The Healer: A Young Adult Romantic Fantasy (The Healer Series Book 1) by C. J. Anaya

lightheaded. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before, and all the while Tie’s intense glare skewered me to my seat. “There are a lot of things that could take away a person’s ability to decide who they want to be with.” I spoke stiffly now. I was afraid any show of emotion would lead to another show of emotion much more embarrassing.
    “Wouldn’t you rather have a god who knows what’s best for you, direct you to the one who’d give you the most happiness?”
    “I’d rather leave my fate in my own hands,” I shot back. I was vulnerable and a bit out of sorts. I couldn’t account for my own feelings and decided to blame everything on Tie since he was the only inconsistency in my very predictable high school career. This was the part of my life that was normal. I didn’t want any of that turned upside down.
    “As if you or any other human being could choose better than a deity,” Tie scoffed condescendingly.
    What’s with this kid?
    “I know if you were a god I’d let you choose for me any day,” yelled Tanya Sedgewick from the front of the class effectively breaking the tension between Tie and myself. I heard people snickering, and the school bell rang.
    “We’ll continue this discussion tomorrow, class. Don’t forget to read chapter five for your homework. I want you to be prepared when you get in here tomorrow.” Ms. Mori kept her eyes glued to me as I slowly raised myself out of my hard, cold chair. I was definitely feeling a bit dizzy, but the pressure in my head had diminished somewhat.
    I went to take a step forward, but must have been more lightheaded than I’d realized because my traitorous knees buckled under my own weight. An arm shot out in front of me and caught me before I hit the floor.
    I knew who my savior was and looked up apprehensively. Tie wore an amused expression on his face.
    “If you want to be in charge of your own fate, you should start by standing on your own two feet.”
    I decided right then and there that I did not like this guy.
    Moving forward, I brazenly closed the distance between us, and brought my face directly in front of his. Okay, so I had to look up a few inches. Still, I was pretty close. An electric buzz began where Tie’s hand grasped my arm, and I panicked as it began sliding up towards my shoulder. I was almost certain he felt it too by the quick flicker of surprise on his face.
    “Thanks for catching me, Tie was it? I think I can take it from here.” I moved to walk past him, but his hand on my arm prevented me from getting very far.
    “What? Did you need something?” The heat from his hand burned through my long-sleeved shirt. I schooled my face to show no emotion, simply polite indifference.
    Instead of answering my questions, he lifted his hand and rubbed a thumb along my cheekbone. His gaze greedily drank in my features, poring over every detail with such a powerful longing that I could sense his turbulent emotions even though I hadn’t connected with him. I wanted to brush his hand away, but I stood frozen at such intimate contact. My brain refused to communicate with my body.
    “Tie,” Ms. Chinatsu said.
    Without taking his gaze from mine he said, “We’re supposed to determine if circumstances have changed, aren’t we? I’m just testing the waters here.”
    What? Testing the waters?
    “That’s not what Katsu had in mind, and we’re not even sure if your assumptions are accurate.” Her tone of voice brokered no argument.
    His expression immediately adjusted to her response. A blank mask descended, and he released his hold on me. Though he appeared indifferent his emotions spoke otherwise. Yep, I could still feel them, and yes, I was freaking out about it. What’s worse, I was just as disappointed by the aborted contact as he seemed to be.
    I shook myself a little and stepped back, wondering if the last few moments had even happened. Maybe my hallucinations were now effecting my interactions with others.
    “Okay, that was