Konnichiwa! I just want to thank ALL the reviewers and say a BIG SORRY Firstly, here's a big heartfelt thanks going to volturiravenwitc, my first reviewer! Thanks a ton for your review, it made me very very happy! Hope you'll enjoy this chapter as well! And please, keep on reviewing, Guys! Revie loves it, right?
Revie: YES! PRESS ME! PRESS MEE!
Me: he's on a sugar rush, sorry! And I do not own twilight; I just own my OC's and my plot! Happy reading!
Revie: PRESS ME! *DOES SOMERSAULT*
_
Chapter 8 – Settling in, Heading out
Ren POV *MOSTLY A FLASHBACK.*
I was completely embarrassed last night. Gods, how did I give away all those thoughts! After Jem and Alec went away, Anika came to my room, just as Leah called. I told both of them everything, on one condition: Anika had to put up a silencing spell/charm/shield or whatever on my room so that nobody else could listen how well I'd made a fool out of myself.
She did it, and then I officially introduced her to Lee. She didn't sound surprised at all over the existence of witches, a fact that made it clear just how naïve I was. Anika and Lee bonded pretty well and pretty fast. I was satisfied.
Then they kind of made a pact and forced me to tell every single detail. Every. Single. Goddamn. Detail. They went into splits as they heard about how Alec found out about my thoughts on him, while I sat there obstinately, redder than Snow-white's ruby lips.
They literally laughed for an hour, before Lee finally managed to wheeze out, "Hey, at least he's someone you like, and he doesn't lie to you, unlike a certain bastard I know."
Both went quiet at the mention of his name, expecting me to say something.
I asked, "How's he? And where are you right now? Did he find you?" Lee sighed, before answering, "I didn't want to tell you this…." I was immediately alert. "What happened? Tell me everything, Lee." She took a deep breath and said, "Your family came back early, unfortunately. Something about Alice panicking as to how she hadn't planned anything properly. So they returned. I left before they came, fortunately. Currently, I'm hiding, cause' your father's with them and I don't want him to read my thoughts. Even with the shield you put on me before leaving, I don't want to risk it. I am communicating with them purely on a phone call basis. All of them are distraught at your disappearance, Ren. Especially your Mom and Dad. I've managed to keep them aloof while explaining your dilemma as best as I could without giving you away. Jacob is ballistic. And so is Sam. Heck, the whole pack of those nut jobs is pretty infuriated. But I really don't give a shit. I'll hold the fort down for you, don't worry. And call your uncle Jasper, or your aunt Alice. They met me secretly, asking me to convey this message to you. Don't call your family till I tell you to. For now, focus on getting a job, settling in, and figuring out yourself. I'll tell you when the waters are calm enough for you to have a sane conversation with the rest of your family."
I was distraught. This was exactly what I feared would happen. The thought of my family hurt brought tears to my eyes. Mitsuko's arms went around me as she pulled me closer and stroked my back, letting me cry my heart out.
"Leah? Don't worry; I'll get her to call. I'll take care of her here; you take care there, okay?"
Mitsuko spoke on the phone in gentle tones. "Yeah, okay Mitsu-chan. Bye Mitsu-chan, bye Renny." So saying, the phone clicked shut. I quietly sobbed in Mitsu's arms as she comforted me, softly tracing soothing circles on my back.
It was a long time before I stopped.
Then she said, "Hey, don't worry about it, okay? You're here to figure things out, not tangle them more. You need to focus on new things instead of letting the past rule. Let Lee handle your parents and the rest of them. Jacob can go kill himself. I don't care about him, honestly. I find it quite horrible that he played a trick on you to earn your love. That's not only wrong, but also dishonorable. So forget him for a while. For now, let's focus on making your stay here pleasant. Tomorrow we'll go and find a job for both of us, and then I have to train. I think you should train to fight too, if you want to live independently…." She finished, trailing off.
I thought about it. Uncle Jazz had taught how to control my powers and try to project my illusions without touching a person, as well as how to project my shield to protect several people, but that was about it.
I didn't have any special weapons training, nor could I use my power of illusion on several people at once.
I told Anika all about it. She nodded and said, "Then you can learn some now, right? It won't be of any harm to you. I bet Aro would agree."
I decided I would talk about it the next day. I was tired, so I and Anika slept pretty quickly.
*NEXT DAY BEGINS FROM HERE* Ren POV
I was awakened by the sound of Anika shuffling around. I sat up and yawned.
She smiled at me and said, "Finally woke up? I didn't wanna wake you up as you had quite an excursion yesterday. Hope you had sweet dreams of him!" She winked at the last part as I moaned and blushed.
I knew it. Now she was going to tease me to no end.
She laughed and threw a pair of clothes at me and said, "Go and take a bath. And wash your hair. It looks like a pair of crows nested in it."
I came out of the bathroom. Anika was sitting on my bed, wearing a pair of denim shorts with a yellow tank and a jacket on top.
Her brown hair was tied in a pretty side pony and she had a pair of sneakers on.
We went downstairs, bumping into Jane on the way. She looked at me and said, "Hope you woke up fine."
I knew it was meant to be polite, but her face looked pinched, as if she was forced to do this.
I said to her, "Jane, it's okay. You don't have to force yourself to be polite.
I'd rather you be hateful but honest towards me rather than being polite and dishonest towards me. That way I can really earn your friendship."
Anika nodded and said, "Ren's right. I know you may feel very hostile towards us, but I'll try my best to be your friend."
Jane looked surprised and relived. Then she slowly smiled, and I saw a spark of acceptance in her eyes. It was very different then what I'd heard from my mother about Jane being inhuman and ruthlessly cruel, filled with spite.
She softly said, "You both are very different than I thought you'd be, half-breeds. I was imagining spoilt brats, what with Anika being the only half human witch girl and Ren being the only half human vampire girl. It's nice to meet you, and this time I'm speaking the truth."
Anika beamed and said, "Now that's more like it. It's a pleasure to meet you too. By the way, we need a bit of help. You see, Ren here needs to train. So can she be included in my class? Also, we need to find ourselves a job too."
Jane looked thoughtful for a minute and said to me, "You want to train, too?" I nodded and said, "Yes. I know how to project my illusions without touching a person, as well as how to project my shield to protect several people, but that's about it. If possible, I'd love to learn more." She smiled and said, "Of course you can. About your job, I think you should take a look at this café… it's a maid/waitress only café, and you have to dress up like a maid too… I think they needed three workers…you'll need to find out. Let's go after you've eaten something."
So we set out in hopes of finding a real job. The café was called 'A cuppa Juanita' and the owner explained that it was her mother's café, whose name was Juanita. Her name was Jeanne, and she was quite a cheerful young woman of 26.
She said that only two positions were open, which was perfect for both of us. Her brother ran a bar next to the café called 'The Amber Shotglass', and the waitresses in the café could alternately work in both. The dress code was the same for the café and the bar.
There was no male staff in the café, but there were male bartenders in the bar, dressed occasionally as butlers. I and Anika decided to take both shifts, at the café as well as the bar. It would help with the money, too.
We were a bit apprehensive about dressing up as a maid, but both Jeanne and her brother Daniel assured us of our safety and explained that the reason male staff was allowed in the bar and not in the café was this only. The boys hired in the bar were thoroughly checked, and were all respectable gentleman, so that no guy in or out could try to misbehave with the girl staff.
We learnt how to make lattes, espressos, Americano's, pints and such. It was funny, as Anika dropped her first latte on Daniel by tripping and landing on top of him, straddling him. She was mortified, and blushed a cherry red; screaming a thousand 'sorry's' at him, all the while glaring at me and Jane, who were in splits. It was funny, as she tried to be mad and sorry and the same time. Daniel simply laughed it off.
However, she got her revenge too, as I slipped and landed right in the bartender's lap, the shot glass on my head. I moaned, burying my head as Anika and Jane fell on the floor laughing.
When we tried on our uniforms, it was even more embarrassing. We had to wear drawers underneath, and mine were a bit loose….. you can imagine the rest. Out I go walking, as gracefully as I can with a tray in my hand, and Bang! My drawers come down. Much to the amusement of Juanita, unfortunately.
By the time we learnt everything, it was once again late evening. Juanita sent us off, wheezing about how 'She was going to get tons of customers' and how 'Not even one day would be dull from now on.' Daniel agreed, smirking at us. Me and Anika? We simply tried to outdo cherries.
When we got out, after discovering a new type of cherry, Jane turned back to us and smiled. She said, "I had a simply hilarious day. Honestly, I don't remember the last time I'd laughed so much. I'd like to hang out with you again."
Anika grinned and said, "Glad we entertained you. And why don't you come out with us sometime? I'd love it."
Jane nodded and said, "Sure. For now, I have to go though. Duties from Aro… Sorry, bye!" and she left.
I decided that now was probably the best time to call my Uncle. Sighing,I said to Anika, " I guess I should call uncle Jas, right?"
She looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. Time to face the music, I guess, I thought to myself and pulled out my phone.
*evil laugh* here's a cliffhanger. Don't worry, I plan to update soon, just after I finish my other story on amnesia oneshots! If you are a fan, please read! And REVIEW! Love, Anika
