Encounters.

The first few rays of sunlight broke through the barrier known as curtains glaring at an adolescent girl, fast asleep on a large luxurious four poster. She turned in bed trying to avoid the assault of the sun, unsuccessful. Groaning, she sat up, rubbed her eyes and stretched. It was strange, very strange. Taylor had had a recurring dream for the past few days; she would be flying in pitch black skies over a beautiful mystical island gleaming silver, every night. But she would never set foot on the island, never know of its inhabitants or why it was pure silver. But it was only a dream and she tried to shrug it off. A loud pounding at her door told her it was past eight and that she was late. “Bugger,” she muttered under her breath and scrambled out of bed as quickly as she could. She hurriedly looked for something to wear from the remaining clothes in her large walk-in wardrobe. She finally decided on a pair of skinny leg jeans and a black polo paired with high heeled Jimmy Choo boots and her favourite Balenciaga.

Sighing, she heaved her luggage and made her way downstairs trying her best to avoid her parents on her way out. She couldn’t be bothered with petty goodbyes and hugs. She smiled at Ben, her chauffeur.


“Good morning, miss, it seems you are late.”
“Morning, and yes, Ben, I know. Now could you please hurry? I really don’t want to miss my flight.”
“Not a problem, young miss. Sit tight now and buckle up.”


Taylor could kiss the Gods because there wasn’t any traffic. Now she wouldn’t be entirely late. The black stretch limousine pulled into the airport and Taylor was surprised to find another similar one parked there. There weren’t many people who were rich enough to own these cars her part of town. Shaking off the thought, she got out of the car and made her way into the large airport. After checking in and making sure everything was set, she hurriedly hugged Ben goodbye and ran towards the departure hall. She had just about reached the place when she promptly slammed into a hard figure and fell to the ground. “Ouch, watch it,” she growled, rubbing her forehead. She glared at the person and boarded the plane. The boy, stood up and brushed off dirt, he took his time to board, his arrogance apparent. Taylor found her seat easily in First Class and made herself comfortable, her forehead throbbing slightly. She sighed, the arrogance of some people. He hadn’t even bothered to apologize. She took out a magazine to read when suddenly her light was blocked out by a tall figure.


“Excuse me, you’re in my li —” she began to say until she saw who it was standing there. “You again?! What is your problem? What did I do to you?”


She really was beginning to dislike the boy and she didn’t even know him. He remained calm although annoyance was obvious in his eyes. It seemed he didn’t like her much either. His voice was deep, she could tell, as he said something to her.


“You’re in my seat,” he said simply.
“Excuse me?”
“You. Are. In. My. Seat.”
“I am not,” she replied rather indignantly.
“You are.”
“I am not. Here, look at my boarding pass.” She showed him her boarding pass and he glanced at it and said nothing. “I told you. This is my seat.”
“It says 8H. You’re sitting in 8I. I know you’re sitting in the wrong seat because I always make sure I get the aisle seat. Now, I don’t want to say it again. You are in my seat.”
“Actually, you just did. Say it again.”


He looked at her and rolled his eyes. The girl couldn’t be anymore immature.


“Are you going to move or do I have to make you?”
“Goodness to Heaven, I’m moving,” she said.
“What have you got up your arse?” she added under her breath.
Unfortunately for her, he heard her. In a silky drawl, he said to her, “Nothing of your concern, but wouldn’t you like to know.”


Taylor just stared. The nerve of some people. She sighed and moved uncomfortably in her seat. This was not going to be a pleasant flight.

~o~

It was a long flight and Taylor was getting tired. Devil’s reincarnate didn’t make much trouble after their spat about the seating so she felt like she could relax a little. Taylor felt her eyes drooping; fatigue was certainly taking over her. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep and flying over the beautiful island once again.


She was descending. This was the first time ever. Excitedly, she set foot on the sparkling silver sands of the majestic island. The sand was powder-soft, warm and comforting. The silver trees stood looming over her menacing yet intriguing. She was somewhat nervous. She had never felt such hesitation to enter a new surrounding before. She had always been a chameleon when it came to fitting in. Maybe it was the fact that she was filthy rich and impeccably stylish; or maybe that she had natural charisma and irresistible charm, wit and sarcasm. She sat down in the warm, inviting sand and just lay there.

~o~

Damien had been far off in thought when he felt a slight pressure on his right shoulder. He turned to look in annoyance but his features softened when he saw such an innocent face resting there. She’s not so bad when she’s unconscious. He shuddered at the thought, what was he thinking? The girl made a soft noise and shifted slightly. He watched her and felt a wave of fatigue sweep over him. He closed his eyes and tried to get some rest.

~o~

Taylor was lying in the sand staring at the pitch black night sky when she saw a figure flying down towards her. This was something new; she had always been alone before. The figure, a boy it seemed landed a few feet in front of her. She propped herself up on her elbows.
“Who are you?” Her voice sounded small and hollow in this huge dark abyss.
“I would like to know the same thing.” His reply was casual; his voice was deep, melodic, like an angel’s. But somehow, very, very familiar…
“I’m not telling you my name if you don’t tell me yours.”
“Well, that’s fine with me. May I sit with you?”
This boy was very polite, well brought up it seemed. He was refined with finesse. It seemed to grow on her.
“You may.” She smiled and lay back down onto the sand, admiring the beautiful sky.


To a commoner’s eye, the boy and the girl innocently fast asleep against each other could’ve been madly in love. But little did they know…


They had been sitting there for a while. Neither knew what to do or what to say to each other. But both were comfortable in the silence as if they were used to it.
“Shouldn’t we do something?”
“I don’t kno-” she began to say when all of a sudden he was gone.

~o~

Damien awoke with a jolt. An air stewardess was asking whether he needed anything.
“Oh, just a shot of whiskey.” He didn’t care if he wasn’t legal; he needed something to clear his mind. The stewardess hesitated but he flashed her a dazzling smile and she nodded.
“Anything for the young miss?”
“Water. Perrier -- by the looks of her.”
The girl was confused, but she nodded anyway. She poured him his alcohol and set a bottle of Perrier on the table in front of him.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, my pleasure,” she gushed. He smirked. He always had the ladies in the palm of his hand.

~o~

Taylor awoke to the smell of a musky, very manly scent. She opened her eyes and realized she had fallen asleep on Devil reincarnate’s shoulder. She jerked her head back and hit it on the side of the plane.


“I see you’ve woken. Good thing too, I was beginning to think I would lose function of my shoulder, with your head weighing a small elephant and all.”
“You disgust me,” she fumed.
“Didn’t seem like it when you were cozying up to me.”
“Oh shut it and leave me alone.”
“Hmm. I got you some Perrier. Seems like you need some hydration anyway, your skin is a disaster.”
“No, you did not just insult my complexion.”
“I think I did.”
“Go jump out the plane already.”


She turned her back to him and looked out the window at the now dark sky. Her mind drifted back to her dream and the new stranger. She also wondered, as she took a sip of Perrier how this arrogant prat knew she loved Perrier. Must be a coincidence.

As the plane came into landing, Taylor smiled to herself. She was finally here – America. At last. And frankly, she was relieved to finally be able to leave Devil’s incarnate behind and never see his face again. Though she had to admit, his face was not exactly hard to look at. In fact, he was actually quite delicious-looking. She blushed faintly at the thought. Too bad he’s such an arse. She turned slightly and sneaked a look at him; he was reading a book. Sophisticated too. Hmmm. Dark ash brown hair covered his eyes as he bent over to read. She noticed he was gifted with an angular face and strong jaw with chiseled features – he was certainly one of God’s artworks. Her eyes were tracing the contours of his face when they met a pair of deep-set tempestuous dark blue eyes. Hastily, she turned away trying to control the blush creeping up her face.


“I’m sure you like what you see, but hasn’t your mother ever told you that it’s rude to stare?” A smooth drawl came from her left.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” She said huffily, mentally slapping herself for making it so painfully obvious that she was ogling at him.
“Oh I don’t have to; everyone already does it for me. And you don’t have to be ashamed, you know, I already know half the female population falls over at my feet.”
“You are so full of it.”
“If you mean charisma, charm and wit, I know.”
“No, I mean bullshit.”
“Sigh. Such crude language. One would think you were brought up by tramps.”
“Don’t you take a swing at my upbringing, you male chauvinist bastard. You don’t know anything about me.”
“There she goes again, mouthing off like a sailor. Obviously you have no class; I’m surprised they even let you in First Class.”
“Well, I didn’t know they allowed farm animals on the plane. So imagine my disgust when I find that I’m seated next to a pig.”
“Ouch,” replied Damien, putting one hand over his heart, his face contorted in mock pain. “That really hurt.” Sarcasm dripped off every word.


Fuming, Taylor was about to retort when an air stewardess appeared and said, “Excuse me, I’m really sorry to have to interrupt you both, but the two of you are the last passengers left on board and we have to get ready for our next flight.”


Taylor’s cheeks began to redden as she apologized profusely and stood up to leave when she realized that Devil’s reincarnate hadn’t made an effort to move. Through gritted teeth she said, “You’re in my way.”
“An ‘excuse me’ would do just fine, but I suppose your parents never thought you any manners. What with the staring and the swearing and all that.”
With a smirk, Damien got up swiftly and left, leaving the incensed girl behind. My, my wasn’t she fun to aggravate. However, he was thankful the pair of them would never have to cross paths ever again.

~o~

Taylor was boiling as she watched him leave. Scowling, she gathered her things and left as well. “Idiot boy, how dare he insult my parentage. No class? NO CLASS? He obviously has never seen class in his life.” She muttered furiously to herself. “Oh I already know half the female population falls over at my feet.” She mimicked exaggeratedly. “Egoistic arse. Thank God I’ll never have to see him again.”


When she was done collecting her luggage, she found a chauffeur waiting for her with yet another stretch limousine; white this time. Tipping the two cute Mexican porters generously, she flashed them a flirtatious grin as they carefully loaded her abundant, more importantly, branded baggage into the long vehicle. Seated comfortable in the limo, she began to drift off again; long flights tended to exhaust her.


She was over the island again, but this time she descended much quicker. As her feet touched the warm, soothing sand, her eyes scanned the boundless vicinity. Everything shimmered with such opulence that it was almost overwhelming. But what was more overwhelming was the urge to explore. However she couldn’t bring herself to venture into the jungle of silver foliage. It was as if some unknown force was holding back. But instead of feeling frustrated like she normally would if she was awake, she just felt immense disappointment. So, she contented herself with wandering the luminous shores of the island.

~o~

Damien was drowsy. He didn’t get much sleep on the plane. It was his fault mostly, or if he wanted to be a real ass of a male, he could blame it all on that girl. It was true though, because of her, he spent less time sleeping and more time watching her sleep. “Dear lord, Damien. You are such a stalker,” he mumbled to himself. She was really quite angelic when she slept though. The way her long, wavy, dirty blonde hair framed her heart-shaped face created an innocent picture quite contradictory to the fierce creature she was when she was awake. He had watched her insanely long eyelashes flutter while she dreamt. She was really quite beautiful, he remembered, smiling slightly. He shook himself suddenly, “Come to your senses, Damien. What is wrong with you? You can’t stop thinking about an annoying, spoilt stranger?” Shuddering, he turned on his side and after a long while, finally succumbed to sleep.

~o~

Taylor was roaming for quite some time when she came across the same boy from her previous dream pacing around the sand. Well, it might not be him, she couldn’t be too sure. She watched him pace for a long while before she decided to say something. But the longer she watched him, she just knew it was the same boy, she didn’t know how but she just knew.
“Uhm, why are you pacing like that?” Again her voice was soft and meek.
He stopped very suddenly, stiff and alert as he looked up. His entire body relaxed as he saw her. “It’s you.” He said simply, knowingly, as if he’d known her his whole life. It felt like that to the both of them though. There was a sense of familiarity in it all, like a feeling of déjà vu but somewhat different. Taylor didn’t quite know how to place it.
She was curious. “Why’re you pacing like that?” she repeated.
“I can’t enter the jungle. It’s frustrating.” He growled in reply.
“Oh, I can’t enter it too.” She said unhappily.
The irate expression in his eyes softened as her heard her dejected tone. “It’s alright. We can try together.” He said gently as he held his hand out to her.
She looked into his eyes, dark silvery blue orbs and she felt safe for some unexplainable reason. Taylor started to reach out for his hand when he vanished unexpectedly – again. Sinking down into the sand, she suddenly felt an overpowering sensation of loss that was new and strange to her. Why did she feel that way?

~o~

Damien awoke again. He would start praying for uninterrupted sleep if these things kept happening; he was having such an… interesting dream. “Thank you for waking me Baxter,” he said politely despite his exasperation. He stepped out the open car door and brushed himself, making sure he looked presentable, though who couldn’t look presentable in Armani and Calvin Klein?

~o~

“Miss, we have arrived.”
“Miss?” “Miss?”
“Whaaa-?” came a groggy reply from the back. “Oh right. Thanks for waking me, Tim.”
“Not a problem, miss.”


Taylor was still quite disorientated from her dream and she was experiencing a strange feeling, a throbbing in her chest, as if something – her heart? - had been ripped out. But that was a ridiculous notion and she quickly brushed it off. She was finally at the school, she realized, a wide smile tugged at the corners of her lips. But something was out of place; she saw windows not doors. It seemed that she was still very foggy, post-slumber.

“Why aren’t we at the front steps?” she inquired, finally grasping that they were quite far from the large oak doors of her new school which explained the abundance of windows and lack of doors.
“There’s another limousine up front, miss.”
“What?? Not possible!” she exclaimed as she rolled down her window to look at the car in front. True enough; a black stretch limo was parked right outside the front doors, a uniformed chauffeur was holding the passenger’s door open in an excessively formal fashion. “Who could possibly –” she wondered out loud when she suddenly stopped short as a tall, immaculately dressed, handsome and extremely familiar figured stepped out of the black limousine.
“No fucking way,” she cursed as the window closed automatically. Falling back onto the expensive leather upholstery, she wondered how she could possibly be that unfortunate.