Disclaimer: I do not own I am Number Four. This is the property of Pittacus Lore (James Frey and Jobie Hughes)
A/N: This is written in Sarah's pov. It's connected to Flirting series. Enjoy! Oh, I'm also on a country high right now for some reason. The song Six is dancing to is Country Girl (Shake it for me) by Luke Bryan. You should definitely listen to it during that part.
Homecoming pt. 1
He's coming back. He was really coming back home to Paradise, Ohio after all those months of no contacts. I couldn't believe it when my phone vibrated signaling a text – a first in a long time – from John. It was short, only three words but those were the words I wanted to read (well second words I wanted to read). I'm coming home. He's coming home; here. Every day after that text I had a routine, prep my hair, carefully chose my clothes and always have my camera load with film, just for him. He's coming back to me that one thought made my heart swell with happiness and soar.
I won't admit it but after that text, my life has been focus on the old Smith house. I've been driving out there, sitting on the porch for hours waiting for an old rickety blue truck to pull up the gravel driveway. I waited for the door of the truck to open, allowing an old beagle to run out and furiously lick my face as a greeting. I searched for a face of a boy with brown hair and familiar face, someone I grew up with since forever in our little town. But most of all, I'm waiting for the young man with blue eyes, blond hair and heart stopping smile that never fails to make mine stop.
It was the middle of the summer when that blue truck pulled in. I was dressed in a plain t-shirt and shorts. My blonde hair was pulled into a manageable ponytail to keep it from falling into my face as I snapped photos of cobwebs and dust particles floating in the air. I begged my mother not to sell their house, swearing John would return home one day. She agreed, maybe just to fuel my childish crush. Or maybe she's wishing John would come back to return my heart he selfishly stolen so I can move on. But I don't want it back. I want him, here, home and safe. Mark came with me daily, every day without fail. We're friends now or as much as friends can be between two people who dated before. He's less of a jerk now after high school, after see the big world outside our little town. Mark is probably playing with his dogs outside or weeding the yard out of boredom.
"S-s-Sarah!" Mark's shout woke me up from a shoot of a spider weaving a web. My hand slips just as I pressed down on the button. It's going to most likely produce a blurry negative but I could care less at that moment. All I heard was the pure excitement in Mark's deep voice from his call. I turned towards his voice, trying to pick out of the sound of rubber tires against the gravel or excited barking from a distance. Hearing neither, I rushed out, pushing through the door and pushed myself against the ancient wooden railing. The same truck that left here a few months ago was slowly pulling in, returning back to its home. Mark smiled at me, a wide smile I haven't seen in a year. "Holy shit, they're back. They're actually back!"
"John…" his name left my mouth as the truck pulled to a stop. He's home. He's finally home. "John!" I was screaming now, running towards the truck. My heart was pounding fast and hard against my chest. The door opened, reveal not John with his familiar smile and blue eyes but a man, a middle age man with closely cropped black hair and stone cold green eyes. He regarded the house with a sneer or maybe at me. Mark's arm stopped me from moving forward, keeping himself between me and the newcomer. Flickering over to the passenger side door, I prayed for John to appear. He has too. It wasn't John who exits but a young man with dark brown hair yawned as he stretched his lean body and mussed his bed hair. He turned to say something to his older companion, looking at me and Mark with suspicious eyes.
Where's Bernie with his overenthusiastic barking? Where's Sam with his friendly smile? Where is John? Where is my John? Mark's warm arm against my stomach was reassuring but not the arms I want around me. Where are you? The young man with dark hair frowned at me before walking over to the side of the truck. "Hey, sleepyheads, we're here!" He shouted. "You have some explaining to do, blondie." Blondie? John! Mark must have got the clue to because we both ran to the back of the truck, looking for our friends, my boyfriend.
The back of the truck was set up like a room of sorts. A mattress was placed on the bottom with bags of clothes and things surrounding it. Sam was leaning against the cabin of the truck; his head lob forward, soft snores coming from him. Bernie was laying in his lap, curled up also sleeping too. A fresh bandage was wrapped around his torso, mostly from an attack. That itself would make an adorable picture but I was more focus on John and who's next to him. John was lying on the mattress, fully stretched out, slowly waking up. He wore a plain white shirt with dirty jeans and sneakers. He looked comfortable, almost too comfortable with a girl tucked in the crook on his arm with her head resting on his chest like she was made for that spot. I… I couldn't say anything, shocked by what I was looking at.
"Hey John, wake up!" The guy shouted, bopping John on the head. He groaned, burying his face into the girl's dark hair. A part of my heart clenched when he did that. He slowly woke up, yawning and rubbed his face tiredly. I finally noticed the changes, even if they were so slight and insignificant. His shoulders were broader than I was uses too. His skin was tanner from hours spend in the sun. A few fresh scars ran up his arm and marred his face, making him older, stronger, and more mature.
"Shut up Logan." John murmured back as he rubbed his head and yawn. His arm was casually holding the girl to him, probably without him realizing it. It was strange, seeing him here in front of my eyes, in the flesh. He squinted at the sun and groaned in pain. "God, turn the light off." I smiled at how childish he still is despite the change in appearance. The girl yawned also, sitting up and stretching her arms. She wore a pair of jeans shorts with a white tank top that rode up, revealing her tone belly, a belly that John was touching.
"That's the sun you idiot." She quipped, running her fingers through her long hair. I suddenly remember who she is now. She's the girl who saved us when we were trapped in the school. She was the girl who threw my life in a weird stand-still when she took John in some journey to find their other friends. She is the girl who took John away and now she's still physically standing in the way. Sharp hazel eyes blinked, staring into my bluer ones. She looked down at where John was holding her and sighed. "Hey playboy, get your hand off my waist. Your girlfriend is glaring at me."
"Sarah?" John said in disbelief as he quickly sat up, looking around for me even though I was right in front of him. I watched as his lips curved into a familiar grin as he finally found me. I watched as his blue eyes lit up with remembrance and happiness. My heart fluttered when he reached out and gently touched my cheek, not believing I was standing right in front of him. "Hi…" he said almost shyly which made my heart soar. He was still my John, the same sweet boy who captured my heart.
"Hi…" I replied, biting my lower lip. I look down at my hands which were nervously fiddling with each other. What am I doing? This is John; I looked up slowly but my heart lurch when his arm still hung on the dark haired girl's hip. I didn't fail to notice how John moved to stay in contact with her like she was a lifeline or something vital. She must have noticed my staring because she manually removed John's arm and jumped gracefully out of the truck. But that didn't stop John's eyes from following her figure with his eyes, making sure she was still there, still near him. What changed? I thought when John finally looked back at me.
He jumped out, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close, crashing me against his newly broad chest and warm arms. "Oh I've missed you." He murmured into my hair, breathing in my scent. I cling to him, hoping to ground him here in Paradise, Ohio; here with me, at home where he belongs. But as I held him close to me, I could still hear the world around us. The olive tone girl leaned into the truck to slam Sam's leg, jolting him awake. Logan, I think his name was, leaned against the truck, smiling at the girl.
"So Six, mind explain why there's a human greeting party here?" He asked, handing a leather backpack to her. Six? So that's her name. I thought as I pulled away from John and laced our fingers together. She shrugged her shoulders and gathered her long hair into a ponytail; bring attention to her slender neck. They both walked towards the house carrying their respective packs.
"Why? Did you want a Mogadorain welcome party instead?" Six replied with a bit of teasing flair. Logan chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. I looked up about to ask John what she meant but his stony hard glare at Logan's back. I've never seen that harsh glare before during our relationship. It was like he captured the coldest Ohio winter in those steely blue eyes. Six turned to John, tilting her head looking like a visual of innocence. "What's up Johnny?"
"Nothing," he answered in a frustrated voice before grabbing his stuff. "Nothing at all." I watched as Six's hazel eyes, usually cold and emotionless, appeared warm as she stared at John before continuing to the house with Bernie and Logan behind her. I didn't listen to John greet Mark or the chatter between the three boys as we followed the two teens into the house. They only took a few things inside that could only mean one thing. They weren't staying for long. This was only a short visit.
The day zoomed by fast with them setting up the house so it was livable to the three of them arguing who was going to cook. Logan and John both ganged up on Six, saying she was the best chef. I offered but John quickly reminded I was a guest. Mark left after a few, promising to tell my parents I was staying over. It felt surreal as we sat in the tiny living room, trading stories of what happen in our lives. Well, more like them telling me what happen in their lives. Christ, the older gentleman, had retired to his room, saying he can't keep up with these younglings. I felt so out of place when the four of them burst out laughing when Christ said that.
We sat in the living room with all the lights turned off. John had lit the fire using his powers to create a cozy feeling. John and I were curled up on the sofa, his arm draped casually on the back of the couch, not exactly touching me. I guess he felt unease about our relationship in front of Logan and Six. Sam and Logan sat on separate arm chairs with Six sitting on the floor, leaning against Logan's chair, Bernie curled up beside her. The older boy found a country music station, much to the displeasure of Sam and John. In the dim light, this almost felt like a gathering of friends at summer camp. Sam just finished retelling when they met Logan.
"Six nearly burned Logan's head off if John didn't stop her." Sam said, chuckling as he nudged Logan's shoulder. Logan rolled his eyes and tugged Six's ponytail as revenge. She retaliated with sticking her tongue out like a kid. Six is so different than how I remember her. She still has that hard edge but it's softened now as she laughed with Logan and Sam. Smiling with the boys like a normal teen. She isn't that harden girl who saved us from death months ago. Yes, there are still those qualities but I think I may be seeing the real Six and I'm starting to like her.
It's also another reason why I like Logan. He's a direct contrast to the serious Six with his charming smiles and full laugh. He takes the edge off of her with his friendly gestures. Logan is like a big brother to Six. They could pass as siblings if they wanted with their thick dark brown hair and similarly skin tones. The way they act resembles what a perfect sibling's relationship is. A bit of fighting but with tender moments in between followed by lots and lots of laughter. If I had to summarize Logan, it would be a country boy but with bad boy flair. An odd combination that somehow works in the end.
"That reminds me," Logan mentioned as he tapped Six's head. "You owe me a dance." Six opened her mouth to protest but Logan stopped her with a finger to her lips. He grinned slyly, already knowing her thought process. "You skipped out of our dance and I'm a stickler for details." Sighing out of desperation, Six grabbed Logan's hand pulling herself off. At that moment, a country song with a lot of beat started playing. Logan smiled, obviously liking the song.
"It's perfect for you, Six." He remarked as she listens to the beat, her hips swing moving like a pendulum. She wasn't listening to him any longer though, getting lost in the beat. Her eyes were closed as she pulled her hair free of the clean ponytail, shaking her head, clearly enjoying the beat. Logan smiled as he take her hands, spinning her around in a tiny circle before she pulled free, running her hand through her hair, down her body. It was alluring the way she moved, I'll admit it. The pure confidence in her steps like she was more lost in the song and less in who's watching. Logan's baritone voice sang the choirs proudly, eyes having fun. "Country girl, shake it for me, girl. Shake it for me girl, shake it for me."
I chuckled; loving the fun atmosphere the music has created and looked over at John. He seemed mesmerized by Six's movements mixed with a bit of shocked, never seeing the girl dance before. I turned also, seeing a full smile on her face with hair tangled and falling into her face in a sexy style. The song slowly ended and Logan and Six both sat down, laughing. But even after that, John was still watching her across the dim room with those eyes.
I fell asleep between their happy chatter and soft music. Lifting my head, I found I wasn't cradled in John's arms like I dreamed of but rather I was alone on the couch with a warm wool blanket pulled over my shoulders. Sam wasn't in his seat, must have moved to the guest room. Logan was sleeping in his seat, a blanket sliding off his chest. He wore a gray hoodie, a contrast to his tan skin. There was no sign of John or Six as I clenched the blanket to myself. The dim light of the porch glowed in the dark. Is he there? I thought as my bare feet touched the cool hardwood floors and quietly tiptoed over to the window.
They were sitting on the creaky railing. Six was balancing precariously on the rail, holding the beam for stability. John stood beside her, holding her arm up, looking at the scarred olive skin that ran from her lower abdomen to her armpit. It looked painful and judging by the cringes on Six's face, it must be. John slowly lowered her arm, sighing. "It's healing nicely." He announced, placing the cream he had back in his pocket.
"Thank you doctor, now can I put my shirt back on?" She asked, adjusting her bra strap. John smirked, handing her an oversized sweatshirt I haven't seen before. She sniffed it and wiggled her nose. "Smells like you." She commented but pulled it over her head. It looked like she was drowning in the fabric. The hem of the sweatshirt fell to her knees, hiding her shorts. Her hair was tied in a loose ponytail, showing her lovely face. The porch light mimicked the firelight, making Six's hard edges appear softer as she sat back on the railing.
"You know I smell awesome." John said, nudging her side, being careful of the scar. "I am really sorry about that scar." His finger still traced her side, thinking about the nasty scar underneath. Six sighed, rolling her eyes at his apology like he's said it many times before. John did look sorry though. Six placed her hand on his cheek, stroking it gently with her thumb. He gently smiled, taking her hand and kissing it. "Why won't you accept my apology?" He asked, placing her hand back on the rail, still holding it.
"I just like watching you and Logan squirm." Six teased, before resting her head on his shoulder. "Also, what makes you think I haven't accepted your apology?" Silence fell over the two but it wasn't uncomfortable. John's arm was securely wrapped around her waist. His cheek was resting on her head, both looking in the distance at nothing. It reminds me of days when John and I would sit on the porch swing, staring at this same yard. What changed between us in those short months apart?
"I'm taking that as an apology accepted." He murmured, kissing her forehead with such tenderness. I couldn't watch any longer, deciding to move into the kitchen. This is a dream, I convinced myself as I filled up a cup of cold water. I'm dreaming and I'm going to wake up and John will be holding me, looking at me like he was looking at her, like I'm the most important thing in his life.
"Ms. Hart, why wouldn't you just admit it?" Turning around, I stared into dark gray eyes that could only belong to Logan. He walked in yawning as he plucked the glass of water out of my hands. "You feel threaten right now and scared." Logan smiled a knowing smile making my skin crawl nervously. "And now you're nervous. Very nervous."
"What do you mean?" I asked, ignoring his close proximity. Logan's smile quickly turned into a frown. His eyes darken dangerously even though we stood at least six feet apart, I felt like I was cornered by just his glare.
"I've seen how John and Six act around each other, how they move in relation with each other.. It's like watching at a puzzle pieces falling into place, flawlessly. Every since Six's accident, John's be extra tentative." Logan stared up at me, pinning me down. "Let him go, Sarah. Let him be happy with her." I wasn't thinking when I shook my head no and ran out of the kitchen, unable to listen to his words any longer. No, John loves me. John came back to me. Whatever Logan is saying, it's a lie. John isn't hers. He's mine.
A/N2: Sorry to all those Sarah fans. I wanted John to come back and have her witness John and Six's relationship. This is going to be a two part-er. I'm telling the truth this time! I hope… Also this Sarah isn't connected to the Sarah in Power of Six. You'll understand if you read the book.