Artemis
The three of us stared at Rachael pretty much open-mouthed. Just as I had been about to say something I had a possibility of regretting, she interrupted us. She stared at me, concerned, like I needed mental help or something.
I probably did.
"Who in the Sam heck are you talking to, Artemis Alexander?" she demanded. "We got rid of our imaginary friends years ago."
"I-- I wasn't talking to anyone," I lied. "I was, uh, practicing my Nobel Prize speech. You know how much I want that some day." Stupid, stupid, stupid! Of course she wouldn't believe me, especially when I come up with a lie like that.
"Sure...," she said slowly, dragging it on.
That was what I hated about human nature. We couldn't trust each other. I mean, yeah, I actually was lying, but she didn't have to know that.
I looked at Dawn and Kyler. Kyler looked confused, and Dawn wasn't even looking at me. She looked down at the ground, every once in a while shooting glances at Rachael.
"Arty, why are you so nervous?" Rachael said in a worried tone. "I'm here for you, if you ever need me. You know I don't leave town until tomorrow."
"I'm fine, Rache, great, actually."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"Well," she said, her eyebrows furrowing as she was deep in thought. "We should go inside."
I looked desperately to Kyler and Dawn for help, but Kyler had that sad little boy face on again which broke my heart, and Dawn had disappeared. Again. And to think, all that trouble I went through just to find her...
"Yeah, I guess we should," I said.
Apparently, my parents were trying to start this new "Family Movie Night" thing. One day every weekend, we would watch a movie. I didn't know why they were doing this, but I assumed it was so they could impress Rachael. They loved her.
As for me, I wasn't too sure anymore. I'd been so frustrated, I mean, they were making me choose between the girl I'd loved since forever, and the spirit-ghost girl that I felt...quite close to now.
I didn't want to love Dawn. Nope. She'd been messing with me since the first day this house became the Alexander residence. She annoyed me, possessed my sisters, made me knock over food all the time -- in short, she had been such a pain in the neck.
But she was Dawn. Her quirks were kind of cute I guessed---
What are you saying, Artemis? part of me demanded. You love Rachael Davis Parker and NOTHING can change your mind. Not some spirit kid, not some spirit girl. Rachael isn't your girlfriend anymore, but she still could be! Keep an open mind!
Another part of me scoffed. And ignore the fact that you and Dawnie are -- what did the kid call it? Kindred Souls or something? Nuh uh, you don't mess with destiny.
That's what you're calling it? Destiny?
Yes, idiot. You and Dawn are obviously meant to be, and you know she loves you; the kid even made her admit it!
I knew it was creepy, but I could just imagine a little Angel Artemis on one shoulder, and a Devil Artemis on the other. I couldn't help but fidget. My stupid debate with myself was driving me even more insane than Dawn ever had.
Still, the part of me that said Dawn loved me -- he was right. Dawn loved me, and I couldn't help but blush a little. Normally, I didn't blush, and had never really, unless I was with Rachael.
"Artemis, are you okay?" my mother asked. "You're turning a little green."
"He was probably outside for too long," offered Rachael.
Something like that, I thought. Though, scientifically speaking, that couldn't really do much to me, because it wasn't that cold or anything.
"Yeah, I'll go clean up," I said before anyone could offer to help me with anything.
I ran upstairs to my room, and shut the door.
"Dawn?" I called in a whisper. Not a moment later, did the glowing girl show up. She looked even more innocent than I remembered. When we were outside earlier, I had tried my best not to look at her so I wouldn't get distracted. "Dawn, I'm sorry that Rachael interrupted us."
She shrugged. Her glow was a little less bright than I remembered, too. In fact, she did look slightly different. There was almost a skin color to her, and her hair looked more auburn......
"I like you, Dawn," I said. Slowly, Dawn turned her head towards me, her big eyes widening even bigger though I knew she knew how I felt. I didn't feel that what I said was enough, so I tried again. "Dawn, I think I like you."
StupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidArtemis. Don'tyouknowhowtotalktoagirlproperly?
"Dawn, I'm trying to say that I think I'm in like with you." As soon as the words left my lips, I slapped my forehead with my palm.
StupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidArtemis StupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidArtemis StupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidArtemis StupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidArtemis StupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidArtemis StupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidstupidArtemis.
How was that literally any better than my first two attempts? How could I be entirely sure that I meant it? Kyler was right, we were Kindred Souls.
I think I knew what being Kindred Souls was like now. I wasn't a spirit, but I learned a lot from their kind. You don't have to like the person. You just have to know.
And I think I did.
I walked over to my bed and slammed my body onto it. "I'm sorry that was so stupid, Dawn. You probably expected more from a guy like me, you know, someone who's smart and everything--"
Dawn put a finger to her lips. Then unexpectedly, she beckoned me with her finger. I got up quickly, standing tall in front of her. I never noticed before, because I was too busy worrying about other things, but Dawn and Rachael didn't look as alike as I thought. From what I could tell, Dawn's hair was thicker than Rachael's, and her lips were fuller. Rachael's eyes were full of fun and happiness, but Dawn's eyes were full of wisdom and curiosity.
Well, duh, she was wise. She was alive for hundreds and hundreds of years, I think.
"I know, I'm the most eloquent human being that has ever lived. You don't have to tell me twice Dawn," I said jokingly.
She reached out her hands, and placed two fingers on either side of my head on my temples. Instantly, just like that, I could feel our minds reaching out to each other. Again, it didn't feel scientifically possible, because it wasn't.
But I wasn't thinking about that. I was actually starting to understand Dawn, how she was trampled to death by horses, about her first experiences as an In-between. I understood that she really couldn't talk, or feel many emotions.
Obviously, that last part wasn't true; I was feeling every kind of emotion from her. Curiosity, when we first met. Annoyance, when we wouldn't get along. Happiness, when the kids surprised me for my birthday. Anger and...jealousy, when Rachael kissed me.
All of Dawn's emotions, all of them were happening at the same time. This was more than a regular connection you felt with a friend or lover or anyone like that. This went deeper.
I didn't even know how I knew the term, but this was the Kindred Soul Connection.
I was feeling all different kinds of emotions too. I could feel Dawn reaching out for them, like trying to open a locked door. I unlocked it for her, and we both saw and felt exactly how I had when I had experience these emotions.
Dawn brought her hands back down to her side. We both stood there, looking at each other, wondering what the crap happened.
"How did you...?"
She just shrugged. Then she smiled and left. I had a feeling I'd see her bright and early tomorrow.
None of this was scientifically possible, and you know what? I didn't care. I plopped back onto my bed. I didn't think of Rachael, I didn't think of my family probably still waiting for me downstairs. I just thought of Dawn, and that was it.