New- Chapter One (from lily)

“Happy birthday to Beau-oh! Happy birthday to you!” The song, though very loud and somewhat off-key, gave her butterflies and brought a slight blush to her cheeks. She let her eyes wander over all the faces around her staring and waiting for her to blow out the eighteen candles in front of her. Her mother’s laugh lines had never looked so deep and her father, his intense gray eyes identical to her own, had never looked so worn and weary. She beamed at the two of them. He had his arm around her slender waist; it was how she wanted to end up.

“Make a wish, Beau,” a deep voice whispered into her ear. 
She felt Jack’s large hand rest on her mid-back, which was a clear signal: only friends. Thank you, Hitch, she thought. Even with her negative thoughts, she couldn’t fight back the butterflies; their wings thudded violently against her ribcage. He was her best friend. He was someone she couldn’t imagine her life without.

She closed her eyes slowly, savoring each minuscule detail: the warmth from Jack’s hand, the smiling faces watching her, the adrenaline from the party. She reached for his other hand under the table and held it; she was playing with fire on the line between friends and more. She tried to clear her mind and focus on the task at hand: what should she wish for? Money was always practical, but what was the fun in that? Then her thoughts rested on love. She looked to Jack. His shaggy russet hair played in his eyelashes and his lop-sided grin hypnotized her. She pried her eyes from him and took a deep breath. As soon as the flames disappeared, the group once again erupted in chaos. “Yays” and applause flooded her ears and her face contorted.

“I’ll bring your piece out to the hammock if you want to meet me there.” His breath tickled the spot under her ear.

Jack had always known what was best for her. Ever since they were six and seven years old playing tag, he had always watched over her. He’s always been there for her. She nodded in response reluctantly releasing his hand. She ducked out between the anxious-for-cake hands of her friends. On the short walk to the back yard, it hit her: this was going their last night hanging out. In the early hours of the morning she would be catching a flight to London Heathrow. From there, it would be a three hour drive to Sanmoon, where she would her college years, but she was more than ready. Or, that’s what she was attempting to convince herself. She lied down feeling the coarse material rub against her arms and legs.

With her eyes closed, she squinted against the warm rays of sun. They polka dotted the ground as they managed to make it through the limbs above. Her friends’ voices and laughter drifted from the house nearly drowning out the song that was playing. Beau paused her thoughts and strained to hear. It was Denver Harbor’s “Move On”; no wonder no one was paying attention. They were one of her favorite bands, but nobody else had a clue. She sang quietly to herself. “Her lips say ‘I’m sorry’. Her eyes tell different stories. I can’t believe another desperate word you say.”

A chuckle sounded right over her face. She opened one eye. Jack’s face blocked out the sun perfectly. She smiled. “Hi,” Beau said sheepishly as she sat up to give him a spot beside her.

“Hey,” he answered casually, flashing his grin—the one she liked to think was all for her. He offered her the most ideal piece of cake: a side piece with a large violet carson. She smiled and took it out of his hands. He took his spot beside her. “Denver Harbor…” He smiled and listened to the lyrics, drumming his fork on the plate. She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. Her heart pounded. “So, are you ready to leave yet?” He asked after a moment.

“No, sir,” Beau said choking down a mouthful of cake.

“And just why not?” His hazel eyes pierced her own as he anticipated her rehearsed response.

“Well, because I will be leaving you.” Her voice cracked unexpectedly. The truth of the matter was just that: she didn’t want to leave him. Her gray eyes were beginning to feel the sting of oncoming tears. She tried to clear her throat subtly and made an excuse of putting her plate on the ground to escape his eyes.

“Whoa, hey…hey, Beau….” He reached for her face, but she ducked under his hand. She swung her legs to the other side of him and buried her face in the hammock dramatically. He lied down next to her as the rest of the guests danced and laughed on.

Beau sniffed and cleared her throat again. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “I don’t know why I’m getting all…” She forced a little smile as he peered over her.

“It’s ok.” He paused lightly touching her shoulder. “Turn over. Let’s talk.” She pursed her lips stubbornly, but she knew she would give in to anything he requested of her. “Don’t cry, ok?” His voice sounded almost desperate.
Beau turned over and met his eyes. Feeling witty, she replied, “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.” She pushed her lips into a pout and crossed her arms like a histrionic actress. He raised one brow and uncrossed her arms. His touch, though warm, gave her a chill that ran up her spine, lingering at the nape of her neck.

“You shouldn’t frown, Beau. You never know who is falling in love with your smile.”

The moment seemed like it lasted forever. She sputtered and burst into giggles. It was the most cliché and sappy thing she had ever heard. He tried to hold back his smile but the attempt was futile. He laughed along with her and it looked to her like the world was a little bit brighter. “You’re dumb,” she finally said.

“I know.” He smiled, seemingly please with himself. “But it worked.” He grabbed her hand and rolled onto his back. “Can I ask you something?”

She thought about teasing him but bit back any smartass remarks. “Hmm?” she replied.

“I don’t want you to find another boy at Sanmoon, Beau.” He chanced a glance at her, holding her eyes for only a moment.

She bit her lip. All levity of this conversation had vanished. There were no longer smiles or sparkling eyes; this was a serious concern of his. His eyebrows had furrowed together and the golden flecks of his hazel eyes were now a dull yellow. Those eyes were always bright and filled with amusement, but now they were dark and clouded with something else. She couldn’t stop the adrenaline that was being pumped in her veins.

“That wasn’t a question.” The words were barely above a whisper. He began to fidget in his pockets and bit the inside of his cheek. “Jack?” She shifted more of her weight toward him.

Before she could stop herself, all the weight had transferred to one side of the hammock. She toppled over him and they landed tangled on the root-ridden ground. Her vision flashed white and then her world dimmed to black.

* * *

“Beau? Beau, wake up.” Jack’s voice was accompanied by his warm hand on her cheek. She cursed under her breath and opened her eyes. A painful throb shot through her head. Jack rolled his eyes and smiled, but it wasn’t hers. Something in his eyes was alarmed. She grimaced raising a hand to her forehead. “Here, let me help you up.”

“Jack?” she started as he scooped her up and gently placed her on the hammock again. “What’s the matter?”

He was visibly frowning now and it wasn’t attractive. He took her hand and used a low voice. “I don’t know what happened. Just now, it’s like you…” Jack glanced around. “It’s just like you disappeared in my arms.”

She would have laughed, but it was clear to her that he was genuinely disturbed. He ran one hand through his hair, a habit he had picked up when he became nervous or upset by something. His eyes were unfocused.