Insight (Web of Hearts and Souls #1)(20)

“Are you all right?” she asked, looking me over.

I nodded.

“I have Libby all packed up,” she said, leaning against the counter.

“You’re ready, aren’t you?” I quirked a brow. It was like she’d been waiting for this day for far too long.

“I’m eager to go home,” she said, glancing over me.

“I guess it’s my fault you had to stay here,” I said under my breath.

“No, no, it’s no one’s fault,” she said, then paused, remembering that I’d seen Drake. “What was he like? I mean, is he, like, this evil-looking man?”

“Actually, he’s pretty hot,” I answered with a smirk.

My mother hesitated again, searching for words. “What did he feel like?” she finally asked. I froze for a second. I was not used to being open with anyone about feeling emotions.

“I couldn’t feel him,” I answered, remembering what I could feel—his touch.

“I don’t understand,” she said, standing up.

“He was just a—void. He’s the first person I’ve ever met like that,” I said as I grabbed my bag, not wanting to talk about it.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” she said in a whisper when I opened the door.

Olivia had fallen asleep with her book open across her chest, and Dane was passed out cold. I tiptoed into my room, put all my things together, then set them in the hall. When I set my tote on the top of the pile, my sketchbook fell out. Laying on top and staring at me was the sketch that I had made of the blue-eyed boy.

Just the sight of him brought heat to my core. I flushed once again as I remembered that kiss.

I stared down at it for a moment before picking it up. I just wanted to talk to him. I tore a page from the back of the book and pulled a pen out. Then I walked back into my room and sat on the edge of the futon bed. With shaking hands, I wrote I need you, help me find you.

I lay down and stared at the note that I’d written. My plan was to focus on him and the words and hope that I could somehow take it with me. I didn’t let any bad thoughts race through my mind, only him as my eyes felt heavier and heavier.

Feeling sunlight on my face, I opened my eyes and saw the house in front of me. I felt adrenaline rush through me as I realized I would see him. I looked down in my hand and saw that my note was there. I then ran to the porch and circled it, but he wasn’t there. I went through the house, not focusing on any details. Searching every room, I found the place empty. My heart felt heavy as each moment passed. I did not know how much longer I could stay asleep. I went back outside and searched the fields, trying to see if I could feel him, and in the distance, I was sure I did. I walked through the field toward a small hilltop. He was getting closer, so I started sprinting in his direction. All at once, I saw him coming over the hill.

He was astonished to see me. I crashed into his chest and hugged him, a tingling sensation filled with desire washed over me. The idea that he was real was almost too much to grasp. I felt his hands sway across my back, him lean down to catch my gaze. I would wake at any moment now. I leaned up wanting to feel the flesh of his lips once more, as I clenched the note I had in my hand against his chest.

I felt his hand clasp mine, the note, as those spellbinding eyes swam in my hungry gaze.

Right then I heard a loud crash and jumped to my feet.

Olivia had knocked over my bedside lamp while she was folding up some blankets.

“Sorry,” she said in a loud whisper. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I glanced down to see my hand empty. The note wasn’t there. Did it work? Was that real? I noticed Dane still sound asleep on the bed. That diner was sucking the life out of him, always leaving him exhausted. No wonder he wanted to run away with me.

“Your mom came in here. You have to leave in an hour,” Olivia said, pushing the bed into a couch.

I shook my head and tried to come to my senses then I grabbed a change of clothes and went into the bathroom to dress. I convinced myself the blue-eyed boy had read my note and that the next time I slept he would tell me where he was. Then I would make my dad take me to him, and if he refused, I would find another traveler. They couldn’t be that hard to convince, could they?

I heard the front door open and sensed Jessica, Hannah, and Monica climbing the stairs. I met them in the hall. They were so sad and full of dread. I led them into my room. I didn’t have much time, and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t leaving anything behind. When they saw Dane asleep on my bed, I felt embarrassment come from everyone but Monica. She found it hilarious.

“So I guess you were serious when you told Drake she was your girlfriend?” Monica said loudly, falling onto the bed next to him.

Dane sat up quickly and surveyed the room, replaying the last words he’d heard. He then rolled his eyes, slid by Monica off the bed, stretched, and grinned at me.

“I need a quick shower,” he said to me as he left the room.

“So, are you guys serious?” Jessica asked, awestruck, not believing she’d missed something as big as Dane and me hooking up.

Olivia belted out into laughter. She knew how ridiculous that comment was.

“I bet they are,” Monica teased. “This whole time, Willow’s been playing the innocent one, and then the day she leaves, the truth comes out.”

As I listened to her, I shook my head and scanned the room for anything else I may want to take with me.