Chapter 10
"Yes. I know. Just tell them to gather every assignment that I need. Everything will be taken care of. Yeah. Yeah, I'll do it while I'm there. No, really! Nothing will distract me. Yeah. I wouldn't make this call if I didn't know I would get everything done. Alright. Okay. See you in a month. Ah-ha-ha. Yeah. You bet, bye." Serena hung up the phone with the principals' secretary. She had to skip today so she could pack her things, since Stanton was leaving at 4:00.At the last minute her dad had to fly to Napa for two weeks.
Perfect timing too. It took her all the begging she could manage, and Jimena's coaxing for Collin to approve. She didn't need the added stress of her dad worrying about her. She checked her watch. 3:12!? Snatching the phone up again, she speed-dialed Jimena.
"Que?"
"Jimena? Can you take me to Stanton's house?"
"Sure, but why can't Collin take you? And donde estaba usted? Where were you?"
"Collin's got class. I had to pack today. I'm going with Stanton." There was a long pause on the other end of the line.
"Chica...please promise me you'll be careful."
Serena laughed. "All things considered, could you specify that please?"
Static came to her phone, and she guessed Jimena was laughing too. "Well, every way that it can mean I guess. I don't want to see you hurt, or pregnant."
Serena grinned. "That makes both of us." She hung up, and gathered the last of her things, then went downstairs. When she finally reached the kitchen, it dawned on her what she was about to do. She'd never been away from home for more than two weeks. Now she was going to be away for twice as long. Her dad would have a cow if he found out, Collin would worry his head off, Wally might starve if Collin ever got lazy, and followers might get into a riot and do God knew what to L.A.
She shouldn't go. Despite of everything that he had done for her, against his will or not, spending all that time with Stanton just wasn't worth it. 'Why not? He's not good enough for you?' Straightening, Serena looked around, looking for the intruder. 'You won't find us that way Serena.' She leapt to her feet, and clenched her fists. Her mind searched the air, but no one was around. Not willing to take a chance, her back straightened like a steel rod, and she allowed her power to rise.
"Alright, alright! Don't try to kill us already." Kelly rose from the shadows, her long hair flipping around her back, her hands rose in surrender. She stepped forward in the black stilettos, and gave a nervous laugh. Serena loosened her back a little bit, but she didn't let her guard down.
"Don't do that ever again unless you want your mind like pudding."
Kelly rolled her eyes, and straightened her top. It was low cut, black, and lacy, and was topped off by pin-stripe pants. She looked behind her, then made an impatient gesture.
Yvonne followed, dressed in a sparkle-pink one-shoulder, and low slung tan khaki's that revealed bright red underwear that said the words, 'HOLD ME.'
"How did you guys get in here?" Serena asked, and made her way to the cupboards, and pulled out the last of the Milano cookies.
"Apparently you have a problem breaking the habit of leaving your door unlocked." Kelly stated cheerfully, making her way around the table, and seating herself with Yvonne.
Serena let out a muttered curse, then unzipped her bag, and stuffed the cookies inside, then went to the fridge for a glass of milk. "Well then, what are you doing here?" Her voice stung with irritated venom.
Yvonne put her hands in the crooks of her arms, and leaned over. "Honestly, we were hoping to change your mind. We know you got a lot going, but Stanton really needs you right now." Serena scoffed, then turned to look at her, and discovered that she was being serious. She put the milk away, then regarded both of them carefully. Not one bit of teasing in their faces, or cleverness. Only sincere, questioning hopefulness.
She put her glass down. "What's wrong with him?" She asked, wondering if anything could be wrong with him that he wouldn't tell her about. But it had happened before.
Yvonne ran a shaky hand through her short hair, and said, "We all know that Stanton's felt bad about himself ever since he became a follower. And it's never affected him very bad, because he's been away. But...since he's going back to the place that he became a follower, he might go into a major depression."
Serena blinked, and her hand slipped off her glass. She was so worried about the effect the trip would have on her, she never even considered what it might do to Stanton. Serena licked her lips, but she wanted to think, not be persuaded.
"I appreciate you telling me, but I want to handle this on my own." Serena almost caved at the defeated looks on their faces, but she wasn't about to let everyone else make her choices. After they left, she ran the options through her mind. Then again. And again. She absently fingered her promise ring. That ring was on her finger for a reason.
The house became dead silent, except for Wally, snoring in her lap. Suddenly, a big hand landed on her shoulder. "Ah!" She jumped, making Wally immediately jump out of her lap. She turned, and scowled.
"Thanks a lot," she scolded to a grinning Jimena. Jimena turned to her side, and put her black-nailed hands on her hips.
"Ready to go?" Jimena asked. Serena blinked. This was the no-turning-back point. She tried to think it over, then checked her watch.
3:56 p.m. Serena leapt to her feet, petted Wally for the last time in a long while, then grabbed her bags, tossed one to Jimena, then ran out the door.
Stanton hugged his sister lovingly, then reluctantly picked up his bags. "See you in a month Angel." He closed his eyes, but suddenly, a loud voice stopped him.
"Hold it!" He turned, and before he could smile at Serena, she hurled herself into his arms. Knocked off balance, he spun around a few times before he managed to grip her tight, but then his breath was knocked out of him as well as she pressed her lips to his violently.
Serena squeezed him tighter, making her leg rise off the ground. She pulled back, and whispered in his ear, "I changed my mind again." He grinned, and tightened his grip, then kissed her neck. He squeezed her one last time, and set her down, and she spun around, facing a video camera, and a grinning Rachel. She didn't care.
Lifting her bags, she impulsively hugged Rachel. On contact, Rachel hugged her back, then whispered, "Take care of each other." Serena nodded, then turned her joyful grin to Stanton.
"How are we leaving?" She asked curiously. He took her overnight bag, slung it over his shoulder, then held out his hand. She took his hand, and waggled her fingers at Rachel. She waggled them back, and suddenly, Stanton rose into the air, making her gasp, and grasp him around the neck. Rachel waved higher, and stood on her toes.
"Drop me a line!" Suddenly, after one last I'll-see-you-soon-I-love-you-sis smile to Rachel, Stanton sped east. She gripped him as tight as a life line, and panic began to ensue. The wind blew past her face and through her hair in a violent gust, making the air cold, the noise loud, and her grip loosen.
She wrapped her legs around his waist to hang on tighter, and asked in a loud voice, "Are you sure your not gonna drop me? How fast are we going?" Trying to turn her head, she looked through her squinted eyes down below, but everything was a blur.
"I can handle over a hundred pounds easy. I'm not sure how fast we're going, but if you ever want me to slow down, just say the word." She nodded, and attempted to look up. The clouds were still high, just as not as high as usual. Unable to use her tired eyes anymore, she closed them, and nestled close to Stanton's chest, trying to warm her chilled face. In about two minutes, she asked him to stop so she could catch her breath.
Stanton cast a worried glance, and abruptly stopped in midair. She swallowed air into her starved lungs, wondering how he had the stamina to manage going that fast and still know where he was going. Probably practice. On instinct, she looked down. Her eyes widened, and let out a yelp of fright. All she could see below her was the blue of the Atlantic Ocean. She looked up at him with an accusing face. "You could have told me we would be flying over an ocean." He shrugged gently so she could hold on.
"You didn't ask." Serena scowled into his face, which roused an amused smile from him. His smile left his face, and he turned. She followed his gaze, and her jaw dropped in amazement. About thirty miles away was a small island of about 200 miles. At the top of a wide plateau, was a giant castle. A great deal of the rest of the island was made up of ruins, and woods. A few miles right behind the castle was a drop, the bottom covered with shady green trees. All topped off by the beautiful sunset behind the castle.
She turned to him, smiling in wonder. "It's beautiful," she observed, also noticing his blond hair shining gold from the sunset, and windblown off his bewitching, fascinated face. She didn't regret coming now. Stanton would need her. In more ways than one.
"Yes. I know. Just tell them to gather every assignment that I need. Everything will be taken care of. Yeah. Yeah, I'll do it while I'm there. No, really! Nothing will distract me. Yeah. I wouldn't make this call if I didn't know I would get everything done. Alright. Okay. See you in a month. Ah-ha-ha. Yeah. You bet, bye." Serena hung up the phone with the principals' secretary. She had to skip today so she could pack her things, since Stanton was leaving at 4:00.At the last minute her dad had to fly to Napa for two weeks.
Perfect timing too. It took her all the begging she could manage, and Jimena's coaxing for Collin to approve. She didn't need the added stress of her dad worrying about her. She checked her watch. 3:12!? Snatching the phone up again, she speed-dialed Jimena.
"Que?"
"Jimena? Can you take me to Stanton's house?"
"Sure, but why can't Collin take you? And donde estaba usted? Where were you?"
"Collin's got class. I had to pack today. I'm going with Stanton." There was a long pause on the other end of the line.
"Chica...please promise me you'll be careful."
Serena laughed. "All things considered, could you specify that please?"
Static came to her phone, and she guessed Jimena was laughing too. "Well, every way that it can mean I guess. I don't want to see you hurt, or pregnant."
Serena grinned. "That makes both of us." She hung up, and gathered the last of her things, then went downstairs. When she finally reached the kitchen, it dawned on her what she was about to do. She'd never been away from home for more than two weeks. Now she was going to be away for twice as long. Her dad would have a cow if he found out, Collin would worry his head off, Wally might starve if Collin ever got lazy, and followers might get into a riot and do God knew what to L.A.
She shouldn't go. Despite of everything that he had done for her, against his will or not, spending all that time with Stanton just wasn't worth it. 'Why not? He's not good enough for you?' Straightening, Serena looked around, looking for the intruder. 'You won't find us that way Serena.' She leapt to her feet, and clenched her fists. Her mind searched the air, but no one was around. Not willing to take a chance, her back straightened like a steel rod, and she allowed her power to rise.
"Alright, alright! Don't try to kill us already." Kelly rose from the shadows, her long hair flipping around her back, her hands rose in surrender. She stepped forward in the black stilettos, and gave a nervous laugh. Serena loosened her back a little bit, but she didn't let her guard down.
"Don't do that ever again unless you want your mind like pudding."
Kelly rolled her eyes, and straightened her top. It was low cut, black, and lacy, and was topped off by pin-stripe pants. She looked behind her, then made an impatient gesture.
Yvonne followed, dressed in a sparkle-pink one-shoulder, and low slung tan khaki's that revealed bright red underwear that said the words, 'HOLD ME.'
"How did you guys get in here?" Serena asked, and made her way to the cupboards, and pulled out the last of the Milano cookies.
"Apparently you have a problem breaking the habit of leaving your door unlocked." Kelly stated cheerfully, making her way around the table, and seating herself with Yvonne.
Serena let out a muttered curse, then unzipped her bag, and stuffed the cookies inside, then went to the fridge for a glass of milk. "Well then, what are you doing here?" Her voice stung with irritated venom.
Yvonne put her hands in the crooks of her arms, and leaned over. "Honestly, we were hoping to change your mind. We know you got a lot going, but Stanton really needs you right now." Serena scoffed, then turned to look at her, and discovered that she was being serious. She put the milk away, then regarded both of them carefully. Not one bit of teasing in their faces, or cleverness. Only sincere, questioning hopefulness.
She put her glass down. "What's wrong with him?" She asked, wondering if anything could be wrong with him that he wouldn't tell her about. But it had happened before.
Yvonne ran a shaky hand through her short hair, and said, "We all know that Stanton's felt bad about himself ever since he became a follower. And it's never affected him very bad, because he's been away. But...since he's going back to the place that he became a follower, he might go into a major depression."
Serena blinked, and her hand slipped off her glass. She was so worried about the effect the trip would have on her, she never even considered what it might do to Stanton. Serena licked her lips, but she wanted to think, not be persuaded.
"I appreciate you telling me, but I want to handle this on my own." Serena almost caved at the defeated looks on their faces, but she wasn't about to let everyone else make her choices. After they left, she ran the options through her mind. Then again. And again. She absently fingered her promise ring. That ring was on her finger for a reason.
The house became dead silent, except for Wally, snoring in her lap. Suddenly, a big hand landed on her shoulder. "Ah!" She jumped, making Wally immediately jump out of her lap. She turned, and scowled.
"Thanks a lot," she scolded to a grinning Jimena. Jimena turned to her side, and put her black-nailed hands on her hips.
"Ready to go?" Jimena asked. Serena blinked. This was the no-turning-back point. She tried to think it over, then checked her watch.
3:56 p.m. Serena leapt to her feet, petted Wally for the last time in a long while, then grabbed her bags, tossed one to Jimena, then ran out the door.
Stanton hugged his sister lovingly, then reluctantly picked up his bags. "See you in a month Angel." He closed his eyes, but suddenly, a loud voice stopped him.
"Hold it!" He turned, and before he could smile at Serena, she hurled herself into his arms. Knocked off balance, he spun around a few times before he managed to grip her tight, but then his breath was knocked out of him as well as she pressed her lips to his violently.
Serena squeezed him tighter, making her leg rise off the ground. She pulled back, and whispered in his ear, "I changed my mind again." He grinned, and tightened his grip, then kissed her neck. He squeezed her one last time, and set her down, and she spun around, facing a video camera, and a grinning Rachel. She didn't care.
Lifting her bags, she impulsively hugged Rachel. On contact, Rachel hugged her back, then whispered, "Take care of each other." Serena nodded, then turned her joyful grin to Stanton.
"How are we leaving?" She asked curiously. He took her overnight bag, slung it over his shoulder, then held out his hand. She took his hand, and waggled her fingers at Rachel. She waggled them back, and suddenly, Stanton rose into the air, making her gasp, and grasp him around the neck. Rachel waved higher, and stood on her toes.
"Drop me a line!" Suddenly, after one last I'll-see-you-soon-I-love-you-sis smile to Rachel, Stanton sped east. She gripped him as tight as a life line, and panic began to ensue. The wind blew past her face and through her hair in a violent gust, making the air cold, the noise loud, and her grip loosen.
She wrapped her legs around his waist to hang on tighter, and asked in a loud voice, "Are you sure your not gonna drop me? How fast are we going?" Trying to turn her head, she looked through her squinted eyes down below, but everything was a blur.
"I can handle over a hundred pounds easy. I'm not sure how fast we're going, but if you ever want me to slow down, just say the word." She nodded, and attempted to look up. The clouds were still high, just as not as high as usual. Unable to use her tired eyes anymore, she closed them, and nestled close to Stanton's chest, trying to warm her chilled face. In about two minutes, she asked him to stop so she could catch her breath.
Stanton cast a worried glance, and abruptly stopped in midair. She swallowed air into her starved lungs, wondering how he had the stamina to manage going that fast and still know where he was going. Probably practice. On instinct, she looked down. Her eyes widened, and let out a yelp of fright. All she could see below her was the blue of the Atlantic Ocean. She looked up at him with an accusing face. "You could have told me we would be flying over an ocean." He shrugged gently so she could hold on.
"You didn't ask." Serena scowled into his face, which roused an amused smile from him. His smile left his face, and he turned. She followed his gaze, and her jaw dropped in amazement. About thirty miles away was a small island of about 200 miles. At the top of a wide plateau, was a giant castle. A great deal of the rest of the island was made up of ruins, and woods. A few miles right behind the castle was a drop, the bottom covered with shady green trees. All topped off by the beautiful sunset behind the castle.
She turned to him, smiling in wonder. "It's beautiful," she observed, also noticing his blond hair shining gold from the sunset, and windblown off his bewitching, fascinated face. She didn't regret coming now. Stanton would need her. In more ways than one.