Later that day, after school was out, I decided to try and get closer to Catty. For some reason I thought she would be the hardest to get to, if not her then Jimena.
As I walked into Darma Bookstore, the smell of comfort and warmth encircled me. The bells jingled once the door was shut and Catty came out from the back humming a tune.
I pretended to be nonchalant, and that I hadn't noticed Catty yet as I carefully walked down a random aisle examining things.
Once Catty had recognized me she smiled warmly, "Hey, Melanie! What brings you here?"
"I'm searching for a birthday present, for my- uh- my old friend from Greece. She loves candles and I just thought I check this place out to see what kind of candles they might have. What are you doing here?" I let out a sigh of relief once I finished talking. That was a close one.
"Oh my mom owns the store, and she leaves me to run it sometimes when she's busy. Is there anything I could help you find? What candle might your friend want?"
"I'm not to sure," I replied uncertainly as I glanced around the room. At the end of the aisle I saw this wonderful looking flower candle. It was a black rose to be exact.
"Oh, I think she'd love this one!" I exclaimed as I walked over to pick up the candle.
I picked it up and brought it to my nose when Catty said, "Ah, the dark flower. It's used for spells to ward off dark spirits, or" she paused and laughed, "bad boyfriends."
"Hmm… dark flower." I replied softly. The meaning of my name, how fitting. The candle smelt wonderful, like the night air after a fresh rainfall. I think I just might have to buy it.
Catty stopped suddenly when I had repeated the words dark flower. She looked at me in a whole new light. Perplexed, I rushed into her mind to see what it was she was thinking.
Oh no, I thought to myself quietly. Maggie had told them the meaning of my name. Stupid old lady, why did she have to do that?
"Catty, is something wrong?" I asked suddenly so she didn't get suspicious.
Before Catty could answer however, the bells rang in the front of the store signaling someone had entered. As soon as her back was turned I cursed silently.
I was relieved to find that Catty hadn't made the connection yet about my name and the flower's. She just thought it was a coincidence and it reminded her of the Daughters' mission.
I heard distant talking and quickly recognized the newcomer's voice, wait there were two voices. Damn, Stanton's here, with Serena. Something must be up. I wondered what it was that Stanton told her.
I could hear their voices coming closer. I was stuck. There was no where I could hide. Stanton could blow my cover; we weren't supposed to be seen together, anywhere.
"Hello, my pretty." He said playfully inside my head. There goes my chances of escaping, I thought to myself. Stanton knew he had cornered me, that ass.
"What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here!" I demanded.
"Oh I just thought I'd meet Serena's new friend. You don't mind do you?" he replied casually.
"You asshole." I said to him just before they came into viewing distance.
I tried to hide myself or look completely engrossed in something as they got closer to me.
"I've got you now. There's no where to go or hide, Melantha. They'd be more suspicious of you than they already are if you just disappeared." Stanton said teasingly as if sensing my urge to escape.
"Screw you." I shot back as I picked up a book and thumbed through it. I was trying to look inconspicuous.
"Ow, that hurt, Stanton replied jokingly.
"Melanie! How are you?" Serena asked as she pulled me into a friendly embrace.
I was a little taken aback by this newfound closeness to her. I never took Serena to be the hugging type. What was going on here?
I returned the hug quickly and replied, "I'm good. And you."
"Fine, just fine. I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Stanton. Stanton this is Melanie, our new friend who just moved here from Greece." Serena motioned us together and Stanton and I shook hands.
"Nice to meet you- I'm sorry what was your name again?" Stanton asked innocently.
I smiled as cordially as I could, "Its Melanie. It's nice to meet you also." Stanton shook my hand for a long time and squeezed it playfully.
Catty and Serena looked at each other curiously. I finally yanked my hand away and looked at Stanton strangely, then at Serena and Catty questioningly. I was hoping they would buy my act.
They did, "So, Melanie, are you going to buy that candle for your friend?" Catty asked suddenly.
"Yes, I think I will." I followed Catty to the register with the candle and as she rung it up; I picked up on Stanton and Serena's mental conversation.
"So is she the one?" Serena asked hopefully. Was I what one? I wondered curiously.
"No, she's not. She's just a regular girl." Stanton replied reassuringly. Oh great, Serena remembered her question about me. Thank goodness she went to Stanton instead of Maggie.
"Are you sure? She really does seem suspicious. I mean the timing and where she's from and everything. Also, I can't get into her mind. I keep getting these fake memories and things. It's so strange."
Before I could concentrate on the rest of what they were talking about Catty interrupted, "So what's your friend's name?"
"What friend?" I asked annoyed. I was desperate to hear the rest of what Serena and Stanton were talking about.
Catty looked at me like I was from another planet. She rolled her eyes and put the candle in the bag.
I quickly came to my senses and cursed to myself. "I'm sorry I was just… um… thinking about something. My friend's name is… uh…" I paused. What would be a good Greek name? Come on, think! I told myself quietly.
"Her name is… uh… Nicole." Nicole? I thought to myself. That's not even a Greek name, it sounded more American. I looked at Catty intently hoping she wouldn't get suspicious. "I don't know why I couldn't just think of her name. That was really strange, I guess it was because I was so deep in thought about something else when you asked the question."
"Yeah. Here you go," Catty replied shortly as she handed the bad to me. I smiled meekly at her and took it.
"Sorry about that. Sometimes I just get so deep in thought that I forget where I'm at and everything." I offered the apology hoping she would take it.
Catty seemed to soften, "It's ok, really. Sometimes when I'm painting I get so caught up that I do the same thing as you."
"Hey you want to go out for some pizza or something? I'm starving." I said suddenly. It sounded like a great way to get closer to her.
"I'd lo-" Catty was interrupted by Serena.
"Actually, sorry Melanie, Catty and I have something we really have to do. Will you be at Planet Bang tonight? You should go, we'll see you there ok?" Serena asked as she stepped behind the desk with Catty. Stanton soon followed staring at me with warning.
"You're pushing things, Melantha. Just go," The words swept across my mind. I made a mental note to ask him why I was pushing things later.
I glared at Stanton for a minute and then faced the girls with compliance, "Oh ok. I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude or anything. I'll go now. See you guys tonight."
I quickly left the store, but not before hearing Catty ask, "Why'd you do that Serena? I actually wanted to have some pizza. Besides she seems nice enough, I don't know why you don't trust her. Just give her a chance."
I smiled happily to myself. I had received Catty's trust, I didn't realize though that she wasn't the one who'd be hard to get close to. It would be Serena, and that was probably going to take some work.