The Chronicles of Fire and Ice: The Revealing Page 16

  We opened the closet doors and behind some scrubs and dresses was a black chest that had a piece of nude-colored scotch tape with “Peterson” written on it. We opened it, took out the photo albums, the old report cards, a few old doodles Elias and I did as kids, and some other family keepsakes. We still couldn’t find anything that lead to an answer or even a start. Next we checked the shed and went through all the boxes and bins and still nothing.

  I exhaled and sat on a box.

  “Wait — wait…” Dylan repeated to himself while pacing.

  “What is it?”

  He bolted out of the shed and back into the house.

  I called out to him, “Where are you going?”

  When I got back in the house, he was on all fours grabbing the photo album from under the coffee table.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  Shuffling through the pages he said, “I remember when I was looking at this book and your mom said — aye, here it is!”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Look at this, Marc.” He pointed to a picture. “Your mom said that this picture was taken outside of your adoption agency.”

  “Man, you’re a genius,” I said enthusiastically. “I could hug you right now.”

  He held a hand out. “That won’t be necessary. Now, do you know where you were adopted from?”

  “I’m not sure. They don’t like to talk about it really. Somewhere in the state is all I know.”

  Dylan examined the photo intensely then jumped to his feet. “You were adopted from the City.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Look here, the street sign says W 58th Street, that’s in the City.”

  “Dude that not too far from campus. This is amazing.”

  Dylan reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone and took a picture of the picture. We went around the house and into the shed to make sure everything was set to how it was before we ransacked it.

  “We have to get to lunch or our parents are going to kill us,” I said.

  Everyone was already eating when we walked in. Mom gave me the evil eye because I was late.

  “I thought Monica was coming,” Mom growled through each chew.

  “Well … she decided not to come,” I replied, sinking down in my seat.

  “So Monica was going to come to lunch?” Dad dropped his fork onto his plate.

  “Um … she was, but she said she had errands to run.” I hated lying to my parents.

  Dad’s eyes bulged. “So she didn’t go to work today?”

  “She has a job?”

  “She’s your replacement. She works for me now and if she’s not at —”

  “Oh yeah! That must have been what she was talking about then,” I interrupted. “She was saying something about me meeting up with her at the restaurant. It was all some misunderstanding. I think I’ll order now.”

  “So how is college going for you guys?” asked Mrs. Perry.

  “It’s really a good experience. Dylan and I have been enjoying our time in the big city,” I said.

  “My roommate sucks,” Dylan said gloomily.

  “Well, next year you and Marcus can room together,” Dad said, finally picking up his fork. Mom was still giving me that look like I was about to be in trouble when I got home. Hopefully we put everything back to normal.

  “Or, you can get us an apartment off campus, Dad,” Dylan said cheerfully.

  “Not a chance,” said Mr. Perry.

  After dinner was over, Dylan and I went over to the Carrot Cake to see Monica. She was just as beautiful as she was on prom night, even with the ponytail and ketchup stains everywhere. She looked stressed as she carried orders to the wrong tables and constantly tripping over the hump in the floor that Dad wouldn’t pay to get fix.

  I just sat in the doorway watching her — laughing because I was the same way when I started off. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to hold her so tight that my handprints would forever be ingrained around her waist. Dylan took a seat and I threw an apron on to lend a hand.

  Thank you, she mouthed to me from across the restaurant.

  It was only her and another new guy working so I pitched in until the slight rush was over. I removed the apron and we both went to the bar next to Dylan.

  “Don’t tell me the big city ran you guys away already.” She hugged Dylan.

  “Never,” Dylan laughed. “It’s good to see you, Monica.

  “We just came home to see the families for our birthdays.”

  I opened my arms and her eyes gazed up from my waist to my face, a smile forming next. She gave me a warm hug.

  “Have you talked to Jessica lately, Dylan?” Monica asked.

  “No. And I don’t plan on it anytime soon,” Dylan said.

  “Why didn’t you tell me that you were working for my dad?” I asked.

  “We ran into each other one day at the grocery store and he asked me if I wanted a job. I needed a way to save some money up for college.”

  “Well, it’s good to know that I’m replaceable.”

  “Are you kidding me? I suck at this. I don’t know how you did it.”

  I kept catching myself getting lost in her beautiful brown eyes. I got up and made a smoothie for Dylan to distract me from staring.

  “Well, I had lots of time to practice, and besides, I practically grew up in this restaurant.”

  We sat around and played “catch up” while still running orders to tables as needed. Dylan got tired of me leaving the table and taking orders while he sat there eating cake so we left. On our way out the door, Monica stopped me to talk in private.

  “I’ll be in the car,” said Dylan.

  “What’s up?” I asked her.

  “I just miss you that’s all.” She pushed her loose hairs back into the messy ponytail.

  “Well, I miss you too, Monica.”

  “Can you come over tonight?”

  “Yeah, I can make that happen. Dylan is waiting for me so…”

  “Oh yeah, and I should probably get back to taking orders or something.”

  “Cool. I’ll catch you later.”

  I went back to Dylan’s house because I didn’t want my dad to question me about Monica. I figured if I gave him some time, he would easily forget about it. Dalton wanted to spend some time with his brother so I watched as they played video games.

  “Mind if I use your car tonight, Dylan?” I stood up to stretch.

  “No problem. I’m in for the night.” He put his controller down and stood.

  Dalton imitated the both of us.

  I grabbed the keys and drove to Monica’s house. Along the way she texted me, telling me her parents weren’t going to be home so we would have the house to ourselves.

  “Bring some swimming trunks?” she asked right as she answered the door.

  “You never said anything about going for a swim,” I said, raising an eyebrow.

  “It’s a pretty warm night. I figured you wouldn’t mind.”

  She pulled me inside and dragged me through the house until we got to the glass sliding doors around the back. She pulled me through the doorway and guided me across the patio to the edge of the pool. She let me go and unbuttoned her shorts exposing her black bikini, sliding them down her legs and kicking them off when they reached her feet. I turned around. I took my shirt off and her eyes began to flirt with me when I turned back.

  “Are you swimming in pants,” she asked while removing her shirt now exposing her leopard print top that covered her chest and wrapped around her neck. I took my shoes and pants off and stood there in my boxers.

  She sized me up and down.

  She never looked at me that way before even when I was her boyfriend. She looked like she really wanted me in ways I’ve never imagined anybody wanting me.

  “Have you gained weight?” she asked.

  I smiled — confidently and walked over to the pool. “Are you just going to stand there or are we going to get in?”

  We
both jumped in the water and when we surfaced, we were on opposite sides of the pool.

  “Marcus,” she whispered, yet, I still heard her. “I like this. I miss this.”

  “I miss you too.”

  “Are the ladies treating you OK in college?”

  “The same as they did here.” I downplayed it even though I was somewhat interested in Delilah.

  “You seeing anybody these days?” I asked her.

  She swam towards me and I did the same. She wrapped her arms around my neck once we met halfway.

  “Right now,” she replied, tickling the back of my hairline, “I’m seeing you.”

  She reached in for the kiss and I met her halfway. She pulled away from me and her eyes sparkled. I couldn’t hide the smile I had nor did I want to. I leaned forward for another kiss. She forced her body closer to mine, our movements creating waves. My hands breached the surface of the water to rest on her lower back. Her kisses went from slow and gentle to fast and forceful. She whispered my name with each breath and break we took.

  “It’s getting hot in here.” She pulled away.

  My eyes were still closed wanting to continue to kiss her. I forced her back to me and tried to kiss her again.

  “Marcus, stop! The water, it really just warmed up.” She turned and walked around, examining the water. Through the water I noticed her back had two red marks where my hands were.

  I panicked and rushed out of the pool.

  “Where’re you going?” she cried.

  “I — I — I really have to go, something came up.”

  “Marcus, are you serious? You just got here!”

  I grabbed my clothes and ran through the house and out the front door until I got to the car. It was that moment there I noticed that my powers could hurt the people that I cared about. If I would have held onto her any longer, I could have killed her.

  “Marcus, Marcus!” She ran out the house towards the car.

  “This was a bad idea, Monica. Let’s just accept the fact that we’re not meant to be anything more than friends.” I didn’t really mean that. I just couldn’t be with her knowing my powers could possibly hurt her. Her eyes began to water and her hands slowly balled into a fist.

  “You know what, Marcus, I don’t know what it is you want,” she cried.

  “You, don’t know what I want? Monica are you serious?” I got out the car and slammed the door, shirtless and dripping water. “I stood on this porch and basically handed you my heart and you tossed it away, not even giving it back to me. So don’t tell me you don’t know what it is I want. I wanted you.”

  “Wanted?” Her wet eyes squinted as she slowly backed towards the door. “So you don’t have feelings for me anymore?”

  I hesitated before I answered. “I don’t know what it is I feel, honestly.”

  “Well,” she wiped the tears from her eyes, “I guess you’ll have plenty of time to sort them out in the City because I don’t want to go back to just being your friend, Marcus.”

  She walked inside and slammed the door. She was making things so complicated.

  I was hurt.

  I was hurt because I knew I wanted her but me being whatever I am, won’t let me be with her — maybe anybody.

  I walked back to the car and drove off wiping the tears from my eyes.

  Chapter 15

  ASAP

  Even with the picture and Dylan’s assistance I was now second-guessing my decision to search for my birth parents. Went through a whole bunch of “what ifs”. What if I did find them and they got outraged that I came looking for them. What If I show them what I can do and it scares their hair white. The more I thought about it, the clearer my decision became to just leave everything as is.

  I went on for weeks ignoring the thought of the picture. Knowing Dylan, I was sure he would have tried to push me into the search but was actually supportive. On the other hand, Monica and I haven’t spoken since that night. Why did things have to get so complicated between us?

  With the weather changing, Delilah needed to go shopping and dragged Charlie and me along. If it was one thing I hated about living up North it was the snow. I tried to get Dylan to come, but he’d been spending every chance he got with that Imani girl. Still can’t believe I’ve never met her. I wondered about her existence. He’s probably sitting in his room twiddling his fingers when he says he’s with her.

  “How about this?” Delilah said, holding a sweater up to her chest.

  “I like it … I guess.” I didn’t know anything about fashion, let alone female fashion. Sweat pants and a jacket were dope to me. She shook her head, her nose scrunching as she giggled. She put the sweater back on the rack.

  “You sure can make a lady feel pretty good about herself, yes.” She walked by, stroking her finger across my face. She continued around the store commencing her retail damage. Charlie was leaned against one of the racks, huffing and puffing, so I took him outside.

  “I can’t believe you don’t have a jacket on, son. It’s freezing out here,” Charlie said. He caught a breeze — froze and shivered.

  “I know. Don’t let me walk out without one next time,” I said. We walked across the street to sit down and wait for Delilah.

  “She really has a thing for you, son.” Charlie nodded in the direction of the boutique.

  “Delilah? Nah, I think she’s out of my league. We’re just cool.”

  “Yeah, you guys are only friends because you won’t make a move on her. She’s waiting on you, son.”

  I looked back to catch a glimpse of her shopping through the glass panels. She was such an amazing girl — smart, personable, funny and foreign. Maybe if I asked her out on a date, I could get my mind off of Monica for good.

  But I was too nervous.

  I obviously didn’t have control over my powers, otherwise, I would have never bruised Monica. Still, I had to take charge and pray that I won’t hurt anyone. I got up and started back to the store.

  “Son, where you going?” Charlie said.

  The bell chimed when I opened the door. I walked up behind her at the register. I startled her a bit when I tapped her shoulder.

  “Hey, you guys almost ready?” she asked, getting her money from her wallet. I didn’t exactly know what I was about to say and the way the lady at the register looked at me made me a bit nervous. “Marcus, you guys ready?” she asked again.

  “Um, yeah. So Delilah … next week … I was thinking that after our Friday study session…” I looked over and still the cashier was glaring down at me. I stopped talking and looked down to see if something was wrong. “Next Friday night you and I should … we should … hang out … you know, just the two of us.”

  She froze for a moment and laughed. My head dropped.

  “Are you asking me on a bloody date, Marcus?”

  “Yeah. You didn’t have to laugh at me.”

  “Blimey, I laughed because I thought it was cute.” She leaned forward and pecked me on the cheek. “You’re so adorable.”

  “So that’s a yes?” I stood there with my hands in my pockets.

  “That’s a hell yes,” she said. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Honestly, I have no idea. I guess we can do whatever you want to do.”

  “Union Square,” the lady from behind the register said.

  “What?” Delilah turned around.

  “Union Square, it’s a cool little hip place where people hang. Shops, food, and entertainment. What more could a young couple ask for?”

  “We’ll look into that I guess,” I said as we walked out.

  “Do you think Stacey would go out with me?” Charlie said as we walked back inside our room.

  “Dude, I have no clue, just ask her out. Same thing you said about me and Delilah.”

  “We could be roommates dating roommates.”

  “Whatever.”

  He was too excited about that idea.

  “What did you even say to her?” He plopped on his bed. I took a seat at
the desk and spun my chair to face him.

  “Well, I just went for it. I took your advice and didn’t worry about what she would say.”

  “So when you guys get married, son, you can thank your best man for hooking you two up back in your NYU days.”

  “Who, Dylan?” I laughed.

  “Whatever, son. I’m asking Stacey out tomorrow.”

  Later that night when Charlie was sleep, I packed my bag and went out to my “flight pad” aka the tall double-lit building. I wanted to perfect my flight ability some more and this time, I took my shoes off and went barefoot. I started for a sprint that didn’t feel pleasing as my feet ran across pebbles and other debris. I jumped off the ledge and took off like a space shuttle in the night sky. I was good, but still needed to practice speed control. I thought about a fighter jet and how it tears up the sky ripping through clouds, yet remaining in control.

  When I would mimic that my speed increased.

  Just couldn’t slow myself down.

  I went faster and faster, tearing through the air catching every bug and dust particle in my face.

  Still, I couldn’t stop.

  I considered the only way I would stop was to crash and I wasn’t too fond of smacking my face against the side of a building — again. I saw Central Park Lake from the top of the sky and I didn’t think about it.

  I splashed down.

  I made it to the surface.

  My body was sore, aching all over.

  At least I wasn’t in the sky anymore.

  Barefoot and dripping wet, I hobbled until my body slowly lifted back in the air, flying snail speed. When I made it back to get my things, I couldn’t find my bag anywhere. Where did I leave it? I diligently searched the whole rooftop and couldn’t find it. I did another search and felt my heart attempting to escape when nothing turned up.

  Did the two guys find me?

  My hands wobbled.

  Thoughts took a wrong turn.

  I didn’t want to spend any more time up there.

  I took off running down the fire escape and eight blocks until I got to my dorm. When I got in I slammed the door and tried to catch my breath. Charlie was awake staring blankly at me.