The day seemed to have more surprises for me. When I got back home Angie had collected me from the door, holding my hand, she walked me to the family room. John was waiting, his leg was bouncing up and down as if he were nervous. Angie looked just as conflicted.
"We wanted to talk to you," she warily says. I sit on the armchair as they take the double couch. John reaches for Angie when she goes to him. They hold hands tightly as they position themselves to look at me. I was now getting nervous.
"Is everything all right?" I ask.
She looks at my bruise and her eyebrows furrow. Oh, no. I know she didn't believe Bass's lies but she had seemed to accept mine. Or at least I thought she did.
"That's what we wanted to know. Are you really okay?" She finally says. She looks at John for support as he offers her a tight smile.
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" I was getting more nervous.
"Okay," Angie softly answers.
"We actually wanted to talk to you about what you said." John says as Angie grips his hand tighter. "We wanted to know if you meant it. That you like it here, that you liked us."
I freeze as I look between them. Angie was on the verge of crying as John looked at me with what seemed like sadness and hope. "Of course I did. You two have been more loving and welcoming than I could have ever imagined. I know at first I was reserved and I probably still am. I would say that I do love being here and being with you."
Angie began to cry as John rubbed her back.
"You and the Holt's have been a huge part of my life and without either of you I'm not sure where I'd be now. So I guess what I'm saying is, I do love you guys. I love you more than just my guardians. I've come to care about you two as much to consider you family." I was tearing but I blink them away.
I know once upon a time I had said I would be eighteen, maybe even have graduated, to move out and never look back but I couldn't do that to them. They've done so much for me. They took me in when they didn't have to. They've made me feel like I was part of their family.
Then there was the dark part of me that is in the shadows. The one that always brought me down. The one that made me see so much darkness I couldn't see what was in front of me. Who would want me? It'd say. Why would anyone want me? I was broken. I was defective. That's what scared me.
"Oh, hunny, we love you too." Angie sobs out.
"Yes, we love having you here with us. We were hoping you'd love to stay with us as long as possible. We really care about you, Vanessa. You're always welcomed here." John adds when Angie became a slobbering mess.
"Thank you, if you mean it then I'd love to stick around for a while longer," I tried to joke but more tears threatened to come out.
"We'd love nothing more," John tells me. Angie lets go off him to come hug me. I had to stand because she was bending down when she tackled me. I held her as I tried to not to cry. They deserved better, much better than me.
The darkness in me will always be there but I just hope that I'm strong enough to not let it win.
Angie continues to sob as John comes to hug us. He had tears running down his face as well. We held each other for a while as we get ourselves together.
"You miss one dinner and this is what happens." John jokes. We laugh as he pulls away to wipe his face. Angie lets go off me as she heads out to find tissues.
"We really do hope you stay here as long as you'd like. We've come to love your company," John tells me. I go hug him as words can't express how much that meant to me. He really does have a soft spot for me.
When I try to pull away my charm bracelet gets stuck on his shirt. "Oops," I tell him.
He chuckles. "Just yank it out."
"If she does that it'll ruin your shirt," Angie tells him. John looks at me in concern. "It's his favorite shirt." Angie tells me. I laugh because John now looked worried about his shirt. I'm sure it'll be fine Angie was just messing with him.
"Let me get scissors," Angie says. I let John get nervous for a minute longer as I know Angie was just lighting the mood.
"In parenthood there's sacrifices." I tel him.
He hangs his head as he tells Angie to cut it off. I wiggle it for a bit before it relents and I'm free. "Ta da!" I tell him as I shake my wrist with my bracelet intact. John looks confused for a second before Angie returns with her scissors and a wicked look on her face.
When she sees I let myself out she pouts. "You're no fun," she tells me.
John on the other hand looked relieved. He was going to hug me but decided on patting my shoulder instead.
"I think I had enough adventures today. I'm heading off to sleep, goodnight," I tell them. I leave them as John asks Angie if she really was going to cut his shirt. Angie feigns innocence. Soon they're laughing.
I walk into my room to find someone in my bed.
"Do you have to take all the space?" I say as I close the door.
"Pretty much," Mark replies.
"Move," I try pushing him but he doesn't budge.
He laughs as he finally lets me lay down. I sit up with him as I turn my head towards him.
He looks at my face and sighs. It hasn't really bothered me lately so I continue to ignore it. It seemed to be working.
"How was training?" I ask instead.
He smirks as he thinks back to training. I get glimpses of his thoughts. "Wow, seriously Mark?" I tell him.
He was going all in on their training that it hurts that they don't do the same with me. They always hold back.
When my thoughts get a little dark for me I look at Mark. He looks lost in thought.
"Your boyfriend might need you to kiss some boo boos away." He says out of nowhere.
I sit up straight to look him in the eyes. "What happened?"
He looks at me with offense as he feigns innocence. I saw how intense it got so I knew better than to believe his theatrics.
"If you want to blame anyone talk to Bass. Your mate might have hit Ash and well..." he lets that hang in the air.
"It's training, of course you'll get hurt!"
"I know, let's just say your mate sent her flying. It's the first time they got hits in."
I groan as that was not an image he showed me. He was holding them close. That jerk. "Then what happened?"
"Well after Bass calmed down he apologized and now they're good. Did you know that kid is fast?"
"Who?"
"Jay, the kid. He is freakishly fast. I couldn't keep up for a bit. I did manage to ambush him."
"You know what, don't tell me."
He laughs as I get up to go brush my teeth. I come back to Mark waiting under the covers. I go to the closet to change.
"You're not seriously sleeping there when I'm here." He says offended. I snort as I step out with my night wear. It usually consists of short shorts and a baggy shirt. But I forgot to do laundry so I use a tank top. Which makes me feel exposed.
"Give me your shirt," I tell Mark. He looks at me puzzled but complies.
I go back to the closet to exchange my top. His was a little baggier which was what I liked. Since Ash only offered me tight lingerie for sleep wear. I was not going to wear that.
Mark smiles as he sees me in his shirt. I roll my eyes as I get in bed with him.
I turn the light off. A little light was still on. It was coming from my nightlight I had plugged in the same night I got it. It illuminated bears into the shadows. It was kind of creepy but I loved it.
"Night, babe," Mark whispers.
I turn to him. Resting my head on his exposed chest I say my goodnight as I drift to sleep. He holds me as I dream a dreamless dream.
When the alarm sounds I find Mark on the rocking chair doing word puzzles. He had a highlighter as he quickly found word after word.
"I'm the strange one, remember?" I tell him.
He flips me off as he continues. I snort as I get up. I had to come up with a plan to make up for missed days to not fall behind. I was not going back to school much less in the summer.
I go shower as Mark looks bored when I get back. "You finished it?"
"Yes, this wasn't challenging. Hey, what are you doing today? We can train, we can hike, we can go eat," Mark rambles.
"I can't. I have to talk to teachers today to see what else I can do to make up for lost time. I need to graduate and I also made plans with Diana's little brother."
Mark groans, "forget about school."
"If I flunk I'll make sure to go to a school you're allowed to go to and force you to come with me." I threaten.
"School is important. Get your act together, young lady," Mark says sternly. I roll my eyes but I smile. He really does know how to brighten my mood.
"Burritos, tacos, and even spaghetti are superior to sandwiches." Mark insists.
I was debating what to make for lunch to share with the others but Mark kept insisting anything was better than anything I suggested. "But they'll get cold and taste weird. Better to just keep it with cold foods."
"How about club sandwiches since you don't want quality food."
I snort. "I love quality food but I'm a realist."
He continues to give me more food options as he helps me make the sandwiches.
"You two are so cute," Angie tells us. She walks in to find we had already made breakfast. Now we were making lunch.
"Yeah, well she has a boyfriend." Mark says.
I freeze as I look at him in disbelief. He looked guilty for a second.
What the hell, Mark?! I tell him through our link.
They're bound to know?
That's my decision to make! Besides I don't know what Ander and I are right now.
Sorry.
I glare at him as I turn to smile at a stunned Angie and an even more shocked John. He was just entering the room when he heard what Mark said.
"What?" John says coming out of his shock.
"We're taking it slow. I wouldn't say we're that far to be classified as boyfriend and girlfriend." I quickly said.
"Good, you have to make them earn your love." John says. He goes to sit down to eat. Angie was still as she looked between me and Mark.
You broke Angie!!! I accuse him.
"He's actually not that bad. Very nice guy if I say so myself," Mark adds. He really wanted me to kill him.
I glare at him as he looked worriedly at me. I'm thinking about ways to make him pay. Each one was not pretty.
"Hmm," John says, "if you think he's worth knowing then I'd like to be a judge of that as well. We can invite the Holt's as well so they can meet him."
"Wh-what?" I stutter.
"Well we should get to meet the person you're seeing, shouldn't we?" John asks Angie but she's still processing.
"Like I said, we're just getting to know each other." I tell him as I go to Angie.
"Are you still going to be seeing him?" John continues.
"Yes."
"Then it's settled invite him for dinner. I'll call the Holt's to see when they're free. I'll text you the time and day." John starts to eat as if that was that. I gently poke Angie on the arm. She snaps out of trance and smiles at me.
"Yes, we'd love to meet him." She says as she goes to sit.
Now I glare more profusely at Mark.
This will be fun! He tells me excitedly.
On the drive to meet Ander I had my arms crossed on my chest. I glared at the road ahead.
"You still can't be mad at me," Mark says.
"I can, but I'm not. I'm clinging on anger because I'm scared. What if he says no? What if he feels like I'm sending horrible mix signals by making him meet my four parents? This could all explode on my face. I don't like this Mark. My mind is messing with me."
"It's okay, I'm here. Focus on my thoughts. Like always don't go down that road. I'm here. I know I left you alone for too long and I'm sorry. I'm here now." He reaches for my hand. He had to pry it off my chest because I had locked them in.
He gives me a reassuring squeeze.
"It wasn't that all bad. I had other things plaguing my mind that it rarely peeked it's ugly head. Now that I'm actually feeling it's coming out more frequently."
"I'm here. Just reach out to me and I'll be there to pull you back. Like always."
We made it to Ander he had a bruise on his cheekbone and a cut lip. I look back at Mark.
"I did tell you he had boo boos. Now go kiss them," he gently nudges me. I laugh as I stay seated.
Ander comes to stand by Mark as they fist bump in greeting before Mark dashes out. Ander dumps his bag on the back before taking the driver's seat.
"Good morning, you look beautiful," he tells me. I blush as I'm not used to compliments. Also I know it's not true since I have a bruise on my face. I did cover most of it up but it's still there. Doesn't hurt as much now.
"So are you two now best buds or something?" I ask as I would have thought they'd hate each other or something. Then again they're training. I guess that either makes you or breaks you.
Ander laughs, "he did tell me he'd date me if it weren't for you."
I laugh. I remember Mark telling me that I wouldn't have thought in a million years he'd admit that to Ander himself.
"Do you blame him?" Ander jokes. I begin to laugh even more.
Ander pulls away when I continue laughing not just at the thought of them together but also of how Angie wanted me and Mark together. It was just too much.
I wipe my tears away. "Thanks for that. If you need me to back off let me know. I'm not one to mess with true love."
Ander looks at me confused but also amused which makes me laugh again.
I almost knocked my glasses off wiping my laughter tears off.
"Want me to wear them?" Ander offers.
"Nah, I got it." I tell him, since I know he doesn't like wearing them.
He pulls into the school parking lot, I tell him to park in my spot. "Your spot?" He asked.
"Yes, I've always parked here."
He doesn't argue as he parks in that spot.
He comes to open my door as I gather mine and his bag. I take his hand as he helps me out.
I start to give him his bag but quickly take it back. Putting it behind my back I look at him as he stares curiously at me.
"I'll give it back if you promise not to cheat on me with my guy." I tell him.
"Your guy?"
"Mark is my guy."
He leans close to me he's so close that our breaths mix. I look from his lips to his eyes back to his lips as they slowly smirk. He reaches behind me for his bag as he takes it.
"I promise," he whispers. He starts to lean away but I grab the collar of his shirt to keep him in place. He smiles.
"He's my guy but you're so much more," I tell him.
He leans so close that when he speaks his lips brush against mine, "how much more?" he softly asks me. I slam my lips on his as I kiss him, which makes him flinch but he deepens it not pulling away even if it hurts him.
I pull away, "sorry."
"Worth it," he tells me, as he kisses me again as he smiles when I apologize whenever he flinches.
"Are you done sucking each other's faces?" Robbs says. There's a hint of humor in his voice. He stares at use expectantly.
Ander kisses my cheek as I keep my focus on Robb. I turn back to him smiling I steal another kiss before stepping away.
"Now that you've interrupted us, yes." Ander tells him as he puts his arm around my shoulders to pulls me closer to him.
"Well as far as I know I'm on duty today. Not you," Robb crosses his arms.
"Not right now," Ander answers.
"Duty? What duty?" I ask.
"We all agreed to keep an eye on you. For your safety," Robb says.
"I'm fine, look," I show him my now healed foot.
"Not the point. They have gotten you alone two too many times. I'm not risking it," Ander tells me.
"Now let's go. You're with me," Robb pulls me away. Ander snorts as he follows behind.
"You don't have to take care of me," I tell Robb as we head to his locker.
"Are you kidding? You seem to have a more interesting life, apparently where you go the fight goes. I'm not missing out," Robb says as he dumps things in his locker to exchange with other books.
"That's not something I like, you know?" I tell him as I lean next to the closed lockers beside his.
"I know, doesn't change the fact. Besides you're Ander's mate, our future Luna. I am not going to just stand by and watch others hurt you."
I tense at that name. I really did not like that it just reminds me of Finch. I'll call him that instead of Otto. Makes him sound more villainous.
"Yes, and if anything happens to you I'd..." Ander doesn't finish. He just looks down the hall as students pass by not giving us a second thought.
"Don't say that, I rather not dwell on the bad," I tell him. He's on the other side of Robb as Robb kept pulling him away from me saying he's the one protecting me today.
"Do you need to go to your locker?" Robb asks me.
"No, I have everything in my bag," I tell him as I pat the huge bulged bag.
My messenger bag was about to pop but I didn't mind. I've come used to carrying a lot of things at once to avoid unnecessary travels.
"Maybe you should take some things out, that poor bag can only hold so much," Robb says pitifully at my bag. I had been using Ash's tote designer bag but I changed it back to my raggedy one. We've been through a lot together.
"Nah, it's stronger than it looks. Hasn't failed me yet," I say as I caress it. This earns me weird looks but I shrug them off. "I think the bell is about to ring. Aren't you heading to your class?"
"Mine is in the second floor. I have to wait on Theo, I asked him to keep an eye on you while I get to you from mine. So stay with him," Robb tells me.
"I'm literally there? What the hell?" Ander says offended.
"My duty, my decisions," Robb answers him.
"What? Why? I'm not going to be attacked in school. There's no point for this extra...guarding." I struggled to find a word.
"Can't risk it. Listen to me and it'll go smoothly, okay?" Robb says as he grabs my hand and drags me to class.
Ander follows from behind as he glares at Robb.
Robb shoves Ander in telling him we have to go over safety precautions. Ander glares at him but winks at me.
"You're just messing with him now," I tell Robb.
Robb smiles brightly, "I know and it's so much fun, but I did tell Theo so stick with Theo. I'll get here as fast as I can," he nudges me in.
Robb looks after me as I walk in and to my seat. Instead of Ander in the seat next to me Theo is, Ander is standing by him glaring at him as well. He reluctantly goes to sit on Theo's original seat.
I look at Ander but he's busy glaring at Theo. "Robb made you mess with him in his place," I state.
Theo looks at me as if bored, "no, but I can see why he's enjoying it."
I snort a laugh as I turn back to look at Ander he winks at me again as I roll my eyes.
"You're not going anywhere," Theo tells me after the bell rings.
"I haven't even done anything," I defend. I was just putting my headphones and phone in my bag. It had gotten annoying just sitting there in silence.
"Come on," he says after a few seconds. Ander was standing idly by.
I follow Theo slowly which causes him to turn around and grab my hand. He pulls me to the door. Robb was waiting outside Theo let's go of me as he walks away without saying a word.
"He's so nice, I think we're best friends now," I say sarcastically.
Ander snorts as Robb looks at where Theo headed. He was no longer in view, I swear he has the ability to become invisible.
"He's just guarded around new people. He'll come around," Robb assures me.
"Theo likes to be mysterious," Ander adds.
Robb glares at him before grabbing my hand to pull me. I yank it back, "I'm more than capable of walking on my own, thank you very much."
I walk ahead of them to my next class not waiting on either one of them. I just walk in and sit on my seat. I didn't check if they followed or not.
I did hear Ander chuckle when I walked away but I didn't look back.
At the end of the class I headed to the teacher. I really needed to make up for absent days. I was going to talk to them all to see if there's anything I could do to fix things. I'm not sure how my grades are but I'm not risking it. I've come too far to just give in.
When I got out the class Robb was there. I smile at him as I walked to my next class as if he weren't there.
Make them work, girl. Mark tells me.
Shut up.
Oh, come on. How long are you going to be mad at me?
Forever. You didn't just tell them about Ander you didn't tell me about this whole organized guardianship.
I may be an idiot but I'd like to think I'm smarter than that. I wasn't about to take your full outrage.
That's why I'm mad at you.
He laughs as I roll my eyes.
Diana is waiting for me by the gymnasium today was the last day for swimming. I was not in the mood for it but I had been helping her swim.
"Hey," she greets me.
"Hello, mind telling the guard I'm good," I tell her. Robb is behind me as he greets Diana.
"I'll walk with the her," Diana tells him.
Robb nods before heading away. "Bye!" I yell after him as he laughs and waves back without turning.
Diana chuckles, "must be hard," she says.
"It's fine but it can get overbearing."
We had made progress as Diana can swim closer to the shallow end without panicking. She was so happy that she could do it all on her own.
"Are you still having that date with my brother?" She asks me as I put my jacket back on. My hair was still wet and I didn't want it to wet my white shirt.
"Yes, I made him a promise, I tend to keep it. You're still coming with Jay, right?"
"Yes, I guess Robb will be joining us."
"We're you there when they all came up with this..system?" I ask her as she brushes her hair.
"Not really, I was with Tom and my dad. Since my dad is our best tracker we thought we could find where they moved to but we came empty. They had already abandoned the place." She tells me.
"Your dad seems protective, he let you go with them?" I ask in shock. He hadn't let us train more because we shouldn't strain ourselves as we had injuries, he had said.
"He's teaching me how to track. He probably knew they wouldn't be there. He is a little over protective of me and my siblings but he means well. He teaches me a lot of things beside fighting."
"Was he mad I was doing that?" I ask as we walk out the locker room to the pool area where the doors we came in from are.
"No, if anything he said he approves as long as I'm careful and you're there helping me," she tells me shyly.
"I'm not the best teacher. I can help you but if you want to be better, Bass is your guy."
"I prefer if you teach me. It'll help me ease into things better, besides you're a great teacher you helped me get over my fears and taught me to swim." She smiles brightly at me.
"Be kind to the dog long enough it'll soon fetch," a girl sneers. She walks past us as she purposely brushes by Diana. I know her intentions were to push her in the pool but Diana doesn't even budge.
I look back at the girl and realization hits me. It was Hailey, the milkshake girl, I glare at her.
I was about to go ask what her problem was but Diana grabs my arm, "don't, I can fight my own battles. Besides she's not a threat best ignore her."
I look at her but don't say anything. I know what she means. I wouldn't want someone to fight my battles either much less force me to pick a fight. Tristan always told me to pick my battles wisely and Diana was doing that. She is stranger than she leds on.
"Come on, Robb is waiting for you," she says before the bell even rang.
Sure enough Robb was leaning against the wall waiting.
"Did you ditch your class to get here first?" I ask him.
"No, we had a quiz and I asked to go to the bathroom before the bell rang." He shrugs out.
I shake my head as I head past him. Diana giggles. I'm glad they find it amusing.
Good thing we had the next class together. Which makes me blush at the memory.
"Remember when we first met?" I tell Robb as if it were years ago and not that long ago.
"When you were getting hypothermia," he responds.
"Good times," I laugh as he gives me a weird look. "I'm joking, it was in this class. Thanks for that by the way."
"No problem. Just try not to get hypothermia again," he pleads. I laugh now as I really should have thought of that when I decided to wear wet clothes.
He lets me go in first as I head to my seat.
After class Robb takes me to his locker so he can switch things back. I stand by as if I'm the bodyguard and he's my mark.
"This day is going by slow, are you sure you want to stick with me? I can get you an out," I tell him.
"Ha! Nice try but you can't get rid off me so easily." He tells me as he pulls a bag of cookies out from his bag.
"Can I get a peek at the schedule? Better yet, can I pick and choose my guard?" I ask as he offers me his cookies.
I take one as he ponders about what I said. "No." He tells me as he walks ahead of me when I stop walking.
"Seriously?" I call after him. Some kids look between us but carry on when nothing happens.
"Come along," he calls back.
I grumble as I walk towards him. He was doing a horrible job by leaving without me.
I finish my cookie before I get to the table, I took longer when I couldn't get to my shades as they were buried under all my mess. I had a plastic bag for the wet clothes. I had ponder over putting them in my locker but never did.
"I need to go to the car," I tell Robb just as we get to the table. I turn to go without looking if he was coming along or not. I dump the bag with the wet clothes inside as I can now see where the shades went. I needed to take better care of them since Ash gave them to me.
"There you are," Ander says.
I quickly put them on, "where else would I be?"
I see Robb did not indeed follow me. "So much for sticking by me," I say.
"I heard that," Robb says coming from the Jeep.
"I said nothing," I tell him as I close and lock the door.
"Sure, cookie?" He offers me. I take one as Ander tries to get one as well but Robb puts them out of reach.
"Wow, you're really not going to give me one?" Ander says, hurt.
"Nope, get your own. These are for guards and detainees," Robb says as he pulls me away.
"Stop pulling me like a dog on a leash, please." I tel him.
"Sorry," he lets go of me but walks with me to the table.
"Cookies?" He offers the rest. I grab two and he lets me as he gives the rest a cookie.
Ander looks annoyed but doesn't say anything, he just glares.
I hand him a cookie which perks him right up, "the whole thing?" He asks me in wonder.
"Someone once told me 'you're worth giving the last cookie to'," I tell him as I repeat Mark's words.
I'm glad you remember but that's our thing. Mark tells me.
I take the cookie back, "I'll give it if you agree that we're mad at Mark," I tell him.
"Okay," he says but he can just say it to get the cookie and not mean it. I give to him before I decide to eat it. "Why are you mad at him?"
"He told Angie and John I had a boyfriend and now they want to meet said boyfriend," I say as I glare at the memory.
"What's wrong with that?" Robb asks, as he glares at Ander for managing to get a cookie.
I blush profoundly, I can sense myself getting red. "Because."
"You don't want me to meet them?" Ander asks warily.
"I just feel like we're not at that level, yet." I don't look at him.
"I don't mind, but it's up to you. How about we go on a date today, we can get to know each other more," Ander offers.
I look up at him as I fix my shades.
"Close your eyes," he tells me. He takes them from me. I look to see him wearing them with a small smile on his face.
"I can't today, I have another date actually," I tell him.
He tenses at that and now everyone was staring at me in disbelief. Theo was more glaring than anything. Diana was smiling as she tries to cover it behind her hand.
"With a five year old," I continue. Before it was disbelief, now, now they're looking at me in horror.
I laugh as Diana does, we were enjoying their looks.
Please stop torturing my boy. Mark tells me.
"She promised my brother to take him for chicken nuggets," Diana tells them.
They slowly start to clear their throats and go by their day. I laugh as Ander sighs in relief.
"He's the cutest. I couldn't say no," I defend.
"He's evil," Diana says.
"Well I can't compete with that. How about tomorrow? Before another five year old beats me," Ander says.
"Okay."
"Well I guess I'll be joining this date. Can't wait for you to get me some nuggets as well," Robb says.
"You don't have to go, Diana will be there as well," I tell Robb.
"Jay is coming as well," Diana says looking at Jay who nods a little too quickly.
"And miss your date, no. It'll be a group date then," he smiles knowingly at Ander.
Ander glares at him as I shake my head. I take the containers with the sandwiches out. Jay hands me his tuna ones as I push mine towards the middle. They all grab some.
Ander stands to sit facing me as he gets close to whisper in my ear. "I can just ask you to be my girlfriend if you think it'll be less awkward."
I blush at the feeling of his breath in my ear and at what he suggested.
Turn to face him without getting up. I touch his cheek, "I'm not ready for that."
He smiles a lopsided smile. When he leans to kiss me I return the kiss. I was getting used to his touch and kisses, it was going too fast. I shouldn't be doing this but I couldn't help myself. He brought emotions I had long despised out of me and making me rethink everything I had once made myself believe.
He pulls away he looked hurt. He touches his injured lip and glares. I chuckle as I understand why he was hurting.
"Sorry," I tell him.
"Never apologize for kissing me." He winks out or at least I think. Can't tell with the shades.
"Robb, how about you carry me everywhere since you're going to shadow me?" I tell him.
"No, I'm not a mule," he says taking a bite of his sandwich.
Ander laughs as he tries to take my tuna sandwich. I snatch it back but offer him a bite. He takes a huge one which makes me glare at him. I had like five but still.
"Robb hit him."
"Okay," Robb stands to hit him but Ander moves out of the way. We laugh when Robb chases Ander.
"Like children," Andrea says shaking her head. "Ander!"
Ander comes back to sit as Robb gets his hit.
"What?" Ander answers as he rubs his arm where Robb got him.
I give a tuna sandwich to Robb who takes it as payment.
"We need to talk about your party," she tells him.
Jay was trying to convince me I owe him food. He said three club sandwiches wasn't fair to the five he gave me. Now I know math may not be my strong suit but my club sandwiches were a lot bigger and had a lot more ingredients than his. If anything I'm owed.
"I really don't want to." Ander tells her.
"You're still going aren't you?" Andrea asks as she fold her arms across her chest.
"He better, he's my date," I say as I continue to bargain with Jay. "I do not. I gave you bulky sandwiches yours are flat!"
"It's the quantity not the quality." Jay replies.
"Fine, I'll get you whatever you want on the date. It'll be on me."
"Anything?" He asks warily.
"That's what I said on one condition."
"What condition?"
"You bring me only three and take whatever I make with no complaints."
Jay stays quiet as he thinks it over. He really didn't like to take things without working for them or get help without feeling like he owes you. I get that but I don't do it because I want something in return I do it because I want to.
Because you're a softy. Mark says.
It's true. I saw something in Jay that just connected with me but I couldn't place it. I know that sounds weird but something about him attracted me to him. Like we shared this special connection.
I just felt the need to protect and care for him. It was strange but it's how I felt. Life works in mysterious ways but I'm not one to deny something like this. Jay has been kind and friendly towards me so I don't feel like it's a bad thing to help him.
"Okay, I accept." He finally answers.
I relax a bit, that is step one. He managed to accept something without thinking I had other intentions than to help.
"Cookie?" Robb offers Jay but he shakes his head. Robb looks deflated. I guess I'm not the only one he's reserved with.
I take one and give it to Jay but he doesn't take it. I glare at him until he reluctantly does.
"Come on Robb, you're slacking," I tell him as I gather the containers to take to the car. Less things on my bag the better. Since the parking lot is just beside the eating area it's not far we have to walk.
"Bossy much?" He grumbles.
I laugh as I let him help me.
The rest of the day goes painfully slow. I managed to get sympathy from most of my teachers. Some said I had to just show up and participate while getting passing grades on tests. Some just made me do extra credit worksheets. Simple, right?
I was again in Robbs locker as he organizes his things. "I have the date today, Quinn."
"Shush," he tells me as he thinks something through.
"Rude."
"Shhh."
I shut up, instead I focus on looking around. There was a couple devouring each other as people walked by them as if they weren't there. Others were gossiping about whom knows whom.
"I think Joseph said he hooked up with her before Ander. She's trying to make him jealous because he didn't want to lose Hailey."
I snort at that as Robb loudly slams his locker shut. "Some people can't seem to mind their business," he says just as loud.
The girls talking look at him then away quickly. They pretend they're busy opening their lockers.
"Come on," he grabs my hand as I let him guide me out.
"You know now they're going to think there's something between us," I tell him as I push my falling shades.
"I don't care," he says.
We get outside where they all are by the Jeep, Ander comes to me. "Hey."
Robb looked annoyed. "What happened?" Ander asks when I go hug him.
"Nothing," I tell him which is true. I don't care what people think. So I say.
"Someone was saying something bad about her. I swear people like to be in others people's business as if they don't have their own problems." Robb says.
"What they say?" Diana asks worried. I look at her confused as I never picture her to worry about me.
"They were saying she's with Ander to make someone else jealous because he left her after a hookup."
As Robb retold it now I can see why he was upset. I'm not that kind of person. I would never use anyone like that. I pull away from Ander. "That's ridiculous," Ander seemed to be offended.
"I don't care, Diana lets go. We have a kid to pick up and a date to go to."
"You're leaving without saying goodbye?" He tells me as I leave with Diana in hand.
I blow him as kiss but unlike Mark he catches it and keeps it. "I'll cash it in later," he promises.
I laugh as Diana is now the one pulling me along. Jay and Robb follow behind playing rock, paper, scissors as to who will take the front seat.
Diana obviously does as they both pout as it took them ten rounds before they realized she was already in and buckled.
"Should I drive off without them?" I had asked her when they kept playing and tying.
"Maybe honk at them?" She suggested. I did neither. When they finished they both got in the back.
"I had won," Robb says shaking his head.
"Next time just head straight to it you might actually sit on it." I tell him.
"Besides it's ladies first," Diana tells them.
We laugh as they groan.
When we arrive to Diana's her father had little Mason in a clutch. He seemed to be squirming from his father's arms.
"Aww he's so cute," I say as I put the car in park.
I get out just as Diana does. She heads to the open garage as I head to greet her father.
"YOU CAME!!!" Little Mason shouts. When his father lets go of him he dashes towards me. He jumps as he bear hugs my legs. He had a pretty strong grip.
"I promised, didn't I?" I tell him with laughter.
"Mason, let go of her. You'll crush her," his father joked.
He squeals as he goes to do the same to Diana whom now has a booster seat.
"Hello, nice you see you again. I'll bring him back in a while," I tell their father. He shakes my hand.
"Bring him back when he becomes too much," he tells me with a smile.
"He's too adorable to cause trouble."
"Don't let that fool you," he chuckles.
He gives Diana a kiss on the cheek as he helps secure the booster seat on the middle of the back seat. Robb and Jay say their greetings as well.
Once everyone is settled I pull away as I wave at their father that is looking after us.
"Music!" Little Mason shouts. Diana shakes her head as she turns the radio on. Once she finds the right station Mason begins to sing aloud even though he was saying gibberish.
"I told you that you'll regret this," Diana says. I don't remember that but I just laugh when he starts to make sounds instead of singing words.
We go to one that had a play area, I was sure those no longer exist but here was one.
"Nugggsss!!!" Mason shouts as I park.
"Set of lungs you have," Robb tells him as he tickles him.
Once Mason was done he went to play. Which left us alone, he had many questions about everything. He's still adorable.
"Did you guys give Ander his gifts?" I ask them.
"No, Andrea made us all hold onto them until her party." Diana says.
"I don't know what to get him," Jay admits.
"I got him some some studio headphones since his broke and he hasn't replaced them." Robb says.
"I got him a video game that came out," Diana says as she keeps an eye on Mason. I turn to see what he's up to. He's running in circles now.
"I was going to head out to get him something today. Want to come?" I ask Jay.
He looks like I've ambushed him. He looks all over the place as if the answer or something might come to him.
"Yeah, sure," he tells me as he hunches down.
His demeanor seemed to change now he looked sad and exposed.
"Sure, I'll come too, thanks for inviting me," Robb says.
"Actually, you can't come. This is a Jay and me thing. You know, for gift less people only." I tell him.
He gives me a look that shows he's not amused.
"I'm going across the line so Mark is going to be with us." I smile at him, he really didn't need to be stuck with me all day.
"I'm coming," he says each word slowly.
I turn to see what Mason is up, he seems to have made a friend. They're now playing tag or at least I think they are. They're just running all over the place.
"He's going to tire himself out," I tell them.
"I hope so," Diana says. We laugh as she goes to call for him since we were all done. Jay didn't even finish all of his food, he said he's going to just take it for later. Which was odd since he barely even ate.
"Make vroom vroom!!" Mason shouts.
"What?" I ask laughing.
"He wants you to step on the gas to make the motor roar." Robb tells me.
"I'll do it once, don't want to mess it up or something."
When I did it still in the parking lot it got attention of passerby's but they didn't say anything. Mason was clapping and giggling.
Mason did tire him self out. Not even five minutes later he was knocked out. Diana turned the radio off as we kept quiet.
"He won't wake up but I'm loving this silence," Diana says.
We laugh as Mason stirs but goes back to sleep.
Their father had to carry him in as their mom took the booster seat off.
"Thank you for doing this," their mom hugs me.
"My pleasure, he's a bundle of cuteness," I tell her.
Diana hugs me as she heads in as well. She promised to text me.
"Well Robb, want me to drop you off?" I ask him as I pull away.
"I'm going," he says from the backseat. Jay has beaten him to it.
"Okay, it'll be boring." I push but he doesn't relent.
I'm by the line I better not be sitting on the back. Mark pleads.
You snooze, you lose.
Not cool.
"Mark is waiting for us at the line." I inform them.
"So you and him can really talk in your minds?" Robb asks curiously.
"Yes, like you can with your pack."
"I've never heard of that before. Why is that?"
"Not sure. Mark thinks it's because I was dying so my mind connected to the first one it could. Since he has the ability to read them."
"You were dying?" Jay finally speaks. He had been unusually quiet.
"Yes, when I first shifted I ran into vampires and they had attacked me but the Holt's intervene. They saved my life."
"Must have been hard, especially at that young age." Robb says absentmindedly.
"Twelve, I was twelve so yeah," I try not to remember that day. It's engraved in my mind and it's the source of my nightmares.
I'm here, don't let that day ruin your life.
I know, thanks I don't know what I'd do without you.
That's what I'm here for, babe. I'll always pull you out. Love you.
Love you, too
"You mean thirteen," Robb tells me. "We all shift at thirteen."