Once in a Full Moon Page 0,41

back to Miller's Glen. What had happened on the hilltop to change his appearance? Why couldn't he come to school?

I was zoned out on my way to my locker to get my lunch when someone yanked me into the crawl space underneath the main building's side stairwell.

Brandon was hanging on to me. He appeared frazzled and tired but as handsome as I'd ever seen him.

I could feel my whole body light up just being in his presence.

I wanted to hug him with all my might, but even though we were out of sight of passing students, I was afraid someone might see us.

"I wanted to talk to you about the other night," he said.

"Me, too. Are you okay? You haven't been to school for days."

"I know. I haven't been feeling well."

"Are you better now?"

"I think so... I'm not really sure. But about the other night. I want to know something."

"Yes."

"After we kissed... something happened."

"Yes, I know," I said sheepishly. "I was there."

"I'm sorry - " he began. "For anything that happened..."

"So it was a joke?" I asked. "I kept hoping it was."

I was relieved but totally embarrassed for getting so carried away with my paranormal thoughts and overactive imagination. I replayed my interpretations and feelings of the last few days. I started to laugh. I'd wasted so much time jumping to outlandish conclusions. I was so gullible.

"What do you mean?" he asked, almost confused. "You and me? You thought it was a joke?" His expression softened. It was as if I'd just insulted him.

"No. Not us." I melted inside. Brandon was so handsome standing before me in the secrecy of the stairwell. "I meant after."

"That's what I want to talk to you about. There's something I want to ask you," he said earnestly. "I got home and didn't have some items."

"What do you mean?" I pressed.

"My shirt. My shoes."

"I know. I have your shirt," I confessed.

"You do?"

"Yes. I kept it as proof." I showed him his folded shirt sandwiched in my bag.

"Proof?"

"That our time together wasn't a dream. I know... you must think I'm a dork."

"No - I think it's really cool." He smiled his gorgeous smile. "Speaking of dreams. I had a weird one that night."

"Yes?"

"When I woke up... I had dirt all over me. I just want to know... But I'm ashamed to tell you... Did we?" he asked in an honest and heartfelt tone.

Brandon wasn't referring to being a werewolf. He was referring to something else.

"No - " I assured him. "We didn't do anything like that."

"Really?" He was more disappointed than relieved.

"You really don't remember... anything?"

"Just us together under the moonlight. And that awesome kiss."

This time I smiled.

"But then I remember feeling weird. I think I might have had a fever and blacked out. I was hoping you'd tell me the rest."

I paused. "You really don't remember?" I repeated.

He shook his head.

"I'm not sure I can tell you the rest."

"Why not?"

"If I told you what I witnessed, you'd certainly think I was insane and never want to see me again." Besides, there was still the chance that I'd misinterpreted what I saw. There were no visible signs on Brandon that he was a werewolf. No scratches, no stubble, no wolflike fangs.

There had to be a third explanation. Brandon had a fever and the moonlight distorted my view of him. All I knew was that I couldn't wait until another moon to see him again.

"So, can you tell me what happened?" he asked sincerely.

"I'm not sure - "

"Of what?"

"That I really saw what I think I saw... and if I didn't, then you'll just think I'm crazy."

"How can I think that?" he asked. "You are popular, studious, and one of the kindest people I've ever met."

I swooned inside from his compliment.

"Because what I saw wasn't..." I trailed off.

"Wasn't what?" he pressed. Then suddenly he was concerned. "Did I hurt you?"

"No - of course not."

He sighed with relief. "Then don't you see - I can't remember. You have to tell me."

"I know you'll think I'm crazy - and you won't want to hang out again."

"But, Celeste, I want to see you. Again and again. Please tell me so tonight I won't continue to have weird dreams. I can dream about you instead."

I smiled. His words were like Cupid's arrow shooting through my heart. But I was still reluctant. I might lose Brandon - no more texting, calls, passing glances, or amorous kisses. But as Brandon gazed at me