Soul Searcher by D.M. Richardson (novel24 .TXT) 📕

It was almost like she was singing to someone, and at the same time she was singing to everyone. Not just singing for them. Her whole body shifted with the beat and I swear I had never seen that much passion from anyone.

When the song was over the crowd tried to make her sing another. This time she refused and left the stage making her way back to me. She walked up still glowing from her time on stage.

I stared at her. I had never seen anyone as beautiful as she was right then. She took her jacket back and pulled her bottle of water out drinking half of it in one go. We stayed for another couple hours then she decided she was ready to go.

We went to a small twenty four hour diner and grabbed something small to eat. She never stopped smiling, and the glow never faded. If she was like this every time she chose where we went. I would take wherever she wanted to go whenever she wanted to go.

Finally I parked my car back in my driveway. I could see the light in the kitchen was still on so I knew my dad and his friends were still up. I walked her to her door and she was still filled with so much energy she hopped up the steps one at a time. I laughed at her and she turned to me.

“What’s so funny?” she asked smiling so I knew I hadn’t upset her.

“You”

“What’s funny about me?” she cocked her head to the side and she reminded me of a curious little girl.

“I don’t know. I wish I had known you could sing like that though.” she shrugged me off.

“It’s not that impressive.”

“Are you crazy? That was amazing, and not something that can be learned. That was all you not some out there foster home experience.” She calmed down and I worried I had said the wrong thing again. Her smile softened and became solely for me.

“Thank you” she said softly. I don’t know what came over me. It could have been the way she looked with her shirt off one shoulder and jeans that hugged her waist and hips. I could say it was the way she was looking at me, or the way she spoke. But if I were being honest I would say that I had been wanting to do it for a long time.

I stepped closer to her and for the first time she didn’t back away. I leaned down and touched my lips to hers. She stiffened for a moment then relaxed into the kiss. We weren’t touching anywhere else but our lips, and though my skin was humming from being so close to her I had no desire to delve into her soul. She opened her mouth slightly to take a breath and I took advantage. I matched her movement and deepened the kiss. I felt her gasp against me, and I had never felt anything so wonderful, so important. I lingered for longer than I should have. Finally I pulled back just a little. Enough so that we weren’t touching, but still close enough that I could feel her breath on my face. We both took several deep breaths.

“Good night” I whispered and stepped back. Her eyes were wide as she looked back at me and I turned to go back to my house. I was halfway there when I heard her front door open and close. Only then did I risk a look back. The house was quiet and I couldn’t tell what was going on inside. I reached my front door and looked back again. I saw the light turn on in her bedroom window and the curtain shifted. I smiled up at her and then walked into my house.

My dad was waiting for me in the hallway and he had just a big grin I knew he had been watching. I rolled my eyes and went up to my room. I fell asleep thinking about that kiss and wondering what it meant.

Rayne

I sat in my window seat and wondered how I could be so stupid. I had seen the kiss coming, and had even wanted it, but that didn’t excuse the fact that it never should have happened. I should have kept him at arms length like I had originally planned when our friendship started.

I couldn’t let it go any further than that. I didn’t want to go through what I always did when my time ran out at a home. Not with him. I was in real danger of truly falling for him. I couldn’t go through having to leave and in turn leaving him behind.

In a way I had gotten lucky with Chase. I had thought I was in love with him, but when it came down to it I only really loved the feeling of being loved. When it came to Chase I had no problem breaking up with him and leaving him behind.

I had to put my boundaries back up with Zeke or I would lose a lot more than a comfortable room and nice clothes. I only wished I knew what he really wanted and felt. I didn’t know what he expected.

I took a shower and went to bed. I thought maybe I would feel a little more clear on my situation in the morning.

Unfortunately I was wrong. I didn’t feel any better the next morning. In fact I felt worse. It sickened me that I had to push him away when he was the only one I had truly let get close. I sat up in bed and shook my head. I had a lot of issues that no amount of counseling could fix.

I spent my Sunday in my room. Zeke called a few times but I ignored them. He tried texting, but I wouldn’t answer them either. Finally that afternoon Sara came up to my room.

“Hey Zeke is downstairs he wants to talk to you.” I sighed.

“I don’t really feel up to talking to him right now.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah I’m just tired and not really feeling well.”

“Okay I’ll send him away then. Let me know if you need anything.” I nodded and she left. I watched out my window as he walked back to his house. His shoulders were hunched and I felt a more than just a little twinge of guilt. I wanted to call him back, and tell him I was sorry that I would talk to him. But if I was going to get out of this house alive I had to put some distance between us.

The next day at school I treated him more like an acquaintance instead of the close friend he had become. I threw myself into my school work and pretended that he was just an annoying bug that wouldn’t leave me alone.

At lunch I took a seat between Will and Jacob. I earned a few confused looks and a hurt one from Zeke, but I ignored them.

After work I went straight home and stayed in my room for the rest of the night. Zeke tried texting me a few more times, but I ignored him. A little after eight someone knocked on the front door. I heard a bit of excitement and thought I was safe to go downstairs to figure out what was going on.

Rob was standing in the entryway with Zeke standing a little way behind him looking sullen. Will was with them bouncing with excitement. I was about to turn around and sneak back upstairs when Rob noticed me.

“Oh Rayne good I was about to call for you. I have some great news. Come down here and I’ll explain.” I finished my way down the stairs and he led us into the living room. He spread out a brochure on the coffee table and we gathered around to look at it.

“This is a banquet that hosts all of the important and successful business men in Green County.”

“What does this have to do with us?” Koner asked standing at Sara’s shoulder.

“You’re a successful business man aren’t you?” Rob asked with a smile.

“Successful: sort of, important: not so much.”

“You provide an important service to many customers, and you have formed quite a reputation.”

“He’s right. In every town I’ve lived in, in this county everyone knows about your shop.” I added. Rob shot me a grateful look and I could see Zeke behind him staring at me. I dropped my eyes back to the brochure swallowing hard.

“Exactly that’s why you and your entire family is invited.” Koner and Sara looked up at him in surprise.

“That’s not the best part though.” Will said bouncing on the balls of his feet. He was looking at me and I shot him a questioning look. His grin grew and he took a deep breath. “The parents of that guy that hosted the party last weekend heard us play. They want us to play at the banquet.”

“Who?” I asked confused. A lot of people played and sing that night. How did they know who was who?

“Us. You, me, Chris, and Mike.” I must have looked as confused as I felt because he sighed. “You singing, me on the guitar, Chris on the keyboard, and Mike on the drums. We might even get Jerry. The guy that played the violin for that one song you sang.” I stared at him for a moment stunned then I felt the smile start and spread across my face. If I could feel like I did that night at the party again I would die happy. I had never felt so alive and free. He answered my smile with one of his own and Rob went on with the explanation.

“Now I helped set it up and made sure to add your names to the invite list. I have it with me if you want a sneak peak.” he said with a wink and handed it to Koner. He looked it over and handed it to Sara. When she was done she handed it to me and I started reading down the list. About half way down I dropped it and took several steps back.

Rob picked it up and looked at me worried. Everyone faced me with various looks of confusion.

“I can’t do it. I can’t go and I can’t sing I’m sorry.” I said quickly.

“But why not?” Sara asked.

“I just can’t. Go without me.” Zeke stepped forward looking at me closely.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing” I answered looking at the floor.

“You’re a terrible liar.” he said harshly, but he also said it as a challenge. The way he was standing. Leaning toward me as if to offer help if I wanted it is what encouraged me to explain. I walked forward slowly and took the list back from Rob touching it as little as possible.

I put it carefully on the table and sat down in front of it. I pointed at the names that had shocked me. They stood out for me now and I felt like I could point them out even if my eyes were closed.

“My parents.” I said quietly. Everyone leaned in to read the names I had pointed out. Rob