The next morning, there's a knock at the door.
"I got it!" I call to Jasper. I get off the bed, pick up Pneuma, and run to the door. By the smell of it, it's Seth.
I open the door and I'm right.
Seth goes to hug me but stops.
"Why are you holding a polar bear?"
"Her name is Pneuma. Tanya killed her family, so I took her in."
Pneuma looks up at Seth and, as if she knew he wasn't what he looks like, she growls at him.
"She knows something isn't right about you," I say.
Seth pets her head, she recoils from his hand, and nips at his hand. It only raises a couple drops of blood, but it's enough to set me off.
"Jasper!" I call. I hold my breath and back away.
He hands me a bottle and I chug it down. Jasper holds onto my arm with enough strength to take it off.
Seth cleans his hand in the sink and pours Clorox down the drain. I get myself under control and Jasper let's go of my arm.
"That's a no no, Pneuma. Bad girl," I scold. I tap her nose and she looks up at me with big, sad eyes, "I can't stay mad at you." I kiss her nose. She yaps at me.
"I'll feed her, you two… just get away from me," Jasper says.
Seth and go outside and to the waterfall. We strip and phase. We chase each other around and play fight. Once the full heat of the sun hits us, we fight in the water. Around five, my phone rings.
I phase and say, "Don't stare at my butt."
Seth phases and whistle. I roll my eyes and answer.
"Hello?" I say.
"You forgot about your little play date," Jasper says.
"What are you talking about?"
"Two of you friends are here. You're supposed to be going to the mall with them."
"Shoot. Tell them I'll be there in a sec."
I hang up and wrestle into my clothes.
"Seth, I'm so sorry. I gotta go. Hang around the house and we can hang out later."
"You're leaving?" he asks as he pulls his pants on.
"I forgot I said I'd go to the mall with some of my home school friends."
At the last home school meeting, I'd arranged to go to the mall today with Jezebel and Claire.
Seth and I run back to the house. At the back door, I ask, "Do I look decent?"
"You're fine," he chuckles.
"Are you sure?"
Seth leans down and kisses me.
"Does that answer your question?"
"I think so."
We go inside and Jasper hands me my black Canteen bottle.
"Thanks. See ya later," I say. I hug Jasper and kiss Seth's cheek.
I go through the house, grab my wallet, and out the front door. Jezebel, Claire, and Claire's mom are waiting for me.
"Hello, Emma. How are you doing?" Ms. Jenny asks.
"Good, and you?" I say as I get in the car.
"Pretty good."
"Hi, Emma," Jezebel and Claire say.
"Hey."
As the car pulls away, I look at the house. Seth is standing in the door way waving. I wave back and Claire looks to see who I'm waving to.
"OMG! Is that Seth?" she ask.
"Yeah. I thought you already met him?"
"No, but I wish I had."
"I can't believe you're allowed to date. Momma says I can't date until I'm 16," Jezebel says as she looks back at Seth.
"Esme's real loose with us." and he can't help but love me.
My phone buzzes and I wiggle it out of my pocket. It's Jasper.
"Who's that?" Claire asks.
"My brother. He's so protective."
-Do you want me to meet you there?
•Jasper, I'll be fine
-Call me if anything happens
•Nothing is going to happen. Call Alice
-Already did
•What'd she say?
-Nothing is going to happen
•Exactly. Gtg bye 3
"Sorry. You know how big brothers are."
When we get to the mall, Ms. Jenny gives Claire her credit card.
"Don't spend too much," she says as we get out.
"I won't. See you soon," Claire says.
"Seven thirty," Ms. Jenny calls as she pulls away.
"Where to first?" I ask.
"I want a smoothie. We should go by Dairy Queen," Jezebel says.
We go to DQ and they insist I get something.
"I ate before I came. I'm fine."
"Have it your way," Claire says.
I look at my reflection on the metal counter. My eyes aren't as gold as they should be. As I drink from my bottle, I feel my senses coming back. There's a note taped to it that reads:
Two bottles. Make it last.
I pull it off and throw it in the trash.