I was sitting at the kitchen table. Charlie had left for work, and I didn't have any plans for the day. I was just about to initiate the ironic task of planning out how I would make a plan for today when I got a text from Alia.
A: Hey! Do you need school supplies?
I blushed. Ever since that day we got... uh... frisky in her room I had felt a little awkward around her. She still drove me crazy, but that made me very conscious of my body. Before I could dive back into deep rumination, I got another text.
E: I am willing to drive. ~Edward
I almost did a double-take. I looked at the conversation group and found that Alia had group texted me with Edward. I didn't know he had a cell phone.
J: I could use some supplies.
J: Edward, since when did you get a cell?
E: I've decided to at least try to keep up with the times. ~ Edward
I smirked. Was Edward going to sign his name for every text?
A: My parents are letting me go out to shop at Staples. If we're all going wanna carpool?
E: I can pick you up first, then Jack. ~ Edward
J: That works for me, what time will you get here?
A: Half an hour.
E: See you then. ~ Edward
I was pretty much ready to go, so I finished my breakfast, washed the dishes, and then went upstairs to wash my face.
As I was walking down the stairs, my phone buzzed.
A: We're here!
"We're here!" Alia chimed when I answered the door. She was dressed in a cute spring jacket with a short frilly skirt that showed off her legs. I felt all my blood rush to my face.
"Uh, hey," I managed. I turned to Edward; his eyes were light topaz today.
"You're looking better," I noted, trying to distract myself.
"Thank you." He said pleasantly.
"Show him your phone, Edward!" Alia urged. I looked at her with an eyebrow raised then I back to Edward.
"What?" I asked. Edward rolled his eyes and brought out his cell phone; a flip phone.
"Isn't it retro?!" Alia asked. It was a little amusing.
"Why do you have such an old phone?" I asked.
"I have a flip phone because touch screens don't acknowledge my fingers." Edward stated, "They're too cold."
"Oh." That makes sense.
"He's an old guy with old tech." Alia sang.
"Let's go." Edward said, gently shoving Alia, "I thought we came to get ready for school, not to ridicule me."
During the drive, Alia explained that since school was coming up, her grounding was beginning to wane, and I wasn't complaining about that. It was bizarre and intimate being alone with her in her room. I realized that this would be the first time since we were discharged that we'd be together outside of her house. Edward remained silent.
It became evident at the store that this was just an excuse for us to meet with each other. The three of us already had most of the required materials, and we spent most of the time just chatting and walking down the aisles. Alia bounced through the store, showing off her newly regained energy and agility.
It was refreshing to be the three of us again.
After an hour we decided to leave with what we had. Alia bought a couple of color pens, and I got a new binder. Edward didn't get anything.
We felt that it was too early to go home, so we went to get ice cream.
Edward brought us to this little shop next to a small river. It mostly rented out movies, but they had a small nook designated for ice cream and a dock outside you could sit on while enjoying said ice cream.
"Hey!" Alia said, taking note of my ice cream, "You don't like cones?"
"What?" I said as I scooped up some of my dessert with my tiny spoon, "Oh, no. I don't."
"Really?!" Alia seemed shocked, "Why not?"
"Because," I said, "I want to eat the ice cream without competing flavors." I watched as Alia licked her ice cream as it dribbled down the side of its wafer container.
"Why do you like cones?" I asked with a smirk.
"It's extra yumminess!" She beamed with childlike enthusiasm. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, Edward." Alia giggled. "How did you take your ice cream?"
Edward looked at us while he thought.
"I... uh..." He murmured slowly. "I can't remember."
I looked at him, he seemed mellow.
"That's ok!" Alia sang. "Man, I can't believe summer is already over!"
"Yeah," I said.
"It'll be nice to go back to school." Alia continued, "I'm looking forward to reconnecting with our old friends. I miss Teddy. I wonder what he's been up to."
I looked at my ice cream. I know we had to go back to school, but there was so much in the air right now. What grade would we be going into? No one took the final exams, so would we all fail? Speaking of "everyone," how was I going to be treated at school? It was safe to say that everyone had a working awareness of my situation, and I was a little nervous about that. Edward had mentioned one time that I had been banned from using the boy's washrooms by the principle. I didn't remember that, but I guess three concussions will do that to a guy.
"What's wrong, Jack?" Alia asked. I blinked and met her gaze. I felt a little guilty for tuning her out.
"Sorry, what were you saying?" I asked.
"Is everything ok?" Alia asked. "you seemed out of it for a bit." I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell them what I was thinking.
A weak thirst began to build in my throat, which meant Edward was in my headspace. I shivered when he rested his chin on my shoulder.
"Don't worry." He said coyly. "You can tell us." Alia looked at us with a goofy smile on her face. I sighed.
"I'm scared," I admitted. Alia's smile faltered.
"Of what?" She asked.
I shrugged, "This year is going to be completely different."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing." Alia pointed out.
"And even if it is," Edward said, "we'll always be in each other's corner."
"Yeah," Alia said. "A vampire, a Helsing and a psychic; besties forever!"
"Psychic?" I said, "What happened to 'angel?'"
"I thought you didn't like those monster diaries," Alia said mockingly.
"I think you're both angels," Edward said matter-of-factly. Alia giggled bringing out a chuckle from Edward and me.
"Alright," Alia said, "Three quirky angels; besties forever."
I hugged my two best friends; besties forever.
See you in the next book: Darkest Moon
