The Spectrum Force by Heather Ray (summer books .TXT) 📖

perfect ending.

During the past week and a half, Keith had a hard time getting in touch with Tamara. Of course, being the week right before the opening of a big production, Tamara and the entire theater troupe had scheduled a great deal of rehearsal time. Keith had only seen her twice since the basketball game, once for a quick lunch, and once they happened into each other en route to class.

He found that the days seemed to drag on, as he anticipated her moment in the spotlight. He had gotten so attached to her that he came to miss her a great deal during the time they spent apart.

Was it really

love? Could it be love, since it happened so quickly? With other relationships, Keith was always quick to deny any deep emotional bond. But this time... things were inexplicably different.

This time, he was humming love songs. He was risking missing an important midterm, just to see she got to her destination comfortably. The whole world seemed brighter.

The chorus ended, with each former pirate holding the hand of one of the maidens. In the center stage, Tamara stood hand in hand with the actor playing Frederic, and they both took deep bows. The audience broke into a loud ovation, and Keith was quick to add his own applause to the cacophony.

Tamara's performance was simply perfect. Her gentle soprano easily reached the more difficult notes in Mabel's part, and her natural grace made it easy for her to maneuver the stage in the frilly costume she wore. And it was clear, even from the distance, that Tamara put her whole heart into the project.

The audience rose to their feet, still applauding as the heavy red curtain swung closed, and the lights illuminated the auditorium. Keith pulled on his jacket, and collected the bouquet as his friends prepared to leave.

"That was so great!" Craig said gleefully, "Tammy's got a terrific voice."

"I think I liked this performance better than the professional one I saw," Rachel commented, "C'mon, let's go congratulate them. The actors are coming to the floor now."

Rachel, Craig, and Keith wove their way through the dense audience to reach Tamara, who was standing beside Frederic and graciously accepting all the praise and hugs from friends and even strangers. Her smile broadened when she caught site of the trio, and excused herself so she could meet them en route.

"Hi!" she called, wrapping her arms around Keith in a tight hug, "What did you think?"

"You were spectacular," he said truthfully, returning the hug with full force. Once she released him, he presented her with the bright bouquet.

"They're beautiful," she cooed, planting a kiss on his cheek. She hugged the flowers to her chest as she greeted both Craig and Rachel.

"Great job!" Craig stated.

"Congratulations," Rachel contributed.

"Thanks so much," Tamara gushed, "It went off without a hitch! I was so nervous- this is my first collegiate play. But it was perfect!"

"So, who's up for Baskin Robbins?" Craig asked.

"Definitely," Rachel agreed.

"Actually, I'm a bit tired," Tamara admitted, "I'll take a raincheck."

"I'll walk you home," Keith offered.

"That's okay," Tamara assured him, "I'll be okay."

"No, it's fine," Keith responded, "I'll wait here for you."

"You sure?" she asked.

"Definitely."

She smiled, holding his hand for a moment. "I'll get changed, and I'll be right with you." She then waved at Rachel and Craig, and disappeared behind the stage into the dressing rooms.

"Well, I guess I'll see you guys later," Keith said to his friends.

Rachel and Craig exchanged humored glances. "Take care," Rachel said.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Craig warned with a smile.

Keith punched his roommate in the shoulder playfully, as the pair vanished into the dense crowd. He then took a seat in the front row of the auditorium, and waited.

Chapter Ten

Keith watched as Tamara bent her head forward, to breathe in the fragrance of the bouquet. She raised her head to the stars, a gentle smile spread on her face as she gazed at the brilliant autumn moon above them.

Tamara noticed his interest in the corner of her eye, and turned to face him, a humored smile on her lips. "What?"

Keith shrugged dismissively. "Oh, nothing."

"What's on your mind?" she insisted.

"I was just thinking," he admitted, averting his gaze, "about Halloween. I... I'm just so glad you bumped into me at the party."

Tamara giggled slightly, releasing his hand and leaning her head against his shoulder. Keith responded by casting his arms around her back, and holding her near as they walked across the campus.

"I am too," she said quietly, "The funny thing is, I almost didn't go to the party at all."

"Really?" Keith said in surprise, "I thought you were rushing."

"I wasn't wholly dedicated

to it," she revealed, "Actually, I had an Italian vocabulary quiz the next morning, so I didn't even want to go out. I figured I could spend a few hours there. That's why I had to leave so early."

"I thought you were just getting tired of me," Keith confessed.

Tamara giggled again, wrapping her arm around his waist. "Never."

The couple came to a stop at the street, and waited for the Walk sign to be displayed. As they waited, Tamara slipped out from Keith's arm, and gazed at him face to face.

"There's... something I need to tell you," she confessed, "I've been debating about whether or not I should, but I just have to."

Keith stared at her, almost in fear. "What is it?"

Tamara bit her lip, and grasped on of his hands. "Usually, when I say this to a guy, he tends to run the other way. But, I'll take my chances."

She paused, locking her eyes with Keith's. "The past few weeks have been the best in my life," she said quietly, "The time we spend together... it's what I look forward to every day. You've come to mean a lot to me."

Tamara then laughed weakly at herself, releasing his hand. "Now, this is the part that you say 'Tammy, I'm not interested in a serious relationship.'"

"What makes you think I'd say that?" Keith asked quietly.

She shrugged. "I just find that if I expect the worst, then I won't get hurt as easily."

Keith was amazed by her admission. "You don't seem like the pessimistic type, Tammy."

"Only when it comes to love."

Keith blinked at her blunt statement. She used the "L" word so casually. Of course, she didn't necessarily have to mean that she actually loved him... she could be referring to matters of the heart in general.

Still, the way she opened her heart to him gave him a boost of confidence. It was only fair for him to be frank with her, without worrying about the consequences tied to laying one's heart bare.

"You've come to mean a lot to me too," he said quietly, lifting her chin with his fingers, "So much... that it almost scares me." He then smiled gently. "Almost."

Tamara's eyes glassed over quickly, and her lip trembled. Slowly, he lowered his head to her, closing his eyes along the way. She raised hers, meeting his lips halfway.

The light had changed several times during the interval, and several groups of students had passed them, watching in amazement at how long two people can be locked together.

But they didn't care. There was nothing to worry about. Nothing else mattered but each other.

It was only the beginning.

Chapter Eleven

Tears dripped from his chin as Keith slipped the silver disc into the stereo. Once the disc tray disappeared into the machine, he pressed the commands needed to skip to the song he desired to hear.

When I fall in love
It will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love
In a restless world
Like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

When I give my heart
I give it completely
Or I'll never give my heart
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you

Keith felt his eyes swell even more as the sweet ballad lapsed into a repetition of the first verse. The strong, passionate voices of both performers melded into a swirl of emotion.

Never did a song have so much power behind it. The light, liberating tune weighed heavily upon the young man... so much so, he felt his knees grow weak. Tears blurred his vision as he lumbered back onto his bed, and lied flat on the mattress. The remote for his CD player hung from numb fingers as the song continued.

When I fall in love
It will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love
In a restless world
Like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

It felt like his very life was bleeding through his eyes. His lips trembled, and a sob escaped him.

He never felt so weak.

He shivered miserably, the emotional pain he felt pulsing through his mind, giving him an intensely real physical headache. His stomach flipped, making Keith quite relieved that he hadn't eaten earlier. He surely wouldn't have kept it down.

His entire body was working against him... punishing him for what he let slip away. Punishing him for even trying

to push the memories out of his mind.

He had left Langstrum Alps for many reasons... including to leave the memories behind.

But he was wrong. There was no way he could leave Tamara behind. True, her death was... and always would be... a painful, traumatic memory. Yet, he couldn't deny that the happiest moments of his life were also wrapped around images of her. Of her magnetic smile. Of