by Clark, Bekah
Lyssa leaned forward and said softly, “Only three? Come back when you have an army, little moron. Three of you are still like fighting a baby for me.”
“You bitch!” Tori pulled back her arm, when would she learn. Lyssa grabbed it and as she rose, twisted the arm around, and face planted Tori into the table. She was careful not to use too much force so that she didn’t break her arm or mark up her face. Her two friends ran forward and Lyssa swung her leg up and pressed against the neck of the nearest one. Once again, careful not to hurt.
“Which one of you knows seven ways to take down a man?”
The two girls exchanged looks and backed away. Lyssa lowered her foot and smiled sweetly at the girls. Well, sweetly in a “I’m a deadly predator” kind of way.
“There, now. My friend and I are going to have a little chat.”
The two girls exchanged glances and looked at Tori.
“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt her, just like I won’t hurt you if you walk out of here quietly.”
The two girls backed up and left. Lyssa knew she didn’t have long until they sent a teacher, so she had to act quickly. Pulling Tori up, she pulled her close so they were eye to eye.
“Listen, moron, I’m only going to say this once so that you can understand. You can say whatever you want about me, I don’t care. But if you touch me again, I will put you in the ground. Got it?”
Tori nodded dumbly.
“Now run along and if you are asked, we were only talking.” That last bit, Lyssa influenced Tori’s mind. She didn’t want to get kicked out of school.
Letting Tori go, she sat down and opened her book just in time for the school librarian to come around the corner.
“What are you two doing?”
Lyssa looked up with a smile, “Tori just had some questions for me about a project. She’s leaving now. I was reading my book.”
The librarian looked at Tori and arched a brow. Smoothly, as if nothing was wrong Tori said, “We were only talking. I have to get going now.”
Once Tori left, the librarian had no reason to stay. Lyssa was known for being a good, quiet student so, even though the librarian would otherwise have told her to leave, she said nothing more and walked away. That was good because she’d hate to have to influence her too. She probably should feel worse about using her powers on the unsuspecting but, after four years on this world, Lyssa only felt such pangs occasionally, if the person was particularly nice. She found it interesting how even though they didn’t speak the language in the beginning, she used her gifts more in the last three and a half years of school then their first six months on Earth. As for Tori, well, she’d stop the bullying altogether if it wouldn’t be suspicious looking.
Lyssa had a hard time getting back into her book. She hadn’t expected Tori to try to beat her up. But then, Tori had brought two girls to help. At least she wouldn’t attack her again.
This is how Kyle found her, staring at her open book, frowning to herself and not reading. He slid into the chair next to her and stroked back her hair gently, “What happened?”
Frowning, she shook her head, “It’s silly.”
“Tori?”
Blinking, she looked up at him, “How’d you know?”
Stroking her hair softly over and over again, he smiled, “I know you’d never complain about that. It’s alright to be fed up. Or angry. Or hurt. Or even sad. You can talk to me about it.”
Carefully placing her bookmark, she took his free hand with both of hers and leaned in the chair so she could stare up at him. She smiled softly as she caressed his hand. In the past few weeks, she’d come to adore those chocolate eyes with their gleaming glints of gold.
“Tori and her friends came to teach me a lesson.”
Kyle’s eyes narrowed, “What do you mean?”
“Oh, don’t worry. I handled it. I’m just tired of school life. I want a break.”
“Winter break isn’t for a while.”
“I know,” she sighed softly, “What are we going to do?”
Grinning, he leaned over and put his brow to hers, softly asking, “What are we going to do?”
Blushing, she looked down for a moment and then met his gaze, “Yes. For winter break, what are we going to do?”
“Want to go snowboarding? We could go to Wachusett. Or Nashoba, it’s closer.”
Embarrassed, Lyssa smiled nervously.
“Wait, do you not know how to board? Do you ski?”
“I’ve never been.”
Laughing, he kissed her brow, “Ok, we’ll go to Nashoba. It’s smaller and I’ll give you lessons.”
Looking up into his eyes, she wondered again when he’d give her a real kiss. Was this some sort of game? If so, she wasn’t going to break and ask him to kiss her. He’d have to do that himself. But, damn, if she didn’t want him to sweep her away in a passionate kiss.
“Sounds fun. But, winter break is a long way away. When are we going out again?”
Frowning he leaned back, “Honestly, I’m getting pissed at my boss. He still hasn’t hired anyone and at this rate I’m not going to get to take you where I want to go before it gets cold.”
“I…she’s coming.” Lyssa pulled over her book and opened it. Kyle opened a textbook and bent over it. Just at that moment, the librarian peeked around the corner and looked at them. Seeing them doing nothing but reading or studying, she turned and left. What could she say?
“How do you always know?”
Lyssa looked at Kyle and he was studying her. She smiled, “I have exceptional hearing.”
She felt a stab in her heart. It seemed lately whenever she had to lie to him it would hurt. She didn’t understand it. She’d lied to countless humans.
“You don’t look happy. What are you thinking about?”
She didn’t want to lie again, so she said, “Something I don’t want to talk about.”
Grabbing a lock of her hair, Kyle gave it a quick tug and smiled, “You worried about meeting my parents?”
Laughing softly, “Ah, yeah. What if they don’t like me?”
“They’ll love you. I…think you’re great. They will too.”
Blushing, she looked aside. That was when the bell rang and they headed out to lunch. On their way to her locker to get hers, he slipped his hand into hers and held it tight. Warmth spread up her hand and across her chest. She couldn’t understand why these little contacts elicited such a reaction from her.
Once they reached the lunchroom, she found Lexa waving her down as usual. Kyle kissed her temple and headed for the line. At this point, they had a rhythm going where he would get her a soda while he got his lunch and she’d share tidbits out of her lunch.
Lexa met her halfway and said softly, “The girls have asked me to go out with just them again. Can I?”
Lyssa smiled, “Sure. Just be back by our supposed curfew.”
“You’re not… mad?”
Laughing, Lyssa hip-checked Lexa and started towards the table, “Not in the least. You’ve always had your own friends Lexa.”
“I know, but…”
“But nothing. Unless you don’t want to go?” She stopped just out of earshot of the table.
“No. I do. I mean, it isn’t as if we did anything exciting the last time. It’s just that I want you to come.”
Rolling her eyes she smiled, “Go and have fun. Non-exciting fun means I don’t have to worry about you.”
Lexa smacked Lyssa’s bottom, which caused Lyssa to roll her eyes. Missy was laughing at the table and Anna. Well, Anna was her usual quiet self. She wasn’t dangerous to the sisters, but that girl was certainly odd.
Sitting down, she started to pull items out of the thermal bag Lexa has given her this morning. Chicken Tikka Marsala already mixed with basmati rice. A favorite of the two girls, they had gotten Indian take-out the night before and brought home extra for their lunches. An orange soda can plopped down in front of her. Lyssa grinned up at Kyle, her favorite.
“What’s that?
”
“Chicken Tikka Marsala. Wanna try some?”
“I’m not good with spicy.”
Lexa busted out laughing, “If you are going to be with my sister, you should learn. Spicy food is her favorite.”
“Which one?” Kyle asked, a brow shooting up.
“All of them. If the food is spicy, chances are she loves it. Same with me for that matter. But, unlike my sister, I don’t wanna date you.”
Lyssa could feel her skin go deep pink and Kyle chuckled next to her. The two people who knew how to embarrass the heck out of her always seemed to at least once a day gang up on her. Not today.
“Hey, none of that Lexa.”
“You see, Lyssa, that’s your sister giving me her approval. Why won’t you give me yours?”
Rolling her eyes, she replied, “I told you before. I need at least a second date before I answer that.”
“Lyssa’s a prude, I’ll date you, Kyle,” Missy chimed in and batted her eyes.
Kyle moved just a touch closer to Lyssa, “I really like her though, so sorry. Until she tells me no, I’m off the market.”
“That’s not what Tori’s been saying,” Anna said softly, “She claims you two are going out behind Lyssa’s back.”
Lyssa paused mid-bite, her food inches from her mouth. Kyle swooped in and took a bite, “Woo! Hot. You are, that is.”
With a wink, he leaned back, “I’m not going anywhere with any other girl.” Then he quickly downed some of his soda, eyes watering. He didn’t say anything about the spicy food. He also didn’t try for another bite.
“I don’t need reassurance,” Lyssa said calmly, but her insides were rolling at the thought. No, she knew where he was because when she’d show up to buy snacks, he was always at the gas station. Damn, maybe she did need reassurance.
Kyle’s lips pressed softly to her cheek and he whispered, “I’m only interested in you.”
She met his gaze. How did he almost always know when she was insecure about their relationship? He could also see when things were bothering her, like earlier, even if she couldn’t tell him what they were.
“You take me out on that promised second date and you are off trial. You’ll be official.”
Kissing her temple, he grinned and drank some of his soda before he tore into his own food. She grinned mischievously, “Not going to have more than a bite?”
“Hell no. I mean, heck no.”
Lexa laughed, “You can say damn and hell in front of Lyssa, it’s the other stuff she’ll get all ‘language’ on you for.”
Lyssa rolled her eyes and ate in silence. Anna was staring at the two of them again. There was something in her gaze. Lyssa just couldn’t place what it was. Anna was not what she appeared, that is all Lyssa knew. Well, it didn’t matter as long as she wasn’t a danger to Lexa.
After lunch, Kyle walked her to her locker and then to their class. As they stopped in front of it, he gently took her hand and then kissed her brow. She could feel her cheeks turn all shades of red as a few girls walked by them, staring at the couple.
“I’ll see you in gym,” Kyle grinned, “girlfriend.”
Rolling her eyes, she turned and trotted off to her seat. As she walked by, she could hear a few girls whispering about her. It didn’t matter what they said. It only mattered what she thought of herself and that Kyle believed in her.
Chapter 11
Lexa wasn’t sure if she really wanted to go out with the girls. She knew Lyssa was going to be spending the day at home doing nothing. Sunday, Lyssa was going to Kyle’s house for an early dinner with his family. But, tomorrow she’d be all alone. Again. It didn’t help that that Tori kept making up stories about Lyssa. It was aggravating.
Lexa was not as strong as Lyssa. Her gifts were not as destructive. However, she did have gifts of her own as all their people did. And, no one was paying attention to her at the moment. A few days ago, she had found out which locker was Tori’s. Now, she made her way over and leaned against the locker. Looking completely innocent, she leaned there for a few moments and then moved on.
Finding another perch with a good view, Lexa leaned there and waited. Missy came up and the two started gossiping about Missy’s favorite show, which had become Lexa’s favorite as well. That’s when they heard it. A loud shriek. Both girls turned to look a little way down the hall to find Tori pulling item after item out of her locker. Each item was perfectly usable still. Each item was also puke green.
Lexa smiled as she watched. Missy leaned in and said softly, “How did you manage to do that?”
“What do you mean?” Lexa gave Missy a look that was the picture of innocence.
“Ha!” Missy rolled her eyes, “Be that way. Plausible deniability and all. It’s freakin’ awesome, by the way.”
Lexa grinned and watched while Tori continued to go through her items. Even the interior of the locker itself was the same sick color. At that moment, Lyssa walked up. Stopping, her eyes went wide and shot Lexa a look. The frown said it all; there’d be a talk when they got home. Great.
The rest of the day was uneventful, except that the whole school was buzzing about Tori’s locker. When lunch came, Lyssa once again shot Lexa a look. Now that it was school news, Lyssa was obviously really pissed. Kyle sat beside her, looking a little confused as he glanced between the two sisters. But, what could Lyssa tell him? That Lexa had pulled the biggest prank of the year on Tori? She couldn’t say anything because he’d ask how Lexa did it.
Nerves tied knots in Lexa’s belly as she waited for the last bell of the day to ring. When it finally did, she walked very slowly to the car. Lyssa was leaning against it canoodling with Kyle. It was funny how they never really kissed. Lyssa had told her that Kyle was waiting for their second real date. The guy had patience, Lexa would give him that. He also was playing it really smart because it was winning him Lyssa. As Lexa observed Lyssa, she watched in fascination as Lyssa turned her gaze up to Kyle and her gray-blue eyes softened into warm pools. Wow.
Blushing, Lexa averted her eyes, feeling she had violated some private moment. Making her way around to the other side of the red car, she slipped into the passenger’s seat and waited. It didn’t take long before Lyssa slid into the driver’s seat, waved to Kyle with a big smile and pulled away. Soon as they were on the road, it started.
“Lexa, how could you?”
Trying to play dumb, she asked, “Do what?”
Rolling her eyes, Lyssa continued, “I’m not going to play that game. You know what you did. That sort of thing draws attention, Lexa! Too much attention could draw Hunters, you know that!”
“What? It was just a small prank! It’s not like it made the news!”
“No, but you get someone who decides to make it news and then what? We have to be careful. Do you want to move again?”
“No. But, I’m sure you don’t want to move even more.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“If we move, you’d have to leave Kyle. You don’t want to do that.”
“That has nothing to do with this. Stop trying to change the subject. Be more careful, Lexa. Otherwise we really will have to move.”
The rest of the ride, there was an uncomfortable silence between them. Lyssa’s face was a little pink and Lexa couldn’t tell if it was from embarrassment from talking about Kyle or if it was anger at her for the prank. In either case, Lexa knew she had to keep her mouth shut. When they stopped in front of the house, they got out and made their way inside. Lyssa started studying and Lexa went to her room.
Sitting down at her laptop, Lexa started stalking the social media accounts of various people in school. There it was. Several people had posted about what happened to Tori. Shit. She’d have to get Lyssa to use her gifts to remove all of those posts. She started taking notes of whose accounts had the post and when she was done, she went downstairs and sighed. Lyssa looked up at her and Lexa handed her the list.
“These are the ones I’ve found. You might be busy tonigh
t.”
Lyssa quietly looked over the list and sighed, “I’ll get right on it.”
“Lyssa. I’m…I’m sorry.”
Instantly, Lyssa softened and most of the tension left the room. It was a good thing that Lyssa wasn’t the type to hold a grudge. One word of apology was enough to change her. Nodding to Lexa, Lyssa grabbed her tablet and typed in her passcode. Once it was up and running, she placed her hand on the screen and closed her eyes. Lexa watched in fascination as Lyssa’s eyes moved rapidly behind closed eyelids. This was yet another gift of Lyssa’s that made her special, rare, and therefore considered dangerous among Taldians. It was why they had to run. It was why their parents had been killed.
