Page 39 of Lightning Angel
Alexa glanced up at the mesmerizing display with a wide grin stretched across her face as it exploded in a cascade of brilliant red and gold, painting the canvas of the sky. The fireworks continued their breathtaking dance, and Alexa watched until her neck started to ache. She dropped her gaze and looked aside at Tristan, her heart stopping for a moment to see him staring at her the way he had in the previous times; with affection and warmth.
When their eyes met, he smiled instead of looking away, and the vibrant hues reflecting in his eyes mirrored the spectrum of emotions dancing in her own heart. Alexa smiled back. She admired the way the lights painted his features, casting a soft glow on his face. He looked radiant and much more relaxed than he was when they met at the bridge, just as she knew she did.
Their time here had worked its wonders on them, and Alexa hoped it would last forever.
She didn’t want to go back into the distress she had forgotten momentarily; she’d give anything to spend more time with him and forget the last of her troubles. But unfortunately, that wasn’t how the world worked.
Once their time here was over, she would have to go back and face her fears.
The crowd applauded as the grand finale painted the sky with an array of colors. And standing next to Tristan, exchanging smiles, Alexa felt grateful for creating a memory that would linger in her heart long after the last firework had faded away.
Tristan turned to her as the crowd began to move. “Wanna head back or hang on a little bit more?”
Alexa wanted to jump in for the second option, but she knew Tristan would have more important things to attend to than taking her around a carnival. What he had done already was more than enough for her tonight. “I’d love to stay longer, but I have school tomorrow.”
Tristan nodded in understanding, his face alight even though he wasn’t smiling. He opened his mouth to reply but closed it and tilted his head slightly to the side, as if listening to something. Alexa was about to ask what it was when a familiar song reached her ears.
Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy, vanished when I saw your face
All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you…
Their eyes locked, and she tried to keep her heartbeat normal. Not that she could, but she tried putting on a neutral expression, though the smile trembling on the corner of her lips was the hardest to fight.
Tristan took her hand without a word and began leading them toward the source of the music. The singerwas a tall blonde girl, standing on a small stage and striking her guitar; she had a drummer, a pianist, and a bass guitarist with her. People began to gather around.
A whirlwind of emotions took over Alexa’s heart as the song unfolded; only last Sunday she had belted it out after meeting the boy who now held her hand. It felt almost surreal to be with him as the song wafted around them. Almost magical.
This is me praying that, this was the very first page, not where the storyline ends
My thoughts will echo your name until I see you again
These are the words I held back as I was leaving too soon
I was enchanted to meet you…
Alexa’s cheeks flamed. And to hide them from Tristan who glanced at her occasionally, she leaned her head against his arm. He stiffened in surprise, but relaxed almost instantly and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Alexa hugged her teddy bear closer and hid her smile in its furry head.
The local band accepted song requests. A few young couples even danced to the songs. Alexa spied Tristan glancing over to them twice, and thought he might ask her to dance with him. She wasn’t sure if she wanted that, but she guessed, if he did, she might agree.
The second song faded away, but Tristan hadn’t asked her yet. Maybe he was nervous, or he didn’t know how to dance, or perhaps it was because he knew she didn’t want this to be a date.
Now,thatmade sense.
After the third song, they decided to leave. Tristanled them back to Cassie’s car and opened the door for her. Alexa placed the teddy bear in the backseat and buckled herself up before inhaling deeply. She gave Tristan a small smile as he got behind the wheel, and they rode back to Harmony Falls.
Tristan insisted on stopping at a restaurant for dinner, and after that, they headed back to Alexa’s house. He parked the car on the road and killed the engine. Neither of them made the first move to step out or to speak.
Alexa’s heart beat inside her ribcage like the rapid, staccato beats of a hummingbird’s wings. She realized she should break the silence, but before she did, Tristan spoke.
“Did you have a good time?”
Alexa turned to him and nodded smilingly. “It was great. Thanks for bringing me. I didn’t realize how much I needed that distraction.”
Tristan’s hands were still on the wheel as he fixed his eyes on her. “You don’t have to thank me, Alexa. Will you be alright tonight?”
“Yes, I will. No more dark thoughts.”
“Are you sure?”