A crooked smile lifted on his unbelievably gorgeous face. "I think you'll manage."

My heart nearly stopped at his smile. I even forgot to breathe. "Should I be afraid?" I looked away, realizing what an idiotic question that was.

"You know the answer to that." From the corner of my eye, I saw him tilt his head to the side and stare at me for a moment.

When I glanced at him, he moved over to the side and made some clicking sounds which gave me the feeling that he was calling me to the water.

Carefully, I slid into the pool not too far away from him. The water was refreshing like a gentle caress. When I turned to Laurent, I noticed that his jaw was clenched now. He looked pained.

"What are you thinking?" I asked, mesmerized by his piercing blue eyes that sparked in the night.

He pulled the ends of his long wet hair over his nose and mouth. His eyes squinted.

I huffed lightly, wondering if I smelled bad.

"You're not afraid." He shook his head subtly in bewilderment.

"You saved me from death two times. That gives me considerable confidence that you want me alive."

He smiled, revealing beautiful white teeth. Aside from being perfect in every way, they looked normal. "I don't always get what I want." It seemed like he was trying to speak casually, but I sensed that he was experiencing dark inner turmoil. "Sometimes I lose control. Like now, letting you be here with me."

I shuddered at the implication, but stronger than my sense of fear was my yearning to touch his beautiful lips with my finger tip.

"Come." He lifted his chin toward the center of the pool. "I'm going to show you some of our habitat. "With you here in the water, my hunger is stronger than on land..."

My body tensed at that.

He seemed to have detected my concern because he explained in a gentler tone, "I can't get too close to you yet or I would take your hand."

At that, I didn't know how to respond. I think my head was just spinning in general. But I did notice that he said he couldn't get too close to me yet which sent a sudden thrill through my essence as I pondered the implication that he was planning to hold my hand in the future. I thought back to the time at Santa Monica Beach when my fingers brushed against the palm of his hand as he was giving me my sapphire ring. He recoiled violently at my touch. I wondered if he was afraid of experiencing something of the same.

"We better hurry," he looked toward the house in a way that made me think that the tres beaux could arrive any time now.

I wondered what would happen if they saw me here with Laurent. It wasn't likely that they would be happy about it.

"Just follow me to the bottom of the pool..." His soft voice was melodic. "There is a cave to the side."

Fear rose up within me at the idea of getting trapped in a cave without oxygen.

He must have noticed my hesitation because he tried to rea.s.sure me. "It's okay. I'll be with you. I'm well equipped when it comes to underwater safety." With a facetious expression on his face, he raised an eyebrow.

Now, my curiosity deepened. I felt confused-it seemed like his demeanor was a contradiction to what he had just said.

"Trust me, Grace. You're going to love it." He looked at me and smiled softly. "Just stay close."

At that, he dove under the black water. I followed behind, keeping my eyes wide open. It was difficult to see, but I sensed his dark figure below me and I followed. As we moved deeper, I saw that we were approaching some light. Now, I was able to see the cave from which the light was shining. My lungs were starting to hurt from lack of breath.

Laurent looked back at me and waved me forward. I followed him into the cave. It was bright inside. I started to feel desperate for air.

He put his hand into what looked like a pile of tiny rocks that exuded rays of light. With one of the tiny sparkling stones in his hand, he pulled me to him. Instantly, I felt better, replenished with oxygen. We were chest to chest for that moment. Now that relief came to me, my heart started to pound like mad feeling his skin against my skin.

We separated slightly as he lifted my hand and held the stone to the sc.r.a.pe I got at the construction site. I felt a tingling sensation where it touched my skin, but more than the pleasure I felt from the rock was the utter bliss I experienced at Laurent's touch. To my astonishment, as he held my hand out between us, I watched the natural healing process occur in speed time. My eyes widened in wonder as new skin grew over the sc.r.a.pe. The sore was gone!

Carefully, he moved closer to me. Gooseb.u.mps lifted on my arms and I wondered what he was going to do next. He placed one hand on my back and the other on my shoulder. I quivered at his touch. Now that I was in his arms securely, he laid his head over my shoulder and gently pressed his neck to mine. I wasn't expecting that. It was such an intimate sensation being connected to him in that way. I felt a closeness like I had never experienced before. Neck to neck. I was irrevocably drawn to him. And then, I felt a surge of sustaining breath enter my body from his body. I didn't know how it happened. Immediately, he set the tiny stone down.

Once the stone was out of his grasp, he pulled away from me abruptly. It was like his senses were inflamed now. His nostrils flared and his jaw clenched.

He backed away further to the wall of the cave and looked at me with piercing eyes.

I held his breath inside of me, frightened by his new demeanor, but disappointed by the release of his touch. I got the impression he was trying to control himself from some sort of overwhelming feeling. He turned away from me. His upper torso expanded and collapsed in rhythm like heavy breathing.

After a moment he calmed.

I followed him out of the cave and upwards.

We broke the surface and a gush of air released from my lungs. I gasped as I reoriented myself.

I didn't know what to say. The escapade was so otherworldly. My body was enlivened with a new energy. "I liked that," I said shyly as I watched him somewhat hesitantly.

"Me too," he whispered. I noticed that his nostrils were flared harder now. His eyes looked narrow and fierce. He back paddled away from me over to the big obsidian rock where he held to an indentation and looked over at me. He looked pained. It was as if he was suffering immensely. I wanted to comfort him, make him feel better, but I knew that was impossible. I guessed I was the source of his agony.

Everything within me wanted to ease his distress. My helplessness was maddening. My eyes welled up. At that moment, I felt like I would rather die than see that ache in his eyes.

"Don't look at me like that, Grace," he said through gritted teeth. He was hunched over his knees upon the rock with his hands balled into fists. "Don't care about me," he yelled now with fury in his voice.

"I can't help it," I whispered, feeling his misery like it was my own.

"Don't care about me, Grace," he repeated. His voice was hardly above a whisper, but it was thunderous. At once, he scrunched up his face and shook his head slightly side to side. I sensed that he could lose control of himself and was now teetering on the edge.

He could slip at any moment and succ.u.mb to his natural instincts. The very idea of that was overwhelming. Adrenaline rushed through my veins as I swam to the side of the pool and quickly climbed out.

"Thank you, Grace," he said in a strained voice. He looked at the house. "I think you better go now." There were the sounds of footsteps within the mansion. I sensed that he wanted me to leave immediately.

I felt the danger growing between us. Forgetting my sandals, I grabbed my backpack and rushed out of his yard.

As I ran down the street, I heard the faint sounds of a new song, "Run Grace, run..." His voice was entrancing. It seemed like a contradiction to the words. I wanted to go back, but I knew he wanted me to resist and though I didn't think any girl could, somehow, I was able... For a moment, I felt lost in the dream, but I was aware.

I hailed a cab on the boulevard and went home, back to my normal, mundane world. And now I waited for tomorrow. I waited, hoping desperately to see this boy that I was fervently, uncontrollably infatuated with. This boy, that beyond all rationality, I would risk my life just to be in his arms one more time.

The Fight When I arrived home, Lucy was already in bed and my parents were waiting for me. It was already 8:30pm and they were worried about me.

"Where were you?" my mother asked anxiously just as I walked in. She had the cordless phone in her hand. My father was standing behind her.

I laid my backpack on the narrow hall table. "I was studying at a cla.s.smate's house and I lost track of time."

My father looked angry. "Why are your clothes all wet? Were you swimming in the ocean?"

"No," I responded adamantly in an irritated, high pitched voice. "I was just in a pool."

"In your clothes?" my mother asked, astounded.

"I know..." I frowned, "...it's weird-isn't it?" Really, I couldn't think of a good explanation. I should have planned better, but all I could think about on my cab ride home was how shocking my experience was with Laurent and those magical rocks. "I tripped and fell in the pool," I finally explained. "It was so ridiculous that I just decided to swim around for awhile and I lost track of time."

"What happened to your shoes?" my dad asked. The worry was lifting from his face. He looked confused, but less angry now.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean-you don't know?" My mother had her hands on her hips as she complained.

"When I realized the time, I rushed out of the pool and couldn't find my sandals. I didn't want to make you worry anymore than necessary, so I just hurried off without them."

Both my mom and dad gave me peculiar looks at that explanation.

"I'm so hungry," I said as I made my way past them.

They followed me into the kitchen. "We're not done talking with you," my mother insisted. "Whose house were you studying at?"

I wasn't sure if I should tell them or not. I hesitated before speaking. "I was at a boy from my English cla.s.s's house. He had been absent for awhile and I was helping him catch up on the work." I sat down at the table and started eating the lasagna Mom left out for me.

Mom sat down at the table across from me and Dad walked into the adjoining living room and turned on the television. "I'm glad you're okay," he called over to me. "Next time call us on your cell phone if you're going to be late."

"You're right-I should have done that." I poured some water from the jug on the table into a cup my mother left for me at my place setting. "I just lost track of time and didn't realize."

My mother had her elbow resting on the table and was leaning her head in her hand now. She looked exhausted. "What's this boy's name?" she asked seeming mildly curious.

"He's that boy that called over here about the homework a.s.signment. Remember that?" I drank down the water and set the cup back down on the table.

My mother rubbed her temples now. "Yes, that's right. What was his name?"

"Laurent," I mumbled with my mouth full of lasagna.

"Oh, yes. He had a lovely speaking voice on the telephone."

I couldn't help but laugh. "He does." I smiled now at the thought of it.

"Do you like him romantically?" she asked, still rubbing her temples.

"It's nothing like that." I blushed. "I don't know him that well."

"Well, that's good because Ashton called." A smile spread across her face as she said his name.

I stood up from the table and took my dishes into the kitchen and started washing them while she looked over at me from the table. "I'm too tired to call him back tonight," I muttered. "I'll just talk to him in school tomorrow.

"You shouldn't waste your time with other boys when you have a star like Aston who's crazy about you. Don't let this one get away, Grace." She yawned very wide. "I better get some sleep." She kissed me on the cheek as she walked over to my dad and stretched out on the couch as she laid her feet in his lap. Minutes later she was fast asleep with her mouth wide open.

Dad coughed and then rubbed her legs as he stared into the TV. "Come over and sit by me, Gracie." He patted the sofa beside him, but on the other side of Mom. "This doc.u.mentary on ancient Greece is interesting."

Even though my mind was other places, I sat down next to him and watched for awhile just to make him happy. Watching doc.u.mentaries together was a past time I missed.

We chatted about the ancient art, architecture, and clothing. Without a doubt, the beautiful cinematography was impressive and kept me interested, but I was too tired and too mentally preoccupied to fully enjoy the presentation. I leaned against Dad's shoulder as my mind raced with thoughts of my evening with Laurent.

"I think I better finish up my homework and get to sleep," I said to my father.

"Sure thing." He nodded and patted me on my leg. "I'll check on you after I carry Mom into bed." With that comment, he looked at his snoring wife and chuckled lightly.

In the morning, I awoke mesmerized by my dream. Laurent and I were lounging together upon some rocks in a beautiful blue lagoon. He was serenading me with the most enchanting songs. His voice was heavenly like the music of angels. I wanted the experience to last forever.

I got out of bed wishing I could sleep in that dream world for eternity. All of my jeans and shorts were dirty. I had been slacking off with the laundry, so I changed out of my pajamas into a pale yellow sundress. It was a nice change, but more feminine than my usual boyish styles.

It was a little early still, so I decided to twist my hair up into a French knot. Usually, I just wore my hair down and was lucky if I even got around to brushing it, but today I felt more excited about life. My adrenaline was rushing with hopes that Laurent would return to school.

When I went into the kitchen, my father was talking in an agitated voice on the telephone. My mother was looking at him with concern as she flipped the eggs in the fry pan. Lucy was brushing her teeth while she watched cartoons.

"You're going to start drooling on the floor," I cautioned her with a laugh as I glanced at my father whose face was flushed from anger.

Lucy mumbled some incoherent response to me with her mouth full of toothpaste foam. The commercial came and she ran into the bathroom to spit and rinse her mouth.

When she came back into the living room, she was brushing her hair. "Morning, Grace," her high pitched voice was cheery.

"Good morning, cutie." I sat down next to her on the couch before the TV.

"Dad's talking to Sam." It was still a commercial so she was looking at me as she tried to fix her hair awkwardly.

"Here let me do it." I took her brush and started shaping her curly hair into ponytails. "What are they talking about? He sounds mad."

"During the second shift yesterday, the fishermen pulled up a girl's head in their nets."

"What?" I shrieked.

"That's what he said to Mom a minute ago." Her face was scrunched up from the thought of it.

"That's horrible." I frowned. "Do they know whose head it is?"

"I don't know. Ask Dad." She motioned over to our father who just hung up the phone and was talking with Mom in the kitchen.

My dad was whispering to my mom. He was angry, but his voice was too quiet to be discernible.

"What happened?" I asked somewhat hesitantly.

My mother looked at Dad sharply. I felt like they were keeping some sort of secret. "Do you know someone named Mandy Bowers?" Mom asked as Dad took his food and sat down at the kitchen table to eat.

"Yes." My eyes widened. She was the girl that was really into Laurent, probably as much as I was, but she was more obvious about it.

"I'm sorry," My mother said, shaking her head. Her eyes looked teary. "Dad's shipmates pulled up her head in the nets yesterday. Sam said she disappeared the night before."

"What do you mean?" I asked astounded.