Reckless Magic

“Who is that?” Aunt Syl was bothimpressed and confused by the unbelievably good-looking boy jogging in ourdirection.

“What?” I shouted exasperatedly,stepping back out of the car and closing the door, hoping to shield, whateverthis was about, from my aunt.

“Are you Ok?” he came to a stop tooclose for comfort, but thankfully I only felt the soft hum of electricity thathad come to be normal.

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, hopinghe would just get to the point.

“Are you sure?” he reached out tohold my hand, reminding me of the dream I had about him last night. I let himhold it for a moment, feeling butterflies instead of overwhelming energy,before taking it back. He smiled slightly.

“Yes, I’m sure, but my aunt istaking me to get a checkup anyway,” I said with slight irritation. “What do youwant?” I hoped he was not here to ask me about the trashcan in the theateragain.

“I just wanted to make sure youwere Ok,” he smiled wider and I found myself smiling back. I couldn’t help it.He was just beautiful with his perfect white teeth, surrounded by perfect lipsand perfect dimples. Even his eyes smiled at me.

“Thank you,” I said softening alittle. “But really, I’m fine.  Like Isaid, I’m going to the hospital, and I am sure they will tell me that there isnothing wrong with me. So…. I’ll see you later,” I tried to turn away fromhim and get in the car, but he was not finished.

“I brought you your backpack,” heblurted, never taking his eyes off mine. I reached out to take it from him,willing myself to look away from his shining turquoise eyes. I felt the heatrush to my cheeks, and let my hair fall in front of my face to hide theembarrassing blush.

“Thank you,” I mumbled again. Itook the backpack and our fingertips brushed softly together. Butterflies andelectricity surged through my body this time, and I realized it was time to getout of there before Aunt Syl would witness one of my “episodes.”

“Can I bring you your homeworktonight?” his eyes wavered for a second and I realized that he wasnervous.

“Um, actually I think Lilly isgoing to bring it,” I replied in a rush.

“Mr. Kendrick, get back to class,”Principal Saint’s voice called from the top of the hill. Clearly a

“We’ll see about that,” hewhispered before turning around and jogging back up the hill. I stood staringafter him for a moment, wondering if he was talking about class or my homeworktonight.

Kiran left me once again confused,but excited at the same time. With so many mixed emotions, no wonder I couldn’tkeep control of myself. Thankful I would have something to distract me the restof the afternoon; I climbed back in the car. I was almost looking forward tothe promised MRI and CT scan; maybe Aunt Syl would even throw in a PET scanjust for good measure…. one could only hope.

Chapter Ten

I never thought I would miss school,especially Kingsley, but sitting in front of my window Sunday night, I couldnot wait to get back there. Or rather, I could not wait to get out from underAunt Syl’s watchful eye.

The tests at the hospital all cameback normal. I knew they would, I knew that whatever was wrong with me was notgoing to show up on a hospital chart or graph, unless maybe it was a mentalhospital.

Aunt Syl was less than convincedwhen they told me everything was fine and I could go home. Since she decided touse some of her accumulated vacation days just to be sure I didn’t die, I wasunder constant supervision.

My week was full of manicures,pedicures, hair appointments and hours and hours of yoga. I had done enoughup-dog, down-dog, Warrior-two for a lifetime. I enjoyed spending so much timewith Aunt Syl, but so much relaxing proved hard for both of us toaccomplish.

My aunt, an important ER doctor,was most comfortable with constant movement and nights of sleeplessness. I wasaccustomed to her absence for days at a time, and taking care of myself. Iwasn’t sure if we had ever spent that much quality time together. It was niceat first, but we were both in the habit of being alone.

Finally, that afternoon, she couldstay home no longer and found an excuse to go to the hospital. Since I hadnever experienced an episode at home, I was sure she believed I’d be Ok by now.

The only other person I had seenwas Lilly. She faithfully brought me my homework every night and stayed forsupper. She also sat with me for hours explaining it, especially French. Shewas just as fluent as everyone else; having already finished her requiredFrench classes and moved onto Latin. Why I didn’t think to ask her for help tobegin with was beyond me.

Lilly was what Kingsley called a“boardy”; which meant that her parents lived elsewhere and rented her anapartment during the school year. Apparently, most of the students at Kingsleylived like that. Their parents, all super important and super rich, sent theirchildren far away and provided them with all of the teenage necessities: food,lodging, chauffeurs, cooks, maids, tutors and no-limit, black, American Expresscards.

I had heard of that sort of thingbefore, but my idea of a prep school, worth all that trouble, was locatedusually near an ocean, not in the middle of nowhere. When I asked Lilly whythese students didn’t go somewhere like New York, or North Carolina, sheinformed me that Kingsley was the trifecta for people of our stature. Sincethat only confused me more, she explained that Kingsley was not only the bestof the best in the world of academia, but it was located where studentscouldn’t find too much trouble and most of the parents were either closefriends with the school board or Principal Saint.

I doubted that I fit in to any ofthose categories for attending, but remembered Aunt Syl’s sizable donation tothe science department before my admission forms were accepted. Despite all ofher freedom, however, I could tell that Lilly was lonely. Thankfully, Aunt Sylloved her just as much as I did, so she spent most of her time at our house,refusing only to spend the night. Eventually I figured I would just convinceher to move in with us.

The flash of headlights in my driveway pulled me out of my musing. AuntSyl must be home from the hospital. I threw an oversized navy-blue Kingsleysweatshirt on over my tank top; it hung down over my shorts, making me looklike it was the only thing I had on. I gave up on my Calculus homework andheaded down to the kitchen, hoping she brought home something to eat with her.

The cooler weather brought a nicebreeze through the windows, giving the house a freshly mowed grass smell. Iinhaled the pleasing aroma, thankful the humidity was finally letting up a bit.Soon the leaves would be turning colors and the rain would come; fall was myfavorite time of year.

Just as I entered the kitchen, thedoorbell rang. I turned around and walked back through the living room to thefront door. Wondering why she chose the front door instead of the garage, Iflung the door open, expecting to see my aunt. To my utter shock, Kiran wasstanding in the doorway looking like a page out of magazine. What was he doinghere?

“What are you doing here?” Iblurted out, completely aware of what I was wearing and the mess of hair piledon top of my head.

“Don’t you look cute?” he saidmischievously, in his crisp English accent. He gave me his signature smirk andlet his eyes drift over my legs. His wavy blonde hair, slicked back away fromhis face and wearing a black motorcycle jacket, he could have been cast in ascene from “Rebel without a Cause.”

“What are you doing here?” Irepeated, stu