Page 25

All my classmates were here, along with a bunch of friends and people I’d said hello to before. Even some of the girls who gave me dirty looks when Kieran and I made eye contact were there. A lot of them were the girls he played with before, and most of them were probably only thirteen or fourteen.
“Hey, let’s go dance,” Kieran whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
I raised an eyebrow and looked straight into his eyes. “You dance?”
“Oh, yeah, Talia. He dances,” Lila said, flipping her sleek straight hair behind her shoulder, her hair looking like a waterfall against that lilac dress. “Just ask the guys.”
“He’s got some moves,” Cruz said, nudging Beck, who was too busy staring at Brielle. Knox just gave a nod and tucked in. Roman and Avery were amused by their antics. Brielle went red, but Damien held her tight, as if to tell Beck to back off. If you asked where Luca was, he’d probably be on the dance floor by now. Luca said the music was amazing.
I couldn’t help laughing again when I met Kieran’s impatient eyes. “I’d love to, Kier,” I said with a smile.
We got up from the round table we were all sitting on, leaving them to eat while Beck and Cruz played with the pink and red floral centrepiece. I strolled towards the dance floor, which had drapes coming out from the romantic fake roof top, with Kieran close behind. As soon as we arrived, the music changed to a slow one.
Kieran pulled me close to him, his hands around my waist and his chin resting on my head. I let out a sigh, leaning into him, my head resting against his chest. I welcomed his warmth, his smell, and his erratic heartbeat. To be honest, I didn’t even realise there were people there. The newlyweds were dancing too, and the other couples joined them on stage. All I felt was me and him, just living in the moment like it was our last.
“You’re not too bad,” I joked as Kieran twirled me around.
“Not too bad, then? Now that’s a bit sore,” he said, putting on a hurt face. I gasped as he expertly lowered me, him smiling broadly at me as he hovered over me. He pulled us back, touching his forehead to mine. I looked at his blue eyes, amazed at the depth and feelings that went with them.
We heard someone clearing their throat. We looked away, not wanting to see, and there was Luca, standing there awkwardly. I smiled at him when he said, “Hey, man. Do you mind if I dance with Tali?”
“No,” I replied as Kieran let out a sigh and reluctantly let go of me. I thought it was funny how direct he was. “Come on, big boy, just one song. Also, I miss Jar.”
I saw Kieran flick my nose and, before I could say anything, he ran off to ask my mum if she fancied dancing. Luca put his hand in mine and pulled me close, in a friendly way, and I sighed, realising how much I’d missed him.
“I didn’t know you had an older brother. And let’s not forget he’s my brother’s best man,” I said, nodding to an older-looking Luca. He was wearing a red button-down shirt and slacks, with blonde, messy hair. He had a little scruff and charming hazel eyes.
Luca just gave a casual shrug and said, “That’s how I knew your brother. He and Japhet, my brother, are best mates.”
“Hmmm, I feel clever. I learned something,” I said, and he laughed.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Luca said as we swayed to the music.
“What? No cheesy pick-up lines?” I gasped, secretly smiling to myself. “Be careful, Jar. Your reputation status is going low.”
“Oh be quiet, you little pie-eater. I’m at a wedding. I feel particularly romantic,” he joked.
“So, why don’t you ask Lila to dance?” I gestured towards her, where she smiled at Beck and Cruz as they told her a story. He looked at her for a bit before a blush spread across his neck and face. Even his ears were pink. I raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for his reply.
“Well, because… um… hello, she’s Lila,” he sighed. “I can never meet her expectations.”
I pinched his cheeks while he scowled at me. “Oh, is the little blushing player finally shy? Has he finally found the one special crush?” I cooed.
He swatted my hand away and his cheeks went red. “Shh, Tali. You’re so loud! She’s the one! I just couldn’t face it, you know?” he said. When I saw the look on his face and heard him say it, I gave his arm a good pinch. “Ouch,” he yelled, earning himself a few dirty looks.
“Ask. Her. To. Dance. You. Idiot,” I said, grinding my teeth and putting my hands on my hips. He looked at me in horror as I slapped his shoulder again. “Go!”
“Okay, I’ll do it, I just have to remember to!” Luca shouted as he ran over to Lila, who looked at him with her big eyes. I smiled cheekily as Kieran came back and wrapped his arms around me again.
“Oh, Tali, what have you done this time?” He teased, kissing my forehead.”
“They’ll be thanking me later.”
“Yeah, just after they…”
“Hey, you’ve really grown up! I never thought I’d see the day where she’s clinging to a boy,” a familiar voice said, smugly. I turned around and there he was, the person I’d been trying to avoid all night. He was holding a wine glass with a bit of red wine on the clear surface, and his other hand was holding the blonde woman’s tiny waist. She was half his age. “Tell me. Do I have to beat you up, sonny, just to let you know not to hurt my daughter?”
“Dad,” I said, looking a bit annoyed at his little remark. I could feel Kieran standing up straight behind me, his chest against my back, and his hands rubbing circles on my waist. My dad’s narrowed eyes shot to his hands and then back to my face again. I looked over at Fiona, who was doing her best to throw a flirtatious smile at Kieran, who was giving her the cold shoulder. She had diamonds on everything – her necklace, rings, bracelets, anklets and so on. Well, even the one strap on her inappropriate dress – which was clung to her body, hugging her balloon-like plastic boobs and short enough to see her b**t cheek popping out – was encrusted with diamonds. “Fiona,” I teased her as she choked on what I’d said.
“Tell me, honey. Is that young guy making you do all this?” My dad said, looking at Kieran.
“No way,” I laughed, patting Kieran’s hand, which had gone all stiff.
“Don’t lie to me,” my dad said, while I rolled my eyes. I did my best to keep my cool, with Kieran right behind me and his breath almost touching the hair on top of my head.
“Oh, come on, Thomas,” Fiona said in her nasal voice. “Why would he go for her?”
I was just about to jump on her, but I wanted to hear what my dad had to say. He looked at us and I could see Kieran’s hands starting to shake at my hips. I held it in both my hands, trying to calm him down. My dad’s lips lifted slightly as he said, “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“She looks like a slut now, Thomas,” Fiona said, flipping her hair.
Oh, it was on. I let go of Kieran, who was already trying to go for the blonde bimbo in front of me, while tears spilled out of my eyes. I’m not even going to mention my dad. Just as my nails were about to reach her face and she let out a high-pitched scream, Kieran wrapped his arms around my waist and pushed me behind him. Luca helped hold me back while I was struggling so hard in his arms.
“Mr. Ainsley,” I heard Kieran’s tone, and it was pretty clear he was pretty fed up. “I think the only person here trying to hurt her is you and,” he turned his head slightly and I’m guessing it was at Fiona before continuing, “Ms. Blondie over here. And if you’re wondering why I’m after your daughter, it’s because she’s as pretty as a picture.”
“Look, son, I don’t think you know who you’re talking to,” My father’s voice rang out. My dad had taken a step up, so now his nose was almost touching Kieran’s, even though Kieran was a few inches taller.
“No offence, Mr Ainsley, but I think I do,” Kieran challenged. Just as my dad was about to throw a punch, Elias caught his hand and stopped him. He put himself between them to keep them apart.
“What’s going on? Dad, this is my wedding for Christ’s sake,” Elias said, looking angry. I saw my dad go over to stand next to Fiona again, and her sad cries were coming out of her ugly mouth. My mum had her hands on her hips, shaking her head, her lips a thin line. The Moonfire and Eclipse Pack were already standing up in their seats, looking ready to jump out of their skins at anyone who made a sudden move. My family and everyone else just watched with their jaws on the floor.
Then, all I heard was a low growl. I heard a low growl that made me turn my head all over, looking for where it was coming from. It was a bit creepy and I got the shivers. Everyone looked at me, and I was surprised to find that the strange noise came from deep down in my belly to the back of my throat. It was only then that I realised my lips were pulled back, showing off my clenched teeth.
“Wow, her eyes,” Elias said under his breath as I saw the world changing to strange colours. What on earth is going on? “Kieran, get her out of here and calm her down. Now,” my brother insisted.
Kieran grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the crowd. We went to the grassy plains of my backyard, where the wedding wasn’t being held. He quickly sat me down on the tree stump. I didn’t care if my dress got dirty, so I slumped down onto it and tried to calm my heart rate, but it just wouldn’t go down.
Kieran grabbed my face and made me look into his clear blue eyes, which were shining in the moonlight. “Tali, listen to me. Don’t worry about it, it didn’t happen. Chill out. You have to calm down,” he said, rubbing his rough thumb against my cheek.