The Weird Travels of Aimee Schmidt: The Curse of the Gifted by J.A. Schreckenbach Page A

she asked dumbfounded, unsure where this conversation was going.
    He waited a few seconds before peering over at her and answering. “I want to be with you.” He looked intensely at her. She should have been a nervous wreck worrying about running off the road at seventy-nine miles per hour, but he effortlessly kept the FJ rolling down I-5 with his dazzling eyes fixed on her. Besides, where this conversation was heading worried Aimee more than his fast driving. Finally, he shifted his eyes back to the road. They slowed to exit the interstate. Aimee didn’t say a word until they pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant.
    She felt sick to her stomach. The thought of food was suddenly nauseating. But this wasn’t the kind of sick feeling that a person tries to avoid at all costs. This was the good kind of sick. The kind where you felt all hot and bubbly inside. The kind where your body might float off if it wasn’t grounded by some force, someone to hold you down, someone to wrap you tightly in his arms and mold his body to yours. She needed air. She couldn’t breathe. She cracked the window slightly and gulped a few cool wisps of the air infiltrating the warm interior. The SUV had been idling while they sat in the dimly lit parking lot. A young couple holding hands walked by laughing as they strolled lazily down the sidewalk ignoring the frigid weather.
    Aimee finally looked back at Dylan. His eyes were imploring. They begged her for the right answer. She wanted to reach over and touch his cheeks, to have his body crushed against hers, to let him feel her answer, but her head was spinning. Her mind was filled full with confusing emotions. Hadn’t some deep, inner part of her fantasized about this moment? But girls like Aimee just didn’t get guys like Dylan. Nope, not possible!
    She took a long breath and quickly, carefully arranged the words in her mind before speaking. Dylan continued studying her expression. His eyes never moved off Aimee's face. He leaned towards her. “Whoo... a…well…wow, this is a…surprise.” She took another breath, trying to steady her voice. “I’m usually not speechless around you…uh...well, except now, I guess.” She nervously giggled still struggling for the right words. “Geez…I didn’t realize how you felt. Dylan, I’m not sure I understand. What are you saying… exactly ?”
    Without hesitating a second he said, “Aimee, last summer our time together made me feel good, no, not just good, friggin’ great about myself. I’ve been with a lot of girls the past four years, and none of them made me feel the way you do. I don’t know what it is. You just have a way of looking at me and you’re all I can think of. You’re smart. You’re funny. And God, you’re so incredibly gorgeous. Why do you think I spent half of the summer doing volunteer work?”
    Aimee shook her head. “I don’t know. I thought you enjoyed the kids idolizing you.”
    Dylan scoffed. “Idolizing me? Yeah right. I stayed because of you.” He reached over the console and placed her cold hand tenderly between his warm grasp. His fingertips gently stroked her wrist. Amazing shivers shot throughout her body. He leaned in closer to Aimee, guiding her hand up to his lips and softly, slowly kissed her fingers. “Aimee, do you think we could try to make this work?” His voice was enticing. His eyes burned into hers.
    She nodded once, very slowly, her thoughts captivated by his gaze.
    “Good.” A satisfied grin lit his face as he kissed her fingers again, then gently released her hand. “I’ll show you I’m serious about this.” He turned the SUV off, got out of the vehicle, and moved quickly to the passenger side to open her door. “Now, shall we eat?”
    The restaurant was perfect. Very romantic. After dinner instead of going to a movie as planned, they went for coffee so they could talk some more. He missed the long, indulgent conversations they had the previous summer and wanted to catch