© Sandra Corton 2015

Chapter 1 - Hello again!

My parents' house for the summer all alone and I should be living it up right? Well that's not really my way. I had far too much that needed studying right now. Not only that but in the next month or so I was determined to finish writing my first novel.

I knew all my characters so well that I felt as though I knew them personally. There was Zytar, who was strong, fearless but somehow sweet as well. Then there was his sister Terrilian who had a smile for everyone and welcomed the world to her door. They were searching for information about their lost family so that they could return home.

The only problem was that I had no idea how to start the story. I had their history fairly clear but no clue as to how they would achieve anything in the story. I had been frustrated with my story for quite a while now but I had been determined that these holidays would be my answer.

The peace and tranquillity of my old bedroom though, wasn't proving very inspirational to me. I looked out towards my neighbour's house, who in high school were known as the infamous Browns. I tried to convince myself that I wasn't looking for him. I was lying.

Terri Brown had been in my year and the most popular girl in school. She did all the things expected of her, from dating the most handsome guy to running all the committees.

The great thing about Terri was that she was an awesome person. She had been nice to everyone, including me and my nerdy self. She was forever inviting me to parties or to go shopping with her, you know the girly things.

Trouble was that I was in no way girly. Where she had curves, I had straight up and down. Her hair was shiny and bouncy while mine was just there. She always tried with me though and I appreciated her attempts no matter how useless they seemed.

Then of course there was Ty Brown, the one I was definitely not looking for. He had been a year older than me. He tormented the hell out of me for years but it was never in a bad way. He was always teasing me or telling me outrageous stories, trying to get me to blush. The worst thing was that I did every time, which was frustrating.

I secretly looked forward to seeing him, no matter the teasing and to this day I don't know why. Seeing his smile had always made me feel lighter than air, even though he was the biggest pain in the butt to me.

I had thought that when he went to go to university that I would be somewhat relieved. I missed him though. It hurt not seeing him every day, trying to make me blush. It was as though a part of me was missing and that part belonged to Ty Brown.

I had managed to squash down that part of me that craved Ty Brown's attention. I still missed him though and thought about him often. Even now four years after I had last seen him, I still looked to his bedroom window hoping that he was at home. Pathetic but unfortunately true.

I tapped my pen on the blank notebook that I was trying to find some inspiration from. I saw a light flick on in the Brown residence and hope speared through me wondering if it was Ty. I was being ridiculous and immature but I knew that I would love to see him. It had to be their parents that hadn't left for summer vacation yet.

I shouldn't have been surprised by the knock on the front door a while later, the Brown's had always checked up on me. When I flung the door open to a grinning Terri, I finally found my surprise. She looked exactly the same as four years ago when we had left high school.

"Oh my, Xankaba! Jilly?" Her voice was smothered with shock that was quickly caught up in an odd sounding squeal.

"Hey Terri, how are you? I haven't seen you for a long time." I smiled at her while she was absorbed in staring at me.

"I uh guess your parents aren't here?" She gave me a funny look while I nodded.

"They have headed out for vacation already. I'll be staying here the whole summer looking after things. Someone must be here to see to Mum's plants." I said with a roll of my eyes.

"True, true. Wow it's so good to see you Jilly. I just wanted to give you the heads up that I'm in party mood tonight." She grinned at me but it came across a little odd.

"So I guess your parents are away too?" I asked and for a long moment, she went quiet.

"Yeah they are definitely away." She said sadly and I wondered what she meant.

The funny thing was that I couldn't really recall what her parents even looked like or what they did. It seemed strange now that I thought about it. They had lived next door to us for my whole life yet I didn't know her parents at all.

"Well I hope you enjoy your party." I told her with enthusiasm.

"Are you sure that you don't want to come over this time?" She asked excitedly.

"No, thanks but no." I shook my head and she looked disappointed.

"Well you know where I am when you want to join." She gave me a wave before heading back towards her house.

It wasn't until later when the music became louder and I saw people stream towards the Brown house, that I seriously considered Terri's offer. I had spent all this time with nothing but a blank notebook in front of me.

In frustration, I tossed it aside and went to get one of my detailed history manuals about the world I had created. The Xycan people were a tribe that existed on a planet known as Xyllenion. How could I have written up this wonderful world and yet can't write a damn word on their actual story?

With a sigh, I dragged myself out onto my small balcony. Yes there was a secret part of me that was hoping Ty was at home and would notice me. I put my glass of ice cold water on the small table along with the history book of my fantasy world. I leaned my head against my hand and pondered my writers block sadly.

I flipped through the history of the Xycan people and frowned at it. I rubbed my temples, wanting to demand the words to spring forth but still nothing. I closed the book again and leaned back in my chair.

Now I can tell you from very personal experience what happened next. It was truly the most extra ordinary thing that I had ever seen. My book simply picked itself up on fingers of air and toppled off the table. I can tell you now that there was no breeze, not a movement in the trees whatsoever.

Then as though it had its momentum, the book slid to the edge of the balcony. That was the second I reached for it. The book slipped from my grip to fly over to the Brown's house and through a window.

I knew whose window that was. A mixture of thrilling excitement and apprehension filled me. I didn't want to have to sneak into Ty's room. I couldn't leave my book there though. I knew he would tease me mercilessly if he found it.

I bounded down the stairs, telling myself that I could retrieve my book without anyone having a clue what had happened. The music was so loud that it covered up my bumbling approach into the Brown's yard.

At the base of Ty's window, I gauged my distance to entry. I was thankful that their house was only a single level or I could have had problems. I shook my head at the fact they had no flyscreen. Sure it made my retrieval easier but we lived in Australia for pity's sake, their house must be full of flies!

Taking a deep breath, I had to wonder whether this was brave or absolute idiocy. Still I pulled myself up onto his window sill and felt triumphant. That was until I lost my balance and fell into the room.

"What was that?" A feminine voice asked though not seeming overly worried.

"You don't have to worry, we're all alone here." That male voice made me feel squeamish, uncomfortable but ridiculously happy.

Crud! How do I get my book back now that Ty and some random girl was making out? I squashed down the fierce jealousy and hurt that wanted to control me, I had far bigger problems. They were right here on the bed in front of me! Well this would be going down as the stupidest things I've ever done and I'm sure Ty wouldn't let me forget it either.

I tried to look anywhere but on that bed. With wide eyes I scanned the room for my book. Surely it was just next to the window. When I did see it on Ty's bedside table, I slapped my forehead without thinking.

Two heads swivelled straight to me and my awkwardness became intense. What the heck could I possibly say now? The girl seemed dazed, unfocused and deliriously happy. Ty though had his mouth agape and was staring at me.

I have no idea how to explain it but he seemed different to me somehow. Not four years older different but altered, strange, eerie even. A weird glow seemed to surround him and his face was... simply not his face. He appeared alien to me, as a creature that roamed the night, not like you or me.

"Jillybean?" As soon as he said that stupid nickname that he always called me, he reverted back to the guy who was simply my next door neighbour. Who I may or may not have had a crush on for years.

"Um hi uh Ty. My book fell through your window. I'm just going to take it and you can get back to..." Crud now I was babbling and giggling. I sounded like the biggest fool.

"Your book through my window hey? How did you know it was my room?"

I ignored his words and forced myself to think of a solution. How did I get my book without him noticing that it was right next to his elbow? This was so freaking embarrassing with him just stretching out on his bed looking super cool.

The funny thing about Ty Brown was that he didn't fit the mould of popular, pretty people. I'm not saying that he's ugly but he also isn't drop dead gorgeous. He had what I liked to call a strong face. It was angular and kind of pointy except for those damn lush looking lips.

Ty's biggest weapon in his looks though was definitely his eyes. The moment you met his eyes was when you could feel the world around you end. Grey, gleaming depths that seemed endless would look at you as though you are the only person on the world that matters. This was why I never looked Ty in the eye. I had learnt that lesson a long time ago.

"So where's this book of yours Jillybean?" He asked looking directly at me so I quickly dropped my eyes to the floor.

"I'll just get it and be gone." I stammered out wildly.

"Is this it?" His incredibly amused voice asked and I saw him stare at my notebook curiously.

"Please can I have it Ty?" I held out my hand.

"Oh no, I have bargaining power now Jillybean." Those words had me looking straight at him, which I instantly regretted.

Teasing, mesmerising grey eyes made my knees go weak. I had to look away and fast but I couldn't detach my gaze from his. I was trapped in his wily world and truth be told, I never wanted to leave.

"Ty, why is she still here?" Thank goodness for Ty's girl! I was able to snatch my gaze away and try to recover my senses.

"Leave now." Ty's voice was commanding and the ability to refuse was lost on me. It hurt, struck me deep that he couldn't stand to be near me. I could clutch my bleeding heart and walk away from here as long as I had my book.

"I'm gone Ty, all I need is my book." I pleaded, holding out my hand again.

"I didn't mean you Silly Jilly." He stood in front of me and turned those eyes on that poor girl. She was gone from the room before I could even open my mouth to say anything.

"I'm sorry Ty, I really didn't mean to interrupt." How crummy did my apology sound? Lame, lame and another dose of lame.

"Jilly look at me." His voice softened but I could still here the underlying command.

"That's not happening." I told him.

"Why not?" He replied curiously and I almost snorted. I managed to suck it back in at the last second.

"I can't." I told him simply.

In the next instant, I felt him move right in close to me. My heart was racing like crazy but I held my ground. Ty had never touched me before. All his teasing had been done at a distance.

This close to me, I realised a few important things. He had huge hands, he was towering over me in height and he smelt wonderful. I could barely breathe with him this close. He was fascinating and I could only wish to stare at him for hours.

"Jillybean, look at me." He cupped my cheek in his hand and he was so warm that I almost gave into his temptation.

I knew that I had just met the biggest trouble of my life. His skin touching my skin was more intoxicating than staring into his eyes had ever been. I felt sensations taking over that I had only ever imagined that I would feel with Ty.

Still I stared at his shirt as though it was the most fascinating thing that I had ever seen. As much as I tried to keep my chin pointed down though, Ty urged my face up. I closed my eyes so I could keep some coherent thought in my brain.

"I'll trade your book for a kiss Jilly. What do you say?" He asked with his voice so mellow and dreamy.

My eyes flew open at his words as I wanted to scream out yes. Damn I was trapped by those soft, grey eyes of his again. How did he manage to hold me in his gaze like this? I was truly baffled and bewildered by it.

His thumb moved from my cheek to skim over my bottom lip. Okay so I'm guessing that this is what a heart attack feels like. My heart is pounding with bursting excitement while my lips felt as though sparks were alighting with every touch he made.

"You do want your book don't you Jilly?" His soft words lingered on my lips so close as to almost touch them.

"Zytar, what did you do to that girl!" Terri came screaming into the room then and the spell was broken. "Hey uh Jilly, so you decided to come after all?"

"Get out Terrilian." Ty pointed to the door in an abrupt motion.

"Don't Zytar, don't even take a second." Terri's warning words sounded rather ominous.

"I had no intention of doing that!" Ty was aghast as he quite literally pulled me in for a hug.

Talk about unexpected actions! I was now in a seriously weirder part of the world. Ty was holding me as though I was the most precious, important part of his life. Not that I had any complaints, having his arms around me felt fantastic. This was all just highly unusual.

"I would never hurt or take from my Mamishxan. How dare you accuse me like that!" Ty snapped, seeming deeply offended

"I apologise Zytar, it was never my intention." Terri called him a name that sounded awfully familiar before bowing at him.

I'm so not joking here, she bowed! A proper, precise bow. Had I somehow been sent to some alternate universe? This was not what twenty year old people did with their lives, especially at a party. What was going on with everyone tonight?

I had to get some focus here. I zeroed in on my book that was still is Ty's hand. I needed that and then I was out of here. I could go back to my house and pretend that none of this strangeness happened here tonight.

"Well I am sorry to interrupt, but all I came for was this." I grabbed the book from Ty before he could say anything.

"Jilly." His voice was a warning but I had no idea what for. "Get out Terrilian." Ty pointed to the door again and I was struck by another familiar name. Terri winced but walked to the door and let herself out with no more protests.

"I'll just be on my way too." I said quickly but Ty's arms didn't let go of me.

"I thought we had a deal Jillybean." Ty's smirk had my confidence dying.

I had been wondering for years what it would be like for him to kiss me but now that the moment was here, I balked. I wanted to run away and hide instead of facing him. A kiss for a book and all I wanted to do was run. My life was a sad existence.

"I never agreed to it." I stated smartly but Ty let out an infectious laugh.

"You took the book Jilly, so yes you did." He swirled me in his arms until I faced him and there was nothing that I could do to stop him.

"It's my book." I protested quickly as I tried to step back from him.

"Ishxan, you know the rules." His voice was deep and I was flipping from confused to excited frequently.

"What is this Ishxan?" I asked perplexed because once again, the damn word sounded familiar.

"Never you mind. The important thing here is that you owe me a kiss." He told me, his voice deadly serious.

Okay bring on the stammering fool time for me. This was not going to go down well at all. I was ridiculously inexperienced to be kissing a guy like Ty. I have had the pleasure of two, count them two kisses in my life and neither of them were memorable.

"I should get back home." My words were a squeak, making me wince.

I held my book close to me, determined not to lose that, no matter what happened in the next few heart pounding minutes. Ty tilted his head to the side and considered me with such an intimate look that I instantly blushed.

"Accept that you owe me and payment can be dealt with later." Ty now turned a mixture of persuasive and bossy, which was starting to freak me out just a bit.

"It's uh... it's just a book." I stammered clutching the book closer to me.

"Ishxan." He said the word so lovingly as he reached out to caress my cheek.

"Fine deal, alright." I said the only thing that I knew he would be okay with.

His eyes that I kept trying to avoid filled with triumph and a desperate need that I couldn't understand. I stepped away before his eyes could do their mesmerising thing. He let me go but very reluctantly.

"I know this is too soon but you need to know something." He trailed off seeming somewhat pained as he grasped me shoulders.

"What?" I asked outright.

"You are my only one sweet little Jilly. Always have and always will be." He leaned his forehead against mine and breathing became impossible. "Now go Ishxan, never forget that you owe me."

Coming out from his intoxicating eye gaze, I headed straight for the window. There was no way that I was braving going through the house. What if Terri stopped me and decided that it was time to party? Then I would have to face Ty again and I was hoping to avoid that until I could at least breathe again properly.

I was back in my house feeling incredibly rattled by what had just happened. That had to be the most bizarre thing that I had ever dealt with before. The weird names they had used was driving me crazy as I tried to remember where I had heard them from before.

I flopped onto the couch and pulled out the book that I had saved from Ty. I flicked through it and names popped out at me, reminding me of exactly who they were.

Zytar was my main character in my book while Terrilian was his sister. My brain fumbled with this realisation. Had they been playing some game with me tonight? Had they read my books of Xycan history? No, the books never left my sight.

I idly looked up the last word that Ty seemed to want to call me, Mamishxan. I didn't know whether to faint, cheer or cry when I read the meaning. My skin flushed bright as I stared at the wording. Mamishxan meant quite simply 'my love'.