I felt his chest-muscles tense beneath my fingers and then an almost imperceptible shudder pierced through him, making me shiver in return. Knowing I was his mate and such, was one thing; seeing the effect I had on him by the simplest touch up close was another thing altogether.
I quickly removed my hand and raised my head to look at him, only to find him watching me intently as a hawk would his prey; with eyes darkened by what I could only assume to be a strong surge of lust.
“It’s okay.” His voice came out deep and husky; another tell-tale sign.
To think that I’ve considered his non-altered voice as a bedroom voice – how wrong of me!
I kept my eyes on the table then averted my face when I felt a blush spreading on the delicate skin of my face. Seth smiled understandingly, and that just made my face take a darker shade of pink.
Other than that small incident, which had imposed an awkward silence on us for some time; the evening went uneventful. We talked, we ate, we listened to some bad singer-wannabes and talented others. We had even succeeded in persuading Seth to sing... and let me tell you, he is awesome. To be honest, it was fun.
Seth got some girls’ numbers whereas Jonathan – constantly keeping my side, adjusting his body’s position to mine’s each time I moved so that we were always sitting close to each other – made it quite clear to the interested girls that he was not to be tempted – not at all.
“So, see you at school tomorrow then?” Jonathan asked in a hopeful tone when we were parting ways, each going to a different car.
“Yeah,” I let out as a whisper. But deep inside, I wanted to scream in frustration with all the sarcasm I could muster obviously and maybe even add dumbass or something.
Damn, that would be satisfying. It’d be an even bigger thrill to see his reaction.
I snapped out of my entertaining thoughts when I felt Seth’s hand on my elbow ushering me towards his car. It was barely a quarter to ten when I opened the front door; and I was soon met by my parents.
“Hey.” I greeted them awkwardly.
“Where have you been?” My father all but barked at me.
“We’ve been worried sick.” My mother exclaimed just before she engulfed me in a hug.
“It’s a school day; my curfew is at ten so...” I trailed off, not knowing what to say exactly, and then disentangled my mother’s arms from around me.
“Well, yeah...” Mom started but couldn’t continue seeing as dad cut in, “Why didn’t you answer your phone?” My eyes squinted at the accusation and I retrieved my phone from my pocket, my eyes widened at what I saw: 10 missed calls and 2 texts.
“I didn’t notice, sorry.” I used my sweetest tone, efficiently bringing them to give me softer looks.
“What was so important anyway?” I asked them after few silent minutes.
“We wanted to tell you that...” Mom paused to look at dad who just nodded ever so slightly “Karl is awake.” My eyes bulged and I instantly felt the tears threatening to fall.
“Really? When? How?” I choked on my words as I felt a lump obstructing my throat.
I kept chanting ‘I won’t cry’ in my mind like a mantra.
“Yes, really,” I heard mom reassure me in a soft voice.
“Today at seven pm.” Dad told me what really mattered to me.
I was just about to yell at them and ask for the reason why they didn’t tell me when I remembered the missed calls.
I nodded absently; though I couldn’t say for sure whether I’ve been asked a question or even been talked to.
“Can we see him now?” I asked in a hoarse voice.
“Tomorrow,” I was about to protest when dad continued in that firm tone of his that left no room to arguments, “First thing in the morning.”
A small okay was all I whispered before numbly taking the stairs and heading straight to my room. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I couldn’t contain the tears anymore. Therefore, I just let them run freely down my reddened cheeks. I welcomed them because they were tears of joy. I was so happy he had finally awoken.
It’s been so long – way too long.
I wanted to see him smile, to hear him laugh, to see his eyes twinkle in mischief ...
With memories as vivid as ever, I gradually drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 7
Karl
There he was, sitting on the bed, with a sickly pale face and dangerously dull eyes.
My parents entered and rushed to his side. I, on the other hand, couldn’t bring my legs to move in order to cross the threshold. The sight of him, looking so depressingly vulnerable, crippled me to the very core.
His once beautifully messy dirty blond hair was in complete disarray. His once bright green eyes seemed empty and totally deprived of life. His vivacious personality might have just been lost forever.
He seemed oblivious to my parents’ presence, to everything around him –until his eyes met mine, that is. His beautiful green orbs seemed to find back their usual gleam and his face lit up with a breathtaking smile. His hand rose, slowly, silently inviting me in.
I couldn’t refuse him anything. Therefore, I stepped in and was soon throwing myself at him. His arms enveloped me in a loving hug and I just sobbed in his hospital-blouse-covered chest.
“You’re okay, Jas.” I managed to hear his hoarse voice through my own wailing.
Karl was always there to reassure me that everything was alright. Damn, I missed him.
“You’re gonna tire him,” my mother chided me.
I felt Karl’s hold on me tighten then heard his wholehearted protest, “No, let her!”
My parents sighed, defeated, whereas I sighed contentedly. He gently stroked my hair until my sobs subsided. I
