Hey there guys. You know, please don't stone me. I know but I can't seem to figure out what to do at this point. I decided to cut out the Christmas chapter. I'm sorry to those looking forward to it. Um, I'm totally winging this chapter so if it sucks I'll probably delete it and start over. But, when I'm winging it is sometimes when my best ideas come so, hold your breath, count to ten, wish really hard and hope you actually get to see this. Read On!
Chapter 11: Lied
Joi
"I-I can't tell you," she said, really wishing she could. Her mother looked perplexed.
"Why not, honey?"
"Because there'd be no point in it."
"Then why'd you tell me?"
"I intended to tell you, but I can't. Goddess, I don't know."
"Just remember the rule," Zoey said. "No dating until you're fourteen." Joi nodded, running off. She didn't know what had happened. She only knew that if she told her mother the boy's name, something would happen. That if she told anyone, something would happen. Even Layla. The thought broke her heart. Layla was her sister, her twin, her closest companion. Layla knew everything about her. Except this… and her vision from a few years go.
Layla with Kalona. That was her vision, her secret. And she had a feeling that, for whatever reason, that vision's outcome would be very different if she shared the name of her first crush. So, she pasted on a smile and skipped to find Layla and Cass. She needed companionship. Who better than her sister and best friend?
She found Cassidy waiting for her in the driveway.
"What's up, Jojo?" she asked. Joi smiled at her.
"Hey, Cass. You seen Layla around?" Cassidy nodded.
"Last time I checked she was in the house with Kal." The two of them walked in companionable silence into the house. Cassidy filled her in on how Stevie Rae and Rephaim had wanted a night out and dropped the kids off here.
"Excellent timing," Joi said, just as they walked into her room. Layla was sitting there, talking quietly with Kalleb. Kalleb was making wild hand gestures, his blonde hair a mess, his wings folded neatly on his back. He had a lot of muscles for someone their age but not bulky ones. He was actually quite thin, more muscle than meat under his tan skin. Looking between him and Cassidy, you wouldn't assume they were siblings, let alone twins. Until you looked at their eyes. They were exactly the same color, the same chocolaty brown of their father's. You'd know they were related then.
When people looked at herself and Layla, only their bone structure gave it away. Even their attitudes were different. But, they stuck together. Twins. And, it broke her heart to keep any secret from any of them. But, she pushed away the feeling. Her and Cassidy retraced their steps out of the room, unnoticed; the devious glint they shared alight in their eyes.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Cassidy asked. Joi nodded delightedly.
"One," she whispered.
"Two," counted Cass.
"Three!" they said together, charging back into the room and jumping onto the bed. They all fell into a laughing heap of children.
Zoey
Stark walked in and greeted me with a kiss.
"Stevie Rae and Rephaim dropped the kids off."
"I know," I replied.
"What're you thinking?"
"My girls are growing up." Then I smiled. Stark seemed taken aback.
"You're smiling. Are you better?" I was taken aback now. Had I been really that out of it?
"I've smiled recently."
"Not one where you actually look happy, or amused, or…" he trailed off. "Not for two years you haven't smiled like that."
"Yes, Stark. I'm better now." I kissed him on the lips, and was, for the moment, genuinely at peace.
(10:00 PM)Layla(Layla's Dreams)
Jojo was asleep. Cass and Kal were home. Layla was asleep as well, but far from rested.
"Layla, I can't," Kalona was saying.
"And why not?" she asked, outraged.
"Because I'm not allowed near your house!" She could see in his face that she would win this fight. So she kept pushing.
"I've known you since I was seven and I've never met you!" she screamed.
"Because it's dangerous!" Layla believed his reasoning oblivious to the fact that, although this was partially true, it was not the only reason. Though Kalona had obviously come to care for Layla, that did not necessarily mean he would not turn on her in order to gain power. He preferred the way things were now though. She bared her teeth at him, grimacing. Who was he to decide what was safe for her? She could take care of herself. And she told him as much.
"I can take care of myself!"
"No you can't, Layla. You are a child."
"I can go to the tunnels, walk there. It's not far. You can meet me there and we'll go somewhere where we can talk."
"Layla…" He had run out of arguments, she could tell. She suppressed a grin. "Alright. Alright, you win. I'll come get you. I'll be there at one. I'm assuming so will you?" She nodded.
"I will."
"Then I will let you sleep. Goodnight, Layla." And with that Layla's dream dissolved and she slept in blackness.
That was how she came to be awake at twelve, tiptoeing down the hall past her parents' bedroom, dressed and ready to go. She slipped out the door, locking it back up with her house key. Then she began the trek to the tunnels. She had stretched the truth a bit. It wasn't a long walk, but certainly not short enough for a ten year old to walk at midnight. She had her cell phone in her pocket with Jojo's number pulled up. Just in case.
The streets were empty though. She saw no one. She walked slow and steady through the town, shocked at silence. Tulsa was never quiet. But, there weren't many lights and there was little noise. When the occasional car passed, she ducked her head and tried to make herself look bigger and older than she was. It must have worked, for no one stopped to look at her or speak to her, but instead continued to drive.
She arrived at the tunnels at about half past twelve. She sighed, thinking she should have left later. She sat down, pulled out her phone, and texted Cassidy, who was, of course, still awake.
What's up? texted Layla.
Nm. I'm surprised ur still up. Wbu? replied Cassidy. Layla bit her lip, contemplating what to tell her.
Snuck out. :D
OMG, really? Wow, I'd expect that from Jo, not you.
*eye roll* Don't tell. I'll tell Jojo tomorrow.
You have no faith in me. I'm the bad one, remember? I stay up past my bedtime.
Ooooo… :D, Layla said, giggling.
So what'd u sneak out 4? Layla stopped dead.
Went out to meet a friend…
A bf? She could picture Cass's face.
NO!
Then what're you sneaking out for?
Mom nd Dad don't like him…
Ah, I see. Oh, dang G2G, Ma and Daddy are coming. Gotta act like I'm sleeping. Txt u rite bak. Layla waited for Cassidy to return to the conversation. Still there, Layla? she said after a while.
I'm here.
So is mystery person there yet?
No. Won't be here till 1.
Ooooooh… You got about fifteen minutes then.
Yeah, left too early. Thought the walk would be longer…
Haha sucker.
Shut it Cass. What's Kal doing?
He's sleeping. The loser…
So is Jo…
I figured. Or else she would know u were gone.
So, what're u doin?
In bed chillin out. Watching TV.
Sounds like more fun than what I'm doing.
I bet. Only about five more minutes though…
Sigh…
:D
:P, Layla said, knowing what would happen next.
:P your face, Cassidy said, fulfilling Layla's expectations.
:P your mom.
:P your dad.
:P your brother.
:P your sister.
:PP
:PPP
:PPPP
Okay, this is getting stupid, Cassidy said, ending it. Layla heard the beat of wings above.
G2G, he's here.
;)
Shut up…
Layla put her phone away, knowing that Cassidy would know not to text back. She looked at the time on her phone as she slipped it in her jacket pocket. It was exactly one. Who knew immortals had such great timing? Kalona stepped in front of her, wearing nothing more than faded blue jeans. His dark hair was tied back in a ponytail which was an entirely new look.
"Hello," she said. He was much more intimidating in person. He chuckled.
"Layla, you know me. No need to be at all like that," he said kindly.
"Like what?" He just laughed and shook his head. He stepped up, indicating for her to put her arms around his neck. She did and he put one arm under her knees and one under her shoulders. He jumped and she held on tighter. She was vaguely thankful that her phoned didn't fall out of her pocket. Then they were flying. She took one arm and put her phone in the more secure jeans pocket. Then she closed her eyes and fell asleep in the air.
Cassidy
Cassidy looked out a window that had been made especially for her room. That was why she saw a winged guy take off with Layla in her arms. It made sense now, their conversation on the phone. Why her parents didn't like her "friend". Why she had to sneak out and why she didn't tell Cassidy who he was. One word rang in her mind and made her want to throw up.
"Kalona," she whispered aloud.
So, I'll cut it off there. I know, I'm evil. But, cliffhangers ensure you'll keep interested. So, Cassidy knows. Who will she tell? Haha, tell me what you think will happen next. I like to hear your theories. I think it's time for a shout out to inquiete, without whom I would still be stuck in massive writer's block. So, I'll post this tomorrow. Off to bed, StevieRae2011, signing off!
