Chapter 4

‘You can borrow my black wedges.’ Georgia insisted as she checked out my outfit. ‘I’m wearing the same pair but in red.’

I was wearing a black long-sleeved t-shirt that had slits from the shoulder to the wrists - where it became buttoned up like a bracelet – and my dark skinny jeans. Apparently my knee-high black faux leather flat boots weren’t up to her standards.

‘You know I can’t walk in them!’ I protested as she pulled off my boots.

       ‘Look, you want Sean to be interested, right? You want to show the difference between “school you” and “party you”, right?’ Georgia raised her eyebrows as she placed the wedges on my feet. ‘So quit your moaning and wear the wedges!’

It was very awkward to walk in them without out toppling over. On the bright side I did look taller. I left my boots at Georgia’s house. Thanking God that I had Georgia’s arm for balance, we walked through the door of Mark’s house.

There were a lot of people – like the entire year! – And one group huddled around the table in the kitchen. They were playing beer pong. I spotted Sean amongst the group and he waved us over.

‘Hey Ryvre, do you play?’ Sean called and the whole group looked at me.

‘I don’t know how to.’ I said and silently added: And I don’t drink.

‘It’s alright, I’ve had enough anyway.’ Sean pulled away from the table, looking a little tipsy, and the group began to moan. ‘Nah, guys I promised Ryvre a dance and I stick to my promises.’ At that point some of the girls were eyeing me up – like they were hungry cats that hadn’t eaten in days and I’m a fresh little mouse for them to fill their stomachs with.

I looked around and found Georgia dancing with a group of three girls and two boys. I tried to find Ace but I couldn’t see him anywhere. Sean pulled me on to the “dance floor” and he started to dance – quite badly – to the music. My feet were killing me already.

‘Sean, could you get me a drink?’ I asked after a while of dancing in the sweaty atmosphere.

‘Sure. I’m guessing just water?’ Sean smirked and disappeared amongst the guests.

I don’t know why but before I knew what I was doing, I walked up to Talia – one of the ‘popular’ girls – and pushed her. ‘You’re cheating on your boyfriend, right?’ I blurted out in front of her boyfriend, Luke, who was holding her. I walked away when they began to argue.

‘Here you go.’ Sean reappeared and handed me the drink. ‘Want to go play snooker with the guys?’

‘Snooker,’ I echoed and then whined, ‘won’t that be boring?’

‘Not at all,’ Sean suspiciously grinned as he took my arm and led me to the games room. There were two boys – one from the football team and one from the rugby; a couple of the ‘cool’ boys. ‘Hey guys, what’s up? This is Ryvre she’s here to have some fun.’

‘Wicked shoes, Ryvre,’ one of the boys nodded to the wedges, ‘If you really want some fun you should listen to this song.’ The boy played a song that had a really loud beat and an extremely fast rap – full of swearing.

‘This isn’t really my... music choice.’ I nervously drank my drink. Thanking God that Sean had got me water and not alcohol. I didn’t realise I was so thirsty until the whole drink was gone.

‘Come here,’ Sean pulled me toward him, ‘just relax and the next part’s easy.’ Sean pushed the hair out of my eyes and then he sat me on the snooker table.

‘I thought we were going to play snooker?’ I asked warily as I raised my eyebrows.

Suddenly my head began to spin and the colours in the room blended together and everyone’s speech became slurry. I just wanted to sleep. ‘Sean?’ I moved my face as he tried to kiss my neck. ‘Sean, what did you put... in my drink?’ I asked breathlessly.

‘Think of it... as... a fun pill.’ Sean’s cold eyes were glued to mine and then he resumed kissing my neck and he attempted to move it lower.

I tried to push him off but I was losing my energy and the boy who had played the music – I think it was him – pushed me back so I was lying on my back on the table. The other boy went and stood by the door.

I could feel my body giving up. I knew it was wrong but it was like I had a devil and an angel on each of my shoulders. One said: do it, it’s just some fun. And the other said: fight, girl! It’s not right! I felt sick and like I was going to pass out. My arms and legs were flapping around. They felt like they had solid heavy chains wrapped around them. I tried to scream but no one could hear me over the music. The little sane part of me decided to try telepathy.

HELP! PLEASE ANYONE! Then I called out for Ace, ACE! YOU’VE GOT TO HEAR ME! You’re an angel! GOD, SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!

A minute later the door bursted open and the boy that was ‘guarding’ the door spiralled to the floor.

‘Hey! Get out!’ The boy that had pushed me back let go of me and ran to the door. All the music and shouting was giving me a headache.

The next part came in flashes – I must have blacked out slightly. That boy was on the floor; Sean was pushed, more like punched, off of me. Two silhouettes were fighting and looked like one big blur. It was all over as quick as a shot fired from a gun. Ace’s face appeared in front of mine. Then I felt my body moving... the music faded... and I was hit with the sting of fresh air.

‘Ryvre, are you okay?’ Ace pushed back my hair. I somehow ended up sitting on a bench. ‘What happened?’

‘I... don’t – I... mean... Sean... he... drug...’ I couldn’t get my words out properly. ‘You...’

‘Shush, it’s alright. I’m going to stop the drug but you may feel a little shaken up afterwards.’ Ace placed his hand on my forehead and suddenly my senses began to return and the hallucinations stopped. My head was hurting and I felt dirty.

Then it hit me what had happened. ‘I can’t believe this!’ I jumped up from the bench and on to my wobbly legs. My feet were sore, so I took of the stupid wedges. ‘They’re not getting away with that!’ I marched off, heading back to the party.

‘Ryvre, are you stupid?!’ Ace shouted after me. I ignored him and when I got to the end of the darkly-lit road...

Ryvre, please! Ace had called telepathically to me. I froze in the middle of the road. That’s right... Ryvre, you’re my twin-soul.

I’m your what? I couldn’t register what he had just said. No, you can’t be!

I am, Ace said gently, can’t you feel the connection between us? For the first time in your life, do you not feel... empty?

Yes. There was a thread and he was pulling on it. I feel like I belong with you. I began speed-walking towards him.

I stopped when I was in front of him. I felt a pull – an urge – to hold on to him. And I guess he felt it too since he pulled me in by my waist and didn’t let go.

‘You, Ryvre Storm, are my twin-soul.’ Ace whispered with his eyes full of insistency.

‘I stopped believing in that when I found out that I was orphaned.’ I said flatly. ‘And we can’t be twin-souls... we’re fire and ice – literally.’

Ace held me closer to him and he lowered his head. His lips were tender and soft; full of passion. It was amazing. Time slowed down – and not because I was using my power – Ace sent a warm, sparkling sensation all over my body. I realised I loved him before, even without the possibility that he was my twin-soul.

‘Will you believe me now?’ Ace asked a little breathlessly. I didn’t respond so he changed the topic – for now, ‘feel better?’

‘Yes. I think I need to have a drink.’ I rubbed my head in confusion. I didn’t know what to think. Was it possible that Ace was my twin-soul? Did they even exist?

We sat down in the corner of the local cafe. I ordered a cup of tea and Ace ordered a decaf coffee. I had had enough surprises for one night. Sean had drugged me and tried to touch me while I was blacking out. It turned out Ace was my twin-soul. Oh and in the light I could see that my feet had blisters – some of them filled with blood – and my feet were covered in dirt from walking barefoot. I had one hand holding my tea and my other one was resting on the table, shaking.

‘It’s alright now.’ Ace placed his hand on top of mine. ‘I’m going to get Sean tomorrow but right now... you are my priority; I want to make sure you’re okay.’

I replayed the entire party in my head. ‘Oh God, I told Luke that Talia’s cheating on him and it’s just a rumour... Why did I do that? I’m so stupid.’

‘You’re not; I think there was a black-soul angel there.’ Ace didn’t look at me. ‘If it’s not a black-soul then it’s got to be a broken angel that’s being influenced by one.’ Ace squeezed my hand.

Feeling tired and worn-down, I walked barefoot with Ace down the street towards Ace’s car.

‘Where are your original shoes anyway?’ Ace asked, pointing to the wedges.

‘At Georgia’s house, she insisted I wear these stupid blocks.’ I was tempted to throw them down the street but I didn’t have enough energy. I felt like I was going to collapse. ‘Are you sure you can drive?’

‘Yes, I am sure. I’ve got my provisional and I haven’t died yet.’ Ace laughed at his own joke. I liked his laugh, it was cute – but I would never admit that to him.

Just as my knees were giving up, Ace grabbed me and then lifted me up. My head was resting on his chest. Normally I’d protest and fight against it but I was too exhausted.  ‘Ace... thanks.’

‘Thanks for what?’ Ace hummed.

‘Thanks for saving me.’ I was so exhausted that I fell asleep – with his heart beat as my lullaby.

But not before I heard him whisper ‘Anytime.’