It was like a scene from a movie. It was a first kiss for both of us, sitting on a cliff overlooking the sunset.
When we pulled apart, my ghostly white skin was no longer ghostly white. It looked as though there might be some pink to it.
"Okay." I said, my voice rushed and panicked. "So I am sitting by a cliff overlooking a beautiful sunset, sitting with a guy I just met, that likes me, and that I like, and he just -"
He interrupted me by kissing me again, more fierce and desperate this time. He slid his hand down my back until he was right above my waist, and then he pulled me closer.
I started crying, silent tears running down my face. He pulled away for just a second, and I grabbed his collar, pulling him back in.
"Don't stop. Not yet. I don't wanna think." I wispered, placing my lips back on his and letting him take the lead.
By the time the sunset, we had gotten back to his room, and he wrapped my ankle without a word. We sat on his bed, and I thought I would puke. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I hated it. I just met this guy. I barely even knew him, but at the same time, it feels like we've known each other forever.
"I know it's wrong." I began shakily. "But I can't stop it. I like you."
"Yeah, I like you too." He replied, turning to face me. "So much it hurts. I've never felt anything like this. It's painful, and it's amazing. It makes me yearn for you." He moved closer. Close enough for our thighs to touch and our faces to brighten. "It feels like I'm rushing, but I can't help it."
"I agree. I feel like we are moving so fast, but I also feel like we aren't moving fast enough. I want things with you that I don't even want to name. I want you." I said, but saying it made me feel queezy. I couldn't help it. Saying it was scary, but their was so much adrenaline.
"I know I shouldn't because we just met, and it's probably toxic, but I want," He paused and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. "I want to hold you. I want to feel your racing heartbeat. I'm selfish for this, but I want you to be mine. So I can do whatever I want with you." His eyes widened as he said that, and he let go of me. "I think I said too much. I should probably go, I'm sorry." He stood up, and my body reacted without my concent. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. He stumbled before regaining his balance. He stood frozen, and I could tell he was trying to stop himself from turning around. "I hate that I love you." He said after a minute, and I watched his shoulders shake. "You are so fragile, physically and mentally, and I don't want to be the one to hurt you in either category."
I didn't know what to say, so I slid my hand down his wrist into his hand and interlocked my fingers through his. He tensed, but his hand stayed loose. I squeezed his hand, and he turned around, looking at me.
"We are a team now. We have the same feelings towards each other, and we have the same values." I gazed into his eyes with sincerity. "I'd like it if I were yours." I paused, thinking of what to say. "I owe you for everything you've done for me. I give my permission. You can do whatever you want to with me. I'd be dead if you didn't save me. I'd also never have felt this way toward another person if you hadn't just been you. I trust you."
He climbed into the bed next to me and laid down, still holding my hand. I laid down next to him, and we just stayed that way until we agreed to go to sleep.
I closed my eyes, but the rest didn't come. After around ten minutes, I was going to open my eyes to look at him when I felt him shift.
"Are you awake, Astrid?" He wispered, but I didn't respond. I had a feeling I should stay quiet. He let out a breath and started talking. "You were the first person to trust me. Everyone thought I would curse them or kill them. You didn't even think about it. When you woke up by that tree and saw me, I expected you to scream and run. Instead, you are looking at me. You gave me a chance. I could tell you were scared, but after talking to you, I realized you are normally scared. You trust me with your life, and I think that hurts the most. I am happy, but I am not at the same time. You shouldn't trust me. I've heard so many horrible things about myself that I've started believing them. Now you're here, and you trust me to protect you. You are the only one who's ever trusted me like that." He paused, and I felt him move closer. He let go of my hand and pulled me close. He slid one hand under me, and the other came over me. He adjusted my head so it would rest on his chest as he pulled a blanket over us. I felt Darren pull my body on top of him, so I was like a blanket to him before he continued talking. I felt his chest shake as he wispered. "Please wake up. Please. You need to wake up." He started sliding the pajama pants he bought me down, and I knew what he was thinking. I knew what he wanted. "Please. Slap me. Fight me. Do whatever to protect yourself."
I didn't move as I felt him struggle to control himself. I looked up at him, and his hair that was naturally brown was now completely red and purple. I felt my heart racing with fear and understanding.
Their was a rumor in our town about a boy who couldn't control himself. He raped an innocent girl, and she ended up pregnant. That woman disappeared after that, but they say her son was born with the same condition as his father. They said the father had a streak of green and yellow in his hair, and their was a chance his son would have a similar mark.
I grabbed Darren's shoulder as he trembled with the effort of containing the inherited beast inside him. My hands came up to his face, and I wiped away a tear with my thumb.
I watched as his hair went back to normal, with only a little streak of red and purple in it. He stayed frozen, and I was shaking from fear and from guilt.
I hurt him. I caused him to transform because I slept in the same bed as him. I made him fall in love with me because I went down the path into the woods instead of staying on the porch. I caused this.
I pulled up my pants and rolled off him. He was still crying, but he seemed relieved. He was releaved and terrified at the same time. I could see it in his eyes.
I walked over to the lamp and turned it on. Darren was pulling up his boxers when he paused. "Thank you. I'm so sorry." He said and finished putting his clothes back on.
"Your dad. He's the man from the rumor. And you are his son." I said, exhausted and scared. My voice shook as I asked him if he would ever hurt somebody he didn't know, like his father did.
"No. I wouldn't. It doesn't have a name to it, but no doctor can figure it out. Me and my dad are the only ones that have this condition in the entire world, so they aren't wasting funding on it. All they found out is that we have to love the person for it to control us. Love is the most powerful thing in the world, and this condition takes that love and turns it into a beast that takes hold. The beast is in control of my love for you. I feel the love, but that's the problem. Love controls me and makes me do everything my mind wants. It leaves no room for protest. My hair changes the more it's in control. My whole life, I've never felt like this, so it hasn't come out. My eyes change, too. They turn amber color when I've not in control."
I let that sink in for a minute before carrying my shaking body over to him. He flinched and backed away. I stopped and stared at him, but he wouldn't meet my eyes. "Darren." I said, watching him. "Do you trust me?"
He looked up, and I watched him swallow hard. He took another step back and replied, "Yes, but I don't trust myself." I walked toward him, and he yelled, "Stop! Don't touch me!" I continued walking until I was right in front of him. His breathing was raspy, and his eyes were frantic. "Please. Don't." He was cornered against the wall. The bed was right behind me, and their was nothing in the way.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my own composure as fear battled with me. I touched his cheek and wiped away his tears. He blinked, and his eyes changed color, a bright Amber. His hair ignited in color, and he was on me in a heartbeat.