"Does this have anything to do with her helping you and Avery?" He asked me. I exhailed and nodded.
"Yeah, It's the reason she even helped. She thinks her old babysitter is haunting Avery, and she figured that if she gets close to Avery she gets close to the ghost. She said something about all spirits are conected?" I told him. He sunk down to the floor and cupped his face in his hands.
"Shit." He said under his breath.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
"she's going to contact her mom, or worse her dad." He said. My eyes widened.
"I thought her old man was back in seatle." I told him.
"Yeah he is, but six feet under. He died of alcohol piosening about two weeks ago. Now he really is a deadbeat dad." he said.
"Why would Ash try to contact her dad? I thought her mom was the witch and he's the bane." I stated.
"He's both... apparently Ash's mom brought him back from the dead and when she did she lost some of her power to him. After that he was a half witchalf bane like Ash... only a hell lot more powerful." He ecplained.
"So what your saying is...." I urged him.
"Techinally Ashlin is a full witch but a half bane at the same time. Her father was about twice as powerful then her mom... so I wondering if she-" I cut him off before he could finish.
"Turn to the parent with the most power? She probely will but we won't let her." I confermed.
"Alpha's order?" He said as he smirked up at me. I reached my hand down for him to grab,
"Alpha's order." I told him as I smirked back at him. I walked ahead of him towards the kitchen but turned back to see him leaning against the door.
"You comming?" I asked him. He shook his head at me.
"No. Ashlin is sleeping. I've got to stand gaurd." he said. He did this evrytime she was sleeping without him. He would stand gaurd so he knew exactly when she woke up, and to make sure no one hurt her while she was sleeping. I smiled and walked down the hall.
I walked into the kitchen to see Erika dinging in a box of cereal most likely looking for the free toy. When she heard me walk into the kitchen she stopped what she was doing and ran over to me.
"Jeri!" She yelled happily. She leaped at me and I caughed her in my arms and lifted her up onto my shoulders. I looked over to see that the rest of my family was gathered at the table as well. Dylan constently shook his blond hair to the side of his face so he could see the screen of his PSP. Chris sat on a bar stool eating waffles and zoning out on the TV. As for Mia... well she was the same as any frustrating, abnoxious, fourteen year-old girl . She was like every other stuck up, spoiled girl her age, her face was caked with foundation to cover every "imperfection", her dirty blond hair was slightly frizzed from over styling it, and she was absorbed in a coversation over text.
"Mia.." I said in a stern voice. She rolles her eyes and closed her phone,
"What?" She snapped at me in a shill and annoying voice.
"What?" I mocked her. "Your at breakfast put your phone away." I told her. she rolled her eyes again and scoffed at me.
"Your not alpha yet Jeri. So dont tell me what to do." She said with a smug look.
"Don't call me that, and keep it up and I'll use my alpha tone on you, smartass." I told her. She flinched at my words and shoved her phone in her purse. Needless to say, Mia was my least favorite of my siblings.
I looked over at Dylen who had already gotten the message and paused his game and put it up on the counter. Dylen as the smart one, a little geeky yes, but he was brilient. He could take his PSP apart and put it back together perfectly. Dylen was sixteen.
My eyes then drifted to Cris who was twelve was quiet. I barely ever heard him talk. That was why he was my next favorite... he never annoyed me.
Erika pulled on my cheeks as she said,
"Jeri, Jeri, Jeri! I'm hungry can you help me get food?" She asked me. Because the counters were to high for her Erika couldn't get food on her own, I was often the one to help her. I slid her off my shoulders and smiled at her. I put her in her booster and went over to the counter and made her waffels.
"plain or choclate chip?" I asked her.
"Chocolate chip please!" She called. I put two chocolate chip wafflefs on her plate.
"Strawberrys, blueberrys, or raspberrys?" I asked her.
"All of them!" She called. I smilled and put the fruit on the waffels. I then put whipped cream, chocolate surup, and a cheery on top.
"No bacon?" She whined.
"You have enough food for two of you." I said.
"Please?' she whimpered. I scoffed at her an took two strips of bacon on her plate. Right befor I set it down on her place mat I went back and drizzeled syrup all over the waffels. I placed it infront of her and her eyes lite up like the small child she was. Mia stopped eating her fruit salad and turned to Erika and said,
"Be carful ,Erika. If you eat to much of that shit you'll get fat." Mia sneared at her. Erika droped her fork and stared at me with a worried look. Our parents turned around in their chairs and stared down Mia.
"Is that true?" She asked me sounding like she was going to cry. I shot daggers at Mia,
"What the hell ,Mia?" I growled at her.
"What? Its true." She stated as if she had no idea what she did wrong.
"She's a kid, unlike you she didn't have a shrew for a big sister so knock it off." I warned her.
"Awsome, since I made the brat cry, that means I can leave. Right?" She said as she grabbed her phone and headed up stairs.
"That's not the case." Our mother said. Mia turned around and looked at them in shock.
"What?" She asked them.
"You heard her, letting you leave would be a reward. So you can give your mother your phone and Ipod and purse whil you sit at the edge of table and dont' say another word until you eat all your food and then do the dishes." Our father said. Our father was still her alpha so even if she didn't want to she had to. She crossed her arms and rolled her yes and slammed her things down on the table.
"There happy?" She said as she dramaticly went to the edge of the counter and sat on a bar stool. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at her.
Just then Ash and Allen walked in. I looked over to where Mia was sitting and cussed under my breath. Mia and Ashlin got along about as much as North and South Korea, and Mia had decided to sit right next to the seat Ashlin had marked as hers.
Ashlin sauntered over to her seat and pivoted the seat away from Mia, so she wouldn't have to look at her. She then crossed her legs and refused to even share the same air as her. I glanced over at Allen who was preparing Ashlin and himself food like he did every morning. I opened my mouth to say good-morning to to him and Ash but didn't have the opportunity to when I heard a splat
sound followed by a
"You little shrew!" from Ashlin. I turned around to see Ashlin boiling red, glaring at Mia who had a smirk on her face. I then looked at Ashlin's hair to see it caked with pink strawberry oatmeal.
"How do you know it was me?" She asked her with a smirk.
"No one else eats this disgusting low fat, tasteless, crap. So how do you think I know?" Ashlin yield at her.
"Listen you homeless skank," The second that I knew Mia was going to say that word I covered Erika's ears. "I didn't do it." Mia fired back at her as she slid her bowl of oatmeal down to to Chris. Chris raised his eyebrows at her and got up and placed it once again in front of Mia. Ashlin was one who didn't take shit even from a middle schooler. She stood up and slammed her hands on the counter and towered over Mia. Mia eyes widen out of fear of Ashlin touching her.
"No you listen here your future whore'" I once again covered Erika's ears. "You remember what I am and what you are. This is whats going to happen you apologize and own up to it or your going to get a bane's burn the size of my fist right on your artificial face." Ashlin said in a menacing tone. Mia cowered under her out of fear, and had obviously forgotten that Ashlin was more threatening, stronger, and powerful then she was.
"I'm so
rry. It was me."Mia said in a shaky voice. I scoffed at the fact that Mia was nothing but a coward. Ashlin smiled in satisfaction and sat down and began to eat her food.
"what's a skank?" We all turned and looked at Erika ,who in all honesty was so quiet that we all had forgotten she was even there.
"A mean word you should never use." My mother said. She then glared at Ashlin and Mia for using bad language around Erika, and Chris.
We all sat in a long heavy silence as we finished our food. After I finished and so did Erika, I picked up our plates and placed them on the sink.
"Jericho," I heard my mother say.
"Yes.." I answered.
"Why don't you go run some errands and take Erika with you." She said.
"Alright." I said. I then walked over to Erika and scooped her up in my arms.
* * *
Somehow I had ended up taking Erika to her favorite places instead of getting groceries for mom. I doubt she will mind though, I think she had planed this would happen from the beginning. Erika and I walked down the sidewalk passed the small shops hand-in-hand and she swung our hands and lapped away at her mint chocolate chip ice cream. Her pigtail braids bounced with each step that she took as well as her ruffled dress.
I came to a rough stop as a familiar and pleasantly intoxicating smell engulfed me. The smell of fresh rain water and lilacs was beginning to become my favorite sent. I stranded my keen eyes to search for that florescent orange color. My heart skipped a beat when I saw her about five stores down reading a book at a small table in front of a flower shop.
"Jeri?" I heard Erika ask. I snapped back to the present when I felt her tug on my arm.
"Come on kiddo, we're going to go say hi to a friend of mine. I said with a grin as I hosted her up onto my left shoulder. As we approached her I noticed she was to absorbed in her book to notice the world around her. As I stood right in front of her and my large mass blocked out the sun and casted a shadow over her. She noticed the sudden darkness and glanced up at us. she slightly squinted her green eyes and brushed her wavy orange hair out of her way.
"Jericho." She said as she noticed who was towering over her.
My Sunshine
Avery
It was a un usealy warm and sunny day. The type of day that even the girls in California would be envious of. I had slipped out of the house through my window not wanting to cross paths wit my family. I had managed to grade my sling tote bag and fill it with my umbrella, sun glasses, chap-stick, wallet, cellphone, and my novel. I was currently sitting at a small table in front of an unknown flower shop, simply reading my book as I enjoyed this rare and short Indian summer. It was as simple as that. I young normal girl enjoying her weekend by basking in the warm sunshine that was about as rare as snow in Florida. That was the only flaw of Washington state. The sun never shined and the skies cried day and night. However I still loved it here. The greenery that stretched for miles and the constant smell or fresh air and rain.
As I continued to read my novel in the sunlight, a sudden darkness cascaded over me. I looked around at my surrounding and noticed that my surrounds were still bathed in light. I looked up in front of me and saw that it was a figure that was blocking my light. I squinted my eyes and tried to identify the person in front of me. I pushed my hair out of my face. As my eyes adjusted I made out the large build and dirty blond hair-
"Jericho." I said As I realized who it was. When I said his name I could see him smile against his black silhouette. The tips of his hair seamed to expand into a halo of light. I looked over to his left shoulder and saw a small frame of a child perched on his should.
"Mind if we sit?" He asked me. I nodded my head as I said,
"Sure why not?" As I said this he slid the chair back and sat the small girl on his lap. She looked to be an older toddler with her dark hair pulled back, and the same teal eyes. Perhaps she was three or four- at the latest.
"Say hi ,Erika." He whispered into the child's ear. I then took a sip of my iced tea.
"Hi, I'm Erika. I'm Jeri's baby sister, and I'm seven year's old." When she said seven I chocked on my tea and gasped for air. Seven? she so little. I looked over at Jericho who was snickering.
"I'm Avery." I said awkwardly as I dabbed my face with a napkin.
"Are you Jeri's friend?" She asked.
"You could say that." I told her. After that the three of us were silent until Jericho spoke.
"Does your Family know your here?" He asked me.
"No. They think I'm in my room sleeping or studying." I told him.
"Then how did you get out?" He asked me.
"I took a screwdriver to the window." I answered simple.He scoffed at my comment.
"So I take it you have work today?"
"No, not today."
"So what are you doing here?" He asked me.
"Enjoying to sun like the rest of the city."I said.
"That's all?" He asked me. I nodded my head.
"I don't exactly have anything else to do." I told him. After that we returned to the awkward silence as I continued to read and sip away at my tea. Every now and then I would look over to see Jericho taping away at his sleek iphone.
"Okay it's done!" He jumped up excitedly and yelled. When he did this I jumped from the sudden shock and spit my tea all over. He grabbed Erika's hand I had assumed that they were going to say their good-byes to me. Of course I was proved utterly wrong. Jericho Grabbed hold of my hand and yanked my up and started running. I was lucky to grab all my things when he started to drag me away. I held my Straw boater's hat down with my hand and slung my bag over my shoulder as we ran. I laughed at his child like behavior and Erika squealed with excitement as we ran down the sidewalk, the three of us hand in hand. People shouted at us, others laughed along, but we didn't mind them. I hadn't laughed and smiled like this for a while now. As We ran I looked around and wondered where Angela was. Most likely perched somewhere watching this little scene. A smiled played on my lips as we halted to a stop in front of his car.
He opened the door and buckled up Erika up in her seat. He then opened the passenger door and said,
"Get in." His smile beamed at me.
"What? Why?" I asked him.
"Were going on a field trip. Don't worry it will be fun." I hesitated and shifted my wight from one foot to the other.
...
...
Go on
. I heard the voice say. I looked around but once again saw no Angela. I squeezed my eyes shut And took a beep breath. They wouldn't find out. I'll be careful.
I said to myself. I urged my feet forward and got into the car. I quickly buckled my seat belt and closed the door. Jericho soon got in as well.
"Glad you could join us." He said.
"You know this counts as kidnapping. Right?" I told him he snorted at my remark and said,
"Sorry, but you got in the car on your own will." He said with a cocky smirk on his face. I laughed and rolled my eyes.
"So where are you taking me?" I asked him.
"Were going to Erickson Park. I told Ashlin, Allen, Tyler and the others to meet us there." We then heard Erika groan
"Is Mia going to be there?" She said with a pout on her face.
"Yes she was invited but I doubt she will show up." He told her as he started the engine of his car. Erika crossed her arms and pouted.
"I liked Carolin better. She would have come." She pouted.
"Erika..." Jericho said in a disproving voice.
"Who's Carolin?" I asked. Jericho's shoulder's dropped slightly and I could tell it was a touchy subject just from the feeling of grief rolling of his chest.
"My older sister." Erika said in a quiet voice. I had a feeling that she was no longer with them. After that it was some what quiet. I rested my head against the door and let the hum of the engine rock my to a gentle sleep.
To be continued....
Rain on My Parade
Avery
We pulled up to park after about a full twenty
minuets of peaceful sleep. By the time I had woken up the tension and grief had both disappeared from the atmosphere of the car.
As we mad our way over to the field in the distance I saw Ashlin and Allen tossing a Frisbee back and forth. We walked up to them and Erika run over towards Ashlin. Ashlin Scoped her up in her arms and lifted her up. I looked around and recognized Allen Tyler and Ashlin, but did not recognize two younger looking boys.
Jericho waved at her and her and Allen walked towards us hand-in-hand. Aslin was dressed very simple for once. At school she wears trendy clothes ,like the things you see at forever 21, wet seal, and Betty Jonson. But today she let her hair down in wild natural curls, wore a simple baggy gray t-shirt, a pair of black wayfarersunglasses, flip-flops, and dark grey skinny jeans.
"Hey." She said with a warm smile.
"Hey." Jericho said back to her. I only nodded and smiled at her. Honestly it felt awkward being in a group of people. I felt like I was being observed and dissected. I shifted my weight uncomfortably from one leg to the other. I avoided eye contact and scanned the area hoping to see Angela. Once again she was nowhere to be seen.
"Right Avery?" I heard Ashlin say. I then looked back at her.
"What was that?" I asked her.
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