7. Beautiful Distraction
7
Beautiful Distraction
“ W hat were you thinking? ”
Alexa froze, despite her body shaking violently. That voice…
She turned around, and the strong, masculine arms around her loosened, though they refused to let go entirely.
Electric blue eyes, wide and horror-struck, met her gaze.
“What were you thinking, Alexa?” His question was gentle this time, his voice as soft as feathers, but drenched in pain.
“Tristan,” Alexa breathed, and it was all she could say.
“Yes… Yes, it’s me.” He looked like he wanted to give her a smile, a small one of assurance, but there was so much pain on his face that his effort became a grim expression. “I’m here.”
The warmth in those two words was more than Alexa could comprehend. Tears filled her eyes, but she averted her gaze and blinked them away.
“H-how did you do that?” she asked, glancing over to the bridge rails where she had crouched only seconds ago before leaping.
“Do what?”
Her gaze diverted to him. “Catch me in the mid-air.”
“Mid-air?” His eyebrows rose. “Alexa, I caught you before you leaped.”
Alexa blinked, and then shook her head in protest. “No, I leapt . Then you caught me in mid-air. I felt it.”
Tristan’s eyes softened. “I’m certain you aren’t well—”
“No! I feel completely all right.” She stepped back from his hold and hugged her arms around herself as his fell away. It felt too cold suddenly. “And I did leap. I fell through the air, and then you caught me. I know what I felt, Tristan. You can’t manipulate me into thinking otherwise.” Her eyes narrowed at him.
Tristan sighed, weariness taking over his gorgeous face. “Whatever you choose to believe, you are free to do so. But the thing you claim is impossible for a normal human.”
Normal human.
Alexa’s breath hitched.
Was he…?
No. He couldn’t be. Could he?
“Can you please tell me what’s going on?” Tristan’s voice brought back her attention. “Why were you trying to leap from the bridge? Were you attempting to take your life?”
Alexa looked away and didn’t answer. How could she tell him, a practical stranger, when she hadn’t told any of her loved ones?
At her silence, he sighed and continued, “If I was a second late…”
“I was only trying to dive,” she blurted out. If he could lie to her, then she had the rights too.
Tristan’s eyes zeroed in on her with suspicion. “It didn’t look like that to me.”
“Maybe you weren’t looking well,” Alexa retorted, lifting her chin slightly.
“Don’t try to convince me it wasn’t a suicidal attempt.”
“And don’t try to convince me you didn’t catch me in mid-air and pull me back.” Alexa stared him down with a challenge in her eyes, hoping he would back down and give in.
He didn’t. Tough. But he’d need more than that to convince her what happened didn’t happen.
“Fine, then.” Alexa huffed. “Neither of us has to convince each other. But I know what I felt.”
“And I know what I felt, too,” Tristan said slowly. “It was the most terrifying feeling I’ve ever had.”
Something about the way he said it, the steel in his voice and the intensity in his eyes, made Alexa gulp.
She dropped her eyes from his face. His attire was black; a t-shirt and a zip-up hoodie paired with jeans. Even his shoes and the watch on his left wrist were black. Was black his signature color? Alexa had to admit, black suited him, contrasting with his pale skin. It gave him a bad-boy look.
Alexa rubbed her arms for warmth as a gust of wind brushed past them, intensifying her trembling. She heard Tristan unzip his jacket, and the next moment, it was around her. She slipped her arms into the sleeves without protest and pulled it closer, and met his eyes with a grateful glint in hers.
“Thank you.”
Tristan dipped his chin in a nod, his face giving away no emotion. “Don’t mention it. Let’s get you home.”
Alexa didn’t protest as Tristan gestured her toward the direction she had come from, and walked side by side with him. The air was thick with tension as neither spoke another word, until they reached the end of the bridge and Alexa pointed to Cassie’s car.
“I came in my sister’s car.”
“Good. I’ll drive, if it’s alright with you.”
“Sure.” Alexa shrugged, not looking at him. “The key is under the car. I…” She trailed off, refusing to finish the sentence. It’d only confirm him of her attempt at taking her life.
“I’ll get it,” Tristan offered as Alexa was about to bend down. He crouched where she pointed out and looked under the car before reaching a hand to grab the key. When he straightened and dusted off his jeans, Alexa braced herself for any kind of comment.
But he was silent as he unlocked the car and opened the passenger door for her.
Alexa reached for her phone from the dashboard as soon as her door closed, checking for missed calls from Cassie or Daphne. There were none, and she sighed in relief. She wasn’t in the exact mood to talk with anyone now, even with the gorgeous mystery boy who slipped behind the wheel next to her.
The engine purred to life. Tristan turned on the heater and drove the car back onto the road.
Silence continued, but Alexa wasn’t in the mood to break it; neither did Tristan. They drove in complete silence until they reached the town square and Alexa gave him directions to her house. Not that he asked for it; he didn’t even hum in response as he followed the road she pointed.
Almost like he knew it already.
Alexa’s mind buzzed with the possibility that he could be the mysterious Lightning Knight like Cassie’s previous hunch.
Cassie.
Alexa slumped into her seat and closed her eyes as tears crammed in. She would get to hear her sister’s voice again. She would see her sister again. The fears and uncertainties remained, but she no longer felt like she wanted to die.
Come think of it; Cassie had no one but her. They were each other’s only family and solace. Would Alexa ever hate her sister if Cassie was in her shoes?
No. She told herself without hesitance. Hate was not only a strong word, but it would be the last thing she felt toward her sister. And Alexa couldn’t imagine living without her; her life would be utter hell without Cassie. Together, they could overcome any obstacle, but alone? They’d be as good as dead—lifeless without another.
If Tristan hadn’t saved her… If he had been a moment late…
Alexa hated herself at that moment more than she ever had.
And what of her soul? She knew that a hell with eternal fire and a heaven with eternal radiance were real. She also believed—at least, wanted to—that her dad had found peace in Heaven. If she died, she’d have gone to hell right away. And trying to take her own life was like giving herself a ticket to eternal torture.
Alexa shuddered.
Tristan had saved her from all of that.
She turned her gaze on him from blankly staring out the windshield. He turned to her. Their gazes locked, and Alexa’s heart took on a new rhythm of beat.
Keeping one eye on the road, Tristan spoke. “There’s a carnival going on in Cedar Hollow; you may have heard of it. Today’s the third day, and they’re closing tomorrow. Would you like to go?”
Alexa stared at him, opening and closing her mouth several times in her attempt to speak and failing.
When she took time to respond, he said, “It’s alright if you don’t want to. I know I’m a stranger to you, but I thought a bright atmosphere will be a good distraction—to keep your mind off things you don’t want to think of, I mean.”
If she wasn’t wrong, there was an almost-hopeful glint in his electric blue eyes. She wanted to say yes to him, it sounded like a good idea, but she was hesitant. Would he read more into it if she agreed to go? Like, count it as a date?
Alexa was in no mood for a date right now, even if it was with Tristan, the mysterious and enchanting boy she had been looking forward to seeing only a few hours ago.
“Don’t you think the first question you should be asking is if I have a boyfriend?” she asked with a small smile, just a twitch of her lips.
His answering smile was an amused one, though small. “Well, Alexa, do you have a boyfriend?”
Her lips trembled from the effort to hold the smile from growing. “No.”
“I knew so,” he said, and turned his attention back to the road. “Because if you had one, one who held your heart, you wouldn’t have been at the bridge in the first place.”
“I see, you’re a romantic.” Alexa turned to the windshield again.
“Are you not?” His eyes turned on her for a brief moment.
Alexa clasped her hands tightly on her lap. “I’m not exactly sure anymore.”
Her parents had failed to set an example of true love before her, but just because her parents fell apart from a so-called love marriage, she knew it didn’t mean true love didn’t exist. Alexa had seen it in several families, Daphne’s parents being one of them. She had Cassie and Brandon in her own life. But with the revelation of Brandon’s deception, her belief in true love had begun to waver.
True love did exist, simply not in her life. Now, the word love alone scared Alexa.
The only true love she now knew and believed in was her sister’s love for her.
“You haven’t answered my other question yet.” Tristan’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Would you like to—”
“If you promise this isn’t a date, yes.”
Tristan held her gaze, firm but assuring at the same time. “This isn’t a date.”
“Thank you,” Alexa said and looked away. Then she remembered the question she had been itching to ask him. “Um… how do you know my name?”
Tristan didn’t take his eyes off the road as he answered, “It’s not hard to learn your name, now is it? You’re the sweetheart singer of your church.”
Not the answer she wanted, but it was evident he wasn’t willing to give her a straightforward answer. She didn’t press him; she had her own secrets she didn’t plan on sharing with him.
“I looked for you at church today, but you weren’t there.” Alexa kept her eyes forward, the tension between them slowly starting to ease. “I even thought I scared you away.”
“And why would I be scared away by you?” he asked, with a light chuckle. “I was a little busy, that’s why I wasn’t there.”
“Such a reasonable excuse for missing out on a Sunday service,” Alexa said, injecting a bit of sarcasm into her words.
“The point is, I’m not a church person. I told you last Sunday, I was lured by a siren’s song, a siren that happened to be you.”
“Then I hope you’re no longer under my influence.” Alexa cast a glance at him and saw the small smile dancing on his lips. “I’d hate it if you weren’t here of your freewill.”
Tristan met her gaze. The headlights of the passing vehicles cast light and shadow on his chiseled face, the contours of his high cheekbones looking sharply defined. “I assure you, I’m here of my free will, and your influence on me is anything but negative.”
“So much for your claim of no experience with flirting.”
“I guess there’s no point in wasting my breath trying to make you understand that my words are anything but flirting.”
Alexa looked away to the road and hid a smile.
The sun dipped toward the horizon, and when they reached the quaint carnival at their neighboring small town, it had started to get darker.
The air was filled with the aroma of cotton candy and popcorn, and the distant melody of carnival music echoed through the lively atmosphere as Tristan parked the car and they stepped out. Alexa looked around her, a sense of relief and something else she couldn’t register washing over her as her eyes absorbed the surroundings.
When her eyes fell on Tristan, he was already staring at her with a gentle look in his eyes. Her heart skidded into a stop before galloping. Why was he looking at her like that?
He inclined his head toward the carnival entrance, gesturing a hand, and pocketed the car’s key. Alexa nodded and joined him at his side, and together, they walked to the carnival.
Though she had been to countless carnivals before, this time, her heart brimmed with gratitude to be here. Seeing the strings of light that adorned every available surface, transforming the carnival into a radiant wonderland, Alexa realized how important this distraction was and how its magic had already started on her.
The ambience soothed her dread and distress, and Tristan’s steady presence at her side was… It was comforting.
The first fifteen minutes passed by as they went sightseeing, Tristan patiently at her side whatever direction she went. He asked her if she’d like to ride the bumper cars or on the Ferris wheel, but she shook her head with a small smile.
“Do you like cotton candy?” Tristan leaned closer and asked in her ear, in order to be heard over the noise of the crowd and the music.
“You don’t have to bother buying anything for me, Tristan. I’m grateful simply to be here.” Alexa smiled at him politely.
“That’s not for you to decide, come on.” He offered a hand.
She accepted it, fighting another smile and saying, “If you insist.” She loved cotton candy.
Tristan’s fingers wrapped around hers and he led them toward a whimsical stand adorned with pastel hues. He approached the vendor, ordered a vibrant pink cotton candy on a swirling cone, and handed it to her.
“Thank you.” She accepted with a smile. Something twinkled in his eyes, but it was gone as soon as it appeared.
“Our next stop is going to be the bumper cars,” he said and held up a hand when she opened her mouth to protest. “And I’m not going to take no for an answer. Please?”
Alexa sighed, but kept her smile on its place. “Tristan, I understand your efforts. But I’m fine, really. Like I said, just being here feels wonderful enough.”
“But a little more fun won’t hurt.” He tilted his head and looked down at her. “Please?”
Alexa tilted her head up and looked into his warm blue eyes. He raised an eyebrow, and she sighed in defeat. “Only if you’re coming along.”
Tristan smiled gently. “Of course, I am.”
“Let me finish my candy first.”
Alexa’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She fished it out and saw it was Cassie. A soothing feeling washed over her seeing the caller ID, but instead of answering, Alexa declined the call with a text.
Alexa: With Tristan at the carnival. Details later. So noisy here, I’ll call you when I reach home.
Cass: Tristan? Are you kidding me?
Alexa: You cleared him of all charges of being my stalker when we came to the conclusion that he isn’t the Lightning Knight, your honor. Remember?
Cass: Fine, then. Don’t bother replying, enjoy your time. I’ll be waiting for your call.
She hid a smile and sent a heart emoji before slipping the phone back into her pocket.
“It’s my sister,” she told Tristan. “I told her I was with you at the carnival.”
Tristan raised an eyebrow. “Does she know me?”
Alexa blushed and ducked her head, recalling how she had played Enchanted on repeat after they met. Ironically, it was last Sunday. “She and my best friend, yes.”
Tristan only chuckled.
When Alexa finished her candy, Tristan led them toward a line of cars. The attendant greeted them with a smile as they selected a pair of cars, one next to another.
Tristan glanced at her with a glint in his eyes once they were seated in their cars. “Ready for some friendly chaos?”
A chuckle she couldn’t stop escaped Alexa’s lips. “I guess I could use some.”
“Have you ridden one of these before?”
“Plenty.”
The ride started, and the cars jolted into motion. Once again, despite having ridden plenty of bumper cars before, this time, the sense of exhilaration Alexa felt was beyond comprehension.
The smiles she had been holding back didn’t take time to break into wide grins and eventually into delightful laughter as she navigated the arena, trying to avoid collisions but also enjoying the playful chaos around her.
Tristan maneuvered his car, occasionally bumping into others. When their eyes met, a wicked glint teased his eyes. He bumped his car into hers. She gasped, and his face broke into a victorious grin.
A thrill went through her; she returned his playful, wicked gleam and bumped hers to his in revenge. He laughed, but the sound was muffled by the carnival music enveloping them.
If only for a little while, Alexa felt immensely grateful toward him not just for saving her life, but for asking to bring her here where his choice of distractions whisked away her troubles.
When the ride ended, they stepped out of the arena, faces bright and red from laughing. Alexa was thankful she was alive to have this moment. She beamed at him; at his responding grin and the gentle look filling his eyes, she wondered once again why he was looking at her like that.
It wasn’t anything creepy, concerning, or something that made her uncomfortable. She had never seen anyone look at her like this before, not even her sister, who only had fondness in her eyes whenever she looked at Alexa.
“How was it?” For the first time since they met today, there was aliveness in Tristan’s voice. Maybe both of them needed this distraction, after all. She was simply glad he’d let her tag along.
“Wonderful,” Alexa breathed, still grinning. “I don’t remember the last time I laughed so much.”
Tristan held out a hand. “Come on.”
He guided her toward a booth filled with stuffed animals and quirky prizes. After a few attempts, they emerged victorious with a large and plush teddy bear.
“Are you going to name it something?”
“Oh, sure. Got any suggestions?”
Tristan’s lips twitched into a smirk; he shook his head. “Miss Cuddles?”
“Too common!”
“Not really good with names.” He laughed at her facial expression.
“Oh, really? How about… Miss Knight, then?”
Tristan’s shoulders stiffened at first, but he eased up almost immediately, and tried to fight off a smile. At least, it seemed to Alexa that he was trying not to smile.
She was simply trying to figure out if he was the Lightning Knight.
“I think Knight hardly suits a stuffed bear. ”
“How about Lightning, then?”
Something sparked in Tristan’s eyes; an amused glint perhaps. “Now, that doesn’t come closer to a teddy bear’s name. Try again.”
Alexa pretended to think. “I’ll come up with something later. I have—” she cut off herself as an announcement came through the speakers that it was time for fireworks. “Perfect. I love fireworks.” She grinned at Tristan.
Tristan grabbed her hand and led them away from the booths, weaving their way through the crowd to get to an open area. When they settled on a spot with a clear line of sight to the night sky, the first bursts of color erupted overhead.
Alexa glanced up at the mesmerizing display with a wide grin stretched across her face as it exploded in a cascade of brilliant red and gold, painting the canvas of the sky. The fireworks continued their breathtaking dance, and Alexa watched until her neck started to ache. She dropped her gaze and looked aside at Tristan, her heart stopping for a moment to see him staring at her the way he had in the previous times; with affection and warmth.
When their eyes met, he smiled instead of looking away, and the vibrant hues reflecting in his eyes mirrored the spectrum of emotions dancing in her own heart. Alexa smiled back. She admired the way the lights painted his features, casting a soft glow on his face. He looked radiant and much more relaxed than he was when they met at the bridge, just as she knew she did.
Their time here had worked its wonders on them, and Alexa hoped it would last forever .
She didn’t want to go back into the distress she had forgotten momentarily; she’d give anything to spend more time with him and forget the last of her troubles. But unfortunately, that wasn’t how the world worked.
Once their time here was over, she would have to go back and face her fears.
The crowd applauded as the grand finale painted the sky with an array of colors. And standing next to Tristan, exchanging smiles, Alexa felt grateful for creating a memory that would linger in her heart long after the last firework had faded away.
Tristan turned to her as the crowd began to move. “Wanna head back or hang on a little bit more?”
Alexa wanted to jump in for the second option, but she knew Tristan would have more important things to attend to than taking her around a carnival. What he had done already was more than enough for her tonight. “I’d love to stay longer, but I have school tomorrow.”
Tristan nodded in understanding, his face alight even though he wasn’t smiling. He opened his mouth to reply but closed it and tilted his head slightly to the side, as if listening to something. Alexa was about to ask what it was when a familiar song reached her ears.
Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy, vanished when I saw your face
All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you…
Their eyes locked, and she tried to keep her heartbeat normal. Not that she could, but she tried putting on a neutral expression, though the smile trembling on the corner of her lips was the hardest to fight.
Tristan took her hand without a word and began leading them toward the source of the music. The singer was a tall blonde girl, standing on a small stage and striking her guitar; she had a drummer, a pianist, and a bass guitarist with her. People began to gather around.
A whirlwind of emotions took over Alexa’s heart as the song unfolded; only last Sunday she had belted it out after meeting the boy who now held her hand. It felt almost surreal to be with him as the song wafted around them. Almost magical.
This is me praying that, this was the very first page, not where the storyline ends
My thoughts will echo your name until I see you again
These are the words I held back as I was leaving too soon
I was enchanted to meet you…
Alexa’s cheeks flamed. And to hide them from Tristan who glanced at her occasionally, she leaned her head against his arm. He stiffened in surprise, but relaxed almost instantly and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Alexa hugged her teddy bear closer and hid her smile in its furry head.
The local band accepted song requests. A few young couples even danced to the songs. Alexa spied Tristan glancing over to them twice, and thought he might ask her to dance with him. She wasn’t sure if she wanted that, but she guessed, if he did, she might agree.
The second song faded away, but Tristan hadn’t asked her yet. Maybe he was nervous, or he didn’t know how to dance, or perhaps it was because he knew she didn’t want this to be a date.
Now, that made sense.
After the third song, they decided to leave. Tristan led them back to Cassie’s car and opened the door for her. Alexa placed the teddy bear in the backseat and buckled herself up before inhaling deeply. She gave Tristan a small smile as he got behind the wheel, and they rode back to Harmony Falls.
Tristan insisted on stopping at a restaurant for dinner, and after that, they headed back to Alexa’s house. He parked the car on the road and killed the engine. Neither of them made the first move to step out or to speak.
Alexa’s heart beat inside her ribcage like the rapid, staccato beats of a hummingbird’s wings. She realized she should break the silence, but before she did, Tristan spoke.
“Did you have a good time?”
Alexa turned to him and nodded smilingly. “It was great. Thanks for bringing me. I didn’t realize how much I needed that distraction.”
Tristan’s hands were still on the wheel as he fixed his eyes on her. “You don’t have to thank me, Alexa. Will you be alright tonight?”
“Yes, I will. No more dark thoughts.”
“Are you sure?”
She gave him an assuring smile. “Positive. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to convince you now and go off to the bridge later. It was selfish of me wanting to die—and yes, you were right. I was going to take my life. I lied earlier, but I think you figured that out already.”
“I didn’t believe you for one second, though.” The smile didn’t reach his eyes. “So, you promise not to do anything like that again?”
Alexa exhaled. “I promise. ”
“Good, because I want to see you again.”
“Me too.”Alexa smiled. “How are you going to head back to your house?”
“I’ll call a cab or something.” He took the key off the ignition and opened his door. “Let me walk you to your house.”
Alexa stepped out before he came to her side and opened her door. Tristan handed her the key. She grabbed the teddy bear from the back and they crossed the road to her house together.
Thanks to the light from the streetlights, her house wasn’t shrouded in darkness. She had forgotten to leave the lights on; she wasn’t even thinking straight when she left the house hours ago.
The moment the thought of death entered her mind, it was all she could think about, like everything but death was wrong and distressing. It manipulated her into seeing her sister’s love for her in a twisted way, making her question it, and Alexa would never succumb to such a thought ever again.
Despite what was waiting for her tomorrow, Alexa felt grateful to be alive to this moment.
“My sister is accompanying her friend on a work trip to Orlando; she won’t be back until tomorrow evening. It’s been just the two of us after Dad’s passing,” Alexa explained as they crossed the lawn to the porch. “Are you coming in?”
“Perhaps some other day,” Tristan said, hands in the pockets of his jeans.
Alexa stopped at the steps leading up to the porch and turned to him. She didn’t hide the surprise from her face and her voice. “We’ll meet again soon? ”
“Of course ,” he said, emphasizing the last word. “How about tomorrow?”
“Really?”
He gave her a crooked smile. “That is, if you want me around.”
“I’d love to,” she said. “And to introduce you to my sister. I told her about our bookstore encounter.”
He chuckled, probably at the memory. “I’ll look forward to that.”
“Except, I don’t think I’ll be available tomorrow. I, uh, I’ll be a little busy.” Alexa gulped down the sudden lump from her throat, her anxiety for tomorrow building. “How about… uh…”
“How about you call me when you’re free?”
Alexa’s shoulders relaxed a little. “Sounds good.” She unlocked her phone and handed it to him. When he handed it back after typing his number, she dialed him and hung up at the first ring. “There, now you have mine too.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s just a phone number, Tristan.” She chuckled, and then her face grew serious. She reached for his hand hesitantly and took it in hers. Looking up into his suddenly unreadable eyes she said, “Thank you, for saving my life. I owe you.”
His eyes softened. “You don’t owe me, Alexa. If I was a second late, I don’t know how I would’ve lived with myself again. I’m just… I’m just so glad you’re safe and away from that temptation, and that I was in time to stop you.”
There was the irony again. Stop you. Not, save you.
Fine, he could play as long as he wanted. But one day, she was going to figure it out.
“Me too,” she said and let go of his hand. “Goodnight, Tristan.”
“Goodnight.” His eyes smiled down at her. As she turned to climb up the porch, he called, “And Alexa?”
She spun around to him. “Yes?”
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said, his eyes and words intense as he took a step forward. “I won’t let anyone harm you, not even yourself. You have my word.”
Alexa felt her throat close, but she choked out her response, “I believe you.”
Her choice of words baffled him, it was evident on his face, but not as evident as the revelation she had now with her. Alexa gave him one small smile and walked into her house. Once inside, she locked the door and leaned against it.
It was him. All the time, it had been him.
Cassie had been right, and she had refused to believe it.
But no longer.
The truth was right before her eyes. Why— how else could he give her his word on keeping her safe? What other explanation was there about his heroic rescue back at the bridge?
He was the Lightning Knight.
Her Lightning Knight.