I had been walking for a while now. I just don't get it why can't I keep my cool when I'm around people like that. Maybe I have gotten too use to having only myself to depend on that I have forgotten how to ask for help. No that can't be true I mean I asked Tanya right. I guess it's different whit people who I just met.
I'm just glad that it wasn't Xav that took hold of my hand because if he did I would fall apart four sure. I hope that that day never comes though. Maybe it's time to let myself forget them.
Nah who am I kidding I could never to that. The memories mean too much to me.
My legs had brought me to Sally's art studio. Damn traitors. I was about to sneak away but I couth chough.
"Ray why are you just standing there come in, come in" Sally beckoned me. I didn't really feel like going anywhere else anyway so I went upstairs and got myself a canvas.
The colors didn't seem so bright today. Everything felt numb somehow. I was still angry with myself and the Benedicts as well just who do they think they are anyway showing up out of nowhere.
I sat there painting and thinking for a few hours I wasn't really paying attention to what was on the canvas until I heard a voice behind me.
"you drew that from seeing me only once I must say I'm impressed" turning around I saw Xav standing behind me looking at a picture of himself. It wasn't an exact copy but the resemblance was certainly there. I wasn't getting out of this one saying that it wasn't him.
"it's a habit. Mindlessly putting my thoughts on paper I mean" I cave a small hint of a smile. Why did I say that. Idiot.
He grinned "I do apologize for occupying your mind" he said taking a closer look of the painting. "this is really good like really I don't know if it's possible but you just might have made me even more handsome"
"a good artist can make anyone look good" I smiled "it doesn't matter if subject of the painting is originally pretty in the first place" what am I saying. Why am I even talking to him? How did he even find me. Did Sally call Sky or… my train of thought was disrupted by a hurt look and a sigh.
"you mean to tell me I'm not handsome? You hurt my ego." He said facing a faint.
I sighed "I never said anything about you not being handsome no need to get so dramatic" how did he get me to lower me defenses anyway?
"but dramatic is my middle name" he said sighing. I gave him a look
"no it isn't. you don't have a middle name" I said without thinking. He looked at me with narrowed eyes
"you are right but how did you know that I don't remember mentioning it at dinner" damn busted.
"you do know us don't you? so why don't we know you?" he asked voice layered with concern and sadness.
I looked at my painting "because it is better for everyone if you don't know me"
"I don't believe that. There is no way it can be better for anyone if somebody important is forgotten" he said his voice sounded angry.
"if a person is important you don't forget them" I said still looking at that canvas.
"then you must be important because even though I can't remember any memories spent with you I still know that I know you" he said laying his hands on my shoulders. It felt so warm and familiar. Before I could do anything I was crying again. Xav moved into a hug it was like the time he found out I was afraid of lightning back then he had held me just like he was now.
"how about we go get something hot and loaded with sugar" he suggested and I just nodded he was still my weak spot even after all these years.
It turned out that Xav knew the city of London pretty well. We went to a small café. While he was getting the drinks I sat at a round table by the window so that I could see the streets. I was thinking about what to do now.
There is no way his not going to ask questions. Erase his thoughts? No. can't do that it takes too long to do it properly people will notice. Can't afford to be sloppy about it eider. If I am he'll know. Make up a lie? Nah I'm not good under Benedict pressure already proved that. So right now my best option is to bend the truth enough so that he doesn't suspect me. Maybe that will make them back off. Meaning I need to make this believable. Okie how am I going to do that.
I didn't have time to come up with a game plan. "got you a cake to go with the coffee" he said placing the cup on the table. It was a jerry-socklet cake. "it looked like you would like it" he said after seeing my face "did I mess up?" I shuck my head "no right on the spot" I smiled defeated. I just can't. Why do we have to be alone.
After he sat down I asked the question I had been wondering about "so how did you know I was at the studio? Did Sally call?" he smiled "oh no it wasn't Sally I'm just the world's greatest tracer" I must have looked really unamused because he raised his arms and said "alright Zed saw you painting in one of his visions when he described the room around you Sky recognized it as her parents studio so I thought I would come see if I can get you on our side" he tried to make a joke out of it. When I didn't say anything he started talking again "look I'm sorry for the dinner and the way Zed acted he can be a brute" I giggled at that thinking back to the time when he tried to take my ball only to get stopped by one of my big brothers and scolded by Victor. I gave him my ball in the end just to get him, Yves and Xav to stop following me.
"Why didn't the others come?"
he thought for a moment and then said "well Crystal is still a bit out of it because of the jetlag and we thought that it would be better if we didn't overwhelm you with our personalist anymore" he smiled "so I as the one with the best personality volunteered" he paused "also after Zed said that he had had a dream about a young girl that looked like you playing with our younger selves I haven't been able to stop thinking about why we were playing and why I can't remember it and you in general" well that was the complete opposite of what I needed right now.
"but maybe he just thought that it was me I mean I am quite average looking it could have been some other girl for all he knows" I tried to make the best of the situation. He looked at me with his mouth hanging open
"have you looked in the mirror lately?" he asked "because you are not average at all" now it was time for my mouth to fall
"huh should you really be saying this? I mean you have a girlfriend and it's not nice to lie" I said after I recovered. Nobody had noticed me for a long time now. I mean I made myself look dull and forgeable on purpose after all. Not that it was hard or anything.
"only because Crystal is my soulfinder doesn't mean I can't compliment other beautiful people around me" he said casually slipping in the compliment like a real lady's man. And even thought it was so cheesy I still blushed. When he saw that he smiled. God his smile is gorgeous.
"I see you are capable of emotion after all" he said giving me a smirk. My blush darkened.
"of course I am. I don't have to be a massive giggle fest all the time to be capable of emotions" I burstd out, upset that he had thought me emotionless.
"of course you don't" he seemed pleased to have ruffled my fetters "but having a brick face on all the time does give that impression" he pointed out still amused. He took a sip from his cup but spit it back out the second latter waving his hand to his tong. "ou ou this is hot" he looked so ridiculous that I couldn't help but smile
"some healer you are I must say" I told him to remind the guy of his powers. After giving me a look he closed his eyes in concentration and after a few seconds he said "I would have thought of that just so you know"
"sure you would have" I humored him.
It felt so nice just talking with Xav. It was relaxing just joking around and not thinking of the future or the past just the present.
But nothing good is meant to last when I'm involved.
I felt them coming while we were talking. That icy-cold sensation I got whenever the Cases were close. Turning my head slightly I could see them across the street. I had been so focused on keeping my barriers up while talking with Xav that I had barely noticed them. But they had noticed me that's for sure. So now what?
By the way we were siting they couldn't see Xav's face and I wanted to keep it that way. There was no way I went through all that just to get them messed up in my problems again. But how am I going to get him out of here without them seeing him I mean I know they can't remember our past connection or anything but the Benedicts are famous in the savant network it wouldn't be hard for them to figure out who he was. I can't just run off eider that would make Xav suspicious and would give the two Case brothers the opportunity to see who I was with. There is always a chance that they will both run after me but that's not likely. Because if Bryan is here then things get complicated.
Out of the three Case brothers Bryan was the only one that could challenge me in chess. His super smart and specializes in different stargazes and the fact that he can get into people's heads doesn't help matters mush. Like his brother he also has icy-blue eyes but his hair is more blond than silver.
I guess the best way to get Xav to cooperate without making a fuss is to tell him some of what's going on no way around it I'll just erase his memory later. It's not the best plan but it will have to do for now.
Having decided my next move I said "say Xavier"
He looked surprised hearing his full name thinking it was some sort of joke or something he said "yes Raven?" my name sounded so perfect when he said it. Focuses.
"how good are you at masking your percent's" I asked trying not to make him seem to suspicious because by the way Andrew and Bryan were looking at us they hadn't figured out that I noticed them yet and that was the only good thing about the situation.
"Well I'm definitely not as good as you I can say that much why did you ask?" he was starting to get serious.
I put on my signature fake-half-smile and said "well remember back in the studio you asked why it would be better if people didn't know me" I said making sure my face looked like I was still having fun and not thinking of possible escape roots.
He nodded and said "would you like to enlighten me as to why that is?" He definitely understood that something was wrong now but he stayed so calm. Nothing in his poster or facial expression said that he could sense danger.
I stirred my spoon in the coffee as I spoke "well you see there is this certain family that want's me dead. And don't you dare make any sudden movements or show anything that would make anybody think that you are not relaxed but two members of that family have been observing us for a while now" I said fearing that he might to something stupid like turn to look at them but he didn't. He just looked me in the eye and said "so what are we going to do now?"