Cirlce of Fire by Heather Parsons (graded readers TXT) 📖

and seemed to be enjoying himself. Laughing out loud with not a care in the world. Sierra felt betrayed and foolish for thinking a man like him would ever be remotely interested in her.
"Ah don't tell me you fell for his charm as well. He says your his date and brings you to the party promising you the best time of your life. Then he leaves you high and dry. While he is enjoying himself being surrounded by every female he can find and your sitting here thinking how could you have ever fallen for him. Don't worry I've been there before and I'll tell you one thing I've learned. He's not worth your time. If he truly feels something for you, he'll come to you." The girl said sitting down next to her and staring off in the same direction.
Sierra caught everything she said but she wasn't looking directly at him but past him to the one she left behind. Wishing Travis would feel something for her or at least show some sort of emotion other than hatred. Sierra wished he was here right now to protect and hold her even if he didn't like her anymore. His arms have always been comforting.
"You've got it all wrong. We're just friends. It wouldn't matter one way or another if he's over there or over here." Sierra said still staring out into space.
"I'm sorry I don't mean to pry but you look like your on the verge of crying. Is there anything I can get you or maybe go over and kick his butt for you?" The girl asked and Sierra could see the smile forming on her face.
"No I don't need anything. Thank you anyway." Sierra said looking at the girl for the first time since she sat down. She looked exactly like Carmen did except that her eyes were a blue-green color. And just staring at her for the short amount of time that Sierra did, brought on more regret than she thought possible. Along with the regret came the tears and being out here in the open with what feels like everyone's eyes on her, she couldn't stay seated long. Standing up, she smiled shaking her head slightly and then walked off.
"Do you mind if I come with you? The view here is boring me." The girl said rather loudly then stood up herself. Sierra nodded not feeling the need for words and continued to stare at the ground in front of her. Not wanting to get anymore attention than she already had.
"Sierra where are you going?" Caedman yelled. He made his way over to where they were. Putting his hand on her shoulder to stop her from going any further. Sierra was about to open her mouth when the girl that was walking with her spoke first.
"Caedman she's not going to wait for you all night. Besides we're going for a walk. That's all and there's nothing wrong with that." She said next to Sierra. Sierra saw out of the corner of her eye the look the girl was giving him. She looked very pleased with herself but Sierra didn't hold the same pleasure.
"Giselle stay out of this. It's none of your business." He spoke firmly, still with his hand on Sierra's shoulder but his grip was gentle. Looking around Sierra saw that they had more of an audience than she would have liked.
"I just want to go for a walk and clear my head. It's safe here, right? I can walk without someone trying to kill me?" Sierra said in a whisper. Looking up at his face and seeing the pain. But why would he look pained? Just a second ago when he was with all those females he looked happy. Smiling and laughing along with them and now looking at her, he looked hurt. Is this how everyone looked when they were around her? Do she cause pain for everyone?
Feeling the tears at the edge of her eyes Sierra tried hard to keep them at bay. No one deserved to see her break down. She didn't realize the tears had escaped her eyes until his warm fingers gently wiped them off her cheek. Closing her eyes and believing for a moment that he actually did care.
"Caedman can't you see you've caused enough pain. Can't you let her just walk away. Do you not care about anyone's feeling?" Giselle asked. This time her voice came out softly with a hint of sadness.
"Giselle just go back to the party. I'll take care of her." He said. His fingers were gently wiping away more tears but as much as he wiped them away, more came.
"You go back. You seem to be having more fun than I am and I'll take her home to rest." Giselle said and Sierra felt her hand on her arm. It was just as warm as his was.
"Your going to take her to your house. Why not take her to mine?" He asked. This whole conversation was just above a whisper but Sierra knew everyone could hear. She could feel their eyes boring into her back and was instantly uncomfortable.
“Because when you do

decide to come home. Whenever that may be. I don't want her to have to hear you bringing someone else home with you. She'll be safe.” Giselle said and Sierra could hear the venom in her voice as she spoke. Sierra opened her eyes and saw them both standing very close to each other. Her heart felt like it had broken into a million pieces again and she couldn't stand being there anymore.
Walking back into the celebration wasn't entirely what she wanted to do. Sierra really wanted to go somewhere where no one else was so she could be alone. She wanted to sit and cry out all the tears she had left and be done with it. Instead of having them appear when she least expected them too.
Looking at the ground and not paying attention to anyone around her while she dealt with her own self pity. But the feeling of someone staring at her was too great. Nervous and unsure of herself, she quickly glanced up and was broken again.

TWO

THE LOOK A-LIKES

HER eyes stayed glued to his face while she lost her footing and came crashing down. The scrapes and bruises were worth it if who she's seeing is really there. Could she have both at the same time? A safe place without always looking over her shoulder and the man she has loved forever.
"Are you okay? You look pale. Do you need something to drink?" He asked as he crouched down in front of her. Everything about him looked the same except his eyes. They were a sparkling blue color. Much like the river itself. Sierra looked him up and down - with her eyes only - to see if he was really there or if this was just a cruel trick her heart and mind were playing on her.
"I'm fine, really. Thank you for your help but I need to leave." She whispered but didn't blink or avert her eyes, afraid he'd disappear or some how fade away.
When he reached out to touch her, to help her to her feet, memories flooded her and she flinched away. A pain to horrible to explain shoot across her chest that was almost unbearable but she gasped a breath in and managed to pull herself up and back away from him.
"I can walk you home if you'd like." He said with a smile that tore her up.
How can this be?

Everything about him was the same but it didn't make sense. How? Did she hit her head harder than she thought because what she has seen so far is killing her. Literally. Am I in heaven or hell?

Sierra thought coming here would help her get over the pain and heart break but all it's done so far is cause more. This man that's standing in front of her looked a whole hell of lot like Travis but he couldn't be. And then Giselle looks exactly like Carmen but she's not. How many others are out there that look like her friends? The ones she'd left behind.
She closed her eyes for a minute and sent up a silent prayed, “Please God, don't let me see anyone who have died, walking around here. If I'm here for a purpose, please let me do that and not be tormented by my past.” Opening her eyes brought her back to reality to see him still standing in front of her, shocked her further.
He looked sad if only for a minute then composed his face, replacing the sadness she had glimpsed with a smile. Sierra tried to do the same but didn't accomplish it. Having to look away before grief took over completely and the tears returned. This has to be my punishment for loving Travis.

This stranger standing in front of her, smiling his devilishly handsome smile and not having a clue what he was doing. Even his simple touch brought memories she'd tried hard to suppress.
"Hey, man. I see you've met my date, Sierra. And this is my friend Patrick." Caedman said appearing out of nowhere. At some point between staring at Patrick and turning away did Caedman and Giselle end their argument and join them. Giselle walked over to where Sierra was and putting her arm, steadied Sierra's swaying for the moment.
"Guys while you two catch up, I'm going to take Sierra over to meet some other friends and get something to drink." Giselle said with a wink then turned them both around and pulled Sierra along with her. By the forcefulness Giselle was taking, Sierra thought one of two things. One: Giselle was really wanting her to meet her friends – which didn't seem likely - or, two: she wanted to speak with her alone. Either way Sierra didn't like it.
Turning herself around Sierra pleaded silently with Caedman to help her. She didn't want to be alone with Giselle. But it was hopeless, watching him turn away and continue talking with Patrick. A single tear rolled down her cheek and abandonment stole her heart. This might be a place where Caedman felt safe but Sierra felt far from it.
"Sierra my dear. I'm just going to lay this out