The Divinity Saga: Part I

Tense Regale

“Rayleigh do you like pink lemonade?” She asked smiling at me. 

“Its my favorite.” I smiled back. 

“Great you’re going to love this. Its Atia favorite too.” She said placed the glasses on the table in front of us and sat the empty tray on the chair beside her. 

I looked over at Atia and smiled. 

“The food is amazing Mom.” Atia said with her mouth full of chicken and potatoes. 

“Really amazing.” I added. 

I had no appetite, mostly because I was nervous. I didn’t want her to think I didn’t like her food so I took a bite of the chicken and smiled while doing it. My salad was cleared and my potatoes lingered on the plate. I wasn’t really a big fan of corn so I shoved it under my chicken.

“Thank you girls. How do you like the lemonade?” Atia’s mom asked already knowing the answer. 

“Its great.” Atia flashed a smile.

“It’s delicious. You used pink lemons huh?” I smiled at her. 

“How did you know?” She smirked at me. 

“My mom did too.” I took a sip. “It tastes almost exactly how she used to make it, but yours is probably a little better.” I flattered her.

“May I ask you something?” She sipped her glass.

My heart dropped to the floor but I simply nodded as I took another swallow of my drink. 

“Why do you refer to your mother in past tense?” She asked concerned. 

“Mom.” Atia kicked her again, even harder this time. I’m sure it barely even phased her.

“Its fine.” I promised as I rubbed her leg under the table.

“She passed away when I was 11.” I said looking down playing with the potatoes on my plate. 

“I’m so sorry to hear that. May I ask how?” She asked. 

This time Atia kept her feet to herself. 

“She died in a car accident when I was 11.” My eyes filled with water as I tried to blink the tears away but it was too late a few streamed down and hit my plate. After all this time it was still so hard to talk about her. 

Atia grabbed my hand under the table. I tried to fight back the tears that we’re resurfacing. 

Angel looked at me in shock and then sadly. I’m sure it was a mother’s instinct to get emotional over a motherless child. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” She said apologetically. 

“Its okay, you would think after all this time I could talk about it without crying.” I sniffled.

“Its okay sweetie, it’s only natural.” She reassured me. 

“Thanks for asking.” I smiled at her.

“Of course.” She smiled back. 

“When’s Ava coming back? I miss her.” I whined changing the subject. 

“Soon. She’s eating dinner with Clayton and she’ll be here after.” She promised. 

"More food girls?" My mom asked. 

"No thank you." Atia said stretching.

I looked over at Atia’s plate it was spotless and then back down at mine. I should have just eaten the chicken but I couldn’t stomach it. Especially since I was talking about my mom. 

"I’m okay. Any more food and I’ll look pregnant." Atia joked. 

“Well I’m happy you enjoyed dinner.” She looked at both of us smiling. 

“It was amazing, thank you for having me.” I said rubbing Atia’s leg but keeping eye contact with Angel. 

“Thank you for being here.” Atia’s mom said standing to her feet. 

I moved my hand from Atia’s thigh and placed it on my own. 

“Don’t worry about the mess Alma is here.” She said walking away. 

“Come on, get your drink and lets go upstairs.” Atia said grabbing her drink and standing up. 

“Okay.” I said waiting for her to lead the way. 

We walked in her room and set our drinks on her night stands.

“It’s warm in here.” I said taking off my jacket. 

It was warm but I mostly wanted Atia to see my outfit. I wore it just for her. I looked at myself in her mirror just to make sure I looked right. I hid my smile. Since being a vampire I’ve had so much more confidence. I don’t know if its because of the flawless glow it gave me or because I was beautiful all along and just now realizing it, but either way my confidence was rising. 

I noticed Atia staring at me from the corner of my eye.  She examined my whole body. I tried to keep my composure but I couldn’t help myself.

“I like your shirt, It looks good on you.” She said flirtatiously. 

“Thank you.” I said sitting down on her bed. “So how did you feel about dinner with your mom?” 

“It was good – perfect really. I’m still mad at her though.” She rolled her eyes. “But I don’t want to talk about that. I want to talk about us.” She smiled. 

“What about us?” I smiled nervously. I instantly got butterflies.

She walked towards me and pulled me to my feet. She wrapped one hand around my waist and the other holding my neck. Our lips touched and we began to kiss. Before I could, she pulled me in closer. Sparks were flying. It was like the fourth of July. Kissing her felt like when you first learn how to ride a bike with no training wheels, or when you see a shooting star. Kissing her was like heaven on earth. A connection that I’ve never felt with anyone else. 

I sat down on her bed still kissing her and pulled her on top of me. We were smiling in between kisses and it was truly amazing.

“Atia. Come down here.” Atia’s mom yelled up the stairs. 

“Coming.” She yelled back still on top of me. 

We both groaned and headed downstairs knowing what was waiting for us. 

Atia’s mom was standing at the bottom of the stairs when we got there. 

 “I know this is unexpected, but there will be a family meeting tonight. Ava’s on her way." Her mom said with a straight face.

I could tell something was wrong. I knew they needed to be alone. I could take a hint. 

“Is everything okay?” Atia asked worriedly.

“Yes, everything is fine. Just a family meeting.” She faked a smile.

“Maybe I should go. Atia can you walk me out?” I said smiling over at her.

“No stay! Please stay.” Atia’s mom begged. 

“Okay.” I said bashfully. “I’ll stay under one condition.”

“What’s the condition?” Atia and her mom said in sync.

“Only if you make more of your pink lemonade.” I said smiling. 

“Deal.” She chuckled.