Awaken Read Online Free Page B

as well; the cliffs blocking any view except for the expansive sea before me.  The contrast of the dazzling white cliffs and the mystical blue water had me mesmerized.  Where was I?  Taking in my surroundings, I had an odd sense that I was very far away from my body.  I could only describe it as a feeling of extreme freedom, to the point it was frightening.  I shoved the highly unsettling feeling back in my mind, trying to concentrate on why my soul would have come here.  I pivoted slowly, trying to find anything that would give me a clue.  Upon closer inspection, a section of cliff behind me had actually been altered. It had been chipped away to the extent that a large block-like structure had emerged from the stone.  With several hollow squares that resembled windows, it could have been a five story building carved into the limestone.  Suspended high above the sand, it was the perfection of camouflage.  Clink…clink…clink.  My head swiveled side to side, finding movement on the sand several yards away.  A man.  Where had he come from?  …clink.  He was collecting something.  I held my breath, even though he shouldn’t be able to see or hear me, and moved closer.  The warm air blew his gray hair and beard to the side; revealing weathered skin and sunken cheeks.  Only wearing thin shorts, his body appeared starved for nourishment as well as for cleanliness.  He methodically scanned the beach, bending carefully as he found a particular shell.  He dropped it in a small basket with the others, causing the clinking sound I had heard.  I moved closer still, accidentally stepping on a small piece of driftwood.  It broke beneath my weight and the old man immediately glanced up, startled.  Serene, blue-gray eyes met mine and I froze.  I was overcome with a feeling of déjà vu as the world faded to darkness around me.
                    I opened my eyes, having returned to my darkened room.  Confusion heavy on my heart, I pushed back the covers and headed for the bathroom.  I splashed refreshing, cold water on my flushed face.  Where had I just been?  And who was that man?  I pulled my hair up into a bun, checked out my reflection in the mirror, and gasped.  I quickly let my hair back down and leaned in closer.  Well that wasn’t something you saw every day.  Thin streaks of aqua now highlighted my messy blonde hair.  The streaks shimmered slightly in the bathroom light.  It was kind of pretty; ethereal almost.  Unless it spread and I ended up with a head full of blue hair.  I giggled at myself and jumped back in bed.  If I woke up looking like Smurfette in the morning, so be it.  I was too exhausted to worry about it.
     
    ~~~~~
     
                  “Seriously?  Permanent highlights?” Carmen crossed her arms over her chest with disdain, “Do you know how many people would kill to have those?”
                  “Something tells me aqua wouldn’t be their first choice of color,” I laughed, and adjusted my bags as we left Maren Hall on our way to the marina.
                  “Maybe you’ll start a new trend!” Phoebe shrieked. “I can already picture the cover of Glamour Magazine:  Blue highlights: Not just for sea Goddesses anymore…” 
                  “Somehow I don’t think it’s going to catch on, Phoebs.” I couldn’t help giggling at her, but I was also secretly hoping Finn wouldn’t think they were weird.  My heart skipped several beats at the thought of him.  I couldn’t wait to spend an entire weekend with him, even though I had no idea what we would be doing.  Of course, we could be cleaning the beach house from top to bottom and I wouldn’t care as long as we’d be together. 
                  Once arriving at the marina, three very tan, very good-looking dark haired guys met us on the boardwalk and took our bags. Ian, his black onyx necklace and diamond stud earrings catching the