Chapter 11
Concern
I look over at my siblings, shocked at what we’ve just witnessed. “Can you believe that?”
Danika is stunned. “What exactly was that?”
“You just witnessed what can happen to a supernatural being when emotions get too strong. This is why we worry about you. Ebony is just coming of age, learning of her powers as a witch. She is obviously telekinetic, meaning she can move things with her mind,” Alexander explains.
“Okay. Well, the pep rally is about to begin. We can talk about this more at home,” I insist.
As we enter the gymnasium, a voice booms over the loudspeaker. “And here they are the newest members of our school. Please help me welcome the Pierce family, Mati, Sophia, Danika, and Alex.” The entire school population starts applauding and cheering to welcome us.
Although I do not like being in the spotlight, I feel very welcomed, and there are no more judgmental whispers. Now there is nothing but warm, welcoming cheers. Is this what it will be like here? Are the people of Wenham really happy to have us join their community? This could truly become home–something no place has ever been before.
Nathanial sneaks up behind me and whispers, “Welcome,” as he grabs my waist to tickle me.
I giggle and smile at him. He’s doing it again. He has this way of breaking through my wall, but I know I have to figure out a way to keep him away.
“Come on! You can sit with the team since you and your siblings seem to be the guests of honor.” He hurries us to our seats and joins in the rally.
I really don’t know if I will be able to keep away from him–or anyone here for that matter. I’m beginning to enjoy it here, perhaps a little too much. The last thing I want to do is let my guard down. There are too many loved ones at stake if I do.
Nathanial is called to the stage, and I begin to cheer as though we have been going steady for years. Not only do I shock myself with my whooping and hollering, I shock my siblings too. What in the world am I doing? What am I thinking? This isn’t the way to keep him at bay. The pep rally was a ton of fun but now that it’s over and everyone is dispersing, we decide to go home and fill in the other members of our family on the possibly life-changing events of the day.
We explain everything about Ebony and my encounter with her.
“We knew Ms. Edwina’s granddaughter attended Wenham High, but we thought we had a little more time before you’d run into her. I saw her in a premonition,” Constance explains.
I remember Constance telling me about her visions. She sees the future, but she doesn’t always know when the things she envisions will happen. She also does not share everything she sees; she is protective of us and doesn’t want us to worry needlessly. She shares only what she feels is important to our well-being. Constance once told me that she believes things left to fate work out for the best. It is more normal that way.
“I still can’t believe that Ebony openly used her powers like that, right there in the school hallway,” Matilda adds.
I look around at each family member. “From what she told me, this is all very new to her. She may not know how to control them yet.”
“Although you made arrangements for tomorrow, I will call Ms. Edwina tonight and ensure that all is okay for our visit. She may want us to come by sooner rather than later.” Elijah heads toward the study to make his call, while the rest of us continue talking.
After he’s off the phone it is clear Elijah is excited to see his old friend Ms. Edwina and to finally meet the granddaughters he’s heard so much about. “She is concerned but said Ebony has retired for the evening. She says tomorrow will be better for her.” He can sense the tension we all have. “Kids, you need not worry. This is a good family. We would not be who we are today without them,” he assures us.
We trust him explicitly, but we’re still concerned about the day’s events. He can tell how uncomfortable we “kids” are with the situation and it annoys him slightly.
“Kids, I do not want you to worry about this. You know what a long-standing history we have with Ms. Edwina. Her family will not do anything to harm us or to reveal our secrets. Everything is safe with their family. We knew this would happen when we came back here. As for Ebony, we will help her through this transition. So please try to have a good time tonight,” Elijah strongly insists. “You will see when we meet with them. You have known their family as long as I have and you know it will be fine.”
“Okay. But what do you suggest I do about this young man Nate? Shouldn’t worry about him either?” I question.
“That I am not sure about. We will have to meet him, but you will have to be careful around him, as he sounds very compelling,” Elijah adds.
“Sophia, we would not have come here if I had sensed anything that might endanger our secrets,” Constance reassures.
I do feel better after talking with the family, and Elijah told the truth. We have known Ms. Edwina forever, and she and her family have earned our trust. I know I am panicking for no reason. As for Nathanial, I will just have to wait and see how everything pans out with him. It will be no easy task to resist his incredible appeal, but I think I have enough confidence in myself.
It’s time to start getting ready for the game. It’s getting a little chilly tonight, and I agree to allow Matilda to help me get ready. I would normally dress down with my hair in a ponytail and my vanity glasses on, but as hard as I try, I cannot fight the feeling Nathanial is giving me. I have to be myself and leave the loner façade behind. I want to look nice for a change. Matilda picks out some nice jeans, a fitted top, and a three-quarter-sleeve button-up sweater with an oversized belt. It’s not too far off from what I would have picked, aside from the fact that she dresses me head to toe in designer labels. I would have put on my UGG’s, but she insisted on a pair of Jimmy Choo knee-high boots. It is nice, albeit flashier than I prefer, but then again I did tell her I want to look nice and she is accomplishing that.
“Let’s keep your hair down, the way you love.” Matilda begins to straighten the long brown layers that look as if they’ve been kissed by the sun.
Matilda has a gift when it comes to fashion. “I can’t believe how good you are at this, Mati. You have the layers framing my face perfectly. I love it. Thank you.” I wonder if Nathanial will even recognize me.
“You’re most welcome. You know I love doing it.”
When we are all ready, we head to the game. I can’t believe how nervous I’m, as if I were a real schoolgirl with a crush on a boy. Two out of three ain’t bad, I guess.
“You are a real schoolgirl – just one stuck in time. Congrats. You have accomplished every woman’s dream.”
“Alex, if you plan on reading my thoughts, you can at least drop the sarcasm.”
Immortal Embrace Page 11