Dani arrived early the next morning, bearing a smile and my favorite Mocha. I flew out of the house the minute I heard her pull up, and flung myself at her, knocking us both to the ground.
"Wow! I missed you too!" She managed to keep a hold of my Mocha, as I stood up and pulled her to her feet. "Looks like you haven't lost your super strength!"
"I'm so glad you are here."Â I took her hand and led her towards the house.
"How are you?"Â She looked at me, her eyes searching mine.
I started to crumble, and tears streamed down my face. "I have never hurt this much in my entire life." I struggled to keep my voice even.
She wrapped me in her arms. "What happened?"
I pulled away and tried to compose myself. "Let's go sit in the library. I'll tell you everything."
We settled on the flowered couch. "I know something happened with you and Dustin. Do you feel like talking about it?" She took my hands in hers, and gasped. "Katie?" She held my hand up and stared at the ring, questioningly.
"Yah." I pulled my hand back and dropped it in my lap. "I screwed that up really bad."
"Did he ask you to marry him?"Â She asked, incredulously.
I nodded.
"Well, you're wearing the ring, so what happened?"
"God, Dani, I let my stupid insecurities ruin everything. I told him that I was worried that we only felt this way because of the Link."
"Ahhh." She leaned back and sighed. "That's not good. I know you don't want to hear this, but I did tell you that he's very intense. Once he feels a certain way, he gives his whole heart to it. Have you talked to him since he left?"
I shook my head. "I've left tons of messages, but he won't answer or call me back. I don't know what to do, but I have never felt this much pain in my life."
She looked at me, sympathetically. "I know he loves you, and I'm sure he's gotten your messages. He just needs some time to cool off. But if I hear from him, I'll try to talk some sense into him."
I hugged her tightly. "Thank you."
"Now let me see the ring!" She grabbed my hand again, and let out a low whistle. "He must have dropped a pretty penny on this. It's huge."
I looked at it and nodded. "It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I love him so much. God, I hope he comes back soon, because I can't wait to start planning my life with him."
"Katie, I don't want to be a downer, but have you really thought about this? I know you are wrapped up in missing him, and you want to be with him, but Dustin is immortal. I want you guys to be happy, but things like this have kind of a low success rate after about 80 years, when you are on Medicare and he still looks like he could play the lead in High School Musical."
I felt my insides turn. "I hadn't really thought about it."
"Actually, Danielle, I'm not sure that's entirely true."Â I heard Savannah enter the room.
"Savannah!" Dani jumped up and hugged the tiny caster. "It's good to see you."
"You look well, dear." She held Dani at arm's length, taking her in like my grandmother does. "I trust you have been doing better since the last time I saw you."
Dani's eyes darkened. "Yes, things are a lot better. Actually, Katie helped me get back to my old self." She shot me a loving look. "What were you saying when you came in?" She sat back down next to me.
"I have been doing some research on Katie's condition, and it seems that other people who have been in her situation have experienced a dramatic slowing in their aging process. I can't give you a time frame yet, but there's a possibility that Katie could have quite a long life ahead of her."
Dani looked at me, excitedly. "Oh, my God! What are your wedding colors going to be?"
I laughed. Dani was such a breath of fresh air, I had almost forgotten how she could pull me out of my misery. "That depends on whether the groom ever comes back."
Savannah and Dani exchanged nervous smiles. "I'm sure he will be back. Can I get you something to drink?" Savannah was all southern charm again.
"Do you have any sweet tea?"
"Of course."Â Savannah left to fetch the drinks.
"So, how has it been going? What have you been learning?"
"Well, actually, a lot. I've gotten so I can block most of the visions, or at least pull myself out of them without destroying the room. Unfortunately, if I get super emotional, I still don't have complete control over what happens around me. When Dustin left, I shattered all the windows in my room, and probably would have done more, but Kaitlyn stopped me."
She looked shocked. "Wow."
I jumped up and grabbed a candle off the corner table. "Here, hold this." I handed it to her.
She slowly took it from my hand. "What are you going to do?"
"Just watch."Â I waved my hand and the candle lit instantly.
"Shut up!"Â Dani's eyes got huge.
I waved my hand again, and the flame extinguished. "Isn't that crazy?" I asked her, excitedly. "Now watch this." I narrowed my eyes at the candle and it began to float up and out of her hand.
Her mouth fell open as I directed the candle back to its holder on the corner table. "I didn't think I could actually do this, but Savannah convinced me to try. Now I think I might actually be able to handle this, as long as I can get my emotional responses under control."
"What did Dustin say about all your new tricks?"
I felt my heart drop. "He left before I started training."
"I'm sorry." She looked down at her hands. "Look, I'm totally going to call him and tell him to quit being an overly sensitive baby. Sometimes he just needs a good talking to."
I shook my head. "I want him to come back to me when he's ready, if he ever feels ready. I screwed up, and I have to deal with the consequences."
Savannah came back into the room, carrying a tray with three glasses of sweet tea. "So, Danielle, what do you think about Katie's progress? She's quite the prolific student."
I settled back on the sofa and watched them interact. It was like when you see that great aunt who lives three states away, and you have to make pleasant conversation. "It seems like she's really making progress." Dani sipped her tea.
"She's working very hard, despite the sadness she's feeling over Dustin's absence. I think she will be able to achieve anything she puts her mind to." Savannah gave me an approving glance. "It will be interesting to see which other powers she masters."
Dani gave me a smile. "I don't doubt that at all."
"Well, I'm sure you girls have tons to talk about, so I'll leave you to it." Savannah headed towards the door. "Danielle, it was good to see you. Let me know if you guys need anything."
We spent the next two hours talking about everything from school to telekinesis. "So, you can move anything?" She looked impressed.
"The candle is the only thing I have lifted on purpose, except for the soccer ball I practice with. The windows in my room were an accident, but I'm sure if I keep practicing, I will get better."
"So, when Dustin left, you had a breakdown, and trashed your room?"
I nodded, embarrassed.
"That's so cool!"
I looked up, confused. "Cool?"
She picked up her phone and dialed. "Hey moron," she began. "You better get your head out of your ass and go back to Katie. It's time to get over your little temper tantrum, and be a man. I expect you back here in 24 hours or I'm coming to look for you, and believe me, you don't want any part of this." With that, she pushed the end button and tossed the phone into her purse.
I gaped at her. "Dani!"
"Hey, if he's man enough to be married, he's man enough to handle his problems face to face. You're here learning how to be Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and the least he could do is stand beside you, considering he's the reason you are in this mess. I'm not surprised that you had reservations about your feelings. You have been overwhelmed with so much in such a small amount of time, and he should be thinking about that instead of getting butt hurt. He's your first boyfriend, so you have an excuse. Dustin is a grown man, he knows better."
"I don't want him to be mad."
"I don't care if he's mad at me; he will get over it. But you guys need to fix this. You love each other, and you need him now more than ever." She grabbed my hand and shook the ring in my face. "You don't propose to someone and then leave them when things get a little rocky."
I had to admit that she was right. How were Dustin and I supposed to spend forever together if we couldn't even get through a little argument? "He thought I didn't love him."
"He was being selfish. If he had thought about it for two minutes, he would have reassured you, and you guys would be sitting here together, making me sick with your kissy kissy lovey lovey crap."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Dani, I'm no good at this relationship stuff."
"No, Katie, you're just new at this relationship stuff. You should feel like you can talk to him about anything. Do you know how long Shawn and I have been together?"
I shook my head.
"Fifty-seven years," she emphasized. "And do you know how many fights we have had? At least a hundred," she answered herself. "Loving someone means you love all of them. Dustin knows how much you are hurting because he can FEEL it. I love my brother more than anyone else in this world, but he's not perfect, and sometimes he needs to be reminded that love takes work. He doesn't like to look weak, and his love for you makes him feel vulnerable. He needs someone to set him straight, and by birthright, that person is me."
I hugged her tightly. "Have I told you how much I love you?"
"Hey, I want a wedding, damnit!" She laughed. "I already love you like a sister, so let's make it official."
"It's all up to him now."Â I leaned my head on her shoulder.
She rested her head against mine, and took my hand. "You came to SLU thinking you were going to have the college experience. Classes, parties and new friends. But thanks to us, your world has been turned upside down, and you will never be the same. You're family now, and I will never let anyone hurt you, even my dumb brother."
She stood up and pulled me into a hug. "I've got to get headed back. But I'll come and see you again this weekend, k?"
I nodded. "I'm so glad I got to see you. As always, you made me feel so much better."
She leaned down to grab her purse, but I stopped her. "Let me try something." I narrowed my eyes at her purple Coach bag, and levitated it into her hands.
"You are incredible!" she exclaimed. "I love you sis. Stay strong, because you deserve happiness and I will make sure you get it."
I walked her out to her car. "Call me when you get back to campus, so I know you made it safely."
She nodded and gave me one last hug. "I'll see you this weekend. Tell Savannah I said goodbye." She started the engine and headed down the driveway.
I felt lonely again as I watched her disappear around the bend. I turned back to the house to see Savannah standing on the porch, watching me. "Dani said goodbye and she will come back this weekend." I joined her.
"I'm glad she came. I can already sense that you are feeling better. Come, let's have something to eat."
I laughed, and followed her into the house. "Are you always hungry?"
It was our first meal without Kaitlyn. "When will Kaitlyn be back?" I filled my plate.
"She has a few personal things she needs to take care of. I expect her back some time tomorrow. I think it's a good idea for you to start training with her, so you can practice controlling your strength. I saw you knock Danielle down in the driveway, and I think Kaitlyn can help you refine your physical skills. She's an amazing teacher."
I could tell that she was missing her right-hand woman. "Well, if there's anything you need while she's gone, I'm here."
She smiled at me. "Thank you. I was thinking of watching a movie tonight, would you like to join me?"
"Sure." I replied. "You know, I don't think I have really thanked you for all the time you have spent trying to help me. I know I was standoffish when I first got here, but there's no way I would be able to get through this without you."
She reached over and took my hand. "It's truly my pleasure. Let's finish up and go veg in front of the TV."
A/N-Maybe all Katie needs is a little moral support. Isn't Dani great?! Do you think it will help? Vote and comment below and make me smile!! Luvs as always!! AM