Chapter 7
I walked in the front door after school and was surprised to find my mom home.
“I got someone to change shifts with me,” she explained excitedly. “Let’s go take your driver’s test!”
Normally, I would’ve been ecstatic at this idea, but now I knew having my license meant I would have to debut my granny motorcycle.
“Oh, Mom,” I complained. “I’m really tired right now.”
“Nonsense,” she replied. “You’ve been excited about this for months! Now go get in the car.”
I tossed my backpack on the nearest chair and rummaged through it for my wallet, checking to make sure I had the proper ID I might need. Then I followed her dutifully out to the car, a silver Toyota Camry with dark-tinted windows, and sighed. I guessed I wouldn’t be driving it as much as I’d previously envisioned.
We took the drive through Oak Creek Canyon to the Flagstaff Department of Motor Vehicles. Mom got me signed in, and soon I was sitting at a computer taking the written test.
After about twenty minutes, I finished, and it was graded. I missed only a couple of questions, and the lady at the window explained the appropriate answers to me. Then I was introduced to a man who took me out to a driving course, which had been set up with orange cones in a paved parking lot.
I got into our car, performed all the safety checks, and drove through the course with ease. When I was finished, the man joined me in the vehicle with his clipboard in hand. We left the lot to drive down the street and around the block before returning to the building. Soon, I was the proud owner of a new driver’s license.
After running a few errands, Mom and I headed back to Sedona. Of course, she insisted I drive us home, and I have to admit I was a little bit excited. After all, getting a driver’s license is a certain rite of passage for a teenager. My excitement was nearly extinguished, however, when my mom preached about how to drive all the way home. Apparently, she’d conveniently forgotten I’d passed my Driver’s Ed class with an A plus, as well as getting a note of commendation from my teacher about my attention to safety. Instead, she either gasped at every corner we took—and hung onto the door handle like she was about to die—or she repeatedly ran her fingers through her dark hair nervously. She kept telling me to slow down even though I wasn’t going anywhere near the speed limit.
I tried to be patient with her, knowing it was mothering nerves, but by the time we got home, I bounded out of the car, running into the house and up the stairs to my room.
“Don’t you want to practice riding your scooter now?” she called to me from the ground floor.
“Later, Mom,” I replied over my shoulder. “I really am tired now.”
It wasn’t even a lie. I was completely exhausted mentally. I flopped onto my polished, oak bed and rolled into the puffy, purple patchwork quilt. I didn’t even know I’d fallen asleep until I felt Jinx nuzzling my face trying to alert me that someone was coming.
The door opened quietly, and Shelly crept into my room, shutting the door softly behind her.
“Hey,” I said groggily, pushing myself to sit against the pillow behind me.
“Oh! You’re awake!” she said, and happily climbed onto the bed where she sat cross-legged next to me. “Your mom said you were probably still asleep. I was going to leave you a note on your desk.”
“I was asleep until a minute ago.” I reached out to scratch Jinx behind the ear. “Jinx woke me up.”
“All right, so start dishing,” Shelly said, petting Jinx also. “I feel like we haven’t talked in ages, and I like your new cat, by the way.”
“She adopted me,” I said as a way of explanation. “I woke one morning, and there she was. She seemed content to stay awhile, so I figured, why not?”
“How sweet. Now tell me about Vance Mangum.” Shelly jumped right into what she was really interested in knowing.
I shrugged, pretending indifference just to make her suffer, even though the sound of his name made my heart begin to race. “What do you want to know?” I asked innocently.
“Everything, duh!” she said, grabbing a pillow and hitting me with it. I lifted my hands to ward off her attack.
“I don’t know what to say. We sort of seemed interested in each other, and now we seem to be hitting it off pretty good.”
“I’ll say!” Shelly exclaimed, her eyes wide. “The whole school was buzzing about him kissing you this afternoon!”
I couldn’t help smiling at the memory. “That was our first kiss,” I said a little dreamily, as I thought back to it.
“Apparently it was pretty hot. Girls were swooning just from watching.”
“Yeah, and I imagine a few of them hate me for it too,” I said, suddenly feeling a spark of jealousy at everyone who had a thing for Vance. “I know several of them had set their sights on Vance a long time ago.”
“So how did all this get started?” Shelly asked, digging for more details.
My mind scrambled to make a coherent answer since I knew I couldn’t tell her the whole truth. I told her he’d come by and asked me to go for a ride with him after my party. He’d helped me sneak out and had taken me on a moonlit drive to Oak Creek Canyon. Of course, I edited out all the magic parts. I told her he came by my Grandma’s on Sunday to see me also, leaving out that it had been for a ritual to induct me into the magical coven my family happened to be the leaders of. This was all becoming a bit bizarre.
“I can’t believe it!” she crooned, completely unaware of my omissions. “Vance Mangum! You realize you’ve landed the hottest guy in school, don’t you? Now we both have boyfriends!”
“Yes, boyfriends who are basically polar opposites of each other,” I reminded her. Somehow, I couldn’t imagine Vance being too big on the double dating scene.
“We’ll make it work out somehow,” Shelly said, her optimist personality coming right to the surface.
“Portia!” my mom’s voice floated up the stairs. “Dinner’s ready.”
“Be right down,” I shouted back.
“I guess I better go too,” Shelly said, and she hopped off the bed. “My mom and dad should be on their way home from Phoenix right now. They were supposed to fly in from their trip to Italy this afternoon.”
“I’m glad you came by to visit, even if it was only for a minute.” I stood and gave her a hug.
“So, I’ll give you a ride in the morning then?”
“About that,” I replied, “I got my license today.”
“You did?” she squealed in delight, before looking puzzled at me. “Why don’t you seem excited? You’ve been talking about this for months.”
“Follow me.” I walked out the door, heading down the stairs toward the garage.
“I’m showing Shelly my present,” I called out to my mom, who was eating and watching television in the family room.
“Did they get you a car?” Shelly whispered excitedly while tugging on my sleeve.
We stepped into the dark garage, and I waited for the door to close fully before I flipped on the light switch.
“Tada,” I said flatly, gesturing with my arm to my new ride.
Shelly’s smile faded a little as her eyes perused the neon-green scooter. Then she burst out laughing. She walked over to it and fingered the wire basket, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.
“It’s great!” she choked out as the tears ran down her face. “I can’t wait to see you drive it to school tomorrow.”
“Uh huh.” I folded my arms across my chest and tapped my foot against the concrete. “Are you finished yet?”
She held up one finger. “Give me a minute,” she said, trying to calm herself down.
At that moment, my mom came through the door into the garage.
“Portia,” she said. “I forgot to give you this the other day in all the excitement.” She handed me a purple helmet with bright, little, green daisies all over it, smiling happily at me.
“Oh. Thanks, Mom,” I replied, knowing my shame was now complete.
Shelly was positively flushed from trying to hold in the laughter. She managed to restrain herself until my mom walked into the house, then fell into a nearby lawn chair and howled.
I helped my mom clean after dinner and went to my room to do homework I’d been procrastinating. I’d just finished my English assignment when my cell phone started buzzing. I reached out and absently answered it, knowing it would be Shelly since she was the only one who ever called me.
“Hey, Shell,” I said with a sigh. “What’s up?”
“I’m going to have to try a whole lot harder if you’re starting to confuse me with a girl,” a sexy, baritone voice spoke into my ear. “I’m starting to doubt my kissing skills. Perhaps I need a tutor.”
I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “You so don’t need a tutor, trust me,” I replied, wondering if he could hear the increase in my heart’s tempo. It was currently pounding in my ears.
“So you’re speaking from experience then?” Vance asked. “Or am I to assume you’re just guessing at my level of skill.”
“I’m speaking from experience, of course,” I replied, and he grew quiet for several seconds.
“I’m not sure how I feel about that,” he said finally. “How many boys have you kissed before me?”
“How many girls have you kissed, Vance?” I responded, answering his question with a question.
“Point taken,” he said, chuckling after a moment.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I continued to goad him. “You don’t get that good without a lot of practice.”
“So you’re saying you’ve kissed lots of guys then, because I think I felt the earth move when you kissed me back.”
“Whatever!” I said, deciding it was time to move on to safer subjects. “How’d you get my phone number?”
“I have my ways.”
“Are you going to share those ways with me?” I asked after I realized he wasn’t going to continue.
“Nope.” He laughed.
“Hmm, a secretive stalker. Maybe I should reconsider going out with you. It might not be safe.” I regretted my teasing words the instant they left my mouth, considering the things I knew he was worried about.
There was a moment of silence, which seemed like an eternity, before he spoke again.
“You’d probably be wise to reconsider,” he said softly. “And I got your number from your grandma.”
“I’m sorry, Vance. I was just kidding, and I spoke without thinking.” I was terrified I’d offended him. “There’s nothing for me to reconsider either. I’m right where I want to be,” I added.
“No harm, no foul,” he said smoothly. “So, what’re you doing to tonight?”
“Homework.” I gave a miserable sigh. “Do you want to come rescue me?”
“I’d love to, but I happen to be up to my eyeballs in the same stuff myself. If I have to research anything more about the fall of Rome, I may actually fall myself.” He laughed and I joined him.
“So was there a specific reason you called?” I asked. “Did you need something?”
“Yes. I needed to hear your voice.”
My heart instantly melted into a puddle and was replaced with the giddy knowledge that he missed me.
“Too sappy?” he asked when I didn’t reply.
“What? No! I mean . . . I mean, I miss you too.” I laughed nervously. “You simply caught me off-guard. That was really sweet and unexpected.”
“I’m going to have to work on my game then, if it’s unexpected.” He chuckled. “Apparently, I need to try a little harder letting you know exactly how I feel.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, feeling nervous butterflies in my stomach at his teasing words.
“I mean, if I didn’t think your dad would shoot me, I’d drop everything I was doing right now and come over there. Then I would pound on your door until you opened it and let me kiss you senseless.”
My breath caught in my throat. “My dad’s not home tonight,” I whispered, and closed my eyes, trying to imagine the picture he’d just painted.
“Hey, Portia, can you hang on for a sec? I’ll be right back.”
“Sure,” I said.
I waited for several moments and when he didn’t come back right away, I started working on my math problems. After I’d done about five problems, I glanced at the clock, wondering what had happened to him. He’d been gone for several minutes.
A thought suddenly struck me, and I leapt from the bed.
He wouldn’t, would he? I glanced in the mirror, running my fingers through my hair and rubbing at some smudged mascara. That’s when I heard a motorcycle engine roaring down the street, and laughter started bubbling from my chest.
He had!
I bounded down the stairs and to the front door, flinging it open in time to catch him lifting his hand to knock. He grinned, dragging me out onto the step and into his arms, while reaching behind me to pull the door shut.
“Hey, baby,” he said, stepping forward and pressing me against the door.
“Hey,” I replied breathlessly, grinning at him.
He dropped his lips to mine, kissing me hotly. His hands ran into my hair and held my head tightly to his.
I couldn’t even move, my knees were shaking so badly. His kiss felt like it was running through my whole body, sending little sparks everywhere. I lifted my hands to grip his shoulders, trying to balance myself. He seemed to sense my need and moved one of his arms around my waist, pulling our bodies into full contact with one another.
I started to slip my arms around his neck when suddenly he broke the kiss, stepping away.
“I think that’s enough kissing for tonight,” he said, retreating slowly away from me.
“Really?” I asked, unable to contain the disappointment weaving through my voice, and he laughed, lifting his finger to shake it back and forth at me.
“Now, now. We’ll have none of that tonight!” he scolded.
“None of what?” I asked, completely confused, watching him as he continued to back away toward his bike.
“No more looking so . . . kissable!” He grinned and turned to straddle his motorcycle. “Go finish your homework!” he added, not leaving me time to reply before he jump-started the loud engine. He backed out of my driveway, his eyes never leaving me until he turned and zoomed away.
I watched him drive all the way down the street, and then stumbled into the house, trying to collect my senses.
“Who was at the door, Portia?” my mom called out.
“It was Vance,” I answered, continuing toward the stairs.
“What did he want?”
Me, I thought, and a huge smile spread across my face wondering how she would react if I actually said that.
“He was taking a quick break from his homework and dropped by to say hey,” I answered truthfully.
“Well, that was nice of him,” she called back.
“Yes, it was.” I lifted my fingers to brush my kiss-swollen lips before adding under my breath, “You have no idea how nice.”
I arrived at school very early the next morning, trying to avoid as many of my fellow students as possible. I parked at the farthest, most secluded end of the parking lot, and was just undoing the chinstrap on my helmet when Vance roared into the space next to me. I was mortified.
“Nice wheels,” he said, with a nod toward the scooter.
“Ha, ha. Very funny.” I ripped the helmet from my head, hanging it by the strap on the handlebar.
“I’m serious,” Vance said, getting off his motorcycle. He sauntered over to grab my backpack out of the wire basket. He slung it over his shoulder. “You make anything you wear look good.”
He snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. We were soon repeating the kiss he’d given me last night. Only this time, I succeeded in wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer to me—really kissing him back. I couldn’t even begin to describe the feeling this gave me. Heat went streaking through my veins, racing t
hrough my body, and it was as if the entire world melted away, and this was what I was meant to do.
Vance pulled away abruptly, his breathing a little bit ragged.
“Wow,” was all he said, but he stared at me hotly.
I didn’t say anything. I was too busy trying to breathe.
“I’m beginning to think kissing you might be dangerous,” he finally added seriously, his gaze focused on my mouth.
“I think maybe you’re right.” I felt a little dazed at all the emotions rushing through me.
Vance grabbed my hand, and we started slowly walking toward the school, not wanting to rush our time together.
“So, your dreams have been better the last few nights,” he stated casually, and I could see he was determined to change the subject.
“What? How do you know that?” I asked, surprised.
“You haven’t called to me in your sleep anymore,” he replied, as if having me call to him in my sleep was totally normal.
“I dreamed you came to wake me one night,” I told him.
“I know, and I did.”
“But I woke up and you weren’t there,” I replied, trying to understand what he was saying.
“I didn’t come to you physically. I came to you mentally,” he explained.
“You were really there?” I asked, astonished.
“In a sense.” He shrugged, nonchalantly.
I sighed. “I have a lot to learn.”
He chuckled slightly. “Yes, you do. But I keep telling you there’s something special between you and me. I’ve never experienced a bond like this before. So, it’s okay if you feel a little confused. This is all new to me too.” He opened the door to the school, and we walked into the hall.
We went to my locker first and deposited my bag after drawing out the books I needed. Then I followed him to his. We didn’t speak much since there were other students and teachers roaming the halls, all giving us stares.
“Walk with me,” he said, quietly.
I followed him to a small, out of the way corner. He guided me into it, while shielding me from view with his broad shoulders.
“When do you start learning more about your powers?”
“Today, actually,” I replied. “Babs is going to cover the store for Grandma, so she can work with me this evening at her house.”
“Cool,” he said. “Do you think she’d mind if I came with you?”
“I don’t see why she would. You’re part of everything that’s going on.”
“Why don’t you give her a call real quick just to make sure?”
Now I knew why he was hiding me in the corner. Cell phones at school were an absolute no-no, even though nearly every student was hiding one somewhere on their person.
I quickly dialed the store, and Grandma answered on the second ring. I proceeded to ask her about Vance coming over. I’d finished the call and snapped the phone shut when Mr. Percival rounded the corner. Vance leaned in to make it look like we were kissing.
“No making out in the halls!” Mr. Percival called out loudly while I stealthily slid the phone into my back pocket.
“Um, sorry, Mr. Percival,” Vance said, stepping away from me with a grin. He grabbed my hand, and we headed off together.
I spoke when we were finally out of earshot.
“She says come on over. She’d love to have you there.”
“And what about you? Will it distract you?”
I laughed and didn’t even bother to respond as we walked to the door of my first class.
“I’ll see you at lunch,” I said with a smile.
“It’s a date,” he responded, gradually releasing my hand as he stepped away.