by Jeff Hale
“Get dressed, I have plans for us today,” I said, stroking her hair.
“Ya keep doin’ that and I’m not goin’ anywhere,” she sighed.
I stopped and she groaned in disappointment and got up, pouting at me the entire time. She proceeded to get dressed in a pair of short cut off shorts, suspenders, and a tight halter top. She tossed on a pair of well-worn tennis shoes and was ready to go. I threw on a tank top and a pair of black denim jeans and my boots.
“So where are we goin’?” Serena asked once we were on the road.
“Lots of places. I never really showed you the city. We always hung out at my place or with Dave and Nina.”
“True.”
We spent the day hopping from attraction to attraction, seeing shows, going on roller coasters and rides and playing in arcades. Later on we hopped from casino to casino and went to the arcades again, both of us being too young to gamble yet. I had plenty of money now since the funds from the La’Mortes had been wired to my account, along with a little extra.
Being a summer day in Las Vegas meant it was hot, and Serena wasn’t the only one barely dressed. Every time my glance shifted to another girl I got a stern glare from Serena. She never once looked at another guy. It started to dawn on me that she never had. Even Travis had never really held her attention once I entered the picture.
At one point we were standing in line for the roller coaster that was in the New York, New York when she pointedly confronted me on the issue.
“So. I’m dead fer a little while, and what? Ya turn into a dog?” she asked, only half joking.
“What? Me? How?” I asked, mock wounded.
“Ya stare at every piece of meat that walks by with a pair of breasts or nice legs.”
“Just looking. Doesn’t mean I’m going to act on it.”
“True, but ya could look at me more.” She pouted prettily.
“I look at you more than you know. In fact, I don’t think I’ve quit staring at you since that night at Sonic.”
“Wait. Did ya check me out that night?”
“Uh. Yeah,” I admitted, blushing a little.
“Oh. I couldn’t tell. Seemed like ya were a bit… distant that night. Every time I looked at ya, ya were lookin’ somewhere else.” Now she was blushing too.
“What? You’re surprised I was checking you out and staring at you that night? Come on, I thought I was seeing things.”
“So even when ya thought I was someone else ya were lookin’ at me like ya look at these girls out here?”
“More than that.” I nodded. “Oh don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the view, but with you it’s just so much more. Those other girls would have to work at seducing me. You on the other hand, darlin’, are a completely different story. Flash me that grin of yours, or even show just a little extra skin and I am all yours.”
She was blushing again and looking at her feet. I put my finger under her chin and raised her gaze to meet mine. Those emerald green eyes of hers drew me in and I caught my breath. I kissed her lightly and smiled softly at her, trying to convey through my gaze alone how I really felt about her. It must have worked because she smiled back and sighed lightly.
“So, I didn’t have any nightmares this morning.”
“That’s good. Maybe they’ll leave you alone for a little while.”
“I hope so. Ya don’t know how horrifying they really are.” She shivered a little.
“I can imagine.”
“I’m not sure ya really can.”
“I’ve fought a demon, remember?”
“But you’re not normal either. My comment was more based on me being lil ole me. I’m not sure ya realize how terrifying it is fer me.” She was looking up at me and I could see the fear in her eyes.
“That I won’t disagree with. You have a point. Change of topic, when do you have to go back to school?”
“Oh, the summer session ended and I don’t have anything until Fall.” Serena shrugged.
“So I have you all to myself until then?”
“Yep. Well unless ya have ta work.”
“There is that, but at least we won’t have to juggle schedules. You think we should move in together maybe?” It might have been moving a little fast, but I didn’t want her out of my sight for any reason.
“What about Dave?” she asked.
“I can still pay rent over there. I have plenty of money to cover it.”
“Okay, well, I could always move inta the apartment.” She winked at me.
“You’d give up that sweet house to move into our dinky apartment?”
“Ta be with ya? Sure. Besides, there are a few bad memories in that house I don’t care ta relive. Plus it’ll be easier ta jus’ let Travis have the place than ta try ta kick him out.”
“I’m sure Dave won’t mind. He may make some sarcastic remark about the noise level at night, but he won’t care in the end. He’ll just be happy to see us together and happy again, I think.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll move in with you and Dave. I jus’ want ta stay in the house for a teeny bit longer before Travis comes back. Give us time ta ‘court’, and get ta know each other again,” she suggested.
I would have argued with her but she was brought up that you didn’t just move in with a guy immediately, if at all, before marriage, even if it was me. It was odd enough that she was living with Travis. “Fair enough. I just don’t want you out of my sight for long if it can be helped.”
“Can’t get enough of mah sexy body, huh?” She laughed, and I knew she didn’t take the comment seriously.
“Definitely not.” I swatted her butt then squeezed, causing her to jump. “On a more serious note, I don’t want to lose sight of you because I want to make sure nothing happens to you ever again. I lost you once.”
“Don’t worry. I’m here ta stay this time.” She put her arm around my waist and put her hand in my back pocket. I would have reciprocated if she wasn’t so damned short. I just dealt with putting my arm around her shoulders.
Eventually we got to the front of the line and had our turn on the roller coaster. Afterwards we headed to her house to get some rest after the long day we had had. I awoke sometime the next morning to see her staring at me.
“Can you not do that? It’s creepy,” I said, sitting up and yawning.
“You nevah seemed to mind it when I did it when we were younger,” she pointed out.
“Yeah, well, that was then. It’s creepy now,” I said, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed so I could get up. All of a sudden I had a weight on my back as she wrapped her arms and legs around me.
“So I’m creepy, huh? I’m gonna hurt ya fer that,” she said trying to pull me backwards onto the bed. I cheated and pulled on the Aether to enhance my strength. I stood and started heading to the hallway and downstairs, but kept myself mindful of her grip on me. If she so much as slipped a quarter of a millimeter I would catch her.
“And how are you going to do that exactly?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder.
“Hey! Cheater! No fair! Yer not supposed ta use yer magic!” she protested, wriggling back and forth on my back.
“No one ever said I was going to play fair!”
“Well, it was inferred!”
Once we got down the stairs I let her down, and turned to look at her. She was wearing a flimsy white tank top and a pair of loose cotton shorts.
“So what do you want to do today?” I asked, turning towards the kitchen.
“I’d like ta see everyone again. Ya know, Dave and Nina,” she answered.
“Well… Dave would be easy enough, we just need to find a time when he doesn’t work. And you could see the apartment you’re so keen on moving into,” I said.
“Okay, but what about Nina? I mean, I know they ain’t together anymore, but…” she said, her tone carrying a note of sadness.
“I’ll see, maybe he’d be willing to put up with her for your sake,” I said, pulling out my phone and hitting Dave’s n
umber. The phone rang as Serena started making us French toast.
“Hey, man, what’s up? Don’t tell me you and Serena are coming up for air already!” he said sarcastically.
“Well, she wants to see everyone today, do you work at all?” I asked.
“Nope, got the day off, but what does she mean by ever… wait. No! Absolutely not!” Dave said, suddenly realizing what was meant.
“Come on. For Serena,” I said.
“Ugh. Fine. I’ll do it for Serena,” he replied and I could just see him rolling his eyes and shaking his head. I ended the call and turned to find Serena humming along, cooking not only French toast, but scrambled eggs and bacon too.
“Well, Dave said he’s off work today, and that he’s fine if Nina comes,” I reported.
“Well, good!” she replied.
Breakfast was done shortly after and we ate and got ready to go. I was wearing what I had been yesterday, while she got dressed in a pair of short white denim shorts and a spaghetti strapped tank top that was honestly about two sizes too small.
“And you were complaining about Raven wearing skimpy clothing?” I asked pointedly.
“Well, it’s so danged hot out there!” she protested. “Besides, are ya complainin’?”
“No. Not at all, I was just pointing out a bit of… irony is all,” I suggested.
“Uh-huh, ya were gonna say hypocrisy. I know ya, Aerick Kerensky, and don’t think I don’t!” she said, pointing a finger at me, her other hand on her hip.
“Maybe I was, maybe I wasn’t.” I shrugged.
“Don’t ya give me that! I ain’t a hypocrite!” she protested.
“No. You aren’t,” I said, reaching out and putting my hands on her shoulders. “You’re a smart, generous, and beautiful girl, and I love you,” I said as I pulled her into a quick hug.
“Awww, Ricky, I love ya too,” she said as she returned the hug.
“We better get going.” I gestured towards the door.
She nodded and we went out and got into her car, again opting for no music. I directed her to the apartment that Dave and I shared. After we parked and got out, I led her up the stairs and inside. Dave was watching TV, his phone sitting on the coffee table.
As we entered he looked over, then jumped up and rushed to Serena, picking her up in a huge bear hug. “It’s so good to see you, Rena!” he exclaimed as he twirled around with her still in a hug.
She was laughing as he put her down and she replied, “It’s good ta see ya too, Dave! How have ya been?”
“Oh, you know, just a working stiff over here,” he said, sitting back down on the couch. Looking up at her he smiled and shook his head. “Damn, it’s good to see you alive again! I never thought… well with the world we live in today I guess anything’s possible. Hell, I haven’t seen this fucker over here—” Serena leaned in and smack him on the back of the head. “—ow—smile this much… well, ever I think.”
“Language, Dave!” Serena said, her tone mock angry.
“Come on, Rena, give it a rest. You know you aren’t gonna get me to change that. I’m not a gentleman no matter how much you want to try and change me into one,” Dave said with a chuckle.
“I still don’t like being cussed around,” she said, plopping herself onto the couch next to him.
“I’ll try, but I make no promises, and you have to quit hitting me when I do, and in return I promise to never, ever, cuss at you. Fair?” Dave said, holding out his hand for a shake.
She took it and daintily shook it. “Fair,” she agreed.
“So what did Nina say?” I asked, knowing that he would have gotten a hold of her.
“She said she’d meet us sometime this afternoon at the Santa Fe,” he said, sounding a bit distant as he said it.
“Why the Santa Fe?” I asked.
“Bowling and ice skating, she said that Rena would have fun there,” he replied.
“She’s right,” Serena said softly.
“Wow, she’s actually thinking of someone but herself for once,” Dave said, rolling his eyes.
“Don’t be that way, she’s makin’ an attempt, don’t stomp all over it before she has a chance,” Serena said in a consoling tone as she patted Dave on the shoulder.
“Yeah, you’re right. She’s had a chance to come to grips with what she is now, maybe she’ll be different.” Dave tried to sound hopeful, but failed miserably.
“So, which one is yer… I mean, our room?” Serena asked, looking around.
“Wait. Is she going to be moving in?” Dave asked.
“If you’re okay with it,” I responded.
“Hell, yeah, I’m okay with it! Awesome!” Dave exclaimed, jumping up and hugging me and then Serena.
“Over here.” I motioned to my room. She smiled and followed me into the room. She looked into the extradimensional pocket where my practice area was.
“Wow, is that some kind of… dojo?” she asked.
“Sort of, I guess the idea is the same. It’s where I practice new magic techniques,” I explained. She nodded and headed into the actual room and looked around.
“Not much different than I remember, minus the G.I. Joe and Ninja Turtle toys. I see ya still collect model airplanes, and ya haven’t given up video games, and I still see a whole bunch of strategy board games. If I didn’t know any better, I would think that ya lied ta me, Ricky,” she said as she walked around my room, touching things here and there.
“Lied to you about what?” I asked, confused.
“About bein’ a different person,” she said, giving me a brilliant smile, “Yer still mah Ricky.”
“Part of me maybe, but a lot has changed, Serena,” I said, putting one hand on each arm to make her look at me straight on. “I want you to understand that I have changed in some fundamental ways. I don’t want you to look the other way or be selectively blind to it. You have to see me for all that I am if we’re going to be together.”
“I do. I know what yer capable of. I saw that tape with ya killing that shifter in cold blood. I don’t approve or condone it, Rick, but I love ya despite it. Does it scare me? Ta be honest, yes, it does, but I know ya would never do that ta me, and part of me feels… safer in a weird way,” she said moving towards me and hugging me.
We went back out to the living room and hung out with Dave. We mainly talked and caught up in general as we waited until it was time to leave. Once it was time, I quickly changed into a pair of black jeans, a clean black tank top and a nicer midnight-blue, short-sleeved button up that I left unbuttoned. Dave was in his usual with a shirt that said ‘I’m actually not funny. I’m just really mean and people think I’m joking.’ We left the apartment and piled into Serena’s car and went to the Santa Fe, with me and Dave guiding the way.
Once we arrived, Dave gave Nina a quick call to find out where she wanted us to meet. He hung up and told us to go towards the skating rink. When we got there we paid our way in and got our skates. A few minutes later, Nina came in. She was wearing a pair of dark-blue jeans with tears and rips everywhere, probably showing more skin than a short pair of shorts, and a lacy black top with nothing on under it, though the lace was thick enough in the chest area that you could only see her breasts when the light hit it just right.
“Hey, guys!” she called over as she walked towards us. That’s when I noticed a case held in her right hand. She put it down and opened it, producing a pair of expensive looking skates within.
“When did you get those?’ Dave asked.
“No ‘hi?’ No ‘how are you doing?’ No ‘can we talk?’ Just ‘when did you get those?’” Nina commented wryly.
“Sorry. Hi. When did you get those?” Dave reiterated.
“A couple of weeks ago. Got them on a whim, thought maybe ice skating would help calm my moods. It works. To a degree,” she admitted.
We all put our skates on and went into the rink. To my dismay, I saw a sign that read ‘No Aetheric powers in use on rink’. I was looking forward to seeing what my i
ce powers could help me do on the ice. I had never been good at ice skating so I was hoping to use them to enhance my crappy skating abilities. I would have used some more subtle abilities, but they likely had wards in place to tell them when someone used their powers.
I skated hand in hand with Serena at times, and other times I just watched as she skated circles around everyone. She had wanted to be a figure skater at one point and she had practiced at it for years. She was good, but she never had a chance to pursue that particular dream because her life had been cut short.
That’s when it hit me. As I leaned on the half-wall on the outside area of the rink and watched her skate, I realized that she would be able to pursue all those dreams that had been cut short. I would be able to share all those things that I had lamented the inability to share with her. All those ideas, dreams, ambitions came tumbling back. She was alive again, and as I watched her, no one else could be more alive.
After we finished skating, we were all hungry so we went to one of the fast food restaurants that was inside the casino itself. We all ordered our food and as we waited Nina gave Serena a big hug, which was returned.
“I’m so glad that you’re back. We all are. Especially Rick. He did tell you, didn’t he?” she asked, glancing my way.
“Yes. He did. We’re officially a couple now,” Serena said happily.
“Good! Good,” Nina said, beaming a smile at me. “It’ll be good for him to be happy with someone for once. He was just miserable after you died, and refused to be with anyone. Well, except Kat,” she said, almost off-handedly.
“Yeah. I know. We talked about that.” Serena’s face went neutral. I knew that facial expression and what it meant. She didn’t want to talk about what was being talked about. It was her way of looking disinterested so the other person would change the subject.
“Oh, I’m sure he’s over her. After all, he just left for a year and didn’t even officially dump her,” Nina pressed on.
“Nina. Stop.” I gave her a warning look.
“Okay. Fine. But don’t you think she deserves to know the truth?” Nina asked smugly.