6:59

by Nonye Acholonu

  “They told you that, too?” Cam asked, rubbing his temples. So now he knew that I knew pretty much everything. “Well this makes life much easier, I guess,” he said when I didn’t answer. “Yeah, she’s the boss so she can get out.”

  “How come she can and not you guys?” I asked.

  “Because she’s skilled. She’s been doing this forever.”

  “Why was she running for the car, then?”

  “That, I don’t know. But if she gets caught, she can get out.”

  I sighed, loosening my grip on the steering wheel a little bit, relaxing. Monica told us that she had more abilities than the regular Gray Eyes. Maybe her extra abilities could help her out? I hoped so.

  ***

  As we drove, Cam compared stolen stuff with the others in the back. He’d taken the watches, the guy captured some necklaces, and the girl thieved a huge bag of money. They were giddy from the feeling of accomplishment.

  “You can drop us off here,” the guy said as we approached a fast food drive-in. “I think we’re far enough away.”

  I pulled the car into the parking lot and cut the engine. “Thanks for getting us out of there, chick,” the girl said, following the guy out of the car.

  Cam clicked open his seatbelt and grabbed his bag of watches. “Yeah, thanks, Liv,” he said, opening the car door. “I owe you one.”

  As he was stepping out of the car, I grabbed his arm. “Wait,” I said. “Where are you going?”

  Cam looked at my hand on his arm and grinned. “I’m leaving,” he said simply. “You have to get yourself home.”

  “You do, too!” I said, pulling my hand away to hide my stupid blush.

  Cam sat back down. “You want to take me home?” he asked, his eyes softening. “But I thought you didn’t want to be a part of this.”

  “I still want to take you home, though,” I said softly.

  Cam’s grin widened and he shut the door. “Thank you, Liv. You’re a great girl, you know that?” Then he took my hand and laced his fingers through mine, causing my heart rate to spin out of control.

  I sat there, staring at our entwined fingers, contemplating if I should kiss him or not. I mean, he was my boyfriend. Well, technically, no. Cameron was my boyfriend. But they’re the same person, right?

  “If we’re going to go home, you should probably drive, Liv,” Cam said with a sly grin. His thumb stroked the skin on my back of my hand.

  “I… I can’t drive with one hand,” I said stupidly. Yes, I know I’m probably the only person in L.A. that can’t drive with one hand.

  Cam slid his hand out from under my hand and slumped back into his seat. “Sorry about that,” he said.

  I nodded and started the engine. As we were about to pull out of the parking lot, Cam caught my arm. “Are you hungry?” he asked, staring into my eyes with his crazy-beautiful gray ones. “It feels like I haven’t eaten in days.”

  “We just ate, though,” I said confused.

  “Cameron probably just ate,” Cam said. “But I didn’t.”

  I cut the engine. “How does that work?” I asked, facing him.

  Cam shrugged and scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t really know. I think it’s because he’s a completely different person than I am so that must mean he doesn’t share my digestive system? I don’t know. And I honestly don’t give a crap.”

  I laughed. “I would! I mean, what goes on in that body of yours?”

  “What do you mean?” Cam asked.

  “Do you guys, like, talk to each other? Do you share the same mind?” I asked, remembering a book I read when the two souls conversed with each other in their mind. Did that happen with Cam and Cameron?

  Cam shook his head, laughing. “No,” he said. “I have barely even seen or heard of this Cameron guy, to tell you the truth.”

  “How?” I cried. “You guys live in the same body!”

  Cam laughed a hardy laugh, closing his eyes. “You’re getting all riled up about this, babe,” he said, causing my stomach to go all squishy-squashy when he called me babe. “I’m as confused as you. All I know is, I’ve always woke up when it was dark out, and always passed out after dawn. I could never really see Cameron because when I’m awake, he’s… dormant? I don’t know. But I have seen him in pictures. Kid looks just like me!” He winked at me.

  “Oh, shut up and get your food.” I rolled my eyes and he rolled out of the car.

  When he came back out, he was carrying two large bags and two drinks. He slid back into the car and handed me a bag. “I got you a burger and fries, Liv. Thank me later.”

  I held the bag happily, surprising myself with my intense surge of hunger. Seemed like Monica’s organic fruits and bread hadn’t filled me up at all. I tore into the bag and shoved a handful of fries into my mouth. “Thank you,” I said through a full mouth.

  Cam nodded, taking a huge bite out of his burger. We sat there eating, slurping, and licking our fingers like animals. I hadn’t realized I was that hungry. Neither did Cam.

  “I like it when a girl eats,” he said, wiping his hands on his pants. “It proves not all of you eat flour and water for a living.”

  I laughed, covering my mouth with a napkin. “What type of girls do you know?” I said with wide eyes. I wiped my mouth.

  “The Gray Eyes girls,” he said, crumpling up his bag and tossing it out the window. “They don’t eat. They sit around picking at meals and chewing lettuce.”

  I laughed. “That explains Anjolie’s rail-thinness then, huh?” I said, taking another bite of my burger.

  Cam shook his head. “No, no, no,” he said. “Anjolie eats. She’s worse than you, babe. She eats, like, ten meals a day and doesn’t hold back for anything. She’s skinny because she’s a freak.”

  I gasped but smiled anyway. “She’s not a freak.”

  “You don’t know her,” Cam said. “She eats like an elephant, she lifts weights like a bodybuilder, she runs every day, and she can fight better than anyone or anything I’ve ever seen. She’s a monster. And monsters are freaks. So, transitive property, Anjolie is a freak. It’s simple mathematics, Liv.”

  I laughed again, clutching my stomach. Cam was really funny. It had been awhile since I’ve laughed this hard. I liked laughing. “If Anjolie’s a freak, then what am I?” I asked.

  “Babe, you’re in a whole other ballpark,” Cam said, grabbing the hand that held my burger. He took a bite. “You are in no way a freak. You should be proud of that.”

  “That’s good to know,” I said, taking a bite from the same spot Cam had just bitten. I chewed slowly, savoring the taste.

  Cam watched me eat, a soft smile on his face. When I’d finished my bite, he took a napkin and wiped my cheek. “Had a little ketchup there,” he said softly, his hand lingering at my cheek.

  “Thanks,” I said quietly, staring into his gray eyes.

  Cam stared back, his smile widening. “No problem,” he whispered. The two of us sat there, inches away from each other. Silence fell over the two of us as we stared at each other. The squishy feeling in my stomach returned and I felt electric shocks shoot up my spine. Cam stared back, his breath kissing my cheek. His eyes danced between my eyes and my mouth, lingering on my mouth for a few seconds. He was going to kiss me.

  What was he waiting for?

  Then Cam leaned closer to me, his mouth centimeters away. Just as my eyes were about to close, I saw Cam lift my burger up to his mouth and saw him take a bite.

  Then the two of us keeled over in laughter.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Anjolie

  The dirt and pebbles poked my bare feet as I walked down the lonely, empty street. I had successfully escaped my predators and gotten away with little more than a scratch. I made it out alive.

  But that prospect wasn’t enough to boost my dreadful spirits. They’d left me. Even when they saw me running, saw me trying to escape, saw me racing to the car — they’d left me. It was pure luck that I escaped the guards. Pure luck.
>
  My hair kept getting in my face, the wind blowing the tendrils in all directions. When the strands began to stick on my cheeks, I knew I was crying. How could they just leave me there to fend for myself? I may be a Gray Eyes, but I’m still human. I could have died out there and the only thing they would have done was sulk a little and then move on with their lives. They didn’t care. No one cared. I hated my life.

  It was almost midnight when I arrived at my dark home, opening and shutting the front door with caution. The last thing I needed right now was to wake everyone up. Grasping up the hem of my dress, I tiptoed up the stairs and walked down the hall, headed for my sanctuary — my room. But I had to pass my parents’ room first.

  “Anj, come here please,” I heard my mom call from deep inside their dark room.

  Everything was pitch black, but I didn’t need any light to lead me back to their room. I stopped once I reached the foot of their bed. “Yes, Ma?” I answered, my voice barely above a whisper.

  I saw her shuffle her arm over and snatch on the light. I had to blink profusely to take away the sting of the bright light. Once I recovered, I stared back at my angry parents, their black, shiny hair ruffled from sleep — or worry.

  “Where were you?” my dad asked, slipping on his dark-rimmed glasses over his slanted brown eyes. “It’s after midnight, and we haven’t seen you since you left for school this morning.” I was surprised he even cared where I was. They had twins and sextuplets; my whereabouts should have been the least of their worries.

  “Um, I went to a friend’s house after school to practice for the homecoming dance,” I responded, telling the truth but not the whole truth. That was always the best way to lie. They didn’t need to know about my mission.

  My mom frowned. “You should have called. The kids were here all by themselves.” Figures. The only reason why they care so much is because it involves their precious little ones.

  “I’m sorry,” I said meekly. I should have been more responsible.

  “Don’t say sorry, just don’t do it again. Got it?” my dad snapped, crossing his arms.

  I nodded. “Yes, Father,” I agreed, bowing my head.

  It was silent as they contemplated whether or not to punish me. I begged silently in my head that they would decide against it. Taking care of their kids was hard enough; getting grounded would just be dreadful.

  “Go,” my mom said, reaching over and turning off the light. The room exploded into darkness as my parents shuffled under the covers, preparing to fall back asleep, ending the conversation. I then went to my room, tossing my shoes into my closet.

  Tomorrow would be another day, another mission. I carefully slipped into my pajamas and crawled into bed. After twisting my curly mane into two long braids to avoid frizzing, I rested my head onto my pillow and, shortly after, fell asleep.

  ****

  Normally, people are awakened by the sunlight streaming into their windows, or by an alarm going off on their bedside table, or even the smell of pancakes fresh off the pan.

  But me, I woke up to the loud screaming and crying of my pretty little siblings, indicating that it not only was time to get up, but time to start my new boring day. I sighed, getting up to catch a shower and get dressed.

  I walked downstairs in a gray sweatshirt and white yoga pants, my curly hair falling in ringlets down my back. “I’m off to school!” I called over the din, grabbing my backpack and leaving out the door before anyone could stop me. I took in a deep breath of fresh air, dreading the long walk to school. As I walked down the sidewalks, I counted the amount of money I had. There was enough for lunch — well, a small lunch, and some change.

  I sighed. You’d think being the boss of the Gray Eyes would have me rolling in dough, but that was not the case. None of us got paid. Stealing cars and money was not a job; it was mandatory. The only way we could live peacefully was to do the things we were supposed to do, present our offerings like we were told. Getting our own money was up to us. We had to obtain jobs or get allowances from our parents like any other person out there. This life wasn’t a privilege; it was horror.

  I played with the spare coins that littered my hands, using my mind to lift them up and levitate them in the air in front of me. No one was looking; I deserved to have a little fun. Besides, telekinesis was the only power of mine that didn’t take so much energy.

  I continued to walk up the streets, the little coins dancing in front of me, forming shapes and figures at my command. It was entertaining really, the only thing that kept my mind sane from having to endure this long walk. I was about to make the coins form the shape of a star when I heard a car honk behind me.

  I froze, the coins shattering to the ground in front of me.

  Someone saw me.

  Turning slowly, I saw the silver car creep up to the sidewalk and come to a rest at my side. Before the passenger’s window could roll all the way down, I already knew who it was.

  Cameron.

  “Anjolie?” he said, leaning outside the window, a confused expression painted on his handsome face. “What—what were you—were those coins just—?”

  “Yes, they were floating,” I answered, settling his confused nerves. He already knew what we were. He shouldn’t have been surprised. “I was making them do that,” I clarified since the confused expression was still plastered onto his face.

  He stared at the coins on the ground, but then finally looked back up at me. “Oh… okay… understood,” he said, a slow smile forming on his lips. Though he was smiling, I could tell that he was still a little unsettled. Well, what was I supposed to do about it? The sun glinted off his icy-blue eyes, providing an unnecessary indication that he was Cameron and not Cam. I didn’t want to see Cam. He was an idiot. He and Olive. The thought of the two made me shudder.

  “So… do you need a ride?” Cameron asked, interrupting my hateful thoughts and snapping me back to reality.

  I stared at him. This would be the fourth time he ever offered me a ride. He knew I couldn’t say no — that walk to school was torture. I had no choice but to acquiesce. “Sure,” I said and walked up to the car. Opening up the passenger side door, I hopped in and buckled up. “Thanks,” I said shyly. It was weird having Cam — well, Cameron — acting all nice and thoughtful. Cam would never offer me a ride, not that I’d ask him for one or anything. It was strange how the two were so similar, yet so different.

  “No problem, Anjolie,” he said, turning to gaze at me, “really.” For some reason, that look alone sent a giddy shiver up my spine. I’ve never had anyone look at me like that before. It was so strange.

  Before he could see my cheeks go all red, he faced forward and shifted the car to drive, placing his foot on the gas petal and speeding away from the curb and towards the school.

  It was a moment before either of us said anything.

  “So, where’s Olive?” I asked, even though saying her name caused bile to retch up my throat. Oh, how I hated her.

  “She’s probably on her way to school now,” he answered, scratching the back of his head. “Why?”

  Because a boyfriend is not supposed to be chauffeuring around other girls. “Oh, nothing,” I said lightly. “It’s just that she’s your girlfriend and all…” I let the sentence trail off because I was sure he knew where I was going with this.

  But Cameron didn’t seem fazed. “She has her own car; she can get to school without my help.” His answer was so blunt; I figured he didn’t really want to talk about Olive.

  But I didn’t let him off the case. “You know, it would waste less gas if the two of you just drove each other to school.” I twiddled with a lock of my hair. “You guys do live right across from each other.”

  Cameron shrugging was his only response.

  This topic was making him uncomfortable, but I was still itching to ask him more. “How did you catch me here, anyways, when I leave so early from my house? Isn’t my house out of the way from yours? It’s nowhere near the school in the direction you shou
ld take from your house to the school. This means that you’d have to get up extra early, leaving before Olive left, in order to drive the opposite direction from your house to my house and then head up to the school. This means that—”

  “I followed you,” Cameron answered, finishing off my words guiltily. His cheeks flushed a light pink as he stopped at a red light.

  BINGO! “Oh, really?” I said, feigning shock.

  Cameron sighed. “I hated the thought of you having to walk all the way to school by yourself in this neighborhood while everyone else had other — safer — means of getting to school,” he confessed, letting the words pour out of his mouth. “I mean, the bus doesn’t even go this way, for Pete's sake. That’s how far you have to walk. That sucks, Anjolie. It really does.” I could tell he was really riled up about this by the way he was breathing. My heart squeezed for a brief moment. How thoughtful.

  “You don’t have to go through all this trouble, Cameron, really,” I said, feeling super grateful for his thoughtfulness.

  “It doesn’t bother me, Anjolie,” he said, turning to pin me with that gaze again. Now I was sure that he saw the blush creep onto my cheeks. That just made me blush even more. “I don’t mind driving you to and from school.”

  And from school? When did we decide that he would take me home, too? Wow, he was so… I don’t even know. “Thanks, Cameron,” I said, feeling shy. “That’s really thoughtful of you.”

  Cameron nodded, still holding my gaze, that smile lingering on his lips.

  I didn’t even notice when we arrived to school.

  “Well, we’re here,” Cameron said, shutting off the engine and taking the key out of the ignition. He pointed to the clock. “And on time, too.” He seemed pleased by this realization.

  I nodded and smiled, grabbing up my bag from the floor of his car. “Thanks again for the ride,” I said, opening the car door and stepping out. I frowned, not wanting to leave Cameron. He just made me feel so… taken care of.