Just as the phone began to ring someone shouted from behind me, "Melantha!"
I jumped and set down the receiver. I slowly turned to face whoever had found me.
Stanton stood there looking so worried. I let out a sigh of relief and ran to him, "Stanton! I'm so glad it's you!" I gave him a big hug and stayed in his arms.
"What are you doing here? How did you get out?" Stanton asked as he pulled away and looked at me.
"I don't know. One minute I was at that place, then I was suddenly in the Darma Bookstore. Then next thing I knew I was here," I replied excitedly. I looked at him hopefully then realized something, "How did you find me?"
"When I went back to where the Atrox was keeping you and found you weren't here. I went looking for you. I checked all of the Daughter's houses and then thought about coming here. It was the last place I could think to find you. I'm so happy I did though, I thought the Atrox had taken you away," Stanton looked at me seriously and gave me a big hug.
"So, you weren't able to find me by casting your senses? I mean, you couldn't just find my aura?" I asked in disbelief. Had I gotten away that lucky? Was I no longer easy to track?
"No, I tried that. It didn't work. I guess when you lost your powers you also lost your signal." Stanton replied.
"Great! I've escaped!" I jumped away from him and began dancing around the room. I couldn't have been happier. I could feel Stanton's relief and happiness also.
Stanton just stood there looking at me. It felt as though he were studying me, like he was seeing me for the first time.
He walked towards me and I stopped dancing. I suddenly felt something. It was strange, it felt so unfamiliar. I knew it couldn't have been my emotion. I've never felt that before.
It suddenly hit me. I still had my other powers! I could still teleport, and read other people's feelings and return hope! I guess my father only got rid of the powers he blessed me with, not the ones Selene had!
I looked more into the emotion I was feeling. It was obviously coming from Stanton. It made my body tingle and my heart beat wildly. I suddenly became flushed.
Stanton looked down at me studying my face. He put his arms at my waist and slowly bent down to kiss me. I returned the kiss wholeheartedly.
I put my arms around his shoulders and sort of played with his hair, it was so soft.
The kiss felt right, like we were always meant to be like this. I finally felt whole, like Stanton was my other half.
I could feel him rush into my head. He pulled me back into his head, and I saw he still had feelings for Serena, but the ones he had for me were different.
I knew in my heart of hearts that he'd go back to Serena soon, they were meant to be. I couldn't come between that. I didn't want to be the type of girl to come between people.
I reluctantly pulled away and looked down. I could feel Stanton quickly leave my mind, disappointed. I could feel what he was feeling strongly. He felt ashamed and embarrassed.
I looked back at him, still flushed from the kiss. Seeing him like that, his eyes so full of hurt and embarrassment, made me want to kiss him all the more.
I reached out and put my hand on his cheek gently.
"Stanton," I whispered sadly.
"I know. Don't say anything, please." He responded quietly. He quickly backed away from me and put his hands in his pockets. I could see his old self resurface suddenly.
He had the same cold demeanor as he did when we first met, before I had gotten him to lighten up. It pained me to see him act like that.
"Stanton, we need to talk about that. I mean you can't just kiss someone like that and pretend nothing happened," I stated quickly.
"Isn't that what you wanted? I mean that's what you thought," Stanton said coldly. I hated when he acted like this.
"No, I don't want that. If you really knew what I was thinking then you would know that. You really shouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly," I snapped back.
"I didn't jump to conclusions, I heard what you thought loud and clear," Stanton responded defensively.
"Oh really? Then what was I thinking?" I asked impatiently.
"You didn't think that kissing me was right, that I would rather be with Serena, and that I was just kissing you in the heat of the moment," Stanton finally admitted quietly.
"Weren't you though? I know you really don't have feelings for me. Serena's the one you really love, not me. I'm an empath now I can feel exactly what you feel," I tapped my on the spot where my heart was.
I wanted him to have feelings for me like he did for Serena. I knew it wasn't possible though, I couldn't betray Serena like that. Although, I guess I already had.
"No, that's not what I want. I mean, I do love Serena, but with you it's different. With you, I don't have to hide and sneak around. I can just be myself. I don't have to worry about turning you. I'm always so damn afraid that I'll turn Serena all the time. I know I have it more under control now, but I still have the urge now and then. It's just so tempting," Stanton sat down on the couch exhausted. He put his elbows on his knees and rested his head on his hands.
I stood there looking at him. We were both silent. I didn't know how to respond to that. How could anyone respond to that?
I went to sit down next to him. I wanted to comfort him, but I wasn't sure how. Not knowing what else to do, I lightly rubbed his back. I was trying to make the motion as platonic as possible.
I don't think my intentions worked. Stanton lifted his head from his hands and looked at me intently. I stopped rubbing his back, returning his gaze.
I tried to fight it, I really did. Stanton moved his hands to my waist and brought his face closer to mine. My breath quickened as his lips hovered over mine.
He whispered so closely, "Se thelo. Only you."
It took me a minute to realize he mixed languages. Not having used Greek in a long time it took me a while to realize what he had said. Se thelo meant, I want you. I smiled at the thought.
His lips still hovered over mine, as if asking for permission. When I still didn't respond he softly brought his lips to mine.
Just as our lips touched slightly, someone pounded on the door. We both froze. Our lips not completely touching but close enough to drive me insane. I wanted so desperately to ignore the pounding on the door and continue with what we had started, but the person on the other side wouldn't let up.
"Melanie! Are you in there?" I heard Serena's distinct voice call from the other side of the door.
Hearing her voice immediately brought me to my senses. The cold realization hit me like a big metal bat. This was going to be bad, very bad.
I pulled away abruptly from Stanton and jumped off the couch. Stanton had the same reaction, and a look of fear swept across his face.