“Yes honey I know, the museum of modern art tomorrow at ten,” She responded in a hum.
“I have to get to college.” Leaving my chair I made my way towards the kitchen door. Beth waved me goodbye as I exited through the front door and got into my car.
The drive to college seemed to go faster than usual and I was parking my car ten minutes after leaving home. The car park was filled with students and cars. Beth had kept me longer than normal and made me late. Scanning the car park for my friends I couldn’t see them. Locking the car I made my way in doors to my Monday morning English lesson. The corridors were cluttered with students as I carried on up the stairs to Mr. Hanno’s English class. Pushing open the door the room had begun to fill up and looking to the back of the class, Poppy was waving at me franticly. Taking my seat next to Oscar, who was surprising there before I was, I must be late.
“Elle you are never going to guess what happened to me this weekend!” Poppy exclaimed from over my shoulder. Turning to face her, I could see the wide grin on her face. Whatever she’s going to say there is no way it can top my weekend.
“I made out with Blake Robinson!” She squealed. Is that it, that’s her amazing thing that happened to her. I really would love Poppy to live in my shoes for a day, would be funny to see.
“Really Wow!” I replied trying to improve my amazed face as it faltered behind my urge to laugh. Mr. Hanno slammed his books down on his desk. Sighing a sigh of relief, I turned back towards the board. Mr. Hanno’s dark brown jacket was torn at the sleeve and the trousers he had on were way to short for him, showing his Homer Simpson socks. Tearing my eyes away from the poorly dressed teacher before me, I began to make doodles on my pad of paper. Vibrations from my phone made me jump in my seat. Oscar gave me a weird look as I secretly pulled my phone from my jeans pocket, hoping Mr. Hanno wouldn’t notice. He was so into what he was writing on the board he wouldn’t have noticed if a hurricane blew through the classroom.
Sliding my phone up silently, the one message sign flashed on the screen.
I know you are mad at me, but we need to discuss Lorias
I read closing my phone and shoving it straight back in my pocket. That was the fifth text from Logan since the incident yesterday night. I will not reply to him, hear that Adabelle you are not replying to him. I still don’t understand why he protected Megan and why hadn’t the light killed him. Maybe my powers don’t work on Logan. Wait they did at the castle when I froze him. He had defiantly un done the work that he had done in the Icarus graveyard. There is no way that I will every think there is more to him than his evil side. My phone vibrated again. Pulling it out of my pocket, I opened up the text message.
Seriously though! I can tell that your just reading these messages and doing the cute scrunched up thing that you do with your nose. If you don’t reply I will come see you.
Putting down my mobile, I couldn’t help but secretly smile at the message. Controlling my emotions, I straightened my face out.
I guarantee if you come see me. I will kick you somewhere un pretty and make you talk like Alvin the chipmunk.
Snapping my phone closed. I pushed it down to the bottom of my bag, with the image of pushing Logan down with it. Resting my chin in my hands I stared past Mr. Hanno into space for the rest of the hour lesson.
Lunch came around faster than usual. The day was passing by in a blur, and it didn’t bother me. All I want to do is go to bed and sleep the rest of my life away. I jumped as Poppy smashed down her lunch on the table and thrashed her butt onto the seat next to me.
“What now?” I asked removing my hands from their permanent place in my hair. If I wasn’t careful I wouldn’t have any hair left, the amount of hair I’d been tugging at.
“Blake Robinson.” She exclaimed roughly biting off a piece of celery.
“What about him,” I sighed taking a bite of my own salad.
“He’s over there talking to Tamsin Fretlie, Bitch” She hissed.
“So what? Tamsin talks to everyone. She’s a cheerleader meaning she’s a hussy. Don’t worry about it,” I assured her taking a bite out of a piece of cucumber. Mumbling under her breath something that wasn’t even audible to my sensitive hearing, she shoved a couple of grapes in her mouth.
“Elle you have a message,” Carrie pointed out taking my phone from the table and placing it in my open hand. I know I have a message. I’m just choosing to ignore the constant messages from Logan. Opening the message I sighed tilting the phone away from the sun glare.
If that what it takes for you to talk to me other than through text, I’m prepared to take a hit Besides I like that film.
Chuckling to myself I placed the phone back on the table.
“Who was that?” Poppy asked eating the last of her grapes.
“No one important,” I replied.
“Oh my god!” Oscar groaned sitting down at the table with head in his arms. Oh the dramas that my friend face. If it’s not one it’s another. I suppose the mass of human problems is a lot better than a mass of supernatural ones.
“What’s up with you champ?” I asked lifting one of his hands off his head. It flopped back down lifelessly, hitting him on the head. Lifting his head off the table he creased his forehead.
“Is it possible to shoot myself in the foot without having an actual gun?” He grumbled into in his hands that were cupped around his mouth.
“What happened?” I asked pulling his hands away from his face.
“Apparently I’m now dating Emma?” He mumbled.
“What!” We cried in unison. Chocking on a grape, Harriet smacked me on the back.
“Thanks Harriet and Oscar on behalf of all of us I must say huh?” I choked.
“I have no idea. She just came over to me and said Hey boyfriend,” He exclaimed. His face began to fluster as Carrie fanned him with her hand.
“Why didn’t you set her straight?” Harriet asked fanning him with her folder. My loose strands of hair wafted in my face as the wind blew my way.
“Hi my name is Oscar I can’t say no to crazy girls,” he wailed taking my hand and shaking it. It's true Oscar can’t say no to most people. He always tenses up and sometimes even sweats when he is put under pressure.
“Man up Oz! Just tell her you are seeing someone else,” Poppy moaned checking her reflection in a knife.
“Whatever Pops. Not all of us have amazing flirting skills like yourself,” He scowled tearing up his sandwich in fury. Rising from my seat I crossed the table and sat on Oscars lap. Making sure Emma was looking our way, I put my lips to his. Without a second to think about it, Oscar returned the kiss, and we locked in an embrace. Pulling away I smiled at him.
“You owe me one.”
Looking stunned he stared at me as I took my seat next to Poppy and Harriet.
“That’s one way to do it,” Carrie laughed. We all looked at Emma, her face was bright red, and the anger in her eyes made me laugh out loud. Oscar was frozen witch a shocked expression on his face.
“Didn’t know I was that much of a good kisser,” I chuckled taking one of Oscars chips. He didn’t look like he was going to be moving for a while. My phone vibrated again as I just began to relax. Opening the text message I couldn’t help smile as I read it.
Now that’s not fair, what does that human have that I don’t?
A jealous Logan, now that makes me happy from some reason. Smiling I searched the lunch field but couldn’t find where he was watching from.
A sense of what’s rights and wrong
I replied back to him and glanced back at Oscar who had regained his normal face movements.
“So Oscar was that good for you?” Poppy mocked
“Come on guys leave him alone, we have to get to class.” Taking my phone off the table I shoved it in my bag. For the next few hours, I am going to be Logan free.
“Oscar are you coming?” I asked turning back to see he hadn’t moved from his seat. Shaking his head he picked up his stuff and followed me ins
ide the college. Another couple of hours of mind numbing so called learning and then home to the Brady bunch.
***
“Take it,” Harriet insisted shoving a chocolate muffin into Poppy’s view.
“No. Do you know how many calories are in that thing,” she moaned pushing it out of her sight and chewing on her nails.
“Your right, there are so fewer calories in your nails,” I mocked pulling her hand out of her mouth. I chewed my own nails, but it irritated me when others did it around me, which was weird but I don’t mind being a hypocrite. Sitting in Felix’s coffee shop I looked out the window to people watch. Rain fell onto the window creating small water spirals on the window pane.
“Hey Poppy, when is this diet kick going to end. I’m tired of watching you eat grass,” Oscar asked taking a bite out of the chocolate muffin Poppy had insulted.
“Oscar you of all people should get on my diet kick because girls don’t like a guy with a soft stomach,” She mocked pushing his stomach with her fingers. He slapped her hand away and continued to munch on his muffin, making yummy noises in her ear.
“Right guys I have got to go. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
“Bye Elle. Don’t forget our reports due in tomorrow.” Poppy yelled as I headed out of Felix’s café. Oh that’s right, my book report on Emma by Jane Austen was in tomorrow. I better get on that.
Trudging down the back Alley behind Felix’s, my peach shoes were covered in mud. Not really appropriate footwear for a rainy day. Pulling my hood over my head, I pulled the fabric close to my skin as the rain began to pour down.
Reaching the end of the alley I could see my car on the other side of the road. A crash echoed behind me, as I turned around someone pulled on my bag. Crouching I kicked their feet, and they fell to the ground. Pulling down my hood I saw his face, it was covered in dark black markings as if someone had used him as a doodle board. He levitated and regained his standing position. Stretching his arm out I flew back down the alley, crashing into a pile of bins.
Well that hurt a lot. Pulling myself up off the ground and wiping the mud from my hands on my jumper, I threw two fire balls his way. He burnt to the ground next to my bag. Before I could go grab it, Megan was standing over the pile of demon ash.
“Megan?” I whispered. She looked like Megan but a whole lot better. Her blonde hair was curled and hanging flawlessly on her cheeks. She was dressed head to toe in black leather. Looking like someone from the matrix’s she pulled out the box which held the crystal.
“Don’t you…” Before I could finish she shimmered out of the Alley, taking the water crystal with her. Well that wasn’t the best thing ever. Sighing I picked up my soaking wet bag and headed to my car hanging my head in shame.
Chapter fifteen
At least I wasn’t the only one who had their crystal stolen. Alex was jumped by a werewolf on her way home from her boxing lesson and only just escaped. The werewolf ran off, and Megan again, took her stone.
Chewing on the end of my pen, I tried to block out the noise coming from the Television six feet away from me. Having spent a lot of time away from the Bales I missed them a little bit, so why not join them when they are watching their soaps. It gives me time to work on my report due in tomorrow and even hide away from my duties of being the princess of all good. Losing the stone to a newborn vampire hurt my ego, but losing it to Megan Cairns hurt me a little bit more. The Eastenders theme song began to play as I finished the one thousand word report, that I had spent the past few hours writing.
“Isn’t it nice seeing them back together,” Beth yawned covering her mouth with her hand. “I always liked them together.”
The people in soap land were so dramatic, for a small neighbourhood an awful lot went on. I have no idea why someone would sleep with their nephew and his arch enemy and then try and blackmail them. Saying that she would tell their wives. How did no one else see what was going on, surely someone would pick up on it. Also, how does no one notice a baby being switched with another baby during a new year’s party. Are they all blind.
“Isn’t he her nephew or something?” Robin asked. She was sitting behind me as I sat on the floor. Her long blonde hair was tied up in a plat, and she was wearing cute pink bunny pyjamas. For a twenty year old she dressed like a twelve year old, but with her figure she pulled it off well.
“No, he’s her cousin,” Marc replied from the other side of the sofa that I was leaning against.
“Either way that’s wrong,” I scoffed.
“Too right!” Robin chuckled from behind me. On the other sofa sat Beth and Bruce. Bruce wasn’t really paying any attention and as usual had the newspaper to his face. Even though, the Bales are not my real family, I did feel at home when I was with them. I had spent eight years with them and even though Robin made out she didn’t like me, she did have a sensitive side, and at times she did act like a sister. Once she even lent me her amazing blue butterfly jumper to wear to college. Having a family like this to comeback to every week made me feel half normal. In Gracia the only time my real family spent together was in meetings and meals, even then it was pick and choose whether you attended.
“Hey Elle, I heard your friend got with Blake Robinson on Saturday,” Robin spoke over the murmur of the television.
“Yeah she was bragging about it today,” I replied setting my laptop down on the floor beside me.
“My friend Casey was so jealous. She’s been after him for months,” She chuckled. Being shushed by Beth we stopped talking and continued to watch the drama unfold on the screen. I had to tell Poppy about Casey, she would love to know that she made her Jealous. Being the most sought after girl in the small town of Black Stoke, Casey wasn’t ever jealous of anyone. So Poppy would probably boast about this for a long time. Maybe I shouldn’t tell her.
“Mum can I borrow twenty pound from you tomorrow?” Robin asked.
“What for honey?” Beth replied already pulling out the twenty from her purse, ready to give to Robin.
“I need to pay for the books for the new course, I want to start next year. I thought I would get a head start,” She explained standing up to take the money from her mother. Thanking her, she sat back down behind me.
“What course are you doing?” I asked turning to face her.
“I want to do a course in Greek mythology,” She mumbled. Greek mythology, that is an unusual course to take especially for Robin. She didn’t seem the type to be interested in mythology.
“It just interests me. I’m interested in the Greek Gods and that kind of thing,” She muttered staring at the television screen.
“It’s a great subject. You will enjoy it,” I smiled turning back to the TV myself.
My phone rang disturbing the peace that I was having. Leaving the room I unwillingly answered the call.
“Hello,”
“Now what gets me is how Megan was able to take the crystals,” Alex exclaimed down the phone. I could tell she was annoyed by the fact she had been beaten by a werewolf and a vampire.
“I’ve been thinking about that,” I explained climbing the stairs and entering my room. Alex was perched on the end of my bed. Hanging up the phone I sat down beside her.
“Other demons perished when they came in contact with the stones. Why didn’t she?” Alex asked again, shaking her head in annoyance.
“I think it’s because she was good before she was turned into a vampire, I don’t know maybe that allows her to touch them? That’s my explanation anyway” I explained.
“That makes sense in a weird twisted way, which is the usual way in our lives,” she muttered, picking up the more magazine from my floor that Poppy had left when she last came over. Flicking through the pages, she let out sighs at ever page she turned. It’s really weird how alike Poppy, and Alex are in some ways, I sure know how to pick my friends.
As we sat looking at male celebrities and who’s dating who, my window blew open and in flew a small blackbird. It flew over our heads and perched on
the chair in front of my desk.
“Well that’s different,” I whispered trying not to scare the small bird. I didn’t need to bother with being quiet as it grew in size and turned into Josh. We both stared at him biting our tongues.
“That’s a bit feminine isn’t it?” Alex laughed. Not being able to hold it any longer, I laughed along with her.
“Don’t start with me! It’s less eye catching than a giant panther,” He yelled, the vein on his forehead popping out under his skin. Alright this sounds like something that the Bales don’t need to hear. Crossing the room I closed my bedroom door in hope they wouldn’t hear us.
“Breathe Josh,” I whispered massaging his shoulders. He was tensed up, and his fists were clenched so tightly they were turning purple. Taking shallow breathes, he unclenched his fists, and they slowly turned back to their natural colour.
“What happened?” I asked, continuing to massage him as he body began to ease up.
“I was jumped by a bunch of six vampires and two minotaur’s on my way home from basket ball. I total could have taken them, but they all pinned me down before I could shape shift. Damn mythical bulls. They are so strong. Then Megan appeared and took the Earth stone out of my Gym bag. By the way on a totally different note, she looked HOT!” He spoke in one long breath. Taking another breath his shoulders deflated. Releasing my grip on his shoulders. I went to sit back next to Alex on my bed.
“So we have lost three stones now?” Alex groaned slapping her forehead with her hand. That’s a comforting thought. We are three stones down, and the demons are three stones up. The are three steps closer to opening a gate that unleashed something evil.
“But we still have Air and the diamond. I can honestly say that is a big part of the whole opening the gate way to hell.”
I tried not to get angry at the thought of being three steps behind anyone, never mind an evil Megan Cairns. I leant over and pulled out an old shoe box from under the bed. Pulling off the lid the metal diamond glistened in the dim light.
Heritage Page 22
