It was Riley who helped me regain my memory. She served me
guide to remind me of our childhood stories, life and friends
from before, until the past finally resurfaces. And thanks to her, I began to enjoy my new existence in Southern California. Seeing her so excited about my dream room, my dear
red convertible, beautiful beaches and my new high school,
even though it wasn’t the life I wanted, I understood that I shouldn’t be choosy.
Even though we continue to get on each other’s nerves and argue about yes or no, I look forward to his visits. At least they fill an absence. And the minutes we spend together are the best of the day.
The problem is, she knows it. So when I ask questions that she has declared taboo, like “when will I be able to see Mom, Dad, and Caramel again?” ”, or “where are you going when you leave?” “, she disappears on purpose to punish me.
His evasions distress me, but I prefer not to insist.
After all, I didn’t tell him about my new talent for
detecting auras and reading minds, nor confided how much it affects my life, starting with my appearance.
You’ll never find a boyfriend if you dress like that.
She’s sprawled on my bed while I hurry, like
every morning, to get ready and leave the house more or less on time.
Yes, but not everyone is lucky enough to be able to make a wish and, presto, have a new wardrobe, I say, putting on my old sneakers with worn laces.
Stopped ! As if you didn’t know Sabine wouldn’t hesitate
not to give you his credit card. And then what is this hood? Are you part of a gang or something?
I grab my books, my iPod, and my bag, and head out the door.
Now is not the time to argue. You come ? She does the
pouted and took his time to decide, which had a way of getting on my nerves.
Okay, but on condition that you top off the car. I love feeling the wind in my hair.
I rush up the stairs.
It works, but you disappear before we get to Miles’ house,
OK ? It bothers me that you sit on his lap without his permission.
When Miles and I arrive at school, Haven is waiting for us
in front of the gate, feverishly scanning the courtyard.
It’ll ring in less than five minutes, and still no Damen. Do you think he gave up?
At this idea, his large yellow eyes widen in horror.
Why would he give up? I said to him as I walked towards my locker. He just arrived.
She hops next to me. The thick rubber soles of his shoes click on the pavement.
Um, because we’re no match for him? Because it’s too good to be true?
But he has to come back! exclaims Miles before I have
time to silence him. Ever lent him Wuthering Heights, he has to give it back.
I shake my head as I dial the code for my padlock, which
doesn’t stop me from feeling Haven’s furious gaze on my back. — Can we know when it happened? You forgot I took an option on him, huh? And then first of all, why all these
secrecy? Last I heard, you hadn’t even seen him! Miles bursts out laughing.
That, to see it, she saw it! I even thought I had to call the firefighters, she was so stunned.
With my head down, I close my locker and head towards our class.
Miles shrugs.
Well, it’s true.
Haven glares at me, her eyelids narrowed beneath
their layer of eyeliner, and, under the influence of jealousy, his aura turns to vomit khaki green.
So, if I understood correctly, you risk putting me to shame in addition to overshadowing me?
I take a deep breath. If we weren’t friends, I would
would say how ridiculous they are. Since when can you put an option on a person, in the first place? And then I’m not exactly the femme fatale type, with all these voices that
screaming in my head, my auras, my hooded sweatshirts ten times too big. But I prefer to hold my tongue.
Exactly, you understand everything, I’m a ball, a
potential walking disaster. But I’m anything but a threat. Because I’m not interested. You’ll have a hard time believing it, he’s so handsome, too sexy, too gorgeous, too sublime, or too whatever you want, but I don’t like this Damen
August. It’s the truth, period.
Um… I don’t think you need to add more,
Haven mutters, her face pale, her eyes fixed in front of her.
I follow his gaze and see Damen, with his silky black hair, his smoldering eyes, his superb body, his knowing smile. My heart skips when he holds the door for me.
Hello, Ever. After you.
I rush to my seat, narrowly avoiding the bag that Stacia has
placed across the path. My cheeks are on fire, knowing that Damen is right behind me and has heard all the horrors I
just debited.
I throw my bag on the floor, slide into my chair, and turn up the volume on my iPod in hopes of drowning out the ambient din and
to forget what just happened. I try to convince myself that a guy like him – so confident, so handsome, so exceptional – is way too cool to be intimidated by a poor girl like me.
But the moment I start to relax, when I
manage to convince myself that this has no sort of importance, I am shaken by a shock of incredible violence – as if I had received an electric discharge in my veins which gives me the flesh of
hen and thrills me from head to toe. Damen placed his hand on mine.
It’s hard to surprise me though. Since I’m
becoming extralucid, Riley is the only one who succeeds, and even then, believe me, it is not a foregone conclusion. I look up at Damen, who smiles.
I wanted to give that back to you.
He hands me Wuthering Heights.
I know this is going to sound weird, completely crazy even, but the moment he spoke, silence fell again. Without lying, a second before, the class echoed with a hubbub of
thoughts and voices, and then suddenly:
. I shake my head.
You don’t want to keep it a little longer, are you sure? I say everything
knowing that it’s completely ridiculous. I don’t really need it, you know. I know the ending.
He removes his hand, but my skin continues to vibrate.
I know her too.
His gaze is so intense, so insistent that I turn my head away.
Damen puts his hand back on mine, just as I’m about to put my headphones on to stop the cycle
uninterrupted by the angry comments from Stacia and Honor.
What are you listening to ?
Again, silence in the class. I’m not lying: the space of
a few seconds, the parasitic thoughts, the furtive whispers ceased, and I only hear his soft, almost lyrical voice.
Well, the first time I thought it was my imagination. But there is no longer any doubt.
The others continue to talk and think as usual, I see. It is these words of his that create a screen.
I frown and realize that my body is
as if warmed up, electrified. I do not understand anything. My hand has been touched before, of course, but this is the first time that
causes a similar effect.
I asked you what you were listening to.
He smiles, in such an intimate way that I feel myself blush.
Oh, uh, it’s just a goth playlist that my girlfriend
Haven passed me. Old stuff from the 80s, you know, the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus.
I shrug my shoulders, but I can’t take my hands off
eyes of his. I’m trying to determine the exact color.
Are you goth? You ?
With a skeptical eye, raised eyebrow, he examines my long blonde ponytail, my dark blue sweatshirt and my smooth face, devoid of makeup.
Not really. It’s Haven who’s all in on this.
My laughter bounces off the walls, which bounce it back at me
whip – a sort of nervous sneer that will make you cringe.
He doesn’t take his eyes off me. Obviously, he’s having a lot of fun.
What do you like, then?
The arrival of Mr. Robins, with his red cheeks which are not the result of a small race between two classrooms, contrary to what everyone imagines, exempts me from answering. Damen sits up in his chair and I take a deep breath.
suddenly, before lowering my hood and diving back into the sonic and tormented universe of a group of teenagers, stressed by the
exams and feeling bad about themselves, Mr. Robins and his shattered dreams, Stacia, Honor and Craig wondering what the super handsome
kid can find me.
