Mesmerized

love you. I'm grateful for the time I have with you both.”
    “Isn’t it weird that I’ll look eighteen when you’re old enough to die?”
    “Yes. It is weird. And I’m sure people will look at us strangely, but again, I wouldn’t change it.”
    Lily thought about that for a minute. “The love is worth it?”
    “Very much!”
    “Even the way Mom is? I took off the necklace and it was like I was a completely different person. I felt passion towards a man that I never would have felt it for with the necklace on.”
    “That’s something I accepted about your mother. She didn’t like wearing the stones. I guess it made her feel drugged. But, I know she loves me and that’s all that matters.” He smiled. “I spoke to Jake earlier. He seems like a good guy. I can tell he loves you. I’m sure you two will work this out.”
    “Thanks, Dad.”
    “You’ll always be my little girl and I’ll always protect you.” He paused. “Your mother and I have contacted some people. They are looking into the family that’s been after Jake. We should know something by tomorrow.”
    After her dad left, she contemplated going to talk to Jake, but she needed some more time to think. She decided to call Hannah. Picking up the phone, she dialed Hannah’s number.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, it’s Lily.”
    “Lily? Where are you? How are you?”
    “I’m fine. I’m home right now. I’m so sorry, Hannah. I didn’t want to leave the way I did. But, I had to.”
    “Your parents explained when they were here.”
    “They did? What did they say?” Lily asked curiously.
    “Just that you have issues being away from home and had Jake bring you back. They said you were too embarrassed to admit it to me. You know you could have told me. It's not like I would have made fun of you or anything."
    Lily rolled her eyes. Leave it to her parents to come up with a lame excuse. Now, she’d have to continue the lie…at least for now. “I'm sorry. This was the first time I'd been separated from my family. All the stuff with Ben was just too much.” She laughed at herself, thinking that her parents might have actually told Hannah the truth.
    “So, you’re better now?”
    “Yeah, I guess so. How’s Ben?”
    “Back at school.” She hesitated. “There are still some rumors flying around that you had something to do with it, but he doesn’t remember anything, and there’s no proof of anything like that. It’s just Samantha, she’s still furious that Jake picked you over her.”
    Lily sighed. “Maybe I should send her a postcard?”
    Hannah laughed. “I’m sure she’d just love that. Probably come up with another rumor to start about you.”
    Lily was laughing now too. It felt good to laugh. 
    “When are you coming back to school?”
    Lily hesitated. “I don’t know yet.” 
    Part of her wanted to go back. She missed Hannah. But, the other part wasn’t so sure. Maybe staying home and being home-schooled was for the best. What if something else happened? It wasn't fair to put others at risk. And she still didn’t know what was going to happen with Jake. She knew she couldn't control herself without the necklace. 
     "I hope you come back soon. It's not the same without you. It was nice to finally have a friend around here."
    "I know what you mean. Maybe I'll come back after Christmas break. I have to go, but I promise I'll call again soon."
    "Thanks for calling. I'm glad to hear you’re okay."
    Lily threw herself on her bed and wrapped her arms around the pillow. What was she going to do? 
     

Chapter Fifteen
     
     
     
    The next morning, Lily found Jake in the kitchen. He looked like he hadn't slept at all. His hair was standing up all over the place and his clothes were disheveled.  Lily was still upset with him—she couldn't believe he would consider having the curse lifted. She tried to put herself in his shoes, but it didn't work. She would never give up her chance of being with him. 
    "Are you hungry?" Lily asked as she peered into the fridge.
    "Not really. Lily, we need to talk."
    She felt her stomach drop. This was it. He was going to tell her it was over, that she had been a mistake. Slowly, she shut the refrigerator door and turned to stare at him. 
    "Can we go outside?"
    "Sure." She led him out the back door. As soon as she opened the door, cool air met her, and she shivered. She looked up and noticed the moon was still visible in the morning sky. She waited for him to speak; she wasn't going to make