The Price of a Gift (The Price of Secrets Series) (14 page)

"Put it on my tab." She said as she hooked her arm through mine. "Let's go eat."

On the way to the lunch room I asked her about her love life. "Anything new with Mike?"

"I'm taking your advice and going slow. I talked to him today before school and
he text me a little bit last night. I just don't know how much I should flirt with him. Or what to say to him, or how to act around him."

Red flag.
"Wait," I stopped walking, "Jaycee you need to be yourself. You don't ever change who you are for a guy. For anyone. Ever."

"But you said..."

I didn't let her finish. "I said to drop the act and be you. You're a flirt, you have opinions and a mind of your own. You are smart and funny and gorgeous. Show him that. Just don't try to make him jealous. Don't put on a front. That's what I meant."

She smiled, "You really think I'm all that? Thanks. You're a pretty great
B.F.F. And even though I know all those things are true, it's nice to hear it." She can always make me laugh.

"And did I mention humble?" I said, pulling her toward the cafeteria.

We found a seat at our lunch table. Our group was already there. I noticed that the two seats across from Mike were open. I wonder if he planned it that way. I let Jaycee have the seat directly across from him and I sat in the next seat beside her. I started to open my water bottle when I felt his eyes on me. I popped my head up and looked for Daniel. It didn't take me long to find him because he was walking this way. If this were a movie, this would be the slow motion scene. He walked so gracefully but with power and strength. It was a stunning combination and so enjoyable to watch.

"Hey Daniel, I saved you a seat." It was Jacob.

And that meant Daniel was going to be sitting diagonally from me. With my group. I was ecstatic. As he was sitting down he paused just for a split second and cut his eyes to me. And the dimples are out ladies and gentlemen! Please just let me kiss them, and those full lips, and that neck that leads to those big strong shoulders. Oh my. I think I have embarrassed myself because I could feel my face getting hot. I think he saw it too because his smile got wider as he turned to talk to Jacob. What is going on? Do they have the air conditioner off in here or something? My palms are even sweating. I handed my water bottle to Jaycee and without a word she opened it for me and handed it back. Sometimes being on the same wave length with her pays off. I know that it's useless trying to eat right now with my stomach in knots, so I just pushed my tray away. Hey, being around Daniel might help me drop those five pounds I've been trying to lose. I sat there and just enjoyed being surrounded by my friends. Listening to their conversations, and joining in when I wanted to. Nick was talking to Daniel about their favorite sports team while stealing my French fries. All I understood was Duke Blue Devils, Tar Heels and the Panthers. I watched Jaycee and Mike talk and flirt with each other. It seems like she really heard me when I told her to be herself. They were debating which movies that were coming out were gonna be the best. Jacob was even talking to Kayla, which made me realize I had dropped the ball on that but I had an idea I was cooking up for those two. I think my party is gonna be a good place to finally get them together. Every now and then I would sneak a look at Daniel. Sometimes he would catch me looking but there were also times I caught him, which was fun.

Nick, who was sitting across from me, brought me out of my little happy place. "So, Han, how do you feel about Josh dating Ashley?" He asked, nodding over at the next table where Josh was sitting with Ash and her crew. I saw Daniel stiffen and was waiting on my response.

This was a great time to make sure there were no more misconceptions. "I think it's great. They're perfect for each other. Josh and I were always just meant to be friends." I made sure I finished my sentence while looking over at Daniel. I could have sworn he blushed.

Phoebe spoke up. "Is everyone going to Hannah's pool party?" I noticed everyone said yes except Daniel. He stayed quiet.

It was then that I heard the breathy, screeching voice behind me. "Did I hear something about a party?" It was Megan.

Without evening turning around, Jaycee responded. With her mouth full, I might add. "No, you heard wrong. Go away."

Megan ignored her and set her sights on Daniel. "Hi, I haven't had a chance to introduce myself. I'm Megan."

Daniel looked at me and gave the most mischievous grin, and turned back to her. "Hi, I'm Daniel. I've heard
a lot about you." I could have climbed under the table because I knew him heard about her from my diary.

"Heard about me?" She tried to be all cutesy, "All good I would think."

"Yeah, you would think." He turned his attention to Jacob and left her with that to dwell on. I could just kiss him for brushing her off. Heck, I could just kiss him for sitting there. Or for his dimples. Or for just breathing. Oh my gosh, get ahold of yourself! I'm acting like a walking hormone! Or worse, like a guy!

Megan and her two puppets walked away. We call Taylor and Heather her puppets because they do everything Megan tells them to do, like she's pulling all the strings. Jaycee calls them something else, but I don't like to repeat it. The table continued to talk about next Saturday while
I tried to decide what I could respond back to Daniel's note with.

I left lunch a little early with the excuse of going to the restroom. While really I was going to go by Daniel's locker before going to mine. I did make a stop in the restroom so I could write the not
e without being seen. I wrote, -
of course that would be ok with me. I enjoy talking to you.
Just let me know when you want to.
There, I put the ball back in his court. I really need to stop with the basketball references. I hang out with the guys way too much. I took it and slid it into the vents of his locker.

I was early to biology class. So I tried to get a head start on today assignment that was written on the board. Of course I felt Daniel walk into the room. I chose not to look up, and pretended to be in deep concentration in my work. He walked by me and put a piece of paper on my desk. But the draft of him walking away made it fall to the floor. I bent over to get it at the same time he bent down to pick it up. I looked up and our faces were literally two inches apart. His stare went from my eyes, to my lips, and back to my eyes again.

"Sorry," he said. I could feel his words against my face. "I dropped it."

"It's ok." Was all I could
whisper. I sat up, afraid that I would just grab him, right then and there, and kiss him if he liked it or not. He stood and placed the note back on my desk, and walked to his seat. I didn't read it right away. I was afraid he would see my hands shaking. The knots in my stomach had gotten worse. Or maybe they weren't knots. What if they’re butterflies?

I waited until class started, and we were explained the assignment that I had already started, to read the note. I had it on the inside of my biology book so it looked I was reading the chapter. It said,
-How about Friday night. If you're not busy. I can pick you up at 6 and we can go or do
whatever you want to do, and hang out.
YAY! I'm going out with Daniel. But he said hang out. That's more like what friends do. I don't care, at least I get to be with him. I wrote back,
-Friday at 6 is good. You pick what we do. Surprise me.
That was flirty without overdoing it.

After health class, that replaced gym today, I asked Jaycee to wait for me. She is going to ride home with me but I needed to make a stop first. I ran by my locker and grabbed my bag with the dream catcher, then I hurried out into the student parking lot to find Daniel's car. Once I found it, I put the note under his windshield wiper, and quickly left before he came out. By the time I got back to Jaycee my mom was there waiting on us.

I waited until we got into the car and pulled off before saying to my mom, "I'm gonna hang out with Daniel Friday night. He's going to pick me up at 6, if that's ok”. I looked over at Jaycee and I did a little squeal.

"Daniel Carver?" Mom asked.

"Yes." I beamed.

"I think that will be ok. He seems like a nice boy."

By the time we got to my house I had composed myself, barely. We went into my room to change into our bathing suits. Jaycee leaves an extra one over here for spur of the moment occasions just like this. We took some drinks out of the fridge and went out the back door. After swimming a few laps we settled in on a double sized float so we could talk. I told her about Samantha drowning and about the shadow demon, that's the name I decided to give it.

"Hannah, I'm so sorry. Of course I will be there for you. Whenever you're ready to research more, or need me here, just let me know. I can't believe you had to see that let alone go through
it in your dream."

"It's the worst thing I have ever been through or felt. And thanks, I feel better just knowing you will be there with me. It always helps when you're around. Right now, however, I'm stuck until I get another piece of the puzzle. Or realize something I've missed. So for now let's talk about fun stuff. What's the progress with you and Mike?"

She laid her head back so the sun could hit her face. "I think he's starting to pick up on me liking him. He asked me today why I wasn't hanging on anyone's arm yet. He said 'cause I know you can have any guy you want'. I said ‘I’m not so sure about that, and that maybe I'm done with having the wrong guy while I'm waiting on the right one to make his move’."

I high fived her.
"Did you really? What did he say to that?"

"He was like really trying to figure out what I meant by that. I could tell he wanted to ask me who I was talking about, but he didn't. He finally said 'well, have you ever thought about making the first move?' And I was like 'I don't make the first move, but I'm pretty sure he's starting to get the hint.' And I gave him my sexiest smile and walked away."

I clapped my hands as if she had given a performance. "You know he picked up on that. You watch, he will be trying to get information out of me tomorrow. If he does, I will drop hints but won't come out and say yes she likes you. AND wants to marry you and have your children." I teased her.

She shook her head. "I
ain't having kids. I'm afraid they will turn out just like me. What are you gonna wear on your date Friday night?" She asked.

"It's not a date. We're
gonna hang out remember? But I don't know. Help me pick something out that doesn't look like I think it's a date, but still looks awesome."

We went back into my room and went through my closet. After almost an hour of trying on clothes, we finally found the perfect outfit. It was a black strapless one piece romper short set. I loved it when I bought it but put it in the back of my closet, because I knew I couldn't wear it to school, and I had forgotten about it. It was casual but sexy. In a good way, not a street corner way. As I was taking the outfit off and putting on my
pj's Jaycee noticed the bag sitting on my desk. "Hey lets hang this over your bed."

"I have to cleanse it first."

"Well cleanse it. I wanna see how you do it." She sat down in the chair and waited. I went to my dresser and got a bundle of sage and lit it. I waited a minute then blew out the fire. So it would smoke but with no flame. I started with the front of the dream catcher and worked my way to the back. Just like Daniel had instructed.

"While I'm at it, I'm
gonna go ahead and cleanse my room."

Jaycee stopped me. "You need to start in that corner and work your way clockwise." That was a shocker.

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"I don't know. I guess I've been around you too long. See, I listen to you." She joked.

Once done, we hung my dream catcher above my bed. It was beautiful. The purple beads even matched my room. Jaycee's cell phone beeped. "It's a text from Mike. He wants to know if I want to go out Saturday!" She did a little dance.

Yes, she has been around me t
oo long. "What did you say?"

"I just asked what time. He needs to work a little harder for a yes." Her phone beeped again. "He said how about 5. So I'm replyin
g with, where would we be going?"

"You're so mean. Say yes already."

"Not yet. He just sent me another text. He said how about we go out to eat and see a movie. Ok, now I'm gonna say yes. I put, sounds fun. I will be ready at 5." They text back and forth a little longer while I sat there and watched her. This is the happiest I've seen her in a long time. Now, I need to help Kayla and myself.

After walking Jaycee to her mom's car I went into the kitchen. Mom and Dad were in there, at the new island dad put in, drinking coffee.

"You missed supper. I saved you a plate in the microwave." Mom said.

"Thanks but I'm not hungry." I sat down on the bar stool.

Dad spoke up. "I saw that dream catcher you put up over your bed. It's nice. Where did you get it?" He knows where I got it. He just wants a segway into talking about Daniel.

"Daniel made it for me."

"That was nice. What's the occasion?"

Here we go. "He said he could tell I haven't been sleeping well. So he made it for me."