Chapter Fifteen

      Alec and I chose to keep our relationship private. Except for the homecoming dance, we were no longer openly affectionate. We went on as before, seeming only best friends to all those around us. Not that much changed to their eyes anyway.

      To mine, however, things were more fantastic than I ever could have wished them. The notes slyly passed between us in the corridors were now plans for secret dates and professions of love and happiness. When a few stolen moments allowed, we slipped away to a forgotten corner and shared a quick kiss or even just a soft touch. A simple reminder that what we had was special and everlasting.

     As the time passed progressively, a routine developed between us. A routine we kept carefully out of the yes of his father who still wasn't quite used to the idea. And especially out of the watchful gaze of Amelia.

      In fact, I knew without doubt that, were it not for the displeasure of my great-aunt, Alec would have had no restraints. He would have walked up to me in the middle of a crowded corridor and kissed me without a care as to who was watching. And though I knew I'd be absolutely terrified, a secret part of me wished for that with the deepest longing.

      Yet, our restraint proved an art in discipline. For if Amelia were to ever learn of our relationship, Alec would be torn from my grasp faster than a hurricane could whisk him away. It was a risk neither of us would take.

      And so, when we reached the train tracks that marked my boundary from life outside to ensnarement in the valley bowl, we did not proceed as we once had. Instead of us parting ways, we sat about on the large curving track down to the place where the tracks began to hug the ravine. There, we would turn north and follow along the most daunting of my snares. Yet, with Alec's fingers interlaced with mine, even this most dangerous of prisons seemed like walking along a mountaintop ridge and triumph pounded through my veins.

     It is upon that ledge that we learned more about each other than we thought there was left to learn. I told him about my brother and my mother. He told me about his last home. After a while. Indulged my fear of him when we first me. Never had I been more shocked than when he confessed the same.

     "How could you possibly be afraid of me?" I gasped. The thought was entirely unbelievable.

     "It's true," Alec insisted. "From the moment you caught me in the hall with Dylan, it was like my world had shifted. As if all the crap I'd had to deal with had nothing on you. I'd never felt more like a spoiled child than that moment you looked at me... and just walked away. I think it was then that I decided I could never have you walk away from me again. It was unthinkable."

      A rose hue crept across my face and a familiar heat followed the spreading blush. Having no reply to his incredible words, I lowered my eyes to the ground. They rested there not but a moment before the soft tug on my hand became a strong pull and I found myself stumbling into Alec's waiting arms.

      Before I could even catch my balance, I felt his hands on my face. His lips were against mine not a moment later. I hadn't even time to catch my breath. Not that he would allow it to remain. Alec was simply breathtaking to me.

      When at last I was allowed to regain my footing, we separated with exhilarated laughter. Grasping my hand in his own, we suddenly tore up the path I had long ago made with my afternoon run. If I could close my eyes right then, I was sure I'd know what it was to fly.

      As we drew closer to the opening of the valley, however, I pulled back on his hand. There was just enough trees to shield us and I did not want to lose this time with him. And when we entered into the field, I could not be more grateful for the tiny hill that shielded us from Amelia's shack. It was my last chance to do something bold, myself.

      "Alec," I said, a warning in my devious smile as I let go of his hand. He turned and I wasted no time.

      Wrapping my arms around his neck, I quickly jumped up and he caught my thighs knowingly. I had to laugh a little when he took a step back. It lasted only a moment before I threw my lips on his.

      Never in my life had I thought I would ever be so spontaneous.

      I've never been so happy to be wrong.