7. Chapter Six

Chapter Six

O kay, here it is, the first day of my junior year. I am a new me, a braver me, and not a sad, miserable me . Truth or not, that was what I told myself as I sat up in bed.

It had already been seven months since my parents took their last breaths. It seemed like I had spent an eternity away from them, and at the same time, like it had only been a single day since my dad smiled at me and my mom had held me in a hug.

I didn't see Shad for the rest of the summer after our two encounters and once Ryker had come home. I tried to spot him from my house—coming out of his, but I never saw him. I started to wonder if he ever even left his house.

Vampires liked to stay indoors–oh, my heck, stop it. Obviously I had been thinking far too much about my neighbor who seemed to shake up my entire world, as well as to cause me to have feelings I had never felt before. It came at the perfect time. I was in need of a distraction. Focusing on Shad and thinking of him really helped me stay away from my bad memories.

Ryker and I made up for lost time those last two weeks of summer; it was hot outside, so other than swimming in the pool, we mostly hung out inside and watched movies. Ryker really loved watching movies, and while it wasn't my favorite activity, I learned to endure it for his sake. But summer break, summer vacation, was soon over, and I was ready to embrace the new year, or at least, I will attempt to appear as if I am embracing it. Fake it till I make it.

My classmates knew me, and of course, they knew what had happened to my parents. I could still remember the sad faces I saw at the end of my sophomore year, after my parents died. I hated it. It was one thing to feel bad for me but another thing to pity me. I did not want to be the girl everyone pitied. I mean, even Karen Manning, who was my ex-best friend, was nice to me after the car crash. Something happened to our friendship there, between seventh and eighth grades, and we went from best friends, forever and friendship bracelets to hating each other–well, I didn't hate her. Sometimes, I wished I knew what had happened, but then Ryker told me about her behavior freshman year at cheer practice, and I realized that not being her friend was probably the best choice I had ever made. She was a bully, and I did not want to be around someone like that. Ryker was easy to be friends with, no drama, and that was something I was thankful for. Ryker was always very brotherly and protective when it came to the boys. For some reason, the idea of me dating was not appealing to him. Regardless of his overprotective nature, I would be forever grateful for our friendship. I desperately wished, however, that I had a girl to confide in, but never Karen Manning—never again. I wished I had someone to gush to about Shad. After the rose on my car, I could not help but ache to ask him why he did it—that is if I even had the guts to ask . He knew where I was most of the time—at work or home, but still—nothing. It puzzled me because he'd been so bold. Why hadn't he visited me again? I really needed to talk that over with a girl. He's probably not interested in me, and can I blame him? No—no, I can't because I am a mess, I thought . Maybe that would be my first goal: make a friend who was a girl who I could talk to about boys. I mean, I had Mary, but she was my aunt and also a parent figure, so that would be a little strange. Mary told me that I should make more friends at school. I was not entirely sure how to do that when I literally knew everyone since I was in elementary school. She reminded me that people moved in and out all the time. I was bound to see a new face.

That made me think again of the incredibly gorgeous boy across the street. I felt my heart flutter and wanted to punch myself. From what I saw, Shad was going to be pretty popular at my school. I mean, every girl was going to drool over him, especially if he came dressed in a uniform–I mean, our school did not have uniforms, but it was a very attractive look on him. The captain of the cheer squad would snatch him up for sure and make him hers. He probably played football—a match made in heaven. For all I knew, Shad and the cheer captain, they could become high school sweethearts, never leave town, and have babies. I shuddered. I did not like that idea. That gorgeous, tall, dark, and handsome guy really should not belong to anyone— not to anyone but me . I could not shake the thought that he belonged to me. What? Why do I keep thinking that? I don't even know him . I shook away all my thoughts and tried to focus. I needed to focus.

I climbed out of bed and decided it was a good sign that I was thinking of high school drama. I was thinking about normal things. That was a good thing, right? My mom would be proud, I knew that much.

I remembered back to a time one year earlier, when my mother came into my room to talk with me. Most of my life before their death still seemed so blurry, except a few specific memories. I realized that as soon as it came into full focus. It was as if I could see her there—even though so much time had passed—sitting on my bed with her golden blond hair and petite figure, her blue eyes, and her peach lipstick smile.

"Emma, I hope you will try to make more friends this year."

"Mom, I have Ryker. Why do I need anyone else?" I asked as I combed through my hair; it was wet from my early morning shower. I sat on the edge of my bed, and she sat behind me. She took the brush and started combing my hair for me, humming a melody that calmed me. She hadn't combed my hair like that very often since I was young; I always enjoyed the feeling of her combing through it. She always had the scent of vanilla and freshly picked red roses. I could almost smell her whenever I pictured her.

"Emma, I just want you to enjoy your teenage years. Have some fun. I am afraid you are not at all—well, interested in the exciting things that come with being your age. I love you, and I love who you are, but try to have more fun this year and make new friends. Don't grow up too fast; life is too short for that. Make friends that will last for a lifetime because friendships are very important."

"I tried that with Karen, mom, and it was a disaster. Seriously, I am fine with Ryker. I really don't need a million friends. Did you have a ton of friends in high school or something?"

"No, my education was a bit different from yours. I did not go to a high school like yours." She paused in her brushing and cleared her throat. "I just want you to be happy—that's all."

"I am happy; I have you, dad, Ryker, and Mary. What more could I want?" That memory of her engulfed me, and as I remembered her kiss on the top of my head, it felt, oh, too real. I remembered watching her walk to the door, and she smiled at me before leaving the room.

The memory left me almost as quickly as it had come. It felt so real. I sat on the edge of my bed and wiped at my face where a tear had fallen down my cheek. I wasn't really sad. I was happier than usual, actually, because I had stumbled upon such a happy memory of my mom. I wondered what she would have thought about Shad. Would she be happy that I was showing interest in someone other than Ryker? Could I have confided in her about my feelings? The answer echoed inside of me:

Yes.

I really missed her. I took a few deep breaths, trying to pull myself together, yet again, and get ready for school.

I stared into my closet. I'd asked Mary to take me to the mall the previous week. I was determined, like I said, to not be that sad, pathetic girl who lost her family, because it hurt me even more to have people feel sorry for me and pity me, so I decided that I would take extra care to look my best. At the end of the last school year, I was such a disaster. I looked worse than the aftermath of a tornado. So when I brought up the idea with Mary, she thought it was a brilliant idea. She enjoyed playing dress up with me, as she called it. I called it operation make-everyone-think-I-am-fine . I took her fashion advice because she always looked amazing. I pulled out a pair of distressed cut off shorts and a black, top. I looked at myself in the mirror, and I decided that it was a little too gloomy for the first day of operation make-everyone-think-I-am-fine. I looked through my clothes and saw a brightly colored, pink t-shirt. I slipped it on; it felt soft and feminine. I pulled out a thin gold chain, a pair of small hoop earrings, and I walked into the bathroom to wash my face, applied a little makeup, mainly mascara, then worked on my hair. I had naturally wavy hair, or beach waves , as Mary admiringly named my unruly locks. I had showered the night before and let it dry wavy, so all I needed to do was tame the waves with a bit of the hair product Mary swore by, and then I was good. I ran the product through my hair, and it really did look beautiful. I looked at myself in the mirror. I wasn't the most beautiful thing in the world, but I was cute enough. Smiling, I slipped on my white tennis shoes and grabbed my backpack. As I put my backpack over my shoulder, I heard a shout. I turned around in the direction of my window, which faced the street. I dropped my backpack on the bed and moved closer, pushing the curtains out of the way so that I could see the street below me.

"What are you doing here?" It was Ryker, talking with someone.

"What do you mean?" I knew that voice. It was his , Shad's voice. I tried to steady my heart.

"So you think you've found her," Ryker spoke, so quietly that it was getting hard to hear.

"Don't play games with me, Ryker; How long have you known?"

"Shad, you are making a big deal out of nothing," Ryker replied, quite irritated.

"‘Nothing?' Are you serious? This is not nothing? How you could even say that to me baffles me. How could you not remember what Ora told us?"

"Of course, I remember. I know it's a big deal, okay; I get it," Ryker answered, raising his voice.

What were they talking about? How did they know each other? Ryker was from Roseville. How could they have met? Maybe on one of their family trips? Maybe the camping trip he went on earlier that summer?

"You have changed. Back home, they would not even know you. Do you not understand how important this is?"

"You cannot just come here and boss me around, Shad. Seriously—this isn't Embra—"

"Ryker, I can come here and do what I wish, and you know that I have just as much of a right as you. I have been all over this country, and you knew the entire time. I asked you about this place, and you told me—"

"Just stay away," Ryker pleaded. "She doesn't know anything."

"You think after all these years, I'll just walk away? You have no right to that wish—or warning—especially after what you have done. It was tasked to us both. Sixteen years, Ryker, for sixteen years you have known and have kept it to yourself. You have had your time."

"Shad, you do not understand. I couldn't—things have happened. She is in danger."

I gasped. Who were they talking about? But as I asked myself that question, I had this gut feeling that they were talking about me.

Why? Why would they be talking about me? How could I be in danger?

"I thought you were a knight, Ryker. What have you been doing here for all this time? Do you even remember who you are and what you stand for?"

"You know I am not an Ancient; I am not invincible. I need help finding him . I don't have any more connections, and he is after her."

"I will help. Keil and I have many resources at our disposal, and you have had your chance, so now it is my turn."

"Well—fine." Ryker backed down a bit. "I would appreciate any intel Keil can give on this guy. He has been almost impossible to track–He's a soulless."

"I will update you," Shad said quickly.

"I guess we have to work together again," Ryker gave in, seeming upset about the idea.

"Seems so, but you need to give me space. You have had plenty."

There was silence. I sat down on my bed and wondered what exactly I had just overheard.

I knew Mary would be waiting for me downstairs, so I collected my thoughts, and decided I would ask Ryker about it at school. I made my way down the hall and descended the stairs into the kitchen.

"Oh, Emma," Mary said, running up to me. She wore an apron, her hair in a top-knot bun, and had just a touch of mascara on her lashes, and she was flawless.

I giggled at her excitement. Giggled? That was new.

"Your work," I said, spinning around.

"I love your hair; seriously, I wish I had your hair—so long and pretty, and man, I can't believe that's natural. Although your dad did have wavy hair, so—" She stopped.

While she was talking, I had taken a seat, looking down at the egg and bacon breakfast she had cooked for me.

She remained silent.

I looked up at her from the table. "Really, Mary, I feel much better these days. We should be able to talk about them without it making me upset." I stabbed my fork into the eggs. "Can I have ketchup?"

"Well, that is most definitely your father in you." She walked to the fridge and retrieved a bottle.

"Thanks." I took the bottle and poured it over my food.

"I hope you have a good day today," she said as she sat down beside me to eat her own breakfast.

"I am sure it will be fine," I responded, stuffing a piece of bacon into my mouth. "As long as people don't think I am gloomy-girl again," I added, setting my fork down. Mary laughed at that, bringing her glass of milk to her lips.

"Well, no way with that look." She smiled at me. I stood up and walked to my backpack on the counter.

"Then operation make-everyone-think-I-am-fine is a go!"

Mary laughed.

"Well, I am meeting Ryker so—"

She walked over to me and gave me a hug.

"I am so proud of you, Emma. Have a good day, and tell Ryker I say hello ." She smiled again.

I nodded in return.