“So then Brody Carmichael hasn’t asked you to go with him?” Savannah asked offhandedly, but her body stiffened waiting for a reply. Mina could have sworn she saw her hold her breath.

“No, I don’t dance. I’ve been told it’s bad for my health.” Mina answered casually and watched as Savannah visibly relaxed. What she’d said was true; she had yet to attend a dance where it didn’t end in a torn dress, broken shoe or sprained ankle.

“What about you, Jared? Are you going with anyone?” Pri asked. Her loaded question hung in the air like an atom bomb, she watched Jared like a lioness waiting to go in for the kill.

“Haven’t decided yet,” Jared answered carefully. “I’m still getting settled in. New student remember.” It was a well-played answer, and Mina was envious of his excuse.

“Well, I am going as Rapunzel and I could use a prince charming.” Savannah actually preened. Mina raised her eyebrows, surprised at her brazenness.

“Rapunzel is not a good choice for you,” Jared spoke softly. “She was too naïve, too innocent. I would peg you for someone more mature, more cunning.”

“Really?” Savannah leaned forward into Jared’s arm and actually purred. “Who, then, should I go as?”

Jared leaned away from her with disgust. “I would peg you as a jealous stepmother.” Savannah’s face turned red with anger. She was actually so mad she couldn’t form words.

“Really! And what would Miss Mina be, hhmmmm? The ugly stepsister? The greedy gold digger who was after MY prince?” Savannah stepped away from the table and Pri followed after her, like the good follower she was.

Mina covered her eyes with her hands and tried to massage the headache that was beginning to plague her. “You really shouldn’t have done that,” Mina chastised. “You just made my life even harder. Nice work” She stood up and left her lunch tray on the table, her fork standing at attention in the middle of her chicken fried steak.

Walking out the double doors into the hall, Mina was surprised to see Brody coming down the corridor. Mina took off down another hall hoping he wouldn’t have seen her. Just seeing Brody brought back a flood of feelings that she wasn’t ready to deal with. She had actually felt relieved that hadn’t shown up that day for school.

When he called her name, Mina ducked into the marked stage doors hoping he would pass her by when he turned the corner. She quietly walked up the steps onto the stage, and sat down amongst all of the decorations the student council had started creating for the dance.

There was a tinseled park bench with lights strung around it. A giant gingerbread house stood with life-size candy, a vine-covered wishing well, and a large stone tower. Mina sat on the bench and pulled her knees up to her chest. She buried her face in her them, gently rocking herself. She wished desperately that there was a way she could turn back time. Maybe if her mother had never signed the stupid permission form, she wouldn’t have gone on the field trip. She wouldn’t have saved Brody’s life and would never have been noticed by the curse.

She might have made it all the way through high school without having been attacked by a stranger. With what Jared said earlier, Mina became all the more skeptical of surviving this curse, because there was a wolf pack plural, as in more of those crazy tattooed biker guys after her.

Mina thought she was alone on the stage, but the sound of a stage lever being pulled, made her glance up in alarm. The stage was flooded with lights as the dance displays lit up in all of their beauty. They shined, sparkled and dazzled Mina speechless. She actually had to cover her eyes to make out the person who triggered the lights.

A dark form walked out of the shadows and stood before Mina, tall and handsome. Mina actually shivered when she looked at Brody, feeling as if her body had gone without water for days, and here was the answer to her thirst. His blonde hair and blue eyes conveyed a softness to his face above a strong, chiseled jaw. His hands were in his designer jean’s pockets as he walked casually toward her on the bench. She felt as if she was under a spell, mesmerized by his movements. Closing her eyes, she tried to block out his glorious being. Maybe if she didn’t see him, he would disappear.

“Mina.” Brody’s voice sounded husky to Mina’s ears.

“Go away,” she answered weakly. Her heart thudded in her chest and it felt like it would burst.

“I need to speak to you.”

“You’ve done enough talking. You made your point on the whole situation last night.”

“No, I didn’t.” Brody kneeled before her and stroked the back of her feather soft brown hair. “Mina, please hear me out.” Brody reached out and wrapped his hands around her. She was so small that he was able to maneuver her so that when he sat on the bench she was tucked across his lap. She tried to squirm at first but Brody held onto her nuzzling her ear, which made her freeze. “What your mother said last night … well, it scared me.”

“I know. It seemed enough to scare you away.” Mina tried to move away again but Brody nuzzled her again, making her freeze again. It was both an intoxicating feeling and an overwhelming rush.

“Not like you think. I went home, destroyed a few classic guitars, rode my motorcycle across the county. I ended up in another state, and I still couldn’t contain my thoughts. You’re all I think about and last night I had an uncontrollable rage warring within me. I want to fight this battle for you, but I know that it's not my fight. You will tell me what you’re afraid of when you feel ready. Your mother's right. I have no right to judge your family. I haven't proven myself yet. And I made it worse by leaving last night the way I did. I’m sorry, I shouldn't have left.”

Mina’s heart soared to new heights. He hadn’t run from her because he was ashamed of her or didn’t see a future with her. He ran because he wanted to protect her. This time it was Mina who felt protective of Brody. “I’m sorry that I doubted you,” she said quietly. “You confuse me.”

“What is there to be confused about?” Brody asked.

“I thought for sure you had ended our friendship or relationship or whatever this is.” Mina looked into his deep blue eyes and felt herself begin to drown.

“So you started to build up that wall between us again. I can tell. You like to hide behind that wall, locked inside that tower.” Brody cupped Mina’s face and whispered softly, “I’m guess I’m going to have to work on tearing down that wall, brick...” he kissed her eyelids, “By brick,” he kissed her pert little nose, “By brick.” Brody continued to kiss her cheeks, her chin, and finally her lips.

Mina knew it was coming but was still startled by the feel of his lips on her mouth. It was glorious, sweet, and beautiful. Mina felt herself go lightheaded with joy. When he pulled away from their gentle kiss she felt saddened by his parting, until he placed another quick kiss on her lips. “By brick,” he whispered.

***

The rest of the day at school, Mina floated along. She had never felt so wonderful, and for now, nothing, not even Jared could ruin her mood. He noticed the change in her behavior and tried to make a comment that would rile her, but she blew it off. Everything would turn out right, because Brody was there for her. She could feel it.