LYRA*

Jace's aunt is bombarding me with numerous questions, and I'm trying my hardest to answer each one. It's unfortunate that I can't recall her name after meeting so many unfamiliar faces. Despite that, she comes across as a wonderful individual. However, I wish to distance myself from the door. Vega and I had made little progress before individuals approached us, introducing themselves. I'm attempting to remain composed and avoid any rudeness.

Jace's cousins are attractive, their looks leaving me in awe. However, none of them catch my eye as someone I'd want to pursue. But that doesn't matter, because I have Jared. They all seemed pleasant, but I couldn't shake off a strange feeling that they weren't the type of men I should be with. As Jace's aunt continued to ramble, a man approached, suggesting I take a seat. The sound of his voice was soothing, causing me to lose my breath. And when his piercing sapphire eyes met mine, they overwhelmed me with astonishment. The man I had been searching for all these years stood right in front of me. Those eyes, so familiar, seared into my soul. Now, I could connect a face to those captivating eyes, and my goodness, his appearance was striking. It was a sight so extraordinary, unlike anything I had ever witnessed before. How was he here at this very moment?

He stands there, mouth hanging open, his vibrant sapphire eyes wide and shimmering. I can almost feel my own eyes bulging out of their sockets in disbelief. It's like I'm trapped in a surreal dream, still lost in the depths of my coma. Searching for some semblance of reality, I pinch myself, only to grimace at the sharp pain that shoots through me. As Jace's aunt observes our bewildered exchange, her perplexed expression flickering back and forth between us, I can't help but feel a sense of intimacy. We're both perplexed, both grappling with the same burning question: what in the world is happening here?

Thank God for Vega, who stepped in with a massive grin on her face. "Lyra, this is Blaze, Jace's cousin. Blaze, this is my twin sister, Lyra."

Vega's knowing smile hinted at secrets unknown to me, clear in the way her chest swelled with pride. In the aftermath, he and I blinked, jolted back to the harshness of reality. My mind raced, and in a daze, I extended my trembling hand, feeling foolish. Yet, the shock coursing through me made it understandable.

"It's nice to meet you, Blaze."

Blaze cradled my hand, sandwiching it between his warm palms. He raised it to his lips, planting a soft kiss on the back of my hand. In that moment, a surge of electricity seemed to buzz in the air, and vivid images of him standing by my hospital bed during my coma flashed in my mind. It felt so tangible, but I can't understand how he was there. The only person I ever remember being there was Vega. She was there every day; rain or shine. The pull to be closer to him is immense, but I stay rooted in place.

"The pleasure is all mine, beautiful."

As his voice resonates, vivid flashes of a distant memory engulf my vision, immersing me in a time when we shared moments. I stand perplexed, for I have never encountered this man in the entirety of my existence. Confusion engulfs me, leaving me to question the enigmatic circumstances that unfold before me.

"Can I get you something to drink, Lyra? Jace and I picked up a bit of everything, from alcohol to tea. You name it, and it's yours."

I couldn't help but giggle. "Um, I think I'll wait a while before drinking alcohol. Something to eat would be great, though, and maybe some iced tea."

I can't fathom how I'm able to stand here and talk, pretending that nothing is going on in my head. It's a mystery to me. Thankfully, I'm not acting like a blubbering idiot; I don't want everyone to think I've gone nuts.

Mom and dad walked up to give Vega and me a hug. All the other parental figures came by to say goodbye and then they all left together.

Then Blaze grasped my hand, his warm touch sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. The tingling sensation was thrilling. I couldn't help but wonder if he felt it, too. As we strolled towards the bar, fragments of us being together flickered like snapshots in my subconscious. I urged myself to stay composed, my heart racing with anticipation. Could he sense the same glimpses of the future that I was experiencing? This must be the future, right? Seems how I've never met Blaze until now.

Blaze guided me onto a barstool, pushing the chair closer to the counter. Once I settled, he retrieved a plastic cup and filled it with ice. The clinking sound echoed in the air, mingling with the murmurs of the many people standing around. Then he poured the tea and my mouth watered. Placing the cup before me, Blaze's thoughtful gesture filled me with a sense of comfort and care.

He draws my attention to the array of incredible food surrounding me, causing my mouth to water even more. It's no wonder - after a while, hospital food becomes dull.

"Alright, so all of us guys grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. We placed an order for five pizzas, which should arrive soon. We have veggie and fruit platters, as well as some salad, if that's your thing. Let's see, there's also a cheese and cracker platter along with chips and salsa. What can I get you, Lyra?"

"Perhaps a hamburger would do for now. Maybe some pizza later once they arrive."

If he says anything about my hefty appetite, I might implode. Crap, Lyra, get a hold of yourself. Remember Jared? It shouldn't matter what Blaze thinks of me. I'm brought out of my momentary daze by music being blasted throughout the house.

Taking a quick glance, I'm greeted by the sight of couples grinding against each other on the impromptu dance floor in our living room. The rhythmic thumping of the music fills the air, blending with the laughter and chatter of the crowd. A hint of sweat and perfume hangs in the room, creating an intoxicating scent. Jealousy engulfs me as I observe the scene. The weakness in my left leg serves as a reminder that dancing might be out of reach for me tonight. However, I find solace in the thought that Jared, once he arrives, will lend a hand and help me dance.

Sighing, I glance back at Blaze, the dim lights of the bar casting a warm glow on his figure, as he sets my hamburger down in front of me. My eyes meet his, and he reads the disappointment etched on my face, understanding my longing to join the others in their rhythmic movements on the dance floor. With grace, he glides around the smooth surface until he stands before me, his cologne mixing with the faint scent of alcohol and laughter in the air.

"You must be starving if you're anything like Vega. She scarfed some food down before they left to pick you up. But I can see you want to get out there and dance. So let's go. We can dance until the pizza arrives, and then you can eat."

Blaze holds his hand out and I glance over at the dance party, and hope courses through me. But then despair comes over me. "I don't know how well I can dance right now."

Blaze turned around, bent down, and motioned for me to get on his back. "Hop on my back."

"That sounds like fun! Sure! I don't see why not!"

Giggling, I rise from the cushioned stool, feeling the smooth fabric beneath my palms. Blaze extends his muscular arms, aiding me to mount his broad back. Excitement bubbles within me as we glide towards the dance floor. Laughter fills the air, mingling with the pulsating beat of the music. With every spin Blaze orchestrates, the world blurs, generating a sense of exhilaration. He lowers me to the ground, his touch warm against my skin. Turning to face him, I am met with his captivating gaze, our eyes locked once again. Damn, those sapphire orbs will end up being my undoing. Where has he been all this time, just to show up out of nowhere?

"Put your arms around my neck and lift your left leg. I'll hold you up." He beams down at me, and my heart turns to mush and starts beating uncontrollably in my chest.

'It's just dancing. I'm having so much fun. There's nothing wrong with dancing,' I thought to myself.

As I clasp my hands together around Blaze's neck, he lifts my left leg up. He bumped us along with the music as I straddled his leg. And I must admit that we seem to fit so well together.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rings, and Vega stops dancing with Jace to run over and answer the door. She yelled in Jared's face to alert me of his arrival. "Jared! Hey, so glad you could come! Come in!"

Backing away from Blaze, I hobble over, closer to Jace. If it was just dancing, why was I acting so guilty? Blaze stares at me, confusion written all over his face. A few moments later, Jared strides up to me and gives me a quick kiss.

He howls over the music, "Lyra, I'm starving! Would you mind if I got something to eat?"

"Sure, go ahead! I'll be there in a moment! I still need to eat as well!"

BLAZE*

Lyra is an embodiment of my wildest fantasies, and here she stands before me, surpassing all my expectations. The mere thought of caring for her and fulfilling her desires consumes my every being. As I grasp her hand, an electrifying spark surged through me, akin to the sensation I had experienced in my dream. The magnetic pull to be close to her intensifies, overwhelming my senses. I never expected these emotions to be so overwhelming. Uncertainty loomed over me, but now, the intensity of these feelings surpasses even those I had in the dream.

Lyra's food choice surprised me, even though I shouldn't have been. She had a similar taste in meals as Vega, which was just another reason I'll end up falling hard for her. I turned twenty-six last month, but five years isn't such a sizeable gap. Despite our age difference, I hope Lyra doesn't mind.

I couldn't help but wonder if she had the same dream I did. And if she did, would the memory of that dream still linger after being in a coma for so long? As uncertainty weighed on me, I felt a rush of apprehension, unsure of what actions or words were appropriate. But when I caught sight of her gaze sweeping across the dance floor, I saw it as the perfect moment to forge a deeper connection with her.

Now, as the music pulses through the room, she straddles my leg, our bodies swaying in sync with the beat. The desire to kiss her intensifies, yet I can sense a hint of hesitance in Lyra's demeanor. I'm left wondering what could have caused it. Perhaps my actions had unsettled her. Breaking the rhythm of our dance, the doorbell chimes, its sound echoing through the house. It's been close to thirty minutes, so it should be the pizza.

I don't know what Vega's deal was, but she was over-excited by whoever had arrived. Who else could come by? I thought everyone who was here had already arrived. The crazy person missed the main event, missing the surprise on Lyra's face when she arrived.

Lyra gets this wide-eyed, panicked look on her face and scrambles to get away from me as fast as she could manage. Then limped over by Jace with her back to me. What the hell is going on?

Soon after, a man of African-American descent enters through the door. With a wide grin, he approaches Lyra. My heart sinks as he leans in to kiss her, and all I can think about is pushing him away. She belongs to me! Confusion and distress cloud my thoughts, making it impossible to think. We seemed to get along so well, but now it's apparent that she already has a boyfriend. How did this even happen? Lyra has only been awake for a month, confined to the hospital all this time. None of this makes any sense at all. Why didn't Jace or Vega inform me about her relationship status? If I had known she had a boyfriend, I wouldn't have allowed myself to get so close to her. I would have kept my distance. At least now I understand why she seemed distant.

As the man walks over to the bar, Lyra glances over at me. Catching my attention, she motions her head towards the room. Just then, she looks at Vega, and they exchange a mysterious telepathic connection. Without hesitation, Vega approaches the man at the bar, engaging him in conversation to keep him occupied. Lyra makes her way towards her new room. Despite my reluctance, it seems I am expected to follow her. Beyond my best intentions, my body betrays me, and I find myself drawn towards her room.

Once I entered, Lyra closed her door. All I could do was give her a piercing glare. Should I get involved in all of this? I had no desire to compare her to any of my past girlfriends.

Lyra sat on the bed, letting out a sigh of apology. "I'm sorry. It was wrong of me not to tell you about my boyfriend. Resisting the connection between us was uncontrollable. Everything feels so strange to me right now. I'm seeing and feeling things that make little sense. It's incredible how, even though we've never met, when you kissed my hand, I had a sudden flashback of you sitting by my bedside during my coma. And then I had another flash. Maybe of us being together in the future. I know it sounds crazy."

As she shakes her head, she places her elbows on her knees and buries her head between her hands. I believe she may be catching snippets of the dream, but it's difficult to be certain. However, I know she saw me when I went to visit her at the hospital, so at least I have that to go off of. The only complication is that she already has a boyfriend, which complicates matters. This is all my fault for not going to see her in the hospital after she woke up. It might have helped if I had found the time to see her while she was still in the coma.

"It's a strange feeling, but I can't ignore the sense that we are meant to be together. The attraction I feel towards you is powerful. However, I am in a relationship with Jared, and I care about him. This situation has left me feeling confused and unsure of what to say. All I can think about is kissing you, but I know I can't act on it, and it's causing me pain. None of this makes any sense, does it?"

As I sit next to her, I brush her hair over her shoulder and wrap an arm around her. "We'll need to discuss this matter later, alright? There's so much that we should confer. However, for now, it would be best if you returned to your party. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be waiting for you when the time is right for us. Until then, let's be friends and take this opportunity to get to know each other better."

"Alright, yes, that would be perfect. Move on, though. Please don't wait for me."

I couldn't resist the impulse that consumed me. Leaning forward, I pressed my lips against Lyra's. A surge of electricity surged through us, surpassing even the intensity of my dream. For a moment, she hesitated, then surrendered, parting her lips to grant me entrance. The sensation was heavenly, a blissful blend of taste and touch that left me intoxicated.

After a moment, I hesitantly pulled back from the kiss. "I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice filled with regret. "I couldn't help it." My gaze met Lyra's, searching for understanding. "You're not crazy, Lyra. The feelings are mutual." I paused, trying to find the right words to express my emotions. "I needed one kiss, but now I will respect your boundaries and leave you alone." Inhaled a deep breath, my heart heavy with longing. "Just know that, no matter what, I will wait for you. There's no one else in this world I would ever want to be with."

Writer's Note:

Hello everyone and thank you so much for reading. It means so much to me. A lot went down in this chapter. Comment below and let me know your thoughts. How long do you think Jared and Lyra will last after all the things that just went down? Support my writing by voting and sharing this book with others. Have a fantastic day!