Revelation (Vol 3 - The Gifts: Trilogy)

Book 3 of The Gifts: Trilogy- Revelation

In time all things will be revealed....

Six gifts found, three still remain a mystery, but with their upcoming plans to seek out Dr. Johnathan Miller in Japan, this new family may find that the answer to the biggest secret of all was right in front of them from the start. Levi's not the only one that’s hiding something. Rilyn's strange dreams are becoming more repetitious by the day, and the 
story they tell, could end up ripping them all apart before the last three gifts are even found. 

"A child cannot be born of the gifts."
The rule was clear, but with the Gift of Wisdom comes power, Faith, and Hope. Project X is what Miller called them, but to Nahla they were already more than that. It was all starting to make sense, but was it worth risking her life for? With their new found friend Danny, and Miller’s research as their guiding source, Gideon was now on a race to save the one he loved the most, but only with the death of the one true seeker, would the curse be broken. 

The Gifts

Volume One of The Gifts Trilogy

By

Patria L. Dunn

(Patria Dunn-Rowe)

Copyright © 2013 Patria L. Dunn (Patria Dunn-Rowe)

The Gifts: Volume One-The Gifts Trilogy

All rights reserved

This book is a work of fiction, and should be read as such. While names of places used may truly exist, they should not be held to a ‘real life’ standard. The author does not intend to represent any person, place or thing, as this work was created from imagination and fantasy, and should be enjoyed as such. Any questions should be emailed directly to the author at patria.dunn@moonlitdreams.org.

#happyreading

The right Patria L. Dunn (Patria Dunn-Rowe) to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my parents, Freddie & Patricia Dunn, whom I love dearly. Thank you for molding me into the young woman, young mother, and young author that I am today. Without you, this would have never been possible. I thank God every day for the honor of being able to call myself your daughter.

Love Always & Forever…

I Corinthians 12: 8-13:

“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

Prologue

Dear Ms. Marks,

The Wake Forest Medical School Foundation invites you to be a speaker at the Annual Aspiring Doctor’s, Inspiring Minds Banquet. You were selected, by the Dean of Wake Forest University, as a prime candidate to speak on behalf of students who have chosen to enter the medical field. This will be the first time that a student who has not yet been accepted to the Wake Forest Medical School has been selected to be a speaker. Your drive for excellence and heartfelt passion for medicine upholds some of the core values that the Wake Forest Medical School Foundation was founded upon. We look forward to having you as a speaker this year, and will be honored to have you as a medical student in the future. Please RSVP to the foundation office. Details provided below.

Best Regards,

Cecilia Luciano

Foundation Director

It was hard to believe that tonight was the night, I thought, smoothing the imaginary wrinkles from the thigh of my pencil skirt for the hundredth time. The matching, fitted, jacket hugged my ribs, making it almost impossible to breathe as freely as I wanted. Peeking out into the audience from the side stage, I let my eyes roam the banquet hall, looking for my parents. I felt like a fraud, an imposter, just being at this banquet. The eloquent speech that I’d gladly prepared within a week of first receiving the letter, now jumbled in my head, twisting, turning, and finally getting lost somewhere within the secret that I’d kept from the foundation director and my parents. When I’d first decided to make the change, I didn’t think it would be so hard to come forward and back out of the engagement. I’d planned on giving the foundation enough time to at least find a new speaker to fill the slot I’d taken. That was before my mother let it slip about the sizeable donation they had given to the University. For the last month, my invitation to speak seemed to creep into every conversation we had. The pride in their voices pushing me further and further back into a corner, twisting my stomach, until the guilt caused me to put it off for another day. To them, I had earned the honor of being invited; to me, I had been bought and paid for.

They were not here. They must have never come in, I realized as my eyes settled on the half filled table that my party had been assigned to. The crystal glasses at three of the place settings, sat perfectly with the curve of the table, still filled with water, never touched. A feeling of sadness overcame me as I heard the opening introduction for my speech. Sighing, I skimmed through the first few note cards I held before placing them to the side. I hadn’t meant to wait so long, but my heart hadn’t found the courage until today. The day they had flown all the way to North Carolina just to hear me give a speech.

“Ladies and Gentlemen Ms. Nahla Marks,”

I had to will my legs to move onto the stage, my eyes closing against the bright spotlight that illuminated my entrance.

“Just do the speech, don’t embarrass yourself any further,” I heard my father’s voice in my head as I approached the podium.

The polite applause was dying out as I shook the hand of the Foundation director. Looking out into the audience one last time for my parents, I paused as a wave of panic passed over me.

I had made my choice; I no longer wanted to be a doctor. The changes had been made and I would be starting my junior year as an education major. I expected them to be upset, but I didn’t expect the disdain in my father’s voice as he hurled accusations of partying and laziness in my face. My mother had cried and pleaded for me to reconsider, but my mind had been made up weeks ago. To see them hurting like this, hurt me, but telling them released a weight that I was glad to be free of. The ride from my apartment to the on-campus medical facility was almost unbearable. My father had refused to speak to me after vowing not to support my decision financially or in any other way as long as I chose this path. My mother’s quiet sniffles had become more annoying by the minute rather than making me feel guilty. You would think, from the way they reacted, I’d told them I was pregnant, or dropping out of school. This was the first time that I’d disobeyed their wishes, and I wasn’t giving in -not this time.

I took a deep breath diving into my introduction, my words flowing more smoothly than they had when I’d practiced them. For my parents I knew it went much deeper than me changing majors. They still felt like they had something to prove to the world, but this was my life and I couldn’t live their dream.

Chapter 1

“You have got to be kidding me!” Smacking the keyboard furiously, I punched random keys, staring at the screen as if it had just stolen my last glimmer of hope.

I’d just spent three hours sitting here, searching my brain for something enlightening to write. Three hours, of erasing and retyping random thoughts, none of them conclusive to what the paper was about to begin with. And now the bare bones I had amassed, all gone in a miss-reach of my pinky finger. Enraged, I slammed my back into the already broken swivel chair, causing a metallic squeak and groan as it gave way under my frame. 12:57 A.M., the time read at the bottom right of the screen.

What time did I have to be in class? Should I even bother starting over?

“What is wrong with me?” I muttered, struggling to take a deep breath and calm down.

Every muscle in me twisted with the tension that I now felt, and just as I’d been helpless to stop it in the past, I was just as helpless now.

It was too late. The rage had already taken over. I was “seeing red”, or in my case, purple, blue, yellow, green or orange. It didn’t matter, because the colors all blurred to form a color that didn’t exist. I watched, almost guiltily as my arms slid across the desk, clearing everything that I’d so neatly arranged just three hours before. The keyboard landed with a soft thud on the worn carpet. I wouldn’t have even noticed it, had the corner not caught the tip of my shoe. Pens, highlighters, papers, and the book I’d been pouring over for a week, landed in a scattered mess around me. Lately everything pissed me off.

Searching frantically for something that would smash the screen in, I paused as my hands closed around the plate that my peanut butter and jelly sandwich had just been on.

“Stop it!” I whispered angrily.

The tightness in my throat turned into a dry hot flame, forcing its way up through my nasal cavity into my head, causing a dull throb to start.

Was I even still breathing?

My jaw clenched painfully as I forced myself to swallow. My fingers were gripped so tightly around the side of the plate that my knuckles ached. I knew it was coming, but I was just as surprised as ever when I felt the first hot tear slide dangerously close to the corner of my right eye. Jerking my head up towards the ceiling I forced my eyes open as wide as they would go, willing them not to betray me this one time. I never cried, but lately…

What was happening to me?

I had to get this under control. What would my mom say if she knew what was going on inside my head these days? Or my dad? I’d already disappointed him beyond measure. What I had done, I had not yet been forgiven for. Telling them about this thing, that was taking control of my life, would only make it worse.

“Let it go,” I whispered.

I felt, rather than saw, my fingers shove the plate off the edge of the desk; better than through the screen, I reasoned as I watched it roll under the chair. Even though I’d promised myself I wouldn’t give in anymore, I knew I already had before the first scream ripped from my throat. Sobs muffled it, thankfully, as my whole body shook from the sheer force of it. My black pumps flew off as I kicked the old wooden desk repeatedly, trying to rid myself of it.

“But what was it?” I thought dimly as the color, my color, took over my insides, twisting and tearing its way through me.

“Next time,” I mumbled, slumping forward until my now limp arms dangled to the floor.

My thick auburn hair fell in a straight curtain down to my knees, hiding me from the mirror that hung on the wall adjacent to my computer desk. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this; I didn’t even want to see myself like this. Curling my hands under my feet I pulled my knees tightly into my chest until my breast ached from the pressure. My lips were already moving as I started my internal rocking back and forth.

“Small breaths (breathe), small strides (breathe), small breaths (breathe), small strides.”

I murmured my little chant over and over again to myself, willing it to take this away from me. To…heal me?

“Small breaths, small strides, small breaths, small strides…”

How long had it been? One hour…three hours…

The color was finally fading.

Am I crazy?

No, not crazy, this was just a tantrum. It must be… Granted, I rarely had tantrums; even as a child, my mother wouldn’t have stood for it.

So why now?

My junior year of college, and I was acting like a damn five-year old. My body involuntarily shuddered from being in the position I’d forced it into for so long. My fingers, still clamped under my feet, had become numb, and were probably blue from the grip I sustained. I didn’t care; I was tired. Too tired to move. Tomorrow, I thought; tomorrow would be better.

I gladly let the darkness drag me into sleep. Tomorrow…

What was that…? Was someone singing?

“Ugh! The phone,” I moaned finally recognizing the stupid ring tone I had programmed into my cell phone.

What was the name of that song anyway? I thought sleepily.

My eyes were still closed, but I was finally coming to, and I ached. Every part of me ached, I realized. Unsurprisingly, I was still in the position from the night before.

The night before!

I bolted upright.

My body protested, stopping my efforts to reach the phone before the song came to an end. My hands felt like they’d been covered in a pile of snow and I’d just stuck them under a stream of boiling hot water. My spine screamed as I remained in a half standing, half crouching position. Slowly I straightened, willing the feeling of a million prickly pins to go away. My head spun as I smacked my fingers against my thighs forcing the blood to rush back through both. I felt like I’d been drugged and suddenly I couldn’t get to the bathroom fast enough. The rim of the toilet broke my fall onto the cold granite tiles, the nausea coming in massive waves. Shoving the seat up, I vomited what was left of my stomach contents in one heave.

“Today is a new day,” I whispered to myself, laying my head on the edge of the tub.

How many times in the last month had I started out my days like this?

It didn’t matter, I thought with a sigh of determination. I wasn’t going to let this… whatever this was, take over my life. Half smiling to myself I forced my legs to bring me up off the cold floor; I needed a shower.

If anyone were to see me now…

I shuddered at the thought, jerking the half knotted loop from the baggy sweat pants I wore, stepping out of them as they fell to the floor. Quickly I discarded the rest of my clothing and tossed everything towards my already overflowing hamper. Now that my parents refused to help me financially, the laundry service I’d been using was out of the question. I would just have to put them in the wash myself and hope for the best. I knew that I probably didn’t have much time before class started. It was my second week of classes as a junior, and with the switching of my major from medicine to education -just weeks before the end of my sophomore year- the last thing I needed was to be late for English class. It’s not that I was lacking in that particular area, but I was on a mission to prove myself. My academic advisors and even some of my new professors seemed wary of me switching my major. My parents remained livid about my decision, mainly due to what they thought was a lame excuse. I just needed a change.

They’d always planned on me following in their footsteps. How ironic that my footsteps were in no way related to theirs, DNA-wise at least. They’d worked hard to get where they were, and I understood that they wanted me to have what they’d built from the ground up. It wasn’t that I didn’t want it; I just couldn’t. I had known it the moment my pre-requisite classes started; it wasn’t me. I toughed it out for two long years before I finally found the courage to tell them I no longer wanted to be a doctor. They couldn’t understand; they wouldn’t even try. For me, it went much deeper than being the white daughter of a black couple. But for them, twenty-one years later they were still trying to prove to everyone that they’d made the right decision in keeping me. Prove that they’d raised me well, maybe even better than a white couple could have or would have raised me. It didn’t matter to me, but I guess it was a sense of pride for them. Despite that, still, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be the doctor they wanted me to be. Becoming a teacher was much safer.

Chapter 2

This is my daybook.

In it are my dreams, my imaginings and crazy, random thoughts. In here are recorded both my good and bad days; lurking in these pages are clues to my inner selves. THIS IS NOT MY DIARY; I do not have time to record what I ate for lunch, or why I failed that midterm I studied so hard for, and to be honest, I probably don’t care why a friend had a fight(again) with a boy/girlfriend. I care more about what that friend does. Someday, I will re visit these pages to discover how I have changed and what dreams and hopes and lives I wrote about today I still have to live.

****

Smiling faintly, I read and re-read the 3 x 5 square of paper that was on every desk. More people trickled in, reading what was written on the tiny square, before settling in their seats.

Was this it? My therapy? My way to contain and control what was trying to take over me; a God send maybe.

I certainly felt as if I was developing many inner selves, and it was becoming harder and harder for me to decipher which Nahla would be present from one day to the next. Whatever this was, I was almost sure with it being an English class, this would be some type of ongoing writing assignment, but my mind was already on what it could lead to. What it could become… for me.

“Nahla, what happened to you? You never showed up last night, and I tried to call this morning, but I didn’t get an answer. I was worried!”

Emily’s high-pitched soprano voice made me jump, interrupting my thoughts with its annoying shrillness. Even her attempts at a whisper grated on my nerves this early in the morning.

My lips pressed together in confusion for a second, trying to recall why she would have called me. The study session, I remembered suddenly; I’d agreed to be in her study group for the semester. The faces of the two other members of the group flashed in my mind briefly, making me cringe. Mike, the extremely skinny one, with the slightly greasy black hair and too tight jeans, who made me feel less than adequate when it came to studying with them. And Philip, the one with the still boyish face and quiet demeanor… I couldn’t remember him saying a word to me the previous week when we’d all been discussing the plans for our first meeting. The meeting to go over the syllabus we had been given last week for this class. The meeting I had missed.

“I…” I started, then snapped my mouth shut.

Which would be better, a lie, or the truth?

I’d only known Emily for less than two weeks, so I didn’t feel obligated not to lie to her.

“I fell asleep early with a terrible headache.”

Was that the best I could come up with? I thought glumly, already knowing that I would have to do better.

The expression on Emily’s heart shaped face told me that she expected me to go on.

“My family came to visit this weekend, it was…stressful,” I tried, lying again.

“Oh,” Emily finally frowned out, pursing her mouth as if she were about to call me out on the lie.

Uh oh, not a good enough excuse, I thought frantically.

Why was she making this difficult?

I was about to add on to the lie when her face suddenly brightened with the usual happy glow I normally saw.

“It was kind of…ok for you not to be there. Mike left early and I had some alone time with Phillip; I learned a lot about him,” she whispered leaning in to me, her tone insinuating that something had happened.

I opened my mouth to reply, then closed it suddenly when Dr. Epstein entered the room, already addressing us before the door had time to close.

“As you can all see, on your desks is a writing assignment. Not just any writing assignment; this one will be graded periodically, throughout the rest of the semester. There is to be an entry for every day…including weekends.”

Inwardly I smiled as groans from the class almost drowned out his next few words; it was all but confirmed that this would be my therapy.

“I have but one request, and that is that each entry starts with… ‘I wonder’. It doesn’t have to be inspiring, or even useful; just any silly or random thought that will get your mind moving on to bigger and better things. Bring your daybooks with you to every class, as they will be collected randomly. If there are some things you would rather me not see, please fold over and mark it private. I will only read what you allow me to.”

My heart fell a little as he finished his explanation. How intimate could I be, knowing that he would be reading every word that I wrote? I could hardly mark the whole book private. I would never be as honest as I had first hoped. I couldn’t even fully admit to myself some of the things that I hoped, dreamed, feared, and wanted.

“Please pull out your syllabus. I will go through it one time with you, highlighting the reading material that I intend to cover in detail. After that, it’s up to you to keep up with where we are in this class.”

I heard Emily whisper something to Phillip, who I hadn’t noticed before now, was sitting directly behind us, but I didn’t care enough to try and decipher what she was saying. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mike, two rows back, furiously typing away on his laptop; his eyes glued to Dr. Epstein as if what he spoke was gospel. Fixing my gaze to the front, I tried to concentrate on what was being said as well. I couldn’t make my pen write fast enough. My short hand sucked and I knew I was missing half of what he dictated. The rapidness of his speech quickly became irritating as I couldn’t decipher what he perceived as important from the general information that I was expected to learn on my own.

My hand cramped as I finished my first page of notes. Wincing, I dropped my pen with a frustrated sigh. I needed a laptop, desperately. The one my parents had given me as a graduation present now lay somewhere in the electronic recycling bins in the on campus bookstore. Thanks to a rage infused tantrum a month ago, it had been damaged beyond repair. There was just no way my barely part-time job as a physician’s assistant at Salem Memorial would produce a paycheck large enough to get another one any time soon. It was all I could do to hold on to the small studio apartment that I’d rented over the summer.

Memories of last night crept into the back of my mind, as I traced the light purple bruises that were just behind my knuckles. One more thing to add to my to-do list; get another job. I’d only been working at the hospital in the rehabilitation ward to help with some of my pre-requisite credits.

But now that I wasn’t going for pre-med…

“How did that happen?!” Emily exclaimed in a dramatic whisper, reaching over to poke the back of my hand.

I winced inwardly as pain shot through my hand from her touch. Again, I wasn’t about to her the truth.

“Kitchen drawer,” I mumbled.

Shoving both my hands underneath the desk, and down in between my thighs, I tried to read her face to see if she’d bought it.

“Ow,” she mouthed at me with a half smile.

I tried to give her my most embarrassed look before turning my gaze back to the front. I didn’t want to risk any more questions from her, but I couldn’t focus on what Dr. Epstein was saying, and I certainly wasn’t taking any more notes. My eyes glanced guiltily down as he caught my gaze with his last sentence.

Had I been asked a question?

I froze, letting my eyes sweep the other faces in the room, expecting their attention to be on me. No, they were all still focused up front; he’d continued on. Snatching my pen from where it had fallen, I pulled my sleeves over my hands and leaned over my desk pretending to jot down a few notes. Through lowered lashes I studied him as he spoke.

He wasn’t too old. Mid-forties to early fifties I guessed. It was hard to imagine younger, with the slightly graying mustache and the silvery lines running through his once dark hair. Was that an accent? Boston maybe…

I’d only met one other person that had the same variances in their voice, and she was from Northern Boston…

There was a gravelliness that definitely made him seem older; he didn’t quite sound congested, but I’d noticed that he sounded as if he were about to clear his throat after every few sentences. He could be a smoker…I mused, now trying to think of any smokers I knew whose voice sounded the same way.

My thoughts were broken as Emily slid a note from her closed palm to my lap.

Want to do lunch after this?

Um, No, I thought rudely, but of course, wasn’t going to write that.

Can’t, I have a meeting with my Hist Prof… sorry I scribbled back.

I slid the note to her and waited for her reaction. She looked as if she wanted to speak, but instead, simply nodded and turned her attention back to the lecture. At least I hadn’t lied. I really did have a meeting with my history professor. Granted, not one that would take more than five minutes, tops, but I didn’t want to be bothered. And besides, I had class. The paper that I’d started last night was due tomorrow, and I needed an extension. I’d emailed him this morning before I left and he’d agreed to see me outside his office hours before his 11:20 class today. That only gave me ten minutes after this class finished to get to the Seager Building. Glancing at the white plastic clock mounted above the board, I saw that the class had only five minutes left to go.

“I’m leaving early,” I whispered to Emily as I rushed to stuff my notebook and pen down into my navy green messenger bag.

My ear buds were already in my ears before I could hear her response. Bent over, as if I were in church, I slid as quickly as I could past the one other girl blocking the aisle and hurried up the stairs and out the door without a backward glance. I would call Emily later I decided.

The walk across campus was shorter than I expected. I made it to the Seager Building with eight minutes to spare.

What was I going to say about the paper?

That I had freaked out over a computer malfunction and passed out after a violent temper tantrum? No, that wasn’t even an option. My mind was blank. What could possibly keep me from handing in an assignment that I’d been given a week to do? Pulling out my phone I flipped it open to check the time; three more minutes and he would be outside his door.

“Ms. Marks, I’m so glad you made it early.”

I jumped at the sound of my name, jerking my head around to find the voice.

“Dr. Gentry…” I squeaked, my voice way too high. I paused and started again.

“Dr. Gentry, thank you for meeting me outside your office hours. I’m really sorry to ask but… I was wondering if I could have a one day extension on the paper we were assigned?” My voice lowered as his expression turned disapproving. “I…I…have writer’s block…” I finished lamely, almost as if I were asking him a question with the last two words.

Did I seriously just say writers block?

I forced myself to keep my eyes focused on his face and not on the ground. Heat flooded my cheeks as embarrassment washed over me. I was about to tell him never mind when he finally spoke.

“Ms. Marks, I’m not comfortable with granting extensions. It takes away from what little time I have dedicated to my other classes. I just feel that most assignments I give can be completed in the time allotted.”

“I know, I was just hoping…” I paused, searching his eyes for a hint of pity.

There was none.

“You’re right,” I conceded, “I’m sorry I wasted your time.”

“Ms. Marks, I didn’t say that you couldn’t have an extension. “I will give you an extension this one time, but it comes with a ten-point deduction from your final grade on the assignment. If you can live with that, I will expect your paper on Thursday instead of tomorrow.”

“Thanks, I’ll have it by then.” I promised and confirmed with a firm nod of my head.

“See you in class, Ms. Marks.”

I nodded an ok, backing away before he changed his mind. A sigh of relief escaped my lungs as I exited the building. Only two more classes to go and then off to work. It was really hard cramming three classes in before 3:00, but I had to work. I also needed to pick up a notebook that I could use as a daybook, before I got behind on that assignment as well. Making a mental note to stop by Wal-Mart on my way off campus I hurried back across the quad for my 11:50 class.

Thankfully, I didn’t know anyone in my next two classes, so I was able to concentrate a little better than I had in English. Switching my major had also meant changing most of my classes, which put me in a different section of campus. I hadn’t really had a chance, or bothered, to meet anyone that I cared to introduce to either of my two best friends. Being a biological science major had forced me to completely shun the ‘college life’ that I saw so many other people enjoying and cleave to my studies.

My parents were adamant about excellent grades and a focused mind. Wake Forest University was nothing to snub your nose at, so my father told me all the time. They would have shit a brick if they thought I was doing anything other than studying or going to class. Luckily for me, my first year of trying to fulfill some of my pre-med requisites landed me in General Biology with Hayley and Anna. Just thinking about them now made me smile at the way our friendship had turned out.

They were the only ones who had whole-heartedly supported my decision. It was pretty safe to say they were ecstatic even. We’d all started out biological science majors, but Hayley made the switch to econ before the end of our very first semester. She had since switched for the last time, she claimed, to business and finance. Anna stuck it out with me for a year and a half before she broke the news that her art had taken precedence over her desire to eventually practice medicine. She still took some pre-requisite classes, but her passion lay elsewhere.

My cell phone vibrated just as I reached for it to check the time. I was down to the last fifteen minutes of my last class for the day, and was exhausted already. The class was confusing, and I was strongly considering dropping it.

God, Meaning & Morality

It was supposed to be an alternative psychology class, but nothing about it was holding my interest. This was only the second week, so I wanted to give it a chance…one more week…maybe. That’s if I could stand to sit through another week of this.

Flipping the screen up I pressed the keypad to retrieve my message.

Don’t make plans for tonight we r goin out

It was Hayley. There was no way I was going out tonight. I had to work until six-thirty, and then I had the paper to write. I hit reply, trying to keep it as short as possible; I hated texting.

Can’t… Wrk & Paper Due

By the time I hit send another message was coming through.

NO EXCUSES, I HAVE NEWS!

What kind of news could she have that she couldn’t possibly tell me over the phone? Once again I hit reply.

Sorry… no. How about dinner instead? My place, tell Anna.

I waited, staring expectantly at the screen, but the phone never vibrated again. I was lost in thought about Hayley’s news until someone passed my chair accidentally bumping my shoulder. I snapped the phone shut, shoving it into my bag. Students were already starting to leave.

Had I missed an assignment?

Professor O’Neil had just disappeared out the side door, so there was no chance of catching up to her. My eyes searched the fast emptying room as I looked for someone to ask. The petite brunette, two aisles over, was engrossed in an animated conversation with some guy I didn’t recognize. I was pretty sure that I’d at least spoken to her before, and if not, she looked friendly enough.

Sliding my notebook off the desk and into my bag, I headed in her direction. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I waited silently a few chairs back staring in the other direction. I didn’t want them to think I was trying to eaves drop on their conversation, but it didn’t seem to be ending any time soon.

“Were you waiting for someone?”

The smooth masculine voice caught me off guard. I immediately felt the blood rush into my ears, threatening to flood my cheeks as I tried to turn around as casually as possible. I thought I’d succeeded until my gaze collided with the most unusual green eyes I’d ever seen.

To say I’m inexperienced with boys is an understatement. I hadn’t dated in high school, and it was not by choice. The all girls’ school that I attended, for all four years, pretty much nixed my chances of ever having a high school boyfriend. My parents never allowed me to attend anything my friends had that included mixed genders. By the time I’d gotten to Wake Forest University, my abilities to communicate with the opposite sex were nonexistent, to say the least. I’d really tried to throw myself into the dating scene, but had never once succeeded in getting past ‘first base’ without some sort of complication.

Despite my failed attempts, Hayley and Anna still tried to surprise me every now and then with a blind date, or “group” date if I seemed to really be having a dry spell. A few kisses, and some dry humping was the extent of my sexual history and definitely not pleasant to think back on. I was probably the only twenty-one year old virgin left on campus, and…he was still staring at me.

“Um…no,” I paused; my mouth felt like I had a cotton ball stuck to my tongue. Swallowing hard I tried again. “I missed the assignment, so I was just about to ask them, what it was,” I finished with a half shrug.

At least that came out in my normal voice.

He was still staring at me, studying my face. I tried not to squirm under the piercing gaze that hovered over me. I couldn’t read his expression, and I wasn’t sure whether to stare back or look over his shoulder. He broke the silence before I did either.

“You just seemed a little lost, I was going to see if I could assist you,” he half grinned as he said this, his features shifting easily from serious to chiding.

“Assist me?” I smiled at his choice of words. “If you know what the assignment is, that would definitely help,” I said, reaching into my bag for my notebook.

I wasn’t prepared for his warm hand against my wrist. I fought back a startled jump as heat shot down into my fingers and back up my arm. He released me as fast as he’d touched me.

“There wasn’t an assignment,” he murmured, his expression now curious.

“No assignment? I’m sure she’ll make up for it next time; I won’t get too happy,” I smiled, trying to keep my tone light.

“I’m sure,” he agreed nodding slightly.

My breath caught as a lock of thick chocolate brown hair fell over his forehead, just grazing the top of his eyebrow. His olive toned skin was flawless. If he’d ever had a pimple, I couldn’t tell. The line of his jaw was well defined, keeping the outline of his face masculine, despite his other perfect features. He had no facial hair, not even a hint that he even shaved. Either he just didn’t have any or he went to a very good barber, I thought, moving my gaze over his chin and then to his…lips. His lips…were moving! “I’m sorry, what was that?” I asked, bringing my gaze up to meet his. I hoped he hadn’t noticed me ogling him.

“Where are you headed?” He repeated.

“Oh, I have to be at work in just little bit,” I said, trying to mentally calculate how much time I had before I would have to speed to make it on time.

“That’s too bad. I was going to suggest coffee, but I see you need to go,” he said as if it were almost a question.

“Yeah,” I managed softly, trying to hide the regret in my voice. “Maybe some other time?”

“I’m sure we can manage that,” he said smiling. “After all, we do have English together.”

“We do?” I asked almost too excitedly. I didn’t remember seeing him in Dr. Epstein’s class and I was sure that I couldn’t have missed a Greek god, even if he had been sitting fifty million seats away from me.

“We do,” he confirmed, the curious look returning.

“I better go…before I’m late,” I added, backing away.

And before I embarrass myself further, I cringed, turning towards the door.

Even if I didn’t see him on campus, I knew I would see him the day after tomorrow.

Was he even attracted to me, like I seemed to be to him? I would have to see if he was in last years’ yearbook.

His Name! I hadn’t even asked. Panicking I turned back around.

“What’s your…”

He was gone.

Chapter 3

The three hours at work had dragged by. The Greek god, so I had come to think of him in the last few hours, wouldn’t leave my thoughts. Of all the things not to say, I’d forgotten to ask his name.

“Let it go,” I muttered to myself for the millionth time.

I hurried to my car, more than anxious to get home. Pressing the unlock button on the remote, I slipped off the lab coat I wore over my work clothes and slid thankfully into the sun warmed leather seats of my Mercedes Benz Sedan. The casual black pumps that encased my tired feet were the next to go, in exchange for the comfortable flats I kept on hand. Winston Salem was definitely a lot warmer now than my hometown of Crystal Falls Michigan would be this late in August. I still had a while before I had to trade in my tank tops and shorts for warmer attire here.

Holding my breath, I started the car and let it idle for a minute before pulling out of the staff parking lot. It was an older car, but at least it ran great. It had been a high school graduation present from my parents and so far hadn’t given me any major problems. Even though they had the money to buy me a new car, they thought that a used car would show me how to still enjoy the finer things without being frivolous with my money. I just hoped that it wouldn’t break down on me, because without the financial support of my parents, there was no way I would be able to afford to ever get it fixed. Hopefully I would be back in their good graces by the time that came. One more stop and I would be home for the evening.

Wal-Mart wasn’t as busy as I’d expected it to be. I found the type of composition book I was looking for with ease and checked out within fifteen minutes of entering the store. Turning my key in the door to my apartment, I paused, as I had done every time I entered since the day I moved in. Nothing looked out of place, and for that I was glad. There had been so many stories of burglaries in the last month; I’d almost gotten an alarm installed. Almost… but every penny counted now, and an alarm system just wasn’t in my budget at the moment.

My stomach grumbled in protest as I locked and bolted the door behind me. The crackers and juice I’d had in between classes were long gone, and it was already going on 8:00. I moved through the tiny living space and into the efficiency kitchen kicking my shoes off as I went. Tossing the rest of the things in my arms onto the kitchen counter, my hand went straight for the freezer. I didn’t even have to look as I pulled the leftover lasagna out and popped it in the microwave. Grabbing the half empty bottle of wine from the refrigerator I poured half into a wine glass that I’d left sitting out the night before.

“Homework, shower, bed,” I muttered to myself twisting my shoulder length auburn hair up into a knot.

The doorbell rang before I even had time to quiet the now beeping microwave. I wasn’t expecting company, so I moved slowly to the door, taking the wine glass with me. Lifting the peephole cover, I winced when I saw the distorted faces of my two best friends. What were they doing here? Unbolting and unlocking the door I pulled it open.

Hayley automatically wrapped her arms around me for a hug, forcing me to take a step back so that the wine didn’t slosh all over her or me.

“Hey!”

“Hey, you guys. What are you doing here so late?” I asked moving aside to let them enter.

“We’re going out tonight, remember?” Anna reminded me with a shrug.

“I told you I couldn’t come!”

“Oh no, you aren’t squirming your way out of this one. We hardly get to see each other as it is,” Hayley said flopping down onto my plush sofa.

“Oh come on you guys, you know how tired I am. Between school, and work, I don’t have the energy to go anywhere. Especially not on a Wedesday night.”

“I didn’t get all dressed up for nothing. Come on, what’s one night?” Anna chided me with her best baby face.

Laughing, I gave her shoulder a light push.

“That doesn’t get me anymore, Anna. And besides, I already cooked dinner, and I was ready to sit down and enjoy.”

“Cooked! It smells more like you burned a pop tart,” Hayley complained, her nose wrinkling in protest at the smell coming from my kitchen.

“Hey, I did cook that! Maybe I had to freeze it because I cooked it two days ago, but I made it myself!” I defended, pretending to be hurt by her accusation.

“What about my news… Don’t you want to know what it is?” Hayley teased, almost bouncing off the sofa in her excitement.

“Of course I want to know what it is, but not at the expense of going out for a night on the town when I should be here catching up on all the work I have to do.”

“Well that’s not fair,” Anna pouted. “I want to hear the news too; if she doesn’t go out then you can at least tell me since I made the effort…”

Taking a sip of my wine I watched the two of them bicker back and forth over the matter for a few minutes. Anna was the ever-lovely blonde, used to getting her way, whether she worked for it or not. Her creamy complexion, heart shaped face, and perfect body made people stop and notice her. Most people thought she didn’t deserve what she had, but I knew that she was really quite smart, and even surprisingly good at most things. I envied her large full breasts, but for her, they only seemed to add to the blonde stereotype that followed her like the plague. She never took no for an answer and I was sure that she would somehow weasel the ‘Big News’ from Hayley tonight whether I went with them or not.

Hayley was the total opposite of Anna, almost tomboyish in a girly sort of way. Her stick straight, dark black hair framed her face almost making her look Asian. The small petite frame that made up all five feet two of her only added to the illusion. She had come from a large family and was the first of her brothers and sisters to go to college; so even though she loved a good party, she studied hard to keep the four-year scholarship that she’d been awarded. I almost felt plain standing next to them. My dark auburn, almost red, hair hung just past my shoulders, and was a gift from birth. I’d always been naturally thin, but had never been blessed in other areas on my body as my two friends had. At least what I didn’t have physically I made up for mentally, staying at the top of my class academically.

“Come on Nahla,” Hayley was saying, giving me a pleading look. “We’ll make it an early night…I promise”

Groaning, I covered my eyes with my hand, letting my shoulders drop.

“Whenever you say early, you really mean midnight!”

They both broke out into a grin, as I threw my hands up in defeat. They knew me well enough to know when they had me.

“Hurry up! Get dressed before you change your mind,” Anna clapped her hands, prying the wine glass from my fingers.

“Ok, Ok! Don’t rush me. I’m going,” I grouched, heading for my bedroom.

***

I was ready to go already.

The noise in the bar only added to the headache I’d developed an hour ago. Rubbing my fingertips against my temples, I tried to pick out my two friends in the drunken crowd of students. They were both at the bar, surrounded by a group of people, all laughing loudly at something that Anna had just said. Hayley’s “news” had turned out to be a shock, to say the least. She found out today that she’d been accepted into the Wake Forest Business Abroad Program. The second half of her junior year, this upcoming summer, and the first half of her senior would be spent in Japan. I was happy for her, but I couldn’t help the sadness that overwhelmed me when I thought of spending a year without her here with Anna and me.

I just wasn’t in the mood to celebrate with them tonight. I tried to get their attention by standing up, but there were too many people in the way. Clinking glasses and the sound of Hayley’s name being chanted deterred me from trying to fight my way to her side. Besides, I hadn’t even finished the first drink that I’d ordered, and I definitely didn’t want to be coerced into taking shots for the remainder of the night. Flipping my cell phone open, I saw that the time read 11:27 PM. I didn’t want to interrupt their fun, but I had to get some fresh air. The smoke, loud music and noise was too much for me to endure with a migraine threatening to take over at any second. Hitting the speed dial for the yellow cab service, I made my way towards the exit and into the warm night air.

“Five minutes,” the dispatcher said when I gave the address.

At least I was close to my house and wouldn’t have to pay more than five dollars for the ride home.

I didn’t want to go back inside, so I sent a text to both Anna and Hayley’s phones.

Gone home, major headache, caught a cab, luv u GUYS!

Hopefully they wouldn’t be that mad at me, I thought, snapping the phone shut before sliding it into the back pocket of my jeans.

The wind had picked up since we’d left my apartment. Despite the warm night air, the skin on my bare arms prickled in protest. Letting my head fall back to stare at the sky, I welcomed the breeze that played across my forehead and through my hair. It looked as if a storm was coming; the previously bright stars were barely visible through the gathering dark clouds.

Hoping I made it home before the rain started, I held my hand out to feel for raindrops.

“Waiting for someone?” A familiar, silky smooth voice asked.

My heart caught before I even completed the half turn to face him. It was the Greek god that I’d met earlier today, and he looked even better than I remembered. His green eyes were still spectacular, coming off as more of a dark forest green than the mossy color they had been before. Hardened chest muscles strained against a plain white T, dark jeans hugging taut thighs as he walked towards me.

“A cab,” I managed, bringing my gaze down to fully meet his.

The same curious expression I had seen earlier was on his face as he took a step closer to me. I could almost touch him if I just reached…

“You really shouldn’t be out here alone. You never know…” He trailed off looking around as if he expected to find danger approaching us.

“I’m fine, really,” I assured him with a quick smile.

“Actually…” I continued, “I didn’t get your name today. I completely forgot to ask.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to know,” he teased playfully, a smile crossing his lips.

“Well if you don’t want me to know…” I trailed off trying to do that baby face, hurt thing that Anna had down to a science.

“Hey, that’s not fair, you never told me yours either.”

“Nahla…Nahla Marks,”

“Nahla,” He repeated after me, dragging the ‘ah’ for a hint too long. “What’s your middle name?”

“Now that’s definitely not fair!” I exclaimed with a laugh.

“Ok, ok, you’re right. My name is Gideon.”

“Gideon?”

“Yes, Gideon. What’s wrong; you don’t like it?”

“NO! Oh god no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to sound like that.”

“It’s ok. I know it’s not a very common name. Most people are… taken aback by it.”

“Well I guess we both have uncommon names in common then. My parents are…” I stopped short.

I had been about to say my parents were African American, so I was probably the only white girl with a name like Nahla.

“I like it,” I said quickly, trying to recover. “And your last name?”

“Whitten.”

“Gideon Whitten,” I said just as thoughtfully as he had said my name. “It does suit you,” I added studying his face again.

“Were you out alone or…”

“Um no, my friends are celebrating…” I trailed off, gesturing towards the door of the bar.

“You’re not celebrating with them?”

“It’s late and I still have a lot of work to do. Against my better judgment I rode with them, so now I’m waiting for a cab.”

“Why don’t you let me take you home? My car is right there,” he gestured towards a dark blue sedan parked along the curb.

“You’re asking for a ticket, parked there you know?”

I stalled, wondering if I should jump at the chance for a few more minutes with him, or be sane and wait for the cab I’d called. It should be here any minute.

“I would hope I wouldn’t get a ticket, if I’m standing right here,” he countered smiling at me. “And besides, it’s about to storm; I wouldn’t want you to blow away. I might never see you again.”

My cheeks flushed with the thought of him wanting to see me again. I knew I was giving in too easily, but his smile made my blood do strange things, causing my ears to throb with the rush. Thank God I had worn my hair down.

“I’m only a couple minutes away; your friends won’t miss you?” I asked walking past him to the passenger side.

I didn’t quite hear his answer as he went around to the other side and slid in behind the wheel.

Maybe this was a mistake, I thought snapping the seat belt securely around my narrow waist. He didn’t wear any cologne, but the clean soapy smell of him was causing my heart to hammer so hard, the dull headache I’d had before was now thriving from the rush of blood coursing through me.

Wincing, I leaned my head into the seat and let out a soft groan under my breath. The groan I knew was partly from the throb I was feeling somewhere else.

Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! You’re acting like a fifteen year-old girl!

He paused, mid key turn, looking at me with concern.

“Is something wrong?”

The tone in his voice told me that he had heard the sound. I felt the blush spread from my ears across my cheeks.

“Just a headache, nothing serious,” I answered, turning my head slowly so that my eyes met his gaze.

The muscles in his face were tense, with just the hint of a worry line creasing his forehead. His eyes held mine for a moment before lowering to the space between us; mine followed almost as a basic reflex. There, in the console, lay a single white orchid, so thick in bloom it looked as if the petals would fall off if touched too roughly. The smell of it was tantalizing; if I hadn’t been looking at just the one, I would have thought there were a dozen of them.

Had that been there before? Was he on a date with another girl, and I was here sitting in his car, practically begging for him to take advantage of me?

I would have noticed the smell when I got in… Wouldn’t I have? Should I get out…? Should I…stay?

My breath caught as he picked it up and held it just under my chin. The tips of the pink tinged petals grazed the dip in my throat, stopping me mid swallow. His eyes held mine so steadily that even though I wanted to look away I couldn’t. It seemed as if time had slowed to a drugging halt, holding me in place.

“For you,” he almost whispered, placing the orchid in my lap.

Instantly the heat that still burned in the hollow of my throat, exploded down to my legs where the petals touched. I wasn’t expecting his warm fingertips in my hair just behind my ear. The heat that coursed through me rushed my brain back into reality. I might have been overly attracted to him and sitting in his car, but I was not about to let him try anything with me.

“I don’t…” I started, beginning to pull away.

His thumb brushed my lips before I could get another word out. I’m sure it was only a second, but I sat mesmerized as his hand moved in slow motion from one side of my forehead to the other, down a lock of my hair, and back to the wheel of the car. Smiling faintly he put the car in gear and pulled out; the dead silence only thickening the air between us, forcing me to take shallow breaths.

“What…what was that?” I finally managed softly, my voice catching.

“I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have. You just seemed…sad,” he finished quietly, keeping his eyes on the road and his hands tightly gripped to the steering wheel.

I couldn’t speak, so instead I lowered my eyes to keep from staring at him.

I was grateful when I saw the entrance of my apartment complex come into view.

“Turn here,” I gestured to my street. “It’s the last set on your right.”

I directed him to the front of my building using a minimum amount of words. I wasn’t sure how I felt right now. I actually liked that he touched me, but was bothered that he thought I was sad. Maybe that was just a one-liner he’d made up. Maybe he was going in for a kiss, but saw my horrified expression and decided not to. Or maybe…I really was starting to look on the outside how I felt on the inside.

“Thanks for the ride,” I said as I opened the door and climbed out.

“See you Thursday?” he asked, leaning over to look out of the open passenger window.

“Thursday…? Of course…English right?”

“Right.”

“Thursday then,” I confirmed with a small wave, the beautiful orchid still clasped in my hand.

Heading up the landing, I smiled as the first drop of rain landed on the tip of my nose. A clap of thunder followed, signaling the arrival of a late summer storm. I had made it just in time.

Turning the key in the knob, I paused as the door swung open, giving the apartment a quick once over before I stepped inside. Something was different, I thought, closing the door, locking and bolting it behind me. It took me a second to realize, it was not something in the apartment…

My headache was gone.

Chapter 4

Entry 1:

I wonder…

I wonder why they are called apartments when they are all stuck together?

So, I’m not even sure how this goes, but I’m going to start at the beginning of my life, because if I were to look back on this someday, I think it would be interesting to see how my perspective has changed.

Name: Nahla Rayne Marks, 21 years old

I guess my story starts with my birth. I don’t know much about the subject, and I never really asked my parents questions after I was old enough to realize that they didn’t like talking about it. I know that they had trouble conceiving. I know that they sought out the help of an infertility doctor who once had a practice near my hometown: Crystal Falls, Michigan. This is where things get fuzzy, but from what I was told, my mother’s harvested eggs were accidentally switched with another woman’s harvested eggs. My parents did not realize this until out popped me: a red haired, white baby with dark gray eyes. They knew right away I wasn’t theirs (they were both African American). Granted both of them had a fairly light skin tone, but everyone, including the doctor could tell right away that I did not belong to them. Not knowing what had happened to their eggs, my parents refused to leave me behind at the hospital. They took me with them, and decided to raise me until something…anything was figured out.

Five years later, adoption papers were tucked away in a safety deposit box and I remained their daughter. The lawsuit between my parents and the fertility clinic was quietly settled for an undisclosed sum. Let’s just say it paid off their house, and helped fund the start up of their own private practice. As far as I know, to this day they never figured out what happened to my mother’s eggs, my brothers/sisters… if you can call them that. I don’t think my parents ever got over losing the eggs; they’d decided it was their last try for a biological child. When I was younger, I remember asking my mother why she didn’t have another baby so that I could have a little sister. She told me that God had closed her womb, and taken all of her babies to heaven with him. As far as I know, they never tried again. They’ve always told me that I was just what they needed, just when they needed it. They raised me as their own, and loved me as their own, hoping that I would gladly carry on their family name. More importantly they wanted me to continue the family practice, passing it on to my children. Consciously, I’ve failed them. And I feel…guilty. Am I wrong? Am I right? This can’t cost me my family. They are the only parents I know. Time heals all wounds…or does it?

****

I’d spent what I’d had left of the night before catching up on the work I needed to have done for each class. The only thing that remained was the history paper, and after doing a little more research on the book, I had a full outline for it in what seemed like minutes. Calling it quits and deciding to go to bed had definitely been the right decision. I’d slept so soundly last night, I was surprised I even heard the alarm going off three hours earlier than the time I normally set it for.

With so little sleep, I’d expected to be tired, but was pleasantly surprised when I awoke refreshed and ready to go. I’d finished the paper I needed for history in less than thirty minutes, tied up the loose ends of my English Lit. homework, and completed the first entry in my daybook.

Snapping the composition book shut, I sat up in shock as the color…my color…crept through me. It was different than it had been before, slow and palpable almost. The other times, it had been fast and furious, slamming through my body and taking over my mind, forcing me to shut down. This…this almost felt sad. Turning my head to the mirror over my dresser, I watched my face as if it weren’t my own. My expressions looked confused and my brows were drawn tight. I felt like I was crying, but the physical tears weren’t there.

Shaking my head slightly, I ran my fingers over the dark moss green cover. A release is what I was feeling, I realized as the color cleared and faded just as quickly as it had settled.

Could writing really be the therapy I needed?

I slid off the bed and into my running shoes. With two hours before my first class, a morning run was just what I needed to burn off some of the energy I felt building up inside of me. Locking the apartment door behind me I headed to the curb to stretch before I took off.

***

Please don’t let me be the only one here, My fingers crossed as I reached the door to my English class almost a half hour before the start of class.

I certainly hoped Gideon hadn’t arrived yet. It had been a full day since I’d seen him, even though I had looked everywhere that I went on campus the day before. I worried that it would seem as if I were overly eager to see him if I arrived too early and he was there. Flipping open my phone for the third time since I’d left my car, I saw that I still had twenty minutes before class was even scheduled to start. I didn’t want to stand here in the hall and there was no way I was walking all the way back to my car. Sighing, I pushed the door open and peeked in. There was only one other person in the room and it was some guy that I’d never seen before. He didn’t seem to notice my entrance as I took my usual seat near the front and pulled out the paper I’d just written for history.

No harm in going over it one more time.

“Your name is Nahla isn’t it?” The unfamiliar voice startled me, causing me to drop the pages I’d been holding.

Scrambling to pick them up off the floor, my eyes caught the black Durango boots first. Most students wore comfortable walking shoes on campus, but these looked too heavy for much of that. Odd, that despite the thick soles, I hadn’t heard him approach; yet he was standing at the end of my row.

Grabbing the last of the pages from under my seat I finally sat up, annoyed at the interruption. I didn’t recognize his face, and was sure I didn’t know him. He was dressed in black from top to bottom despite the season. On anyone else it might have looked strange but there was something about his face that made it ok.

“How did you…?”

“Know your name?” He interrupted with a half-smile. “Your friend….” He stopped as if he were trying to remember her name.

“Emily?” I finally inserted the name for him.

“Yes, Emily. She told me,” he shrugged nonchalantly not saying anymore.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked, breaking the silence, my tone still showing my annoyance.

“I just thought I would introduce myself since I’ve never had the chance in class. I was hoping that I could maybe join one of the study sessions Emily mentioned.”

“Well, Emily is the one that coordinates all of that. And to tell the truth, I haven’t been to one yet, so I really don’t have any information for you as far as when or where the group is meeting again.”

“I guess I will have to talk to Emily again, I didn’t realize,” he said almost apologetically.

I instantly felt bad. I was so on edge about seeing Gideon again that maybe I had been a little rude.

“It’s no bother, sorry I couldn’t be of more help,” I offered.

“Actually there is something else you can help me with,” he said sitting down in the last seat of the row.

It only left one seat in between us, and I instantly felt uneasy.

Where was everyone? I caught myself nervously looking towards the door.

I had no other choice but to respond.

“What is that?” I asked warily trying to hold my attention on his eyes.

“Let me take you out,” he answered, catching me off guard.

His dark blue eyes held mine until I finally looked away. I didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t as if I was dating Gideon. I had only met him twice, but my interest did lie with him. Two years with barely any dating, and I had met two guys within two days, that seemed attracted to me.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think so. I’m kind of…” I trailed off trying not to meet his gaze, and not wanting to finish the sentence I’d started.

“Kind of what?” He laughed, leaning further over the desk towards me.

Just then the door to the class opened with a loud squeak causing both of us to l