Hidden Truth

Chapter 11

Claire

A sharp pain throbbed in my right temple as I slowly opened my eyes. The room was dark with only the moon casting a dim light across the floor. Looking around I realized I was in my bed. Blake must have carried me into my room after I lost consciousness. A dull pain formed in my chest thinking about him not wanting me around. I wasn't sure how long I was knocked out for. Was it a few hours or days?

Slowly I sat up, my feet hitting the cold wood floors. Resting my elbows on my knees, my head fell to my hands. I ran my fingers through my hair and squeezed my eyes closed trying to remember what exactly happened. The pain in my head intensified the more I tried to think back. I gave up and walked to my bathroom to take a shower. Turning the water all the way to hot, I went to stand in front of the mirror while I waited for it to warm up. My body was covered in sweat and there was dried blood under my nose.

Reaching up, I ran my fingertips lightly over my lips. An image of Blake kissing me flashed in my head. His lips were soft and gentle, but I knew he only kissed me to make me calm down. He didn't do it because he liked me, and I don't know why that hurt. Tears stung my eyes as I held them back. There was no reason for me to be upset over this. There was nothing between Blake and I, and never will be.

Stepping into the shower the hot water stung my back, but I didn't flinch. It relaxed my muscles, feeling the heat burn my skin. Something about the burning water on my back made the pain I felt inside go away. I stood under the water for who knows how long. My mind kept drifting to Blake and his kiss, and the storm I created. I remember learning about my father leaving me without so much as a heads up that I was a witch and could possibly kill someone with a tornado. Then there was the cherry on top of the s**t storm about how I was supposed to replace him on the council. Up until that morning I knew none of this, so when were they going to tell me and help me with my powers? Hearing Blake tell me all that s**t woke up a deep rage I had buried inside myself

The water started to go cold, and my hands were becoming prunes when I decided to step out. Wrapping a large towel around my body I went into my room. I just stood in the middle of the room, staring at my bed. My mind was racing, I wished I was still asleep to have some peace. I needed more answers and to get these powers under control, but I feel like Blake wouldn't be able to help me. I need to go see my father.

Throwing on my old clothes, I left my room to find Blake. First, I tried his room. I knocked on his door three times, but no answer. Next, I went to check the library. The room was empty, but my eyes landed on the pile of books on the table. Slowly walking over to the table, I ran my fingers lightly over the covers. They were thick, hardcover books, and looked to be hundreds of years old. The titles are what caught my eye. Every book was about witches, from the origin of witches to harnessing your powers. I can't believe Blake was doing research to help me.

"s**t," a yell from the kitchen brought me out of my head. I put down the book I was holding and left the library. Pushing open the swinging door, I walked into the kitchen to see two pots on the stove and Blake sitting at the counter. He held a glass halfway filled with a dark red liquid. My heartbeat picked up; now that I knew about what he was. I knew he didn't kill people, but a part of me was still uneasy. His eyes met mine and he gave me a small smile, "good evening."

"Um, hello," I glanced back down at the glass debating what was inside. Cautiously I try to ask, "is that . . " I trail off as I point to the glass on the countertop. Blake looks at his glass and picks it up with a smirk on his face. Slowly he takes a sip and lets out a sigh of pleasure.

"Red wine. You want some?" he asked as he set the glass down and got up. He walked to the edge of the counter and leaned back against it. He was dressed in a simple dark blue t-shirt and black jeans. The shirt hugged his upper body, giving me flashbacks of when he was shirtless on my bed. His voice broke me out of my trance, "I made some spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner. You must be starving after being asleep for months."

"Months," I yelled. My eyes were wide as I tried to read Blake's face. Was he just f*****g with me, I thought. I swear he better be. After a couple seconds past a grin spread across his face and he started laughing.

"No, I'm just messing with you Claire. It's only been about 36 hours." he let out another laugh as he went to the stove, stirring the red sauce. "How are you feeling though?"

"I hate you Blake," I shake my head at him and take a seat on a stool at the counter. He's silently laughing as he grabs a wine glass for me and fills it halfway with red wine. Sliding it across the counter I take the glass and take a small sip. "What kind of wine is this?" I asked as I took another sip.

"It's Pinot Noir. I tend to drink it when I have spaghetti because it's a lighter wine that goes good with red sauce." His response shocked me. Blake doesn't look like a wine type of guy. "You never answered me about how you're feeling."

"I woke up with a headache, but I feel better now." Blake nodded as he turned off the burners and took the pot of noodles to the sink to strain. I cast my gaze to the sliding glass door, looking at the tree line so I wouldn't be tempted to stare at Blake. I could feel myself developing something towards him and it scared me. We are two totally different people, and it would never work out. I would only be setting myself up for heartache getting too attached to Blake.

"Dinner is ready," Blake called out to me as he set a plate of spaghetti down in front of me. He turned around and opened the oven taking out the tray of garlic bread. Blake placed a piece on my plate and his, before setting it on the stove top. I watched him as he grabbed his plate and took a seat next to me.

"Thank you," I whispered and took my fork from the plate. Stirring the sauce into the noodles I spun my fork in a circle a few times letting the noodles wrap around. Slowly lifting the utensil to my mouth, I took a big bite and the sensations exploded. I never knew Blake could cook so well. "Wow Blake, you keep surprising me."

"Thank you, and you're welcome, Claire," he laughed, and silence fell between us as we ate. The only sounds in the kitchen were the silverware on the plates, hums of satisfaction from me, and the crickets chirping outside. Blake was also right about the wine going well with the sauce. They balanced themselves out perfectly.

I was scraping off the last of the sauce with my second piece of garlic bread when Blake broke the silence. "I was thinking about watching a movie tonight. Would you like to join me?"

"Sure," I gave him a small smile when a thought hit me. "Where is Luke and Tony," I asked.

"Something came up, so they left this morning to meet up with my parents." I nodded back and stood from my seat. Grabbing both our plates I placed them in the sink. Turning on the water I rinsed off the plates before grabbing the soapy rag to wash them.

"You don't have to do that Claire," Blake said as he walked to my side.

"It's okay, you cooked so I can wash the dishes." I waved him off as I rinsed off the soap and placed the dishes in the strainer. Blake put the leftovers away and handed me the pots and tray. As I was wiping them down Blake leaned against the counter to my right.

"You have something on your face, let me get it." Blake said and as I turned to look at him, he reached out and smeared red sauce on my cheek. My jaw dropped as he started laughing and backed away.

"Blake," I yelled as I took the soapy rag and threw it at him. It hit him in the chest and fell to the ground leaving white foam on his shirt. He laughed harder and as he picked the rag up off the ground, I grabbed the small hose on the side of the sink. Aiming it at him, I waited for him to stand up before spraying him down. He ran at me and turned the water off. We were silent for a few seconds before both of us burst out laughing. Water dripped down Blakes face, his hair and shirt were soaking wet now. "Serves you right," I breathlessly said and grabbed the towel from the rack. After wiping my cheek clean, I handed the towel to Blake.

"I'm going to change into some dry clothes and get the movie set up. Can you make some popcorn? It's in the cabinet below the microwave and the bowls are in there too."

"Yeah," I nodded and watched as he left the room. Tearing off the plastic wrap I placed the popcorn in the microwave. Leaning back against the counter I let out a deep breath. With how I felt it was probably not a good idea to be spending time with him, but I wanted to get close to him. I jumped when the microwave beeped. Pulling out the bag, I put it in the bowl and headed upstairs.

I slowly walked down the hallway towards Blake's room and knocked on the door. The door opened and Blake stood there in only a pair of shorts. I forced myself to look up at his face, and not stare at his bare chest. He gestured me inside and shut the door.

Placing the bowl on his coffee table I sat on the love seat facing the tv hung up in his room. I felt something being placed over my shoulders before Blake took a seat next to me. Pulling the blanket tighter around my shoulders I leaned into the arm rest and looked at Blake.

"So, what are we watching," I asked.

"That's a surprise," he gave me a sideways smile and grabbed the remote. "You want something to drink?"

"I'm sorry I forgot drinks. I can go grab some," I sat up about to stand when Blake stopped me.

"It's okay I got some upstairs." Blake stood up and walked across the room to a mini fridge I didn't even realize he had. "What do you want?"

"Water is good," I answered. He grabbed two bottles of water and walked back over. Placing them on the table, he opened the bag of popcorn and poured it in the bowl. He took his seat next to me and pressed play.

The blue screen went black before it lit up with the 'Warner Bros. Picture' logo popped up. As the opening scenes began the movie's name came to my mind.

"Seriously Blake," I turn to him to see a smile plastered on his face as he popped a piece of popcorn in his mouth.

"Yeah, I thought it could help you," he sounded sarcastic, trying to hold in his laugh.

"You're not funny," I try to hold in my laugh as I throw a piece of popcorn at him. Blake couldn't hold it in any more as his laugh escaped, making me laugh. He grabbed the piece of popcorn and ate it as the title flashed across the screen, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.'