Silverlighters (revised version as I edit)

15 - edited

                               15

I pulled away from Jonathon, biting my bottom lip. I still felt shy with him, and uncertain of the way he made me feel.

I looked up. “I guess that means I have to give your jacket back.”

Jonathon smiled, but even though his eyes were warm, they were conflicted. He also seemed nervous. On edge even.

Questions flooded my mind. What was going on here, and why was he nervous?

Did I make him nervous? Or was it something else?

He tucked my hair behind my ear, then his cool fingertips ran along my jaw line.

A pleasant shiver ran through me. He had no idea what he was doing to me.

Or maybe he did.

He cupped the side of my face in his hand, and leaned closer.

I tilted my head, pressing into his warm palm, and searched his face.

The way he was looking at me was so tender, but his eyes were telling me a different story.

I had always been pretty good at reading people, but with Jonathon it was hard.

Something flashed in his eyes and he looked away. It was only for a second, but I know what I saw – guilt and remorse.

When he met my eye again, it was gone.

He took his hand away, and moved back a step, looking over my shoulder.

I could still feel the lingering trace of his hand on my cheek, and was confused by the sudden change in him.

It was like a shutter had come down over his face, reminding me he was one of them.

I tried to turn, but he grabbed the sides of my head so that I couldn’t.

I knew why immediately. They were behind me.

I could feel them.

Jonathon’s eyes softened as he looked back at me. “Hold onto it. You might need it.”

“Hold onto what?” At first I didn’t know what he meant. Then my face flushed. “Oh – the jacket.”

I could feel their eyes on my back and wondered how long they had been there, watching what I thought was a private moment.

My voice was soft, and husky with emotion. “Where were you, anyway?”

I didn’t like this me – the one that was ruled by hormones. The one that came across as needy.

“We had to – to go back home for a few days.”

He suddenly stiffened and turned his head, his eyes darkening.

Sure enough, when I looked up, I saw Madison over his shoulder.

Confused, I turned around. I had been so sure they were behind me.

They were. And they weren’t watching us, they were watching Madison.

My skin prickled. I had no idea what was going on here, but I didn’t like it.

There was an underlying current in the air. One filled with danger.

I turned back to Jonathon, my head spinning. “That girl seriously needs to get a life of her own,” I muttered. “They all do.”

Jonathon chuckled, and his hands came up to rub the sides of my arms.

“If only you knew,” he said softly.