Chapter 2
After a quick hug and hello from Tyler, I followed the guys up the stairs, I looked over Caleb, Pogue, and Reid. I started with Reid, while the blond boy did have piercing blue eyes and lean muscles I didn't get the feeling that he was as interested in getting to me as he was in getting to know my anatomy. Pogue kept shooting me glances out of the corner of his eye but he wasn't really my type, not that he wasn't attractive he just seemed like the type of guy to be jealous. He would make a good friend since he was so protective, but a crazy, jealous boyfriend. Caleb was behind me so I didn't get a chance to check him out. I could feel his eyes on my back though watching my every move. It was almost as if he was establishing himself as my protector, physically showing me that he had my back. Tyler led the way to the end of the hallway and opened the last door. This room was bigger than my room at home and I could see that I got my own bathroom here too so that was a plus.
"Where do you want us to put these Riley," Tyler asked.
"Oh um just put them on the floor I guess, I'm not really sure what I packed into which box so…" I trailed off feeling slightly silly. As the guys set down the boxes I wandered over to the windows to glance out. It felt like an eternity before someone spoke again.
--
"So Tyler tells us that you have powers now like us," Reid said bluntly, obviously trying to speed up the bonding.
Caleb smacked Reid across the back of the head. "Dude give the girl a chance to get settled before you interrogate her," Caleb exclaimed.
--
"It's ok, interrogate away," I said laughing, instantly feeling more at ease. I knew that I could trust these guys.
Immediately the guys started shooting questions at me. Had I turned 18 yet? No. How often did I use my powers? I tried not to. What grade was I in? 12th. Did I play sports? Yes, I Swim. Single? Yes. Was I going to college? To Harvard I hope, but if not it wasn't a big deal. They finally got to the question they all wanted to ask but Caleb was the one who finally said it.
"Do you know who killed your father," Caleb asked hesitantly. Tyler shot him a look then turned his gaze back to me hoping his friend hadn't upset me.
I knew that I had to tell them the truth. It was the whole reason I had agreed to this ridiculous plan of my mother's in the first place. I was going to let these guys teach me how to control my powers and once I ascended I was going to kill the bastard that murdered my father.
"Yeah, it was the same guy that tried to take Caleb's power. Chase Collins."
--
Caleb had the sense to not let his emotions get the better of him. He knew that if he lost it Riley would get upset. Pogue had been friends with Caleb so long that he could tell when his friend was reigning in his motions. Pogue's fists clenched involuntarily at the memory of Chase Collins. Reid on the other hand cursed loudly.
"That son of a bitch, he'll do anything to get more power," Reid shouted angrily.
Caleb watched as Riley jumped at the outburst. She shook her head like she trying shake away a memory. Her eyes suddenly flared with magic beyond her control.
--
I don't know how it happened this time. I guess it was seeing the guys react to Chase's name that set it off. The magic flared up so suddenly that I didn't have time to stop it. Caleb was in front of me in two steps grabbing both of my hands, trying to get me to focus on him.
--
"Riley you have to focus before you hurt yourself ok? Focus on making the magic go away and it will," Caleb said softly trying not to frighten the girl anymore than she already was. Pogue, Reid, and Tyler froze in their places as they watched the girl struggle to maintain control. Her black eyes were focused on Caleb's brown ones; the look on her face was one of shock and fear as she tried desperately to do what Caleb was telling her.
--
It was as if he was speaking to me through a long tunnel. I could hear him but he seemed so far away even though he was right in front of me holding my hands. I could see the look Tyler's face as I struggled to do what Caleb said. Tyler was afraid. I didn't want to scare them, but I couldn't get a handle on my thoughts they were moving to quickly. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts, but it didn't help.
--
"Focus Riley," Caleb said softly.
Tyler started to move towards his cousin wanting to help her but she lost control at the exact moment he moved. The force of the power being released without warning knocked them all back as Riley collapsed. It didn't look like anyone had been hurt by it just surprised. Reid's eyes rolled back from black to their normal blue.
"What were you going to do Reid?" Tyler asked, "Use your power to stop her?"
"Yeah she was to freaked out to focus," Reid stated calmly.
Pogue was too stunned to speak. She hadn't ascended yet and she was almost as strong as Caleb, who had ascended over two months ago. Pogue didn't know if they should be afraid of her or feel sorry for her. She obviously had no idea how to control this and she didn't appear to want these powers. He couldn't imagine how strong she would be once she ascended.
"You ok Caleb?" Pogue finally asked.
"Yeah I'm fine," Caleb said as he crouched over Riley, "Riley?"
--
I didn't realize that I had lost control again until I felt the floor beneath me. It always happened like this, the power would surge all of a sudden and before I knew what had happened I was on the floor because I blacked out. I heard Caleb say my name as I slowly opened my eyes. I was afraid to look at them because I knew what they were all thinking. I sat up slowly, desperately trying not to cry as the four of them watched me warily.
--
Caleb said her name again as he reached over and put his hand on her shoulder. She still refused to look at him, staring at the floor instead. Reid could see the tears forming in her eyes as she sat there. Pogue shifted uncomfortably, knowing what was coming. He had never been good with emotional girls and girls crying freaked him out more than anything. Tyler bit his bottom lip as he watched his cousin; Caleb was still trying to get her to look at him when she finally spoke.
"I'm sorry, I should have told you that I can't control when the power surfaces. When I get upset or angry it just lashes out, but it happens to fast for me to do anything. I didn't hurt any of you did I?" Riley babbled quickly as the tears slid down her cheeks.
"No we're all fine," Caleb reassured her quickly, "It was an accident, it happens to everyone. It'll get easier I promise." Caleb smiled at her reassuringly as he helped her stand up.
Tyler had never seen his cousin look so concerned as she looked at each of them. "Seriously Rye, it's no big deal we're used to being pushed around by the power," he said laughing softly.
"Yeah," Reid said, "Pogue pushes us around all the time, and you're cuter than him when you do it."
Pogue rolled his eyes at Reid's statement. "Riley don't worry about it. You're one of us now and it will take a whole lot more than that to scare us off."
--
I didn't know what to say, they were all being so nice about it. I just smiled and murmured thanks. As we all stood there and stared at each other, I realized that these guys were going to become some of the best friends I had ever had. There weren't afraid of me they just wanted to help me get through this. They were worried about me.
--
Caleb looked from Riley to the rest of the group as everyone relaxed. "So do you want us to help you unpack or would you rather do it yourself," he asked.
--
"I'll do it myself, like I said there is no telling what my mom put in these boxes," I replied. Pogue and Reid looked extremely relieved.
"Cool, we'll get out of your way so you can unpack, but you're going to Nicky's with us tonight," Caleb said quickly wanting to get her into the group as fast as possible. Nicky's would be a good place for all of them to relax and get to know each other without the pressure.
"Yeah we aren't taking no for an answer so don't even think about it," Pogue seconded.
Reid and Tyler also affirmed that I had to come as they all walked out the door. As they left I realized that they hadn't told me who Nicky was.