  We grabbed our hotdogs, popcorn, and drinks from the concession stand and made our way through the crowd and up the bleachers. The game was exciting and the crowd rambunctious. The band and cheerleaders perfectly performed their songs and routines, keeping the fans energized. It never failed, when we scored, the other team marched the ball back down the field and scored. Throw in a few interceptions and fumbles mixed in with bad calls and you have a killin’ game. One thing, however, remained constant — I kept my eyes peeled for Nick.

  At halftime, I made my way through the crowd to get another drink and some cookies. “Excuse me,” was my mantra as I tried to avoid knocking people over on the crowded bleachers.

  “Hey, you’re Reese’s sister, aren’t you?” a young man in a black hooded sweatshirt asked as I stepped off the bleachers.

  “Yeah, I’m Kate,” I replied, a little irked because every football season I’m known as “Reese’s sister”, as if I don’t have an identity of my own.

  “Cool.” He smirked and his brown eyes slowly ogled me.

  “That’s one word for it.” Annoyed, I stepped around him. I didn’t like the way his eyes lingered over my body.

  By the time I made it to the concession stand, I’d passed more friends and still hadn’t spotted Nick. Where could he be? In English class he’d actually chosen to sit beside me when other seats were available, and he’d said that he’d be at the game. Did he ditch?

  A hand slid down my arm. “Hi there.” My stomach flipped with excitement as I recognized his voice. I turned and noticed Nick wearing jeans and a charcoal gray polo shirt that brought out the gray flecks in his blue eyes.

  “Hi, fancy meeting you here!” I said, immediately wishing I hadn’t added the last part. I sounded like a real dweeb.

  “Yeah, I’m glad I ran into you. So far the game’s been a lot of fun.” His smile ratcheted up my heart rate. “I’m here with my dad. He’s a football fanatic.”

  “I told you the games are fun.” Where was he sitting?

  “I think we’ll win,” Nick said, leaning towards me.

  The invisible rope slipped around my waist and drew me to him. I fought the urge to touch
him. “Yeah, I hate to say it, but we do have a good quarter back. Just don’t tell him I said that,” I teased, trying to flirt. Reese didn’t need to know I gave him a compliment.

  “That’s right, he’s your brother. What’s his name?” Nick’s face beamed as he looked into mine. There was something unique about him that intrigued me. “Reese,” I finally blurted out, delighted I had to tell someone my brother’s name.

  “Next!” called the lady from behind the concession stand.

  “Hi,” I said and leaned against the counter. “Could I’d have a bag of cookies and a soda, please?”

  “I’d like two brownies and two sodas, please.” Nick pointed at me. “And I’ll pay for hers, too.”

  “Thanks.” I gathered up the treats. “My mom made the brownies. I hope you like them.” The crowd went wild, and the band played as our team ran back onto the field as halftime finished.

  “I’m sure they’ll be delicious,” he leaned over to speak into my ear. His breath tickled me and sent chills throughout my body.

  “Enjoy the rest of the game,” I said. Our arms brushed against each other as we moved through the crowd.

  “I’m sure I will. Maybe I’ll see you after the game.”

  “Yeah, maybe we’ll run into each other.” I smiled, unsure of what to say next. He walked off, leaving me wanting more. As I walked back to the bleachers I turned to look at him again. He was staring at me. I waved, a little embarrassed he caught me looking. Then it hit me — I caught him looking first! Tiny butterflies unfurled their wings and tickled my stomach as I anticipated what could happen between us.

  I wondered about the coincidence of meeting him in line. There are hundreds of people here and several lines for the different concession stands. I was fortunate to run into him. Did he see me and chose my line on purpose? What does it mean if he did? He must have been looking for me if he chose my line.

  I stood at the base of the bleachers and bit my lip as I looked up at the mountain of people I had to ascend to return to my seat. The enormous crowd didn’t matter; after talking with Nick, I felt like I could climb Mt. Everest.

  “What took you so long?” Maggie yelled over the cheering crowd.

  “Was I gone long? I didn’t notice,” I replied, still relishing my interlude with Nick. The crowd roared as Matt ran in for another touchdown. The band played and cheerleaders did cartwheels along the end zone. “You’ll never believe who I ran into down there,” I yelled over the tumult.

  “Who?” Maggie and Meghan asked.

  “Nick. He was right behind me in line.”

  “You’re kidding,” Maggie replied, her black spirals springing about.

  “What did he say?” quizzed Meghan. She grabbed my arm so tightly that she nearly cut off the circulation.

  “He said that he was having fun. He’s here with his dad.” I cautiously removed my arm from her grasp. They were clearly going to make more out of this than necessary.

  “Was he flirting or just talking?” Maggie asked.

  “He was friendly,” I admitted. I hoped it meant more, but I could never confess that to them.

  “He is so cute!” chimed Meghan. She tucked her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. “You have to make a move before someone else does. Time is of the essence.”

  “I’ve known him for less than a day. We didn’t really talk much. It’s kind of loud,” I said, pointing to the exuberant crowd.

  “There’s something you’re not telling us. I can tell by your smile. Confess!” demanded Maggie. Her dark eyes narrowed and cut into mine.

  I knew Maggie would make a mountain out of a mole hill. Once, when we were twelve and home alone, she thought someone was breaking in. We frantically hit the police button on the alarm system. After hitting the alarm, we called her dad. He arrived before the police. By the time Maggie’s dad was through with them, the two door-to-door salesmen wished they had honored the “No Soliciting” sign at the entrance to our neighborhood.

  Reluctantly I admitted, “He paid for my drink and cookies.”

  “He’s a keeper,” sang Meghan. “I can spot a good man when I see one.”

  “He likes you!” gasped Maggie as she shook me back and forth.

  “No. He’s just being friendly. Besides, it was a few dollars. Not really a big deal.” Once again I removed my arms from the clutches of an over-zealous teenage girl.

  “Still, he didn’t have to do that,” said Meghan. “I’d take it as a good sign.”

  With a devilish grin Maggie added, “Please, you mark my words, that guy will make a play.”

  “Let’s watch the game!” I demanded and stared at the players on the field. Could Maggie and Meghan be right? Was he interested? Was it more than a coincidence that he ended up behind me in line at the concession stand? If he was interested, I needed to make a move before someone else. There was no way the sharks at school would wait long before circling fresh prey.

  Maggie kept looking at me. I could tell she wanted to bring it up again. She can get something in her head and want to talk it to death. Before she started dating Adam she talked about him for hours; it was torture listening to her drone on about him.

  Thankfully, Meghan was refocused on the game. She’d spotted Ravi sitting with the other basketball players. Every once in a while she blew him a kiss; it was nauseating.

  When the game finally ended, we’d won 35-28. The stands emptied quickly. Ravi, Maggie, Meghan, and I waited for Adam while the band played a few celebratory songs.

  I scanned the crowd looking for Nick. My heart sank as I realized he must have disappeared in the mass exodus right after the game. Why didn’t he try to find me? Didn’t he say he’d see me after the game? He’d been so friendly in the concession line.

  Adam joined our group and quickly wrapped his arms around Maggie. His trumpet bag dangled awkwardly around Maggie’s waist as he grabbed her from behind. She twisted around and kissed him.

  “Hey, let’s go to my house tonight and watch a movie,” Ravi said.

  “That sounds great!” Meghan confirmed with a kiss on Ravi’s cheek. Adam and Maggie finally agreed to go once their lips weren’t attached.

  “I think I’ll sit this movie night out. It’s getting late, and I’ve had a long day,” I said. Sitting through a movie with two blissful couples seemed too depressing right now. The fact that Nick didn’t look for me after the game sent those excited butterflies in my stomach back into their chrysalises. Maybe he wasn’t interested in me. Maybe running into me at the concession stand was a coincidence.

  The five of us headed towards the end zone together. The guys were parked in the parking lot between the school and the football field. I was parked in the overflow lot that butted up to the woods. I left the group, and then headed to my car alone.

  A silvery crescent moon glowed like a nightlight and revealed ominous shapes on the asphalt. Stars scintillated against the dark blue sky while silver clouds stretched like pillows across the cobalt bed. Occasionally, a bat soared overhead, or an owl’s screech cut through the air.

  Several light posts provided inadequate lighting in the deserted parking lot. As I trekked to my car, I dug in my purse for the keys. I longed for the safety of my car under the distant sputtering light post. An unnerving sensation flooded me and set the tiny hairs on my body on end. I couldn’t get to my car fast enough.

  A shriek sounded in the night. I quickly looked around. The parking lot was nearly deserted. Only the creepy guy in the black hooded sweatshirt lurked a few parking spaces away. The hood obscured his face, but something in his hand glinted under the dim parking light. My heart pounded as horrible images of what he could do with that glinting object filled my head. I picked up my pace and hurried to my car. His footsteps quickened, matching mine. Trying to appear assertive, I looked over my shoulder and shouted, “What do you want?”

  “I want you, Kate!” His vicious laugh filled the night as he stepped closer to me. His hood was down. I saw his face, but it wasn
’t the face of a man. Glassy black eyes with blood red pupils bore through me. Cords of hatred and fear wrapped around my torso and down my legs. The weight of his wickedness was overwhelming — movement was impossible. The cords tightened around my chest. I couldn’t breathe. I was slowly suffocating! Fear filled me as I realized that my lungs wouldn’t work.

  His enlarged forehead protruded over his obsidian eyes, and his elongated face was one more sign of his inhumanity. When he smirked, razor sharp teeth ground together and created a piercing sound — like metal on metal. I envisioned my bloody flesh hanging from those shark-like teeth. A serpent’s tongue slowly licked his lips as I stood frozen by his stare.

  He slowly brought his hands up to his chin. Long claws scraped against each other as his fingers tapped together. He obviously wouldn’t need the glinting object that he held, unless he used it to prolong his pleasure.

  My stomach heaved. I fought the urge to vomit. The cords wrapped tighter around my abdomen and restrained my breath.

  The world spun. I became lightheaded from lack of oxygen.

  From out of nowhere, a force struck me and knocked me down, breaking the cords that restrained me. I sucked in the cold night air, picked myself up, and took off towards my car.

  As I ran, violent tremors shook my hands. I frantically clicked the button on my key. My car repeatedly chirped.

  Footsteps quickened behind me as the monster closed in. I strained to lift my heavy legs — to carry myself to the safety of my car. Sweat dripped down my back, or was that his breath? Surely my heart pounded louder than my feet against the asphalt.

  A high-pitched yelp pierced my ears. I didn’t want to look back, but I couldn’t help myself. My curiosity pulled like a magnet whose force I couldn’t overcome. Helplessly, I looked over my shoulder as I continued to run forward to the safety of my car.

  I stopped in my tracks, as if instantly frozen by the transition in power. The horrifying monster was gone.