Chapter One
December 27,
Dear Diary,
It is now eighteen days until the event of a lifetime. Everyone who is anyone will be there. I am going shopping today for a new outfit with Julia. I know it is silly, but I still try to dress to impress Tristan.
The party, it will be a hit. I am excited, but also a little nervous. I don't know why, but in the pit of my stomach a wave of nausea is ever present. No trouble makers have been invited, but I have a premonition something bad is going to happen. I'm going to try and forget about the party for now, at least. Christmas Vacation is coming to an end. Julia's party is next weekend. Tristan and I will be I will be going together, of course. I love him so much. He makes me so happy. Tomorrow it will be our tenth month anniversary. He's taking me out to dinner and then for a romantic walk. Fingers crossed that there may be a tiny box from Tiffany's involved. I think I'll buy him that new "Halo" game or whatever it is called.
Allison dropped the gold pen into the pages of her diary and placed it back into the nightstand. She sat up from her bed and fingered through her hair. She let out a yawn, and sulked into the bathroom. Ruffling through her make up bag she found she tools and cosmetics she wanted, and began her routine. Within ten minutes Allison's sweet, innocent face came to life. Her hazel eyes highlighted by the Mary Kay Golden Eye Shimmer Eye Shadow, and her cheeks flushed by her blush. She took one last glance at herself in the bathroom mirror and scooted downstairs.
"Hi mom," Allison cheered.
"Hello," she answered back, over a sizzling frying pan. "Breakfast is served!"
A plate of eggs, bacon, and toast tempted Allison's stomach. She grabbed it ferociously and trotted into the dining room. Sophie, her little sister, came bounding down the stairs and into the room. Her hair was in knots and her pj's mismatched. She plopped down on the empty chair and let her feet dangle.
"Good morning, sunshine!" Dad yelled coming in from the garage, having probably already been up for hours, "Hard night?" he asked Sophie. "I thought we said no more late night parties?" Sophie's toothless grin made Allison smile. Allison's family always had a generous breakfast on the weekends.
"What's on the agenda for today?" Mom asked.
"I was going to go shopping for a new outfit and for Tristan's present," Allison answered.
"And?" Dad put in.
"And…?"
"And pick up the invitations," Mom added.
"Right." Allison placed her plate in the sink. "I'll see you all later," she stated, kissing everyone goodbye.
Allison's best-friend, Julia, picked her up at her house so they could go to the mall. Julia was medium height, with a sun-kissed skin tone. She has deep brown eyes, and dark shoulder length hair. Carmel colored highlights that complimented her skin tone were combed throughout her hair. Allison let her eyes wander and she came across a sleek, black Charger. Something about the darkened windows ate at her. Allison drew her window down and the crisp, winter air filled her lungs.
"He'll have to notice me," she thought. The window slid down a crack, just enough to reveal a bundle of sable curls, and a face blanketed by designer sun glasses. His eyebrows lifted and the window uncovered a dazzling smile. Allison froze at the sight of those teeth and so did Julia. The light changed and the Charger bolted down the highway. The shrill beeps of horns brought them back to reality. Julia fumbled with the wheel and turned left.
"Did you see his smile? He must have spent thousands of dollars on that flawless mouth!" Julia beamed. Allison searched the mall parking lot for the panther black car. A look of dissatisfaction crossed her face.
"Ready to shop?" Julia giggled, holding her paycheck for the week.
"I'll text you later on. Love," Julia winked at Allison and drove away in her black Range Rover Hybrid. Allison waved goodbye and opened the front door. She placed her shopping bags on the steps and plopped down on the couch, exhausted. Sophie was too occupied by her dolls to notice Allison's entrance. Mary, Allison's mother, rushed by carrying a laundry basket. She stopped in the door frame and said,
"Oh, I'm glad you're home. There are two phone calls for you: Laney and Tristan. The messages are taped to the cupboard." She walked out of sight.
"Oh by the way, you did pick up the invitations." It was not a question, but a statement. Allison chewed on her lip. When there was no answer, Mary walked into the living room.
"Well?"
"I'm sorry. I completely forgot. I'll leave right now to go pick them up." She grabbed her keys and was out of the house before her mother had time to complain.
The streets of Island Falls, Maine were layered with a thin blanket of snow, the sky scraping pine trees were bordered with a white lace trim. Allison's burnt orange Jeep crept to a stop at the intersection. The flashing red light meant that the power must have gone out. Probably another squirrel chewed through the wire. The light flashed to green then directly back to red. A motorcycle came hurling around the bend and nearly collided with the Jeep. Seeing the cyclist, Allison slammed her foot on the brake, lurching herself into the steering wheel. At the next green light she eased the car through the intersection and onto the Post Office's street. She parked the car and prepared herself to face the frosty winter winds.
The Post Office was cozy and delightful inside. She walked to the open desk and told the clerk her order. He looked at her with agitated eyes, and poked a finger toward the waiting area.
"But there's no one else here!" Allison stated, a little annoyed by the man's hostility. She stomped over to the seat and sat down with a humph. She crossed her arms over her chest and let her eyes narrow. To blow off some steam she pulled a magazine out of her purse and began to flip through it.
Jingles of the entrance bell made her head shoot up, as a reaction, but fell instantly. A second jingle rang through her, and her eyes wandered off the page. A lanky figure stood in line with a large package to be shipped out. Allison found herself biting her thumb nail, drawing blood. When she realized what she was dong she stopped. The towering figure shifted his weight with pure annoyance that he wasn't afraid to show. Allison laid the magazine aside and stood up ready to make her approach. Confidence radiated throughout her body, and she had never felt better.
Allison strutted up next to the man and flashed him the most dazzling smile she could manage. That smile, however quickly turned to a jaw dropping stare. The man that stood before her was the same one that drove the Charger. His name was still unknown due to the sunglasses and tinted windows.
"It's nighttime," thought Allison, "Why does he need sunglasses?" she shrugged her shoulders and peeked up at his face. Piercing emerald eyes surveyed down her body. Long, dark eye lashes cradled the glimmering gems. His gaze was dangerously intense; Allison needed to break eye contact just to catch her breathe. Then a voice shattered the silence, it yelled,
"NEXT!"
The stranger allowed Allison to go next.
"Ladies first," the surprisingly gentle voice whispered. Allison staggered with her steps but made it to the desk.
"Uhm, invitations."
"For whom?" the clerk asked.
"Uh," she looked back over her shoulder. The boy's glasses were placed back on his head.
"For whom?" the clerk asked again.
"Richards, please."
The clerk went back to the endless bins of to-be-delivered. Allison glanced over her shoulder again. Something about this mysterious guy, all dressed in black… He was irresistible. The black leather jacket fit snuggly against his chest. The black V-neck revealed rippling muscles.
"Here we go, 200 party invites imported from England. That's three hundred and fifty dollars,"
"WHAT? You've got to be kidding me!" Allison shouted.
"I'm afraid I'm not mistaking." Allison grabbed an envelope from her purse and counted out three hundred and fifty dollars.
"Here," she said forcing the money into the clerk's hand reluctantly. She picked up the box and stormed off.
The tall figure stood back allowing Allison to blow past him in her tirade. Her skin simply brushed his, and a sense of utter desire surged through him. He'd have to be more careful. If he was going to keep his distance from Allison (he thinks that is her name), it was going to be a challenge. The smell of her hair lingered in his nostrils, intoxicating him. He sat he package on the counter and stated "To Verona, Italy," and stalked to his car. He started the engine swiftly and kept his distance so he wouldn't be seen. He slowly followed Allison home and found the growing attraction becoming even stronger. He drove into the woods to recover; the urge to drink was becoming worse with every whiff of her body. A small predator would have to satisfy his longing.
5