Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure y'all know the drill by now, right?

"The faster we're falling,

We're stopping and stalling

We're running in circles again

Just as things we're looking up

You said it wasn't good enough

But still we're trying one more time"-

Sum 41, "In Too Deep."

Chapter Forty-Three: Tale of the Demon Tail (s2 ep9 part 1)

I took the time out of my day to ride with Jackie to pick Jade up from school. She'd be happy that both of us were there.

I still hadn't thought of a way to break it to Jackie that, whether we liked it or not, my parents were coming to visit. I definitely didn't want to throw Jackie off. I could imagine that Jade would be excited to have a visitor.

But still, the anxiety lingered, especially with my father's...narcissistic tendencies.

Okay, so maybe I wouldn't go as far to say he was a narcissist, but he definitely wasn't enjoyable to be around for extended periods of time.

I was in such deep thought, conjuring up a way to explain my parents' schedule-breaking decision, that I jumped when Jackie announced that we'd arrived at Jade's school.

Breathing a sigh of relief that I'd be distracted for at least a few moments, I gratefully stepped out of the car, and Jackie and I approached the schoolyard, where Jade and her class awaited their families.

One of the boys, whose name, I'd later learned, was Drew, gestured wildly, and Jade laughed at something he said, but still looked a little...out of place.

As we walked to the school, I noticed Jackie seemed a little apprehensive, quieter than usual.

I stopped in my tracks. "What's wrong?"

"I'm worried that Jade might be left out at school," Jackie replied honestly, glancing warily at the schoolyard. "Have you noticed she has never invited a single friend over?"

Now that I thought about it, Jade voluntarily spent most of her time alone, or with adults. Other than at school, I'd never really seen her willingly participate in a group other than for academic purposes. She was usually on the sidelines, watching TV, playing a game solo, or insisting to tag along with Jackie and I on important missions. Jade was always in her own little world. If Jade was sad, she never discussed it, and we never asked.

"That doesn't necessarily mean anything." I looked at Jade, who was scowling at Drew. The other boys were laughing. I felt Jackie's apprehension tug at my gut. "She could just be an introvert. A lot of kids are like that. They're weird."

"That's the problem," Jackie pointed out, and, immediately, I knew what he meant.

When I was in the fifth grade, there was this girl who everyone hated. I can't remember why, but, for some reason, everyone seemed to hold a grudge against her. She always ate lunch alone, and no one volunteered to be her partner in group discussions or class projects. One day, she got hit by a car. She didn't die or anything, but she broke her leg and was bruised pretty bad. The next day when she came in with crutches, I felt awful.

Drew turned to Jade. "Hey, Jade," he began, "are you going to the spring dance Friday night?"

Jade kept her facial expression neutral. "Eh, I was thinking about it."

Another thing Jade had neglected to mention. The list was starting to get long.

"Who are you gonna go with?" Drew's tone turned mocking. "A ninja? Or do you only fight them?"

The rest of the kids, except for Jade, erupted into laughter.

I felt my fist curl into a ball at my side. Little punks.

The only thing preventing me from punching one of the little freaks was the fact that I'd go to jail for assault. And they probably wouldn't buy the whole "self-defense" thing from an adult. On the playground, it's one thing. But in the real world, it's a whole different ball game.

"You're a riot, Drew," Jade replied dryly, her face crumpled into a scowl.

One boy, who I didn't recognize, sneered at Drew. "Who are you gonna go with, Drew? Your mother?"

More snide laughter.

Neither Drew nor Jade looked happy now.

Drew was blushing fervently. "No…I…" His protest was drowned out by the children's taunting laughter.

"Mama's boy!"

Now, I understood why Jackie was worried.

Kids could be cruel.

Too cruel.

Jade wasn't even in high school yet and kids were already relying on popularity status and stereotypes.

I turned to Jackie. "Maybe this is why she only hangs out with adults."

Jackie nodded, his face stony. I could only guess what he was thinking.

I was grateful when we were finally able to take Jade home.

*JCA*

The next day after school, Jade pranced into the apartment, looking happier than usual.

I continued working on my column and attempted to disguise my curiosity as to why Jade was suddenly so cheerful.

She put both hands on the back of my chair. "Hey, Macey!"

"Hi, Jade." I kept my eyes on the computer but made sure she knew I was listening. If I learned anything from the little scene on the schoolyard yesterday, it was that Jade definitely needed someone to lean on. "How was school?"

"It was great!" Jade beamed, her whole face bright. "I made a new friend!"

"That's great, sweetie." I turned around in my chair so she knew I was focused on her. "What's her- Oh! Hi, there."

A lanky, skinny boy with short, spiky black hair stood beside Jade. He was wearing a teal-colored sweater, blue jeans, and sneakers.

"Hi. You must be a friend of Jade's?" I knelt down to Jade's level, looking at the newcomer. "What's your name?"

The addressed boy ducked his head and stepped behind Jade.

"His name's Seymour," Jade spoke for him. "He's a little shy, but he's loads more fun than any of the other kids at school. We like the same things, and he actually listens to me! We're like Yin and Yang, Yang and Yin."

Seymour didn't seem the least bit bothered by Jade's blathering. Instead of rolling his eyes or scoffing, Seymour stood patiently beside Jade, gazing up at me with big, ernest eyes. Something about him seemed a little...off. He didn't seem evil or villainous, but he was slightly awkward and off-putting. However, Seymour's shyness, I had to say, was adorable.

"Good and evil?" Tohru proposed from the other side of the room, arching a quizzical eyebrow at Jade.

Jade tutted. "Left and right," she corrected, smirking knowingly, "two halves of the same whole. Duh."

"Duh," I echoed slowly. "Right." I outstretched a hand in Seymour's direction. "Hi, I'm Macey, a close friend of Jackie's. Any friend of Jade's is a friend of ours."

"Hi, Miss Macey." Seymour was so soft-spoken that I had to strain to hear him, but he took my hand and politely shook it.

Jade tugged on Seymour's shirt sleeve. "We're gonna go watch a movie now," she announced, heading to the living room and pulling Seymour along with her.

"Keep it PG!" I reminded her in a warning voice.

"I know, I know!" Jade disappeared into the living room.

Seymour stuck his head out the door. "It was nice meeting you, Miss Macey," he called quietly before vanishing behind the door.

I stared after them, smiling. Just knowing that Jade finally had a friend her own age was a relief.

"He's sweet," I remarked, as Jackie came to my side.

Uncle hooked his hands on his hips. "This friend of Jade's is too polite…"

Jackie didn't mask his own relief. "Uncle, Jade finally has a friend her own age," he vocalized my thoughts. "This could keep her away from portals and demons."

While I shared Jackie's feelings toward Seymour, part of me ebbed toward Uncle.

Something was off with that kid.

And Jackie and I had to get to the bottom of it.

Without Jade knowing.