Danika's Gift Read Free Page B

boobs will show.”
    “Duh.  That’s the point.”
    “Oh.”  I blushed.  “I dunno.  I mean if he is going to like me, it’s gotta be for who I am not how I look.”
    “Don’t be silly.  This is just to draw his attention.  Not too much revealed, just a hint.”
    “Sam…” I whined.  Geez, I hated the sound of whining and here I was, doing it like a three year old.
    “Dani, I wouldn’t dress you like a slut.  And, I don’t want you to get hurt.  But there is nothing wrong with using your beauty to attract attention.  You are growing into a beautiful woman and guys are going to take notice.”
    I looked at my reflection in the mirror.  Sam was right.  I was growing into my curves and my chest had blossomed over the past year.  My arms and legs had slimmed down and my tummy was flat.  I was too skinny when I was six and too chunky at fifteen, but somehow, in little over a year, my body had found its perfect balance.  My auburn locks had grown long and my spiral curls loosened with the weight of my hair.  My teeth finally straightened out thanks to those dreadful braces.  My eyes were bright blue, although I still had the dark circles under my eyes.
    I was the poster girl of health.  I ate well, usually.  I exercised daily.  I didn’t drink or do drugs, even though I knew kids my age did.  I kept my life in control.  If I lost control, my gift could get out of hand.  If that happened, no doubt would there be a padded cell with my name on it, waiting for me. 
    Sam took a few more minutes applying makeup to my face.  My eyes were now smoky and sexy.  A smidge of concealer hid the dark circles and the finishing touch was a soft pink gloss to my lips.  I looked again in the mirror and my breath caught.  I was actually pretty.  Well, with Sam’s magic touch of course.  Just enough to attract attention, but not so much that I would be a threat to the other girls on campus.  I hoped.  I didn’t know if Derek had a girl, but I was sure girls would pine after him.  That could spell trouble for me.
    “Stop frowning”
    “This is silly.  I won’t even see him.  I’ve changed my classes, remember?”
    “Well, you don’t know that for sure.  You may see him around campus.”
    “I suppose,” I was nervous.  Scared out of my mind, actually. What if he did like me? What then?  Sam wouldn’t be around to help and quite honestly having my cousin coach me through my first kiss was a mortifying thought.
    The day dragged.  There was no sign of Derek anywhere.   I didn’t see him in any of my classes nor anywhere on campus.  I did notice, however, there were plenty of other hot guys around the university and quite a few noticed me too.  Problem was, they just didn’t make my stomach flip-flop or my heart race.  I got home earlier than Sam and decided to nap on the couch.
    “Dani.” Sam was shaking my shoulder.
    “Mmm?”
    “Wake up, Dani.  We have company.”
    “Wha…?”  Company?  I shot up on the couch, almost crashing my head into Sam’s jaw.
    “Damn girl.”  Sam laughed.  “Didn’t expect you to shoot up like that.”
    I looked around the living room, but saw no one.
    Sam leaned closer to me and whispered into my ear, “Derek is here.  He’s in the kitchen.  Slip into the bathroom and freshen up, ok?”
    Derek.  Derek was here.  Holy crap.  I jumped off the couch, and almost fell back down.  My head swirled.  I got up too fast.  There were stars lingering in front of my eyes.  I looked at Sam and realized she was frowning.
    “..m ok...” I slurred.
    I went into the bathroom, straightened my hair, freshened up my make-up, rubbed furiously to get rid of the sleep lines the couch left on my cheek, then brushed my teeth.
    “Hey guys .” I calmly slinked into the kitchen.
    Derek turned and as his eyes met mine, that beautiful smile lit up his face again.  And, my legs went weak.
    “Hey yourself. Long day?
    “Oh…the nap?  Yeah.