Storm - Part Two

STORM - PART TWO

We were walking at a leisurely pace. His shoulder bumped gently against mine, and each time that he touched me, I could not help but shiver. There was no doubt in my mind that even though I had only known this boy for such a short time, there was definitely something between us. I felt that he too sensed this. He opened his mouth slightly, but it was another moment before he spoke.

"Listen. There is not long. I have to tell you some things."

I didn't want to listen. I was perfectly happy just walking along beside him. I told him so. He frowned but said no more.

But, for some reason, what he said had perplexed me, had, for just a moment, thrown my head: "There is not long," he had said. Not long for what? Not long before I was home, sure...but then why did he have to tell me some things that were obviously important? I began to register what he had said.

And then quite suddenly, for the second time in half an hour, it struck me. He knew something without me telling him. "H...how do you know...where we're going...where my house is?"

Athan frowned. "I know lot's of things..." he said mysteriously, then added, "...about you." I was waiting for a good half a minute for an explanation to this bizarre comment. None came.

"Athan..." I said slowly, stopping in my tracks, "What's going on?" I had returned to earth, finally. I heard the total seriousness of my voice and decided to leave it like that.

He sighed. It was painful for me to hear, but I restrained myself and refused to speak until he had done so. "Listen, there is a lot I have to tell you. You must listen to me. I know you have only seen me a couple of times before, and that we have only really ?known' each other, if you like, for less than an hour, but you must listen."

I nodded, slowly, not sure what I was letting myself in for. He collected himself, then began.

"It's all going to sound strange - just bear with me. I'm not sure where to begin, but I'll try and make some sense. The fact is...I need your help..."

"Me?" I burst out, then quickly apologised. "Sorry. Please continue." I tried not to let anything confuse me. He needs my help. Sure. Simple enough.

"I need your help," he said again. "I have to tell you that...I lied to you when I said that I did not know the meaning of my name. I do, but I did not want to frighten you. It's not your average name. Athanasius, it means...the undying one." I was glad for the pause he left to let this sink into my mind. It was all, quite bizarre. I hardly knew him! Still, I gestured for him to continue.

"It has not always been my name," he told me, and I could now sense something else in his voice, which had not been there before. "I cannot remember what my name used to be, but Athan is my name now. Can I ask you something?" he said quite suddenly.

"Oh...of course...I'm sorry, this is all quite perplexing."

"No, I'm sorry. I do not wish to put you in such confusion, but I am afraid that there is no other way. Annabelle...you think, don't you, that though you have only known me for a short time, it feels like much longer than that. You think, do you not, that you have feelings for me?"

I was not embarrassed, nor shy. The more I thought about what he said, though, the more that I realised it was true. It did feel as though I had known him longer than was apparent, though I could not figure how. Still, I nodded. "Yes...it does feel that way. And..." I offered a sheepish smile, "I do...think that I have feelings for you."

"I have feelings for you also, Annabelle. I have known your name for a long time. I have known you for a long time. And you have known me also..."

It was becoming quite frightening, now. This perfect, dream figure, he had feelings for me too...and there was such a sameness to us, and it felt like I had known him for so long...it was confusing but...pleasant. Suddenly I had the urge just to hold him, to forget all these confusing thoughts and lose them to this wonderful person. I reached out for him, grasping for his hands...but he withdrew.