Chapter 12
Jenny was about to explain that her parents were coming home tomorrow night, a day earlier than they had planned and there was no way they would let Julian stay with them, when Audrey pulled in the driveway. The front door opened to reveal not just Audrey, but Michael and Dee as well. Jenny smiled and said hi, but no one but Audrey returned the gesture as they looked at Julian sitting in the living room by Jenny. They filed in and sat down, Audrey sitting in the chair closest to Julian, the others kept their distance.
Dee spoke first, "So I see you managed not to kill anyone." Julian just smiled politely, "Ah Dee, I see its going to take the longest for you to warm up to me." Dee just snorted. Michael didn't say anything but it was obvious he was uncomfortable with Julian hanging around. Jenny decided to tell the others about her parents to see if they had any ideas on where Julian could go. "Hey guys, my parents are coming back tomorrow night. I don't know where Julian can stay." Julian looked at Jenny, then pulled the rest of the money he had out of his pocket. "I have $500 left over, I can stay at a motel for a while." Jenny nodded, that sounded good, but what about when the money ran out? She could not picture Julian getting a job.
Michael surprised Jenny by what he said next, "My dad is going out of town next week for some authors convention in New York. You could… stay with me then - if you want." He said this awkwardly and slowly, as if not sure he was making a good decision. Julian looked a little surprised, but quickly masked it. "Thank you Michael, that would be alright." Jenny smiled. This is good, maybe they are starting to come around to the idea of Julian being friends with us. Because he is a friend. After everything I could never just let him fend for himself, just because he's watched humans for thousands of years doesn't mean he knows how to be apart of our world- "Earth to Jenny?" She realized Dee was talking to her, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Sorry. What?" Dee continued, "We have school in two days. Are we just supposed to go to school and pretend like everything is normal?" Jenny took a second to think, then replied, "Yes. Julian is human now and doesn't know anyone else. I think he's going to be around for a while and I consider him a friend so we might as well get comfortable with the idea of him hanging out with us, and get back into our old routines." Michael started to say, "Not all our old routines-Ow!" When Audrey threw her purse at him. If she were any closer she probably would have kicked him, but it didn't matter. Jenny knew he was thinking of Jenny and Tom.
She hadn't thought about the incident at the mall since being home and it was nice to forget. She forgot about Tom completely around Julian and honestly it was kind of nice. She didn't have to worry about what she was wearing, or how she was doing her hair, or saying something he might think was stupid. It made her feel free to be around Julian. Julian was looking at Jenny and said, "Thank you. For keeping me around after everything I've put you through. I consider us friends if nothing else as well." Jenny smiled, happy that he felt the same. Dee laughed, "That seems a little out of character for Julian, 'The Big Bad Shadow Man' to say." Julian looked at Dee in a way that fit his 'character' perfectly. She didn't back down but obviously didn't enjoy being stared at like that. Dee shrugged after a minute then turned back to Jenny, "So, um, Sunshine? When are you planning on telling Tom about Julian? I don't want to bring up a sore subject but I don't know how much longer Mikey here can keep it in." Michael just nodded not bothering to deny the secret was dying to tell its self to Tom.
Audrey gave Jenny a look that said she didn't tell them about the mall and she was thankful. She had already felt sorry for herself being replaced so quickly and didn't want the others feeling sorry for her too. Plus wasn't I just making out with Julian 20 minutes ago? Jenny shrugged. "Mike you can tell him if its eating you up, but tell him I don't want him coming over here to yell at Julian after he finds out." Michael looked relieved, he was never one for keeping secrets. "Oh hey," Dee started, "have any of you guys had that watched feeling lately?" Jenny realized she hadn't. Maybe it was just Julian's 'brother' Kale, looking for Julian. She shook her head along with Audrey, but Michael nodded and Dee had a look that it continued with her as well. Julian looked like he was thinking and Jenny asked, "Do you think it's Kale?" He shook his head, "I don't think he would stick around. He's more hand on than watch and see." He said a little grimly.
"Ok, wait. Who's Kale?" Jenny forgot she didn't tell the others about the ring, she looked at Julian questioning whether it was ok to tell them or not, but he gave her a look that said you don't have to ask for my permission. Old habits die hard I guess, she thought remembering how she acted with Tom. Jenny told them everything. When she was finished Audrey spoke Jenny's previous thoughts, "Did you super glue it?" Jenny laughed, "No, Julian said its not necessary." Dee pulled her legs up so she was sitting criss cross on the couch and said, "It's kind of like your hanging on by a thread. If the ring is all that's keeping you here, I mean." Julian nodded, "Its not all bad. I trust Jenny." Michael who was thinking, spoke up. "So if Jenny dies you'll be a shadow man again? How does that work?" Julian shook his head, "Honestly, I'm not sure. It looks like the elder shadow men didn't tell Kale and I everything. I should have expected it from the bastards." Julian said a little darkly.
Jenny didn't like the idea of being responsible for Julian's life but if it was the only way to keep him alive she'd gladly take the burden. After all he died for her without a second thought. But the idea of her dying for him to become a shadow man again wasn't comforting. She had a bad feeling when she thought of Kale talking about that, but who has a good feeling when someone else wants them dead? Jenny banished the thought from her mind. Dee stood up, "Ok guys. This has been fun but I am off to practice and then I have pounds of homework to do before Monday." Jenny cringed, she hadn't touched her homework, but 'pounds' would be the way to describe it. Michael and Audrey groaned.
She said good bye to Dee and grabbed her backpack before returning to the living room. Audrey handed Julian a phone book and Jenny was again glad that at least she was comfortable with Julian. Julian seemed to grow a little fonder of Audrey after she slapped Tom, but that was something she wasn't going to dwell on. Audrey left to drive Michael home and Julian called and made a reservation for tomorrow and the rest of the week at a tiny motel on the outskirts of town. Jenny had once described it as the kind of place drug deals and murders happen in, but that didn't seem to bother Julian. Plus the cheaper it was, the longer the money would last.
All in all it was a long day. Jenny had trouble even trying to read what her assignments were, so she gave up trying to focus. Julian came in the kitchen where Jenny was sitting and sat down at the table across from her. She asked, "So what will you do now? Your free of the shadow world. You could have a normal life." Julian smiled a wickedly dangerous smile. "Normal is in the eye of the beholder." Jenny knew what he meant. She couldn't picture him working anywhere, taking orders from a boss or wearing any kind of uniform. She could picture him being a part of the mafia or underground gambling, but she wasn't going to give him any ideas. Then she had an idea that wasn't illegal, "Julian, you should come to school with us." He gave her a look that she'd never seen on Julian, but frequently saw Audrey sport. A look that asked if she were crazy. She tried to look offended but ended up laughing, so she threw her pencil at him. "No, just think about it. You don't have any papers or documents so you should at least get a diploma. I mean if you were planning on living here normally." Julian nodded thinking about this, "I can get the papers I need, a birth certificate, drivers license, all that from someone for the right cost. But I'll go to school with you anyway. I don't like the idea of you not being protected if there is still something watching your friends." Jenny hadn't given much thought to the others being watched, it sort of just slipped her mind.
But now that Julian brought it up it troubled her. "Who do you think it is?" Julian had a dark expression, an almost angry look that made Jenny feel fear for whatever he was thinking of. "I don't believe its Kale, and if its not we have bigger problems than where I'm going to stay." Jenny shivered involuntarily. She could live a thousand years and never want to see the other shadow men again.
Audrey came home and they tried in vain to do some homework. They ended up on the couch in front of the TV watching the Labyrinth, which Julian thought was the funniest movie ever made. Jenny had seen the movie plenty of times before but never made the connection to Julian until now. A labyrinth with a time limit, the stakes, the love story. Jenny didn't find it very funny. After the popcorn was gone and the credits scrolled down the screen Audrey went back to go to bed. Jenny put their dishes in the sink and was about to make her way back when Julian grabbed her wrist gently. He reeled her into a hug and Jenny let him.
Taking it slow… Jenny thought. His plan just might work. He had never just talked to her before, just watched movies, and shopped, and been there for her. Well he had always been there, but she'd never known it so it hardly counted. But he was here now, and as always looking out for her. He made her feel safe which was weird because that's how she felt with Tom before. One of the reasons she loved him. But now there was no going back to Tom. She was different and there was no taking back the image of him and that girl. She wasn't sad or hurt anymore. She felt loved and cared for.
Julian pulled back to kiss her and it was perfect. So warm, a little demanding but in a good way. She was kissing him back instantly. He pulled back and gave Jenny a wolfish smile before kissing her cheek and whispering good night in her ear. He was still dangerous, she thought. But there was a difference in sensing that danger now than how it was before. Before she thought he was dangerous to everyone and everything, but now she knew he could never be dangerous to her and her friends and that is what counts. Jenny got ready for bed and fell asleep with a smile on her face.
i will update soon! hopefully tomorrow or the next day. again please review!