To Mai Surprise
Disclaimer: I do not own The Nine Lives of Chloe King, nor do I profit from any of my stories.
Chapter 3
It was the first day of school but teachers still gave us homework. Nothing challenging, just review and reading in the textbooks.
It was 5 o'clock when Jasmine came home, and she wasn't alone. Two other Mai were with her, a short man and his teenage daughter.
I moved from the kitchen counter to introduce myself. "Hello, I'm Chloe! My aunt, Valentina, is out on business, but please. Make yourselves at home."
"Hello! It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Roberto Vacinni." The older man shook my hand, and then motioned to his daughter. "This here is Mirella, you look about her age."
"Hi Chloe! This is my first time in San Francisco, I'm so excited!" She smiled brightly, "I'm fifteen, but my birthday is next Wednesday."
Jasmine turned to me. "I was thinking that we should throw a birthday party. Maybe sometime this weekend?"
There was a ding! from the kitchen. I took the pork chops out of the oven while Jasmine put two more place settings on the table. After carrying the rest of the food to the table, I sat down to join Jasmine, Mr. Vacinni, and Mirella. While we ate, the two newcomers told of their travels. They had been living abroad for a few years, but chose to follow when The Order moved stateside.
Once we had finished our meal, Jasmine offered to share our files with Mr. Vacinni. An increase in encrypted communication suggested that The Order was migrating into our territory. Mirella offered to help with the dishes; we talked about life here. Apparently she was going to start school with Jasmine and me next week. I offered to show her around the city tonight before training.
I texted Jasmine to let her know that I planned to show Mirella around, and that we would meet her at Telegraph Hill.
Instead of running across rooftops, I decided on a more leisurely mode of transportation. The two of us headed through the park, making our way towards the high school. As we walked, we fell into a comfortable conversation. "So do you have a boyfriend?"
I sighed, "No, there aren't many options here." Mirella looked up, questioning. "There aren't many Mai boys in San Fran; me and Jasmine are the only teenagers." A thought hit me, "not anymore! This is exciting!"
We were almost to the school now. The lights on the field were on, same with the gym. "Looks like it's open. There are probably sports or something." I tugged on her arm, "Hey Mirella, let's go through here."
She laughed. "Please, all my friends call me Mimi. Only my dad says 'Mirella.'" I smiled and nodded.
As walked the halls of the school, I imagined Mimi walking to class with Amy, Paul, and me. Mimi was really nice. She was actually excited to meet my human friends. We walked past the main office, and then headed towards the commotion in the gymnasium.
"We can only stay for a minute or two, but it sounds like there is a game tonight. The football team at my school is really bad, but the basketball team has been on a winning streak the past few years." Our gaze turned towards the home team.
"I wish some of these guys were Mai. Then San Francisco would be perfect!" Mimi laughed. The buzzer rang out, the teams gathered up for half-time. "Where are we going next?"
"Coit tower. Jasmine is meeting us there." She nodded and we walked out the door. "Might as well warm up on our way there," I said as I leaped onto the rooftop.
Sweating and breathing heavy, I looked around. The buzzer had just gone off, and I heard something from across the gym floor. Two girls were standing in the doorway to the hall. The taller one, I didn't recognize her, was laughing. Her ivory hair hung loosely past her shoulders.
"Where are we going next?" I heard her ask her friend. My gaze shifted to the other girl. I recognized her wavy blond hair instantly. It was Chloe King. She was here? Watching my game?
"Petrov! What do you think you're doing?" I heard the coach yell.
It seemed that Chloe and her friend were leaving, so I waited to hear her response. Coit Tower, huh? Why would they go there in the middle of the night? It seemed suspicious to me, but I still had a game to win. I turned to look at the coach and smirked. Tonight just keeps getting better.
It only took us ten minutes to get to the tower. Jasmine was there waiting for us. Training was hell, Jasmine and I had to run up to the top of the tower and back down. Twice. Mimi walked up to the top, not for training, but to see the view. The lights from the city were beautiful.
"Chloe! Come here!" Mimi said, pointing at something in the distance. "Isn't that your apartment building?" I looked out, and then nodded. Pointing out other landmarks, I was glad to have another Mai to talk to.
After a while, Jasmine looked at her watch then turned to Mimi and me. "It's already 8 o'clock. Chloe, can you stand guard up here? I want to take Mimi over to see the rest of Pioneer Park."
"Of course Jazz, text me if you need anything."
She only laughed. "No, Chloe, you text me if you see anything suspicious." Mimi took off after her down the stairs.
As they left, I looked up at the stars. Even with all the city lights, the stars were still visible in the night's sky.
The game was over by 7:30. We won, of course. A bunch of the guys were heading towards Papa's Pizza, but there was something else on my mind: Chloe King. I had known her since I moved here freshman year, but she seemed to always avoid me. At first I thought she was just shy but, after seeing her in the halls at school, I knew there was something else. What did I do? She never even gave me a chance.
Aside from the obvious, (blond, blue eyes, small frame, uses shampoo that smells like watermelon), I knew practically nothing about her. She is friends with Crazy Amy and Comic Book Paul, and she sometimes hangs out with her cousin Jasmine. From the looks of it, the two don't even seem related. Jasmine's mom was a friend of Chloe's parents, rumor has it.
Today wasn't the first time I've talked to Chloe, but it was the first time she talked back. God, she was feisty! In most girls, bitchy is a bad thing. With Chloe, her attitude only made me want to get closer to her.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket. "How was the game? When do you think you'll be home? Don't forget, you have school tomorrow." It was my mum.
I texted her back, "Game was good, we won 53-39, I'll be home by 11."
I was adopted from the UK foster system when I was fourteen. Mum's name is Meredith, but she said I could call her whatever I want. I never had a "Mum" before, I was bounced around foster homes my whole life. No one would adopt a bad-tempered kid from some unknown part of Russia. I wanted Meredith to be like a real mum to me, and she was.
With a sigh, I started walking across town. My friend Tyler had given me a ride to the game, so I had to get there on foot. I wasn't too tired from the game, and I have always been able to see well in the dark, so I figured I would be safe.
Coit Tower… That's only a few blocks away…
I took off in that direction. It was cold out, but my light jacket was enough to keep the weather tolerable.
As I neared the tower, I saw Jasmine and the same girl Chloe was with earlier tonight. Jasmine noticed me and blocked my path. "Petrov, what are you doing here?" she asked, her tone fierce and guarded.
"Looking for Chloe. I heard her mention that she was going to the tower and I wanted to meet up with her." I shrugged, trying to contain my irritation. What was Jasmine's problem?
Jasmine looked at me for a second, and then turned to the other girl. Though they were trying to be discreet, I heard Jasmine whisper about "Alek," "cat eyes," and "my" something.
I cleared my throat to get her attention. Jasmine gave me a piercing glare, and then laughed. "Go right ahead. Chloe's at the top."
Nodding gratefully at Jasmine, I took in a run. The stairs seemed to be endless, but they had to end sometime. I slowed my pace as I reached to top of the tower. As quietly as I could, I walked towards the blond angel in front of me. I wanted to say something, but what? Everything I could think of sounded stupid, or desperate. I leaned forward to tap her on the shoulder. Maybe I can finally get her to talk to me.
I was so distracted by the view that I didn't hear the footsteps behind me until it was too late. The whisper of fabric behind me alerted an attack.
I spun around with my claws out, only to be surrounded by the arms of my would-be attacker. A hand gently lifted my chin up, and I froze. Before I knew it, soft lips covered mine. My heart stopped. I opened my eyes, and then pushed him away.
I gasped.
"Alek?"
Cliffhanger, hanging from a cliff…
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