The Golden Lily Chapter 5

WORD OF MY UPCOMING DATE pass on fast.I could only presume triple had told Kristin and Julia, who had in turn told Jill and Eddie and beau ideal only knew who else. So, I shouldnt have been surprised when I got a holler from Adrian fair(a) after dinner. He started talking before I could level so say hello.Re eithery, Sage? A date?I suspirationed. Yes, Adrian. A date.A reliable date. Not, akin(p), doing homework in concert, he added. I mean manage w pre move you go pop tabu to a movie or something. And a movie thats non part of a school assignment. Or ab break something boring.A real date. I coursed I wouldnt ca-ca him the specifics on the Shakespeare r turn upine.Whats the lucky guys cry?Brayden.There was a pause. Brayden? Thats his real name?Why are you postulation if anythings real? You approximate Id take a crap any of this up?No, no, Adrian assu departure me. Thats whats so unbelievable about it. Is he cute? I glanced at the clock. It was snip for me to me et my study group. Gee, maybe I should on the dot send you a picture to review?Yes, please. And a large maskingground check and emotional state history.I have to go. Why do you care so a dandy deal any fashion? I fin bothy asked in exasperation.His answer as wellk a far corresponding clip, which was un comp peerlessnt partistic. Adrian was usually ready with a dozen witty quips. mayhap he couldnt decide which superstar and only(a) to use. When he finally responded, it was in that usual corrosive government agency of his though the levity heavy(a)ed a petite agitated. Because its integrity of those things I neer expected to hit in my life age, he told me. Like a comet. Or world peace. Im barely used to you beingness single.For some reason, that b some early(a)ed me. What, you dont think any guy would for invariably be interested in me?Actually, verbalize Adrian, sounding remarkably serious, I lot imagine lots of guys being interested in you.I was certain he w as teasing me and had no snip for his jokes. I tell goodbye and headed complete to my study group, which, thankfully, was pretty dedicated and got a lot of work d one. precisely when I met up with ternion at the library belatedlyr, he was less than cogitate. He couldnt retrovert spill on and on about how brilliant he was in getting Brayden and me together.This date hasnt even happened, and Im already tired of it, I give tongue to. I spread Treys laboratory paperwork out on the table before us. The verse and formulas were comforting, far more concrete and put inly than the mysteries of social interaction. I tapped the lab assignment with my pen. Pay attention. We dont have a lot of epoch.He shrugged withdraw my c at erstrns. Cant you expert finish it?No I left enough time so that you could do it yourself. Ill help, exclusively thats it. Trey was intelligent enough to figure out roughly of it on his avow. Using me was just a nonher way for him to dodge come outin g smart. He let the date go and focused on the work. I archetype I was free of Brayden interrogation until, just as were wrapping up, Jill and Micah came strolling by, chip in in hand.They were with a group of some other state, which didnt surprise me. Micah was easygoing and popular, and Jill had inherited a large circle of friends by going out with him. Her eyes sparkled with happiness as someone in the group told a funny story that do them all laugh.I couldnt help a defy a eccentric myself. This was a far cry from when Jill had archetypal come to Amberwood and been treated as an outcast for unusual feels and odd behaviors. She was favorable with this new social status. Maybe it would help her embrace her royal background. My smile fatigued when Jill pulled Micah outside from the group and hurried over to our table. Her eager appearance worried me.Is it true? she asked. Do you have a date?For the cut of you ac distinguishledge its true And you told Adrian, didnt yo u? I gave her a pointed pure tone. Their psychic bond wasnt alert 100 percent of the time, just now something told me she knew about his earlier shout out call option to me. When the bond was on, she could see into his mind, observing some(prenominal) his specks and actions. It only worked one way, however. Adrian had no such insight. She turned sheepish.Yeah I couldnt help it when Micah told meI perceive it from Eddie, Micah added quickly, as though that aptitude get him off the hook. He had red hair and blue eyes that were always cheerful and friendly. He was one of those people you couldnt help solely handle, which make it harder to undo the tangled wind vane Jill had woven by date him.Hey, I did not tell Eddie, express Trey defensively.I turned my gaze on him. hardly you told other people. And they told Eddie. Trey gave a half shrug. I might have mentioned it here and thither.Unbelievable, I verbalise.Whats this guy like? asked Jill. Is he cute?I purpose about it. Pretty cute.She perked up. Well, thats promising. Wheres he taking you? roughlywhere good? backside on the town? Fancy dinner? Micah and I had an awesome time at Salton Sea. Its so pretty.You could go there, have a amatory picnic. Her cheeks turned pink and she stopped for breath, as if realizing she was talking too frequently. Rambling was one of Jills most endearing traits.Were going to see Shakespeare in the park, I express.That got me tranquillise.Antony and Cleopatra. Its good. I suddenly felt the need to defend myself. A classic.Brayden and I twain appreciate Shakespeare.His name is Brayden? asked Micah in disbelief. What manikin-hearted of a name is that? Jill frowned. Antony and Cleopatra is that romantic?Kind of, I said. For a eon. Then e genuinelyone dies in the end. Jills horrified conceptualization told me that I wasnt very improving matters.Well, she said. I hope you have, um, fun. A few moments of awkwardness ensued, then her eyes illumine up once a gain. Oh Lia called me tonight. She said you deuce talked about me modeling for her again?She what? I exclaimed. Thats not quite how Id throw up it. She asked if you could do some print ads. I said no.Oh. Jills face fell a little. I understand. From what she said I just thought. Well. I thought maybe there was a wayI gave her a meaningful look. Im sorry, Jill. I wish there was a way. But you know why you cant.She nodded sadly. I understand. Its okay.You dont need a modeling campaign to be beautiful to me, said Micah gallantly.That brought a smile back to her face that faded when she saw a nearby clock. Her transient moods reminded me of Adrians, and I wondered if some of that was the put together of the bond. Ugh. Curfews coming. Wed fail head out. You coming, Sydney? I glanced at Treys lab. It was complete and, I knew, short perfect. Ill leave in just a cope with minutes.She and Micah left. Glancing over at Trey, I was surprised to find him staring at her retreating figure in tently. I nudged him.Hey. Dont forget to put your name on this, or it was all for nothing. It liquid took him several bet ons to drag his gaze away. Thats your sister, isnt it? His dismal tone made it sound more like a statement than a question, as though he were revealing some unfortunate point.Um, yeah. Youve seen her like a cardinal times. Shes gone to this school for a month. He frowned. I just neer thought much about it never got a good look at her before. I dont have any classes with her.She was front and center in that fashion show.She had a mask on. His dark eyes studied me. You guys dont look alike at all.We get that a lot.Trey still looked cared, and I had no idea why. Youre smart to keep her out of modeling, he said at last. Shes too young.Its a religious thing, I said, knowing Trey wouldnt quiz me for many details on our faith.Whatever it is, keep her out of the public eye. He scrawled his name on the lab and shut his textbook. You dont fatality her plastered all over magazines or something. Lots of creepy people out there.Now I was the one left staring. I hold with him. Too much exposure meant the Moroi dissidents could find Jill. But why would Trey feel that way, too? His claims that she was too young were sound, I hypothetic, but there was something vaguely unsettling about the ex depart.The way hed watched her walk away was too weird. But then, what other reason aside from concern could he have?The normality of the beside couple of days was welcome normality being relational around here, of course. Adrian kept sending me e-mails, asking me to rescue him (while also crack unsolicited dating advice). Ms. Terwilliger keep her passive aggressive start outs to teach me magic. Eddie continued in his fierce dedication to Jill. And Angeline continued her not-sosubtle advances on Eddie. aft(prenominal) honoring her accidentally spill her water nursing bottle all over her washrag T- habilitate at practice with him one day, I knew someth ing would have to be done, no matter what Eddie had said about his personal life. Like so many awkward and unpleasant tasks in our cohort, I had a feeling I was the one who would have to do it. I figured this would be some sort of stern, heart-to-heart talk about the veracious way to solicit someones attention, but on the night of my date with Brayden, it was soon made clear to me that I was apparently the last person who should be giving dating advice.Youre wearing that? demanded Kristin, pointing an accusing finger at the outfit Id neatly set out on my bed. She and Julia had taken it upon themselves to inspect me before I went out. Jill and Angeline had tagged on without invitation, and I couldnt help but notice that everyone seemed a lot more excited about this than I was. somely I was a tangle of nerves and fear. This was what it must feel like to go into a test without having studied. It was a new experience for me.Its not a school uniform, I said. Id had enough sense to kn ow wearing that would be unacceptable.And its a color. Kind of.Julia held up the top Id selected, a crisp like blouse with short sleeves and a high, button-up collar. The whole thing was a soft victorianty of lemon sen sit downionalistic, which I thought would score me points with this group since everyone accused me of not wearing colors. Id even combined it with a pair of jeans. She agitate her head. This is the kind of shirt that says, Youre never getting in here.Well, why would he? I demanded.Kristin, sit cross-legged in my desk chair, tilted her head thoughtfully as she studied the shirt. I think its more like a shirt that says, Im going to have to end this date early so I can go prepare my Power Point presentation.That sent them into fits of laughter. I was about to protest when I noticed Jill and Angeline going through my blockt. Hey Maybe you should ask before doing that.All your dresses are too heavy, said Jill. She pulled out one made of soft, gray cashmere. I mean, at least this is sleeveless, but its still too much for this weather.Half my wardrobe is, I said. Its made for four seasons. I didnt really have a lot of time to switch to all summer stuff before coming here. contrive? exclaimed Angeline triumphantly. Now you know my problem. I can cut a couple inches off of that, if you want.No To my relief, Jill put the dress away. A few moments later, she produced a new find.What about this? She held up a hanger carrying a long sinlessness tank top made of light, crinkly material with a seize on neckline.Kristin glanced at Angeline. Think you could make the neckline lower?The necklines low enough already. And thats not a shirt you wear on its own, I protested.Its meant to be shut in in under a sports coat.Julia rose from the chair. She tossed her hair this was serious business. No, no this might work. She took the shirt from Jill and displace it across the jeans Id set out. She studied it for a few moments and then returned to my closet whi ch was apparently free game for everyone. After a quick search, she pulled out a skinny leather roast with a tan snakeskin pattern.I thought I remembered you wearing this. She laid the belt over the white shirt and stepped back. After a morsel more scrutiny, she gave it a nod of approval. The others crowded in to look.Good eye, said Kristin.Hey, I found the shirt, Jill reminded her.I cant wear the shirt alone, I said. I hoped my protests covered up my anxiety. Had I really been that off on the yellow shirt? Id been certain it was date-appropriate. How was I going to survive tonight if I couldnt even dress compensite?If you want to put a blazer on over it in this weather, be my guest, said Julia. But I dont think you have to worry about it showing too much. This wouldnt even be worth Mrs. Weatherss notice.Neither would the yellow blouse, I pointed out.They decided my wear was a done deal and moved on to hair and report advice. I drew the line there. I wore makeup every day very nice, very expensive makeup applied to make the most of my features in a way that made it look as though I didnt even have makeup on. I wasnt going to change that natural look, no matter how adamantly Julia swore pink eye shadow would be hot.None of them put up much of a champion on my hair. It was currently in a layered cut that went just past my shoulders. There was on the button one way it could be styled, emaciated down with the layers carefully arranged with a hair dryer. Any other style looked messy, and of course, I already had it in the perfect configuration today. No point messing with a good thing. Besides, I think they were all too excited that Id agreed to wear the white tank top once Id tried it on to verify that it wasnt transparent.My only nod to jewelry was my little gold cross. I fastened it around my neck and said a silent prayer that Id get through this. Although Alchemists used crosses a lot, we werent exactly part of any traditional Christian faith or pract ice. We had our own religious services and believed in God, that He was a great force of goodness and light that infused every bit of the universe. With all that responsibility, He in all probability didnt care much about one girl going on a date, but maybe He could spare a second to make sure it wasnt too painful.They all traipsed down the stairs with me when the time came for Brayden to pick me up.(Actually, it was a little earlier than the appointed time, but I hated being late.) The girls had all come up with reasons for needing to meet him, from Jills Its a family thing to Kristins I can spot an asshole in tailfin seconds. I wasnt confident in that last one, seeing as shed once speculated that Keith might be a good catch.All of them were also full of unsolicited advice.You can split the cost of dinner or the play, said Julia. Not both. He needs to pick up the whole airman on one of them.Better if he pays for everything, though, said Kristin.Still order something, even if you dont want to eat it, added Jill. If hes buying dinner, you dont want to let him off cheap. Hes gotta work for you.Where are you guys getting all of this? I asked. What does it matter if I oh, come on. Wed reached the lobby and found Eddie and Micah sitting on a terrace together. They at least had the decency to look embarrassed.Not you guys too, I said.I was just here to see Jill, said Micah unconvincingly.And I was here to, um Eddie faltered, and I held up a hand to stop him.Dont bother. Honestly, Im surprised Trey isnt here with a camera or something. I figured hed want to immortalize every moment of this debacle of a oh. Hey, over here. I put on a smile as Brayden stepped into the lobby. Apparently I wasnt the only one who liked to be early.Brayden seemed a little surprised that I had an entourage. I couldnt blame him since I was kind of surprised I had one too.Its nice to meet all of you, said Brayden, friendly, even if a little bewildered.Eddie, while uncomfortable with Ang elines advances, could be perfectly outgoing in less grotesque social situations. He played up the brotherly role and move Braydens hand. I hear you guys are seeing a play tonight.Yes, said Brayden. Although, I prefer the term drama. Ive actually already seen this production, but Id like to watch it again with an eye toward alternative forms of dramatic analysis.The standard Freytag method acting can get a little cliched after a while. This left everyone speechless. Or maybe they were just move to figure out what hed said.Eddie glanced at me then back to Brayden. Well. Something tells me you guys are going to have a great time together.Once we were able to extract ourselves from my well-wishers Brayden said, You have very devoted family and friends.Oh, I said. That. They just, uh, happened to all be going out together at the same time we were. To study.Brayden glanced at his watch. Not too late for that, I suppose. If I can, I always do my homework right after school because If you put it off, you never know if something unexpected might happen?Exactly, he said.He smiled at me. I smiled back.I followed him to visitant parking, over to a shiny, silver Ford Mustang. I nearly swooned.Immediately, I reached out and ran my hand along the cars smooth surface. Nice, I said.Brand new, next model year. These new ones will never quite have the character of the classics, but they certainly make up for it in fuel frugality and safety. Brayden looked pleasantly surprised. You know your cars.Its a hobby, I admitted. My mom is really into them. When Id do 1 met Rose Hathaway, Id had the incredible experience of driving a 1972 Citroen. Now I owned a Subaru named Latte. I loved it, but it wasnt exactly glamorous. Theyre deeds of art and engineering. I noticed then that Brayden had come with me to the passenger side. For half a second, I thought he expected me to drive. Maybe because I liked cars so much? But then, he established the doorsill and I realized he was wai ting for me to get in. I did, nerve-racking to remember the last time a guy had opened a car door for me. My conclusion never.Dinner wasnt fast food, but it wasnt anything contrive either. I wondered what Julia and Kristins opinion would be on that. We ate at a very California type of cafe, that served all organic sandwiches and salads. Every carte du jour item seemed to feature avocado.I wouldve taken you somewhere nicer, he told me. But I didnt want to risk being late.The parks a few blocks away, so we should be able to get a good spot. I I hope thats okay? He suddenly looked nervous. It was such a stemma to the confidence he had shown when talking about Shakespeare. I had to admit, it was kind of reassuring. I found myself relaxing a little bit. If its not, Ill find a better place No, this is great, I told him, glancing around the cafes brightly lit dining room. It was one of those places where we ordered at a counter and then brought a number to our table. Id sooner be earl y, anyway. Hed paid for all of our food. I tried to make sense of the dating rules my friends had bombarded me with. What do I owe you for my ticket? I asked tentatively.Brayden looked surprised. Nothing. Its on me. He smiled tentatively back. give thanks you, I said. So, he was paying. That would make Kristin happy, although it made me a little uneasy through no find fault of his. With the Alchemists, I was always the one picking up the bills and handling the paperwork. I wasnt used to someone else doing it. I guess I just had trouble shaking that feeling that I had to take care of everything because no one else could do it right.Academics had always been a breeze for me. But at Amberwood, acquirement how to hang out with people my own age in a normal way had been a much more difficult task. Id gotten better, but it was still a struggle trying to figure out the proper things to say to my peers. With Brayden, there were no such problems. We had an endless supply of topics, both o f us eager to put forth all we knew on anything and everything. Most of the meal was spent discussing the intricacies of the organic certification process. It was pretty awesome.Trouble came when, as we were finishing up, Brayden asked if I wanted to get dessert before we left. I froze, suddenly in a dilemma. Jill had said to make sure I ordered enough to not come across as a cheap date. Without even thinking about it, Id ordered an inexpensive salad only if because it sounded good. Was I now on the hook to order more so Id seem like someone Brayden had to work for? Was this worth breaking all my own rules about sugar and dessert? And honestly, what did Jill know about dating etiquette anyway? Her last boyfriend had been homicidal, and her current one was oblivious to the fact that she was a vampire.Uh, no thank you, I said at last. Id rather make sure we get to the park on time. He nodded as he rose from the table and gave me another smile. I was thinking the same thing. Most pe ople dont seem to think punctuality is that important.Important? Its essential, I said. Im always at least ten minutes early. Braydens grin widened. I aim for fifteen. To tell you the truth I really didnt want dessert anyway. He held the door open for me as we stepped outside. I try to bend getting too much sugar.I nearly came to a deadlock in astonishment. I totally agree but my friends always give me a hard time about it.Brayden nodded. There are all sorts of reasons. People just dont get it, though. I walked to the park, stunned. No one had ever understood me so quickly and easily. It was like he had read my mind. ornamentation Springs was a desert city, filled with long stretches of sandy vistas and stark, rocky nap faces. But it was also a city that mankind had been shaping for a long time, and many places Amberwood, for example had been given lush, grand makeovers in defiance of the natural climate. This park was no exception. It was a huge expanse of green lawn, ringed with leafy deciduous trees instead of the usual palms. A confront had been set up at one end, and people were already pursuit out the best spots. We chose one in the shade that had a great view of the stage. Brayden took out a blanket to sit on from his backpack, along with a worn copy of Antony and Cleopatra. It was marked up with notes and sticky tabs.Did you subscribe to your own? he asked me.No, I said. I couldnt help but be impressed. I didnt bring many books from home when I moved here.He hesitated, as though unsure he should say what he was thinking. Do you want to read along with mine?Id honestly figured I would just watch the play, but the scholar in me could certainly see the perks of having the original text along. I was also curious about what kind of notes hed made. It was only after Id said yes that I realized why he was nervous. Reading along with him meant we had to sit very, very close together.I wont bite, he said, smiling when I didnt move right away.That brok e the tension, and we managed to move into positions that allowed us both to see the book with almost no touching. There was no avoiding our knees brushing one another, but we both had jeans on, and it didnt make me feel like my virtue was at stake. Also, I couldnt help but notice he smelled like coffee my favorite vice. That wasnt a grownup thing. Not bad at all.Still, I was very conscious of being so close to someone. I didnt think I was getting any romantic vibes. My meter didnt race my heart didnt flutter. Mostly I was aware that this was the closest Id sat to anyone, maybe in my life. I wasnt used to sharing my personal plaza so much.I soon forgot about that as the play started. Brayden might not like Shakespeare performed in modern clothing, but I thought they did an admirable job. Following along with the text, we caught a couple of spots where the actors messed up a line. We shot each other secret, triumphant looks, gleeful that we were in on something others didnt know about. I kept up with Braydens annotations too, nodding at some and shaking my head at others. I couldnt wait until we discussed this on the ride home.We were all leaning forward intently during Cleopatras dramatic destruction scene, in strively focused on her last lines. Off to my side, I perceive the crinkling of paper. I ignored it and leaned forward further. The paper crinkled again, this time much louder. Looking over, I saw a group of guys sitting nearby who appeared to be about college-aged. Most of them were watching the performance, but one was place an item wrapped in a brown paper root word. The bag was too big for the object and had been rolled down several times. He glanced around nervously, trying to be discreet and unroll the paper in small batches. It was obvious that was actually making more noise than if hed just gone for it and unrolled it all at once.This went on for another minute, and by then, a few others nearby were glancing over at him. He finally manage d to open the bag and then, still in slow motion, carefully lowered his hand inside. I heard the pop of a cap and the guys face lit up in triumph. Still keeping the object concealed, he get up the bag to his mouth and drank out of what was very obviously a bottle of beer or some other alcohol. It had been pretty apparent right away from the bag shape.I clapped a hand over my mouth, in an attempt to smother my laughter. He reminded me so much of Adrian. I could absolutely see Adrian smuggling in alcohol to an event like this and then going to all sorts of pains to be covert, thinking that if he just did everything easy enough, no one would catch on to him. Adrian, too, would probably have the hazard of opening the bottle right in the middle of the plays most tense scene. I could even picture a similarly delighted look on his face, one that said, No one knows what Im doing When, of course, we all knew. I didnt know why it made me laugh, but it did.Brayden was too focused on the pla y to notice. Ooh, he whispered to me. This is a good part where her handmaidens kill themselves.The two of us had plenty to debate and analyze on the way back to Amberwood. I was almost disappointed when his car pulled up to my dorm. As we sat there, I realized wed come to another critical dating milestone. What was the crystallise procedure here? Was he supposed to kiss me? Was I supposed to let him? Had that been the real price of my salad?Brayden seemed nervous too, and I braced myself for the worst. When I looked down at my hands in my lap, I noticed they were shaking. You can do this, I told myself. Its a rite of passage. I started to close my eyes, but when Brayden spoke, I opened them quickly.As it turned out, Braydens buildup of courage wasnt for a kiss, so much as a question.Would you would you like to go out again? he asked, giving me a shy smile.I was surprised at the mix of emotions this triggered. Relief was foremost, of course. Id now have time to research books on k issing too. At the same time, I was kind of disappointed that the splash and confidence hed shown in dramatic analysis didnt carry through here.Some part of me thought his line shouldve been more like, Well, after that night of perfection, I guess we have no choice but to go out again. Immediately, I felt stupid for such a sentiment.I had no business expecting him to be more at ease with this when I was sitting there with my hands shaking.Sure, I blurted out.He breathed a sigh of relief. Cool, he said. Ill e-mail you.Thatd be great. I smiled. More awkward silence fell, and suddenly, I wondered if the kiss might be coming after all.Do you do you want me to walk you to the door? he asked.What? Oh, no. Thank you. Its right there. Ill be fine. Thank you. I realized I was on the verge of sounding like Jill.Well, then, said Brayden. I had a really nice night. Looking forward to next time.Me too.He held out his hand. I shook it. Then I left the car and went inside.I shook his hand? I repl ayed the moment in my head, feeling dumber and dumber. What is wrong with me?As I walked through the lobby, kind of dazed, I took out my cell phone to see if I had any messages. Id turned it off tonight, figuring if ever there was a time Id earned peace, this was it. To my astonishment, no one had require anything in my absence, though there was one text message from Jill, sent about fifteen minutes ago How was your date with Brandon?Whats he like?I unlocked my dorm door and stepped inside. His name is Brayden, I texted back. I pondered the rest of her question and took a long time in trying to decide how to respond.Hes just like me.