Portal (30 page)

He paused and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Ollie, I am fairly sure someone has tampered with it.”

“Who? Why?”

“I don’t know yet, but I’m running all the security data. It’s going to take some time to figure out, though. Kevin is doing the same at the other end.

Olivia turned cold at the thought. Who in their small, trusted group would tamper with the data and put them all in peril? Or could it be an outsider? Someone who had gained access? The potential consequences were terrifying.

The iPhone rang waking me up from my post-hockey slumber. I scrambled around trying to find it. It stopped ringing before I managed to track it down. Where was it? I sat up in bed and looked under the sheets, under my pillow. I found it lying under the bed. I checked “recent calls” to see if anyone worthwhile needed to be called back. It was Kellan. Since he definitely counted as “worthwhile,” I pressed callback and waited.

“Hey, Shrimp, did I wake you?”

“Yes,” I drawled lazily, “Geez, who has hockey practice at six on a Sunday morning, it’s insane!”

He laughed, “Get used to it, it’s a regular practice session, bright and early every Sunday. You get to see me first thing!”

I guess that’s something, I thought to myself.

“Why did you get me up, Kellan? I’m tired,” I said grumpily.

“Just wanted to check in and ask if it was ok to pick you up at seven?” he asked warily.

I gave myself a shake. Why was I being so awful? He was just being his usual nice self.

“Kellan, it’s only two o’clock.… I miss you though. Can you come over and hang out for a while?”

“You sure, Shrimp? You don’t need to go back to bed and work on your temper for a while longer?”

“Sorry Kellan, I’m sure. I’d love to go for a bike ride. That will wake me up. A ride to Starbucks and I’ll be all set!” I begged.

He laughed, “Pick you up in twenty minutes?”

“Perfect!”

I hurried out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans and a hoodie and checked myself in the mirror to make sure I was drool free. My face was flushed, there was not much I could do about that, but I added some lip gloss and combed out the tangles. I added a scarf to my hair, grabbed my iPhone and bag and headed downstairs to wait for Kellan. The house was quiet; everyone must be out. I vaguely remembered Rupert saying something about lunch at Grandma’s. I must have slept right through that. I needed to make some time and head down to see Grandma. I missed her. It was so awesome to have her back in my life, but I wondered if she was real or a ghost. Maybe Kellan and I could head over and see her right now. He should know where she lived.

I felt excited when I heard Kellan’s bike drive up and I ran out to him. He looked super hot in his leathers. I melted. He came over and kissed me.

“Got over the sleepy time grumps?” he chuckled.

I smiled, embarrassed, “I’m sorry, Kellan. I’m a terrible morning person so I worry Sundays may be particularly bad for you, just ignore me.”

He sighed, “Come on, let’s get you some coffee. Where do you want to head to?”

I took the helmet he was holding out and started putting it on.

“I’m not sure, Kellan. I was thinking about Grandma earlier. I haven’t seen her much. Do you know where she lives?”

He laughed, “I’ve just come from there. The whole gang’s there, yours and mine. We just ate lunch. Ella said she tried to wake you, but you weren’t budging so they left you home to sleep. I’m happy to drive you over.”

“No, I sort of want to spend some quality time with her alone. Maybe we could go over after school one day this week?” I suggested.

“Sure, but she did say that she was coming over to see you in your dress this evening. She wants to take some photographs before the dance.”

I had totally forgotten about the dance! And I certainly hadn’t considered pictures. I better make myself presentable then. “Maybe just a short ride to the nearest coffeehouse?” I suggested.

I climbed on the bike and he brought it to life. As we roared out of the driveway, I tried to figure out what I liked better, the close proximity to Kellan as I clung on to him like a monkey or the thrill of the speed. Either way, the combination was exhilarating.

After my first Espresso, my thoughts collided in my mind as I started to revive. There was so much I needed to talk to Kellan about. However, this was probably the wrong time for heavy conversation. We both had to get ready for the main fall event at school, the Orionid Ball. If anything, I needed to quiz him about that so I didn’t make a total idiot of myself tonight.

“Kellan, tell me about the Ball. What happens?”

“You Juliet, me Romeo,” he laughed.

“We’re a Shakespearean tragedy?” I teased.

“No, the greatest romance of all time…,” he responded.

“Stop messing, Kellan, what
happens
?”

He looked at me with mock seriousness and continued, “It’s like a junior prom but with a meteor shower thrown in.”

“Kellan, I need more information. Like, is there food there or do I need to eat before we head off? Is it indoors or outdoors? Will I have to dance? What kind of music?”

“Shrimp, don’t worry about stuff like that. Just come and enjoy it. Some of it will be outdoors but you’ll have me to keep you warm. We normally go as a group so we have a stretch limo picking us up. Tonight, I get picked up first, then you and Harry and finally Maria and Ariele. Ali will be going in the basketball limo, but she’ll meet us there and hang with us a bit.”

I smiled at him, “I’m looking forward to it. Just one last question, will Simla and Justin be there?”

“Yes, Justin’s taking Simla, but don’t worry, this is one night when everyone just wants to relax and have fun. Just take the usual precautions and don’t go off on your own at anytime.”

I reached over for his hands and squeezed them, “Kellan, we have to talk about what happened in New Jersey. My mom’s taking the day off tomorrow. She’s coming to the game and promised to answer my questions after that. I have so many questions and I need to clear my mind to sort out the most important ones so I can hit her with those first. I’m going to bring Ariele’s photographs as proof that I’ve not lost my mind.”

Kellan’s lips parted as if he was about to say something, but he decided against it and looked at me quietly.

“Kellan?” I asked, looking at him for a response.

“You’re right. We do have to talk but not now, not this evening. I just want to take my girlfriend out and show her off to the world. Is that ok?”

I smiled and kissed him as we got up and headed back home.

Ella was sitting perched on my bed as I exited the shower. It was just after five, time to start getting ready and she was here to help I, assumed.

“Do you want me to get the dress?” she offered.

I was not quite sure what she meant. I’d been planning to go through my wardrobe and find something suitable. I had noticed a selection of long dresses in one corner but had run out of time. I decided to go with the flow. Ella obviously knew what she was talking about.

“That would be very kind of you. Thanks, Ella.”

She rubbed her hands in glee and dove into my closet and came back out grasping a red garment bag. She laid it across the bed and went back into the closet and retrieved four boxes. I had no idea what they contained.

She turned around and looked at me studiously, “You are putting your hair up like we talked about? Jane will be here any minute.”

I nodded wondering who Jane was and what I’d agreed to. There was a rap at the door and a blonde girl walked in.

“Hi, Jane,” said Ella excitedly.

“Hey, Ella, Arizona! Ready for me to do your hair and nails, Arizona? Let’s start with the nails. Did you decide on a color?” she asked looking at me.

I looked down at my nails in confusion, but recovered quickly turning to Ella.

“Ella, will you pick something that will go with the dress while I dry myself?”

She nodded happily and went over and opened Jane’s make up case and started going through the colors while I dried off and sat down on a chair. Jane came over and began filing down my toenails and reached for the nail polish Ella was holding out. Black, surprise, surprise! It seemed to be the uniform color at Mountain View High. Thankfully my fingernails were spared from the black monstrosity and simply tipped white. I glanced down at them, they looked so fresh and clean.

Jane then got started on my hair. She removed my turban and blow-dried it straight using several lotions and potions. She then started pulling it all back, spraying so it was super smooth and secured it in a ballerina bun. She proceeded to carefully detach some strands from the bun and curled them, allowing them to settle at the back. I noticed Ella opening one of the boxes and bringing out a small tiara (good grief!!), which Jane fitted around the bun. Wow! I felt like a poodle.

“Arizona, I’m thinking that you want to keep your makeup quite light?” Jane suggested.

I nodded, relieved. Light sounded good! She brought over her color pallet and started working on my face. She was done in no time. The hardest bit was keeping my eyelids steady while she prodded at them applying eyeliner and mascara. Jane took a step back, studied my face and beckoned to Ella.

“What do you think?” she asked her.

Ella sighed and whispered, “You look like Princess Aurora. Just the most beautiful princess in the world.”

Perfect! It’s always been the main aim of my life to be just like Princess Aurora, whoever that was!

“Do you want me stay and help you with your dress?” Jane asked as Ella shook her head.

“I’ll do that, but thank you Jane, you did a great job. Mom’s waiting for you down in the kitchen,” she added.

As soon as Jane left, Ella came over and felt my nail polish, it was dry, but she had me sit still for a bit longer just to make sure. She went over to the bed and carefully unzipped the garment bag and pulled the dress out. I was surprised. I had expected an elaborate princess gown with puffy sleeves and full skirt in a hideous shimmering material. This gown was incredibly simple. It was a silver gray, straight, long dress with spaghetti straps. The fabric was jersey like, it flowed beautifully and had just a hint of a shimmer.

I stood up and Ella helped me into it so I wouldn’t accidentally snag my nails. The dress fit perfectly and was super comfortable. Ella opened up another box and brought out a pair of pewter heels that were perfect with the dress and balanced off my black toenails. The third box contained a turquoise shawl, diamond eardrops, some rings and two bracelets. I put them all on and turned to look in the mirror.

Ella nudged me, “Wait there is one more thing.” She opened an orange box and took out an amazing looking gray clutch with silver studs. “Look, Arizona! Mom got you the Hermès mini Medor clutch that you’ve been whining about endlessly!”

I had no idea what she was talking about but took the clutch gratefully. Even I could tell that this was no ordinary clutch. It looked, felt and even smelled divine. I turned back and looked at myself in the mirror – not bad! I couldn’t help smiling at myself. I looked over at Ella gratefully. “Ella, thank you so much for helping me, I could never have pulled this off on my own.”

She smiled and nodded at me in agreement and then started to head out the door, but stopped and said, “I’m going to go down stairs and wait for Kellan. I’ll come and get you when he arrives. Make sure you make a proper entrance. Stop at the top of the stairs so Grandma can get her photographs, ok?”

I nodded and squeezed her warm little hands before she left me alone. I turned to look at myself in the mirror again, my eyes wandered down to my new clutch. I opened it and carefully placed my cell phone, lip gloss and credit-card holder in it. Ella burst through my door again.

“Kellan’s here! He looks so hot, even better than Edward Cullen! We’re ready, come on! Remember to stop at the top of the stairs and
smile
!”

I nodded, she was a funny little munchkin. I waited silently until I couldn’t hear her footsteps stomping down the stairs anymore and then I did what I had been told to do. I walked to the top of the stairs and took a few steps down and stopped. All the chattering ceased and everyone looked up at me. Ella gave me an approving grin. I spotted Kellan. He was looking up at me somberly. I couldn’t take my eyes of him. Step aside vampires, this mortal was immortally gorgeous.

And then the flashes went off, it was blinding. Grandma headed the paparazzi. I let it go on for a few moments before I shielded my face with my hands and made my way down the stairs into Kellan’s waiting arms. He pulled my hands away from my face and stood looking at me silently until I nudged him with my heel.

“Ouch!” He said surprised, as I laughed and kissed him lightly on his cheek. I turned to Grandma.

“Good to see you, Grandma,” I said as I walked over and hugged her.

“Doesn’t she look stunning, Mom?” my mom remarked.

“Indeed, she reminds me of you on your way to your first dance. Remember?”

Mom shook her head laughing, “That was a long time ago. You have a good memory.”

I looked around for Harry. He was looking over and smiling at me from the corner. He looked awesome.