97 Special Someones

I get lost in your eyes
And I feel my spirits rise
And soar like the wind…
Is it love that I am in?

I get weak in a glance
Isn’t this what’s called romance?
And now I know
‘Cause when I’m lost I can let go

I don’t mind not knowing what I’m heading for
You can take me to the skies…
It’s like being lost in heaven
When I’m lost in your eyes

I just fell, don’t know why
Something’s there we can’t deny…
And when I first knew
Was when I first looked at you

And if I can’t find my way
If salvation is worlds away
Oh, I’ll be found
When I am lost in your eyes

I don’t mind not knowing what I’m heading for
You can take me to the skies…
Oh it’s like being lost in heaven
When I’m lost in your eyes

I get weak in a glance
Isn’t this what’s called romance?
Oh, I’ll be found
When I am lost in your eyes

Pearl Fey and Luke Triton
The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Mystic Maya, thank you so much for letting me come to Paris with Luke! Pearl thought blissfully, beaming at her très beau tour guide as they neared the Eiffel Tower. I hope the rest of your visit to France and Europe is just as wonderful as mine has been!

It had been a storybook, picture-perfect day in Paris. It had begun with the exploration of the world-famous Musee du Louvre, where Pearl had seen gorgeous artworks and priceless historical pieces that had been beyond fascinating to behold.

However, the biggest thrill of all, of course, had been seeing the acclaimed Da Vinci portrait.

Luke was visibly contemplative as they stood before the Mona Lisa painting, trying to understand the emotions and thoughts of the woman depicted in it.

“To truly appreciate this particular work, I’ve often tried to imagine what was going through her mind, as though she were a real person,” he reflected.  “I imagined her feeling neglected and overlooked as she watched other paintings receive attention and admiration, but believing that she was just as good or even better. Eventually, the Mona Lisa became the most famous painting in the world and everyone would all regret not stopping to see her beauty, proving that her time to shine had come and that those who had overlooked her had made a grave mistake.”

Pearl couldn’t help but be endeared that Luke was sensitive enough to empathize not just with the thoughts and feelings of animals, but inanimate objects.  Another quirk of his made him so wonderfully, uniquely… him.

Next, they visited the 800-year-old Gothic constructed wonder, complete with flying buttresses, the Notre Dame Cathedral, where the teens had both marveled that the historical 17th-century organ with all of its parts was still functional!

On the outside of the church, high above their heads, were the gargoyles, embodiments of evil in people’s minds over the centuries. On their lofty perches, the stone caricatures were exposed to the worst of the France weather and showed signs of the relentless seasonal freeze-thaw.

“It’s hard now, not to find them amusing,” Luke remarked with a smirk. “But long ago, when demons were feared and the spiritual world was tangible to the masses, I can quite imagine how they inspired the flock to speed up their walk into the sanctuary of the church.”

As the light of the spring day dimmed, the gargoyles on the church seemed to come to life, their shadows elongating and contorting. These grotesque figures were intricately carved out of semi-crumbling stone, with bulging eyes, pointed ears, and sadistic grins. They were hunched and disfigured, leering down at the churchgoers below as if they were demons. Despite being made of stone, they seemed as cold and heartless as the creatures they were meant to represent.

Pearl stared up at the stone creatures in the half-light of the evening. They were built into the ends of the gutters to drain rainwater off the roof; since the gargoyles extended far off the side of the roof, the liters of rainwater from storms fell far from the walls to prevent damage.

For me, the gargoyles serve as a reminder to be vigilant against my own inner demons. They remind me that we all have a dark side, and it’s up to us to keep it in check and prevent it from gaining too much power. The gargoyles serve as a symbol of the importance of self-control and the constant need to confront and tame our negative tendencies.

“Even though some of the gargoyles may be intimidating,” she said softly, “they are still creations of God and deserve His love and salvation just like any other creature.”

The bloke regarded her with unsuppressed approbation. Pearl had such a rare perception and depth that belied her years, coupled with an innocent, ingenuous view of everything that was beyond refreshing. If you showed her a gold coin or a kitten and asked her to pick one, he knew she’d take the silly cat every time. He wanted to try to see the world through her eyes; there was simple wisdom there and he loved it. With the spirit medium, happiness was simple, and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

It was already dark by the time the teens headed to the tower – Luke had already called the Professor and told him they’d be home before midnight but not to worry about making dinner for them.

As the city came out of the darkness of night, the duo crossed the Seine in silence. Without the traffic, they walked right down the centre of the street, and not far away lay The Eiffel Tower, like a skeleton of metal projecting up into a sky that was rapidly becoming midnight blue.

While standing at the base of the building, Luke was struck by its size and grandeur, something he hadn’t fully appreciated before. Pearl was in awe of the 20,000 sparkling bulbs illuminating the 324-meter-high structure. The metal legs of the building were as wide as a town plaza and felt cold to the touch. When they reached the top of the building in an elevator, the two rushed to the edge to get a view of Paris spread out before them like a luminous colored board; a map of classic architecture.

The view of the city from high above was characterized by a dense urban landscape, with tall concrete buildings arranged in a grid pattern and few trees or plants visible. Despite the lack of greenery, the city was breathtaking at night, earning it the nickname “The City of Lights.” The vastness and freedom of the world below made the American want to jump in excitement.

Pearl looked down and was captivated by the breathtaking sight of the city below, which was alive with lights that seemed to twinkle like glitter scattered across the ground. It was too dark to distinguish individual buildings, but the overall effect was breathtaking. She watched in amazement as lights glimmered in all directions, like stars falling to earth, and buildings of all sizes intersected to create a mesmerizing blend of shadow and geometry. Tiny vehicles raced along the streets, creating tangled threads of light that all seemed to weave together in a dazzling, dreamlike tangle.

It’s like a dream. A breathtaking, marvelous, dream that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be there at that moment. 

As though reading her mind, Luke flashed her a knowing smile.

“The Tower is a symbol of the magic of light, with its sparkling bulbs and beacon shining brightly every evening to inspire dreams.”

She turned around to face him, her heartbeat quickening as she realized how closely behind her he was standing. A slight shiver ran through her and she knew it had nothing to do with the sudden gust of cool breeze that came over the high level of the tower. She was far from cold. As the teens stared into one another’s eyes, she realized she’d never felt warmer, or happier, in her whole existence.

“Luke, there is no dream I could have in my whole life,” she whispered, “that could ever rival the reality of this moment here with you. I feel like every dream I’ve ever had in my entire life has come true.”

Her eyes remained transfixed on his, and his heart pounded in his chest like a jungle drum.

You keep saying things like that, Pearl Fey, and I may never, ever let you get back on that plane back to LA. It would take a strong man to ever let you go, and I don’t know if I am a man of such strength.

Rather than reply, Luke’s eyes burned with intensity as he leaned forward then, and her pulse raced. A small caramel lock of hair tumbled in front of her face, resting just in front of her cheek but with one swift slide of his thumb, it was brushed out of the way. Gazing into his eyes, she found herself lost in the deep pools of toffee that displayed his soul.

The next thing she knew, his gentle lips touched her cheek.

A kiss on the cheek was often seen as a friendly gesture or a polite way to greet someone of the opposite sex. However, Pearl realized then that even a simple peck could have a lot of meaning and significance. She felt that with this kiss on the cheek, she had just received something special and unique in its own way. This one had been no exception.

At that moment, time seemed to stop. She was overwhelmed by the unfamiliar dueling sensations as her heart and her breath both froze. Their fingers interlaced like puzzle pieces. When he pulled away from the side of her face, where his lips had met, she could feel a hot, pulsing tingle and her cheeks flushed with color as a shy grin crept across her face. As he pulled away silently, their eyes remained locked in a private conversation.

The two of them were now both irrefutably, unequivocally, and undeniably twitterpated.

Pearl Fey and Luke Triton
Edinburgh, Scotland

There was so much in the acolyte’s quietness at times, so much she just wouldn’t say. Luke could tell by her expression at times that a lot was going on in her head. Sometimes, when she didn’t think he was watching, he noticed, out of the blue, how her sweet cadence would trail off in mid-sentence and her eyes would look sad. It distressed him greatly. He wanted her to trust him, to confide in him. He yearned to know about the cause of the pain he sensed within her, and what had ever caused her tears. Then he wanted to comfort her and ensure that Pearl Fey never had another reason to ever cry again in her whole life.

Nonetheless, as much as he longed to know what secrets lay behind those captivating orbs, he knew better than to pry.

The tour of Scotland had been unbelievable for them both thus far.

First, the Brit took her to the Princess Street Gardens, a beautiful place with winding paths that ran through bright houses and surrounded by clusters of daffodils, rainbow-colored flowers, and fuchsia and primroses in shades of scarlet and saffron.

The lad made sure he took numerous pictures of his crush’s beaming face alongside all the purple shades of flowers, as that was her favorite color.  At moments like this, when her radiant visage rivaled the rays of the overhead sun, he’d wonder if he was imagining those tranquil, reflective moments of hers as being unhappy ones. But whenever he asked her, Pearl just responded with something cheeky, like she was thinking of how cute he was when he smiled!

Luke had to give the girl credit for her clever one-liners, but what really caught his attention was that beatific beam of hers. When she flashed it at him, he felt completely captured, like a banker’s money locked in a vault, although not suffocating. He instinctively felt that his heart was safe with her, even though she kept secrets. He was falling for her hard, feeling like he had a whole zoo of butterflies in his stomach when he was with her, but he knew that didn’t give him the right to know every pain and doubt she had or to pry into her thoughts. He knew that some scars were invisible; Lord knew he’d had his own share of them.

Still, the lack of answers gnawed away at him, and at times, he too lapsed into frustrated silence.

Sighing with resignation, he slipped his hand into hers as they winded through the colorful botanical, just two enamored teens, happy, connected.

Next, Luke took Pearl to King Arthur’s Seat, a large hill in Edinburgh with a height of 822 feet above sea level. It was said to be one of the possible locations of the legendary castle and court of King Arthur, the Romano-British warrior-chief. Located in Holyrood Park, it offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside and the sea to the east. The “seat” itself was a notch between the highest point of the peak and a secondary point a little way to the south, providing an impressive view.

Up here, it’s like looking down at the world.  Pearl was mesmerized by all the surrounding lush greenery from her view atop the dormant volcano.  You can see the trees, the flowers, the sea, and the many busy people going on about the day. Up here, it’s like standing on a giant’s back exploring the world with awe.

“Happy?” He queried, taking a seat next to her at the top of the hill and slinging an arm around her slender shoulders.

“Very.” She leaned slightly into him then and dropped her head against his shoulder with a sigh. “This has all been … magical, Luke. I still feel like I’m in some amazing dream that I don’t want to wake up from.”

He swallowed, knowing he was at risk of being told off for once again subjecting her to an invasive line of questioning, but he fervently hoped that as their fledgling relationship had progressed to hand-holding and cuddles this past week, it was a sign she had come to like and trust him more.

“Yet sometimes, I sense you aren’t entirely content. And it makes me feel so sad, the idea of you being unhappy. I want to know if there’s anything I can do to make it better.”

Pearl drew away slightly then and pulled her knees to her chin, morosely studying the view below.

“Not unless you can turn back time,” she answered dully. “Not unless you can unbreak a heart.”

Luke was stunned at her unexpected candor … then felt a ridiculous twinge of irrational jealousy of some other unworthy bugger having possessed her heart before he had.

“Before you came here, did some bloody sod break your heart, love?” He inquired gently, his hand reflexively curling into a fist at the thought of anyone hurting this gem of a girl. “Was this something that happened recently?”

The spirit medium turned to look at him and her eyes softened slightly as she dropped her head back against his shoulder again. One of the greatest things about Luke was Pearl felt she could talk to him about anything. She knew he’d been holding back and trying to respect her boundaries until she felt comfortable sharing that personal part of her life and she adored him for it.

She was ready now.

“Not my heart in the traditional sense,” she replied hollowly. “But they did break my cousin’s … and therefore, mine indirectly, as well.”

Then, in a rush, she told Luke everything about the Phoenix and Maya breakup. However, she was careful to keep any criticism of Longines and the additional fear of the coxcomb marrying her still heartbroken guardian to herself. It wasn’t as though Pearl didn’t like him, per se; it was just that she knew he wasn’t The One her kinswoman was meant to be with and she worried her cousin was too raw from her afflicted wounds to realize that!

“Mr. Nick and Mystic Maya, they were meant for one another,” Pearl divulged sadly. “It was like … a beautiful fairytale! She was his real-life Pink Princess and he was her knight in shining armor! I guess this whole King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table thing just made me reminisce about them. And then this whole trip with you and me … I am so afraid things are going to end with us just as badly – that I’ll wind up having my heart broken, too.”

“Pearl.” Luke’s voice was quiet. “Look at me.”

She lifted her head to gaze into his face and saw the burnt-sienna eyes shining with understanding and sympathy.

“I want to thank you for trusting me enough to finally confide in me and I vow to never betray that trust.” His expression was one of sincerity and promise. “But while I can swear to you that I will never break your heart, what I can’t do, as much as I wish I could, is bring Mr. Wright back to you and Maya.”

Luke stood up then and gently tugged her by the hand, a slight smile playing across his lips.

“However, since I know you like knights and folktales so much, how would you like it if I made you the star within your very own, by taking you, my fair lady … to a beautiful fairytale castle?”

Pearl Fey and Luke Triton
Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae, Scotland

Glenapp Castle was a stunning, fairytale-like château located on the picturesque Ayrshire coast. It was a fully restored Scottish Baronial Castle and a Michelin-starred venue, situated on 36 acres of spectacular gardens in Ballantrae. The castle boasted mind-blowing spectacles of the rugged Ayrshire coast.

The castle allowed visitors to enjoy awe-inspiring views of the Irish Sea, the island of Arran, and the massive granite rock of Ailsa Craig. The surrounding coast was dotted with sharp rocks and the sea was usually rough, making it difficult to navigate with small boats. While at the remote castle, one would feel as if the rest of the world had faded away, with only themselves and their company within this peaceful and secluded setting.

The windows at Glenapp Castle were large and mullioned, giving them a grand, cathedral-like appearance. During the day, every room was filled with natural light, and at night, the oak floors and antique furniture would be illuminated by the warm glow of candlelight from the many candelabras that still tittivated the castle. The hallways were adorned with luxurious indigo carpets featuring intricate golden designs and festooned with rich tapestries in shades of emerald green and gold, adding to the castle’s regal ambiance.

It was the perfect setting for them to enjoy an afternoon tea for two, including assorted finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream and preserves, and a selection of freshly baked cakes, all served with a selection of fine teas and coffee, after which they took the time to give themselves a self-guided tour of the place.

The stairs twisted in a perfect spiral, resembling a child’s Slinky toy pulled from both ends. Each step was made of smooth, cut stone and was supported by a rustic, black iron railing. The stairs were still in excellent condition and as solid as the day they were made. Pearl ascended the stairs quickly, leaving shoe prints behind as she made her way to the top floor. Instead of traditional peaks in the roof, the castle had domed towers with open porches supported by elaborately detailed, white pillars. On the ground floor, there were no doors, only arches, and the windows in the tower were large slits in the thick walls.

The paths at Glenapp Castle winded around an azalea pond and through established woodland, leading to a beautiful walled garden with a 150-foot Victorian glasshouse. Beyond the glasshouse, were 36 acres of gardens, filled with rare and unusual plants and shrubs, including magnificent specimen rhododendrons.

“It’s like a magical kingdom in a storybook come to life,” Pearl breathed, her eyes glowing as she led Luke by the hand through the archway and onto the platform balcony, which afforded them a grand view of the courtyard, and the grounds below. “I really do feel like a princess in a fairytale!”

“You are a princess, destined to become a queen. Your wondrous story has already begun.” He took her hand and bowed over it with a teasing grin. “Your once upon a time is now and I am but a mere peasant boy basking in thy regal grace, Princess Pearl.”

“Luke Triton, my dream wouldn’t be complete without you.” She clasped her hand to her chest and smiled adoringly at him, her heart in her eyes. “You are more than a dream come true. You made my world brighter and more beautiful. I vow to be your princess only if you’ll be my prince, for you are already the ruler of my…”

Her breath caught then and she found herself unable to finish the sentence but he knew what she had come close to saying. They both knew.

…My heart.

Just as they both knew this was sheer lunacy, given how short a time they’d known one another. Nevertheless, what was even more madness was that they were also both aware, despite everything, that whatever this was, it was real.

Luke stepped closer to her then, still holding her hand, and pressed it against his chest so she could feel the quickened beat of his heart, which matched her own wildly thudding one.

“I am no prince if not yours,” he murmured, gazing tenderly into her wide eyes. “You make me believe in fairytales.”

Then, with his free hand, his fingers were tracing her forehead, ever so gently – his touch, too, was a whisper, the lightest breath, and she was paralyzed, frozen. Over the bridge of her nose and her Cupid’s bow – the slightest bit of pressure there, so she tasted the saltiness of his skin and felt the ridges and swirls of his thumb on her lower lip. They then trailed over her chin and around her jaw, then up to her hair, leaving Pearl full of a roaring hot whiteness that rooted her in place on that stone floor, suddenly swamped with a feeling that she would rather die than let go of, and rather wither away than ever lose.

Pearl Fey and Luke Triton
New Quay, Cardigan Bay, Wales 

“You will love the boat tour in Cardigan Bay,” Luke told Pearl excitedly as the two hurriedly climbed aboard with the rest of the tourists. “It has plenty of food for the dolphins; their habitat hasn’t been destroyed by industrial development or big towns; the water is clean and they are largely left alone. Being at sea will allow you the closest encounter with these fascinating creatures, Pearl!”

“I can’t wait!” Her eyes shone. “Plus, the guidebook says we may also see harbor porpoises and Atlantic grey seals and basking sharks and sunfish, but I’m most excited about the dolphins. I’ve never seen one before, except online and on TV.”

“Surely thou jest!” His jaw dropped. “Never, ever? Not even in an aquarium?”

She shook her head.

“Well, I’ll be happy to change that!” He stated, straightening the brim of his cap. “There’s such a big beautiful world out there that you need to see, Pearl Fey and I’m enchanted to be the one privy to show it to you!”

The girl just smiled in response, enjoying the peaceful sight of the calm seawater, a tranquil contrast to the chaos on the land. The water flowed like time, always moving forward to its destined course. She was about to embark on a journey across the great ocean, filled with the excitement of marine life and the thrill of exploring the vast aquatic world. On this sunny May day, the sea was tranquil, unbroken calm, sprinkled with sparkling fragments of light. Pearl leaned over the side of the boat, dipping her fingers into the soothing, cool water. She relished the feeling of its gentle touch against her long, graceful fingers, and silently thanked whatever forces were listening that she would get to experience it with this incredible young man beside her.

Suddenly, the tourists on the boat began squealing with ebullience and frantically snapping pictures as a magnificent dolphin leaped high into the sultry air of mid-spring. From his shiny grey topside and whiter underbelly, flew water droplets, cascading down, bejeweled in the light. His body arched, his tail flipped, and then back down he went with a splash.

Pearl laughed happily and clapped her hands. Luke came over to lean off the side of the boat next to her.

“He’s magnificent!” She breathed, her eyes shining. “Look, he’s brought some friends with him!”

She pointed and saw that indeed, a school of several more of the finned mammals had come up to the boat, and were now showing off similarly, gracefully leaping above the surface of the water and diving back in.

“Her name is Brenda,” he whispered in her ear. “I was talking to her earlier before she went to fetch some of her friends to make this outing one of greater viewing pleasure for you. She not only delivered on her promise, but she also wants to visit with you. Would you like to pet her?”

“I can touch her?” She gasped, clapping an astonished hand to her mouth. “I’d love to! B – but how? They’re all swimming a distance away from the boat, close enough to take pictures but not close enough to touch…”

“They don’t let just anyone pet them.” Luke winked. “Just … Special Someones. Put your hand back down in the water, Pearl.”

She quickly obliged. The tour guide and tourists were too busy snapping photos of the leaping school of Brenda’s friends to notice the teenagers and their clandestine antics. The spirit medium splashed her hand idly about, as she’d been doing earlier, then squealed with elated surprise. Where moments ago there had just been briny water was now a shiny grey head observing her with intelligent eyes. As Luke once again began to talk to the dolphin, Pearl gently patted the smooth, slippery head with trembling fingers.

“Tell her she’s beautiful,” she told Luke with a megawatt smile. “And that this has been the most thrilling moment of my life!”

Grinning, the animal whisperer repeated the statement, and the magnificent mammal nodded her head as if she understood every word, her open-mouthed toothy grin looking so much like she was returning the psychic’s smile that Pearl burst into delighted laughter.

He stood up then, camera poised, and told the enchanted teen that Brenda liked her very much and would allow the tourist girl to kiss her if she wanted to.

Pearl didn’t need to be asked twice. She joyfully leaned down and lightly brushed her lips against the side of the majestic animal’s hard, wet snout, eyes blissfully closed, not even taking note of Luke capturing the moment, to be forever immortalized on film. She was so elated that she thought her heart would surely burst.

Trust Luke Triton to make such a phenomenal outing even more wonderful and magical.

Though the day was hot, Pearl felt more warmed by this creature of the sea than the brilliant rays above. It was a moment of utter perfection – sweet, gentle perfection…

Pearl Fey and Luke Triton
Snowdonia, Maentwrog, Wales

“Snowdonia is full of waterfalls – Rheadar in Welsh – and rivers, and it’s such a unique part of the area that if you come to visit, you really should jump into at least one waterfall pool. It’s exciting, it’s fun, it’s an adventure, it’s a challenge and…. it’s free!” Luke was even cheerier than usual that day.

“I guess it’s usually a cold affair jumping into the pools.” Pearl bit her thumb uncertainly. “But I am supposing … that’s half the fun?”

“You bet!” He grinned as they trekked on through the woods. “The serotonin high you get for having done it always outweighs everything and that’s just the adults – show me a child who doesn’t enjoy jumping off rocks into water! Heavens, I still do! Makes me a big kid at heart!”

She couldn’t help but giggle at his childlike enthusiasm.

“I can’t wait till you see it! This place where we are headed has three pools, deep, shallow, and medium, as well as a waterfall,” he explained. “But the water is very clear and none of the pools are very deep. There are many waterfalls in Wales but you want one where the plunge pool is not overhung with trees, or it will be even colder.”

As they walked past the shaded boughs towards the hidden stone beach, Luke led them to a large pool with a resplendent waterfall. He suggested that they stand underneath it to feel the refreshing coolness. The teens enjoyed watching the currents swirling and disappearing in the water, and noticed the brief crescents of white and fish that swam by. Their eyes followed the water downstream, admiring the dapples that gave the surface a warm, cozy hue. As they continued on their walk, the music of the woods grew increasingly faint until it was no longer audible.

Pearl stifled a nervous titter. This wood was so far from the home of Layton’s and even further from her own back in Kurain … but right now it didn’t matter one bit. This moment was her own. Hers and Luke’s. And right now, in this flash of the time continuum, she was at home.

After a long journey, they finally reached the waterfall. The view was glorious, with the chutes flowing down the hillside in a series of smaller waterfalls. The tinkling sound of the cascading water was like laughter, and Pearl couldn’t help but think that this must the sort of place where fairies lived.

“Since you sit under freezing waterfalls for hours on end for training, the wild swimming here in the cold waters of Maentwrog at Rheaedar Ddu should be a walk in the park for you, won’t it?” Luke asked.

Despite her earlier feelings of embracing this as her moment, still, the spirit medium hesitated for a moment.

“Maybe…” she bit her thumb again. “But we sit under the waterfall to the point where we become numb and just remain unmoving there. It’s another thing to be frozen numb and then keep being expected to move!”

“You sounded a trifle nervous there,” he noted. “If it will make you feel any better, I’ll go first and test the waters then! Just let me get my water shoes on – do you have yours?”

She nodded.

“Here I go!”

He yanked off his sweater and shorts, revealing his wetsuit underneath. Since her back had been turned away as she slipped out of the T-shirt and capri pants she’d been wearing over her own wetsuit, Pearl wasn’t prepared for what she’d see when she turned back to Luke and blushed to the roots of her hair at the sight of him.

Luke was tall though not heavily muscled, with the visible definition under the wetsuit. It hugged his lanky frame, highlighting every visible, lean sinew on his lean body.  From behind, he could have been anywhere from his late teens to early 20s, but when he turned to face her, his gamin, playful grin and sandy, floppy hair made him look much younger. He seemed to have a mischievous plan in mind as he extended his hand toward her.

She complied but instead of pulling her into the water, as she’d expected, he brought her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss upon it, then gave a huge whoop as he let go and plunged right in.

“Geronimo!”

From afar, the waterfall appeared to be a white, silent stream flowing over the rocky cliffs. It was a force of nature, both stunning and fierce. The sound of the cascading water was peaceful from a distance, but deafening up close. The sight of the waterfall seemed to stir strong emotions within him, and he was in awe of its beauty. It was truly the most magnificent sight he had ever beheld.

“Gack!” He yelled, laughing as he surfaced a moment later. “It’s cold at first but it’s great once you get used to the shock! Come on in, Princess Pearl – The water’s splendid!”

The girl was unable to speak. Her face was still flushed, and she was still feeling the warmth on her hand and the sensation of his lips against her skin. There was a fluttering in her stomach that she couldn’t identify, but it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. She knew that if she tried to speak, she would struggle to find the right words and wouldn’t be able to make her usual clever remarks. At that moment, she was completely speechless, with no words, no breath, and no thoughts.

He was only 18, if a day, and he’s already stolen my heart, without even knowing it was in his pocket.

With this thought in mind, she cautiously entered the water, gasping at the initial cold sensation, but then just decided to go for it and dunked right in.

Laughing happily, Luke swam out towards the waterfall then, and Pearl followed suit.

As they approached the waterfall, the noise grew louder until they were only a few hundred meters away. They couldn’t even hear each other shouting over the deafening sound of the water. When they got closer, they were enveloped in the mist created by the waterfall and quickly became as wet as if they had been in a heavy rainstorm. Their hair stuck to their heads and faces, but their spirits could not be dampened by the water. They stood in awe, marveling at the spectacle in front of them.

“It’s n-not that cold,” she asserted, although her teeth were beginning to chatter even as the waterfall continued to pour down over them. “It only t-takes getting some used to is all.”

“You are a terrible liar!” He chuckled, but then his eyes darkened with concern. “Are you really that cold, love? We can get out if you want?”

She shook her head stubbornly.

“No, I’ve stood under falls way colder than this! J-just…give me a moment…”

He walked up to Pearl slowly and pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her so that most of the waterfall washed over him and only splashed down on her now. His embrace was warm, and she stopped shivering immediately. His big, strong arms seemed very protective when wrapped around her frail form. The world around her melted away as she squeezed him back, not wanting the moment to end.

Luke stroked her long hair and pulled her close to his chest. The warmth of being wrapped around another person and feeling such happiness made him want to shout out to the rooftops. The hug was a moment of pure joy for both of them. He was overwhelmed with a range of churning emotions. The embrace was a simple but affectionate gesture, perhaps the fragile beginnings of first love. The arms that hugged him back were soft, yet strong.

The feel of his body so close to hers soothed her more than she had expected.

“Feeling warmer now?” He asked softly, staring down into her wide gray eyes.

She nodded silently, gazing at him so intently that Luke felt his cheeks reddening slightly.

“Um, what is it?” He sounded awkward, obviously not used to girls regarding him for extended periods, which was surprising to Pearl, since he was easily the best-looking boy she’d ever seen.

“Your eyes,” she breathed, still staring at him as though hypnotized. “Right now, in the daylight, in the water, they’re this incredible shade. I hadn’t realized they could change colors until now.”

Luke’s cheeks flamed even further.

“I guess they do, depending on my mood, or emotions or what have you, but they’re nothing special,” he mumbled, dropping his eyes to the water, even as he continued to hold her against him. “You’re the one with the incredible eyes. They’re like… like wisps of cloud at twilight. Mine aren’t anything special, really, just your everyday muddy brown.”

“Luke Triton, it blows my mind that after all this time you’ve spent on earth, nobody has ever bothered to tell you your eyes aren’t merely brown!” Pearl declared, taking his face into her hands and lifting his head so he had to look at her. Her lithe frame was still molded to his own, sharing her body heat as easily as she shared her heart. “Your eyes are flaming copper against honey, and when you get excited, they glow like two perfect orbs the same color as nature after a rainstorm. They are warm and sweet like milk chocolate, and when you look at me and smile, the creases around them frame them in perfect happiness. They are like hot chocolate on a cold autumn night, and the warmth of them envelops me like a blanket, making me feel at home, no matter where I am!”

Extended silence followed her declaration, and the spirit medium suddenly wanted to sink into the pool of water they were standing in, only to never resurface again. If it was possible to die of embarrassment, she was afraid she was going to do so at that moment. How could she have just blurted out her jejune ardor like that? Now she’d gone and made him feel even more awkward and uncomfortable and he would think her nothing more than a silly, babbling, love-struck schoolgirl…

The bloke’s mind was reeling at the words he’d just heard. After almost two weeks of long walks, conversations, and lingering glances with this fragile beauty who was still in his arms, he’d somehow, through sheer willpower, maintained his promised gentlemanly stance, not wanting to rush things, nor scare off the most amazing girl he’d ever encountered in his two years shy of twenty years.

He’d never met a girl like Pearl Fey before in his life. Certainly, being kin to such an old and dear friend had made him more predisposed to liking her right out the gate, but there was something more to her, a certain unspoiled sweetness and innocence, unlike any he’d ever encountered before, and like an addictive drug, found he merely couldn’t get enough of her. He could never let another soul get close to him like this – emotionally, not just physically – but Pearl was so different. He’d never known a person to always have the right motivations, even when she risked exposing too much of herself because she wore that beautiful heart of hers on her sleeve. There was a purity to her, naivety perhaps, but she was the only flower in the meadow for his eyes.

Luke stared deeply into those silvery moon orbs. He cupped her cheek, which was slowly turning calescent, and smiled affectionately before slowly leaning into her. His other hand was shaking slightly and his mind was repeating the same sentence over and over.

Think long and hard about this … there’s no going back once you do this… 

However, the sound of his heart was beating so loudly, he couldn’t concentrate. It felt like it was going to explode. Finally, his lips touched hers. Sparks flew in every direction and the world was slowly disappearing around them, along with all their worries, their troubles, and their problems. Pearl made him feel like nothing else mattered. The factor of geography and the miles that separated their residences didn’t faze Luke in the least; it wasn’t as though the long distance would separate them forever.  Some people were worth the wait and instinctively he knew Pearl Fey was one of them.

Love isn’t what makes the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

It was a small but warm kiss. Luke was surprised by how intimate and electrifying an innocent kiss could be. Their lips moved together in perfect sync, and he held her tightly around the waist as the kiss deepened and became more passionate. She placed her palms on the back of his neck and played with the ends of his hair, causing him to smile at the tickling sensation. When they eventually broke away for air, Pearl rested her forehead against his as she caught her breath. His knowing smirk told her everything she needed to know, and she smiled back, feeling warm as she melted into his embrace. This kiss was the beginning of something more, a promise of what was to come. This was a boy she wanted to keep getting to know more because she fully realized that this was no mere vacation fling.

She knew that this was no casual vacation romance, but a boy she could love forever.

This was a boy she could love forever.

Debbie Gibson – Lost In Your Eyes