Ch 10

A/N: Dear readers, thank you for reviewing. They keep me going and I have not forgotten! Things have been so crazy lately, yet I'm glad you guys took the time to say something. For that, I'm so grateful! You guys keep me writing! I hope this chapter will suffice! Please review, I'm such a beggar!

Nombre de Dios, this insipid chatter must end sometime!

I felt my eyes instinctly roll as Maria giggled, slapping her father lightly on the arm. "Oh, papa, you are too kind. It isn't even Navidad, and you are already giving me presents! You are so wonderful." And with that said, Maria gave her father a kiss on the cheek. I inwardly groaned. Why could I not stay with Susannah?

I hope she was not upset at me for not including her. That look on her face was something I could not place. I did not know what to think. Why did I leave her? My heart stung. I felt awful and traitorous for abandoning her. I left her to fend Crissi by herself! I tried to reassure myself. As long as she stayed in the ring we created, she would be safe from harm. However, I'd feel more secure if she were wearing a crucifix.

She still refuses to attend mass! I thought wryly.

"Of course, my little angel, is a father not entitled to spoiling his daughter?"

Why was I here? Listening to a too doting father spoiling his only daughter?

Oh, yes. Matters.

I turned my attention back to the room. It was a very tasteful room, decorated with lush furnishing. The furniture was red oak, hand carved. Heavy draperies covered the windows. Gorgeous plates hung from the walls, depicting various flowers of Spain. The room created a welcoming environment. Yet the chica across from me was far from welcoming. I eyed her ensemble, something Susannah would never be "caught dead in." Maria gave the room a coy smile and placed the gift onto the floor as though it was nothing. A glance proved that it was an expensive bracelet. And on her wrists were many other diamond bracelets. Her eyes traveled to my own and we made eye contact. She obviously did not realize that the look upon my face was not admiration as she gave me a feral smile. This look prompted me to hurriedly reached for my glass and drain it. . She thought that I found her, attractive perhaps? I noticed that her gaze never left my face and swallowing started to become difficult. Why was she watching me? Her eyes went from my eyes to my face, to my neck, to my torso, and then they lingered somewhere below that. I crossed my ankles, yet her eyes didn't follow that. She wasn't looking above my waist, nor below my-

I narrowed my eyebrows at her, and she raised hers in return. Her charcoal-lined eyes fluttered demurely down to her low shirt, which revealed an outrageous amount of skin, and she started to fiddle with the button of her shirt, turning it this way and that. Slowly she unbuttoned that top button to reveal something lacy. I looked away, not missing the smirk she cast me. My thoughts flared.

What was she thinking? Had she no decorum? Before I could probe her mind, I heard-

"So, Jesse, what do you think of my daughter?"

This was unexpected. My eyes leapt to my uncle. I choked mid-swallow and leaned forward. I put my glass on the table.

"Excuse me," I coughed and pulled out a handkerchief. I watched my uncle and saw that he was watching me intently, his eyes straying over to his daughter occasionally. I tucked the handkerchief into my shirt. Suddenly my tie seemed extremely tight.

I wished to point out that she was my relative. How could I explain? My attempt was dismal. "I think she is an—excellent cousin." I saw Tia reach for Maria's gift. Maria also saw and slapped Tia's hand away soundly. My eyes flashed as tears filled Tia's eyes. She sulked on the other side of the couch and the tears started flowing freely. The nerve of Maria! Upsetting my beloved sister! I couldn't reprimand her, however, because my uncle chose to speak.

"You are a good, handsome, fuerte, respecto hombre joven…a perfecto man for any chica. You are at your prime age for marriage."

I frowned at my uncle. "I wish to attend university first, earn a degree and have steady work."

"You wish to be a doctor?"

I nodded. "Si. It has been my aspiration for many years."

"Ah…" my uncle stroked his chin. "Medical school can take many, many años. Some girls wish to be settled soon. At your age, men get married."

"Si, uncle, in Spain; when you were young. I understand your point, but this is America. Education is far more crucial than nuptials."

"But Jesse, what if it is arranged?"

I put an innocent look upon my face, but could feel my heart throbbing. I did not wish to be wed! Not to anyone but Susannah, whom I love. And we both wished to attend college.

My uncle continued. "Did your father discuss with you about…" he swirled his wineglass. "…the arrangement?"

With that, Maria smiled.

How she infuriated me.

I looked at my father, who was holding his breath. He looked at me and his eyes gave me permission to handle this as I chose. I had to convince my uncle to drop the arrangement. For my sake and Susannah. I inhaled deeply.

"Estimado tío…what do you speak of? Do you not want me to make millions, earn a name and fortune for my future and wife? You cannot deny a man an education."

My uncle looked at Maria, who nudged with her slipper-ed toe.

"Jesse…some things are more important than schooling. Like promises. Promesas, you know?"

I nodded. "A Spaniard is most respected for the truths he holds."

This was obviously what my uncle wished to hear. "Si! That is exactly right and you know it."

I didn't want the conversation to go his way. I tried to steer it back to breaking off the arrangement. "Yes, dear uncle, promises are important. Yet who said that I would drop promises in exchange for knowledge? And did I make this promise? Or was it…arranged for me?"

Out of the corner of my eye, Valencia smiled. Uncle looked flustered, poor man. I knew it was Maria's doing.

Suddenly, she stood up and tears filled her eyes. "Papa, you are not trying hard enough!"

Everyone's jaws gaped at this remark. My father glared, mother blinked continually, even Carmen was aghast. Marriage into the family is frowned upon in modern society. Incest is wrong. Yet when the promise was made, obviously my father and uncle were young, and marriage into royal blood was first priority.

"Jesse," Maria spoke, "please give me a chance. You are an honorable man-"

"-and cousin," I intervened. Maria ignored this. This topic was so unnerving. It seemed like something in my past life. Maria continued, "do not deny me and hurt me so. Our fathers made this promise and promises must be kept. It would not hurt you to take me out. Do you find me unattractive?"

I could not openly insult my cousin by saying, "Yes, compared to Susannah," yet her father was sitting next to her standing self. So instead, I replied, "By many standards,"

This answer suited her fine. I smiled dryly.

She smiled, tears drying miraculously fast. "I'm glad you think so. We could go from there."

"Actually," I started, "we can't."

Her smile instantly vanished, replaced with an ugly expression. "Reason?"

I took a breath. "I'm already in love."

She laughed. "You are funny, Jesse! Surely you are joking. For who can possibly be fairer than me?"

I truly smiled the first time that night. "Oh, it does not matter, for it is not you, fair cousin. I am only avoiding disgrace in society by denying your interests." I bite out of an appetizer and stood. "So sorry, uncle. Papa, Mother, everyone; I must leave. I have other obligations tonight. Other promises."I walked away towards the kitchen, dropped off my plate and glass, and returned to the front door. I started pulling on my shoes.

"You're blowing our cousin off?" inquired Carmen as our uncle and father talked in the other room. She had followed me into the front hall. I heard laughter from Tia.

I pulled on a jacket and paused. "I am."

"Wow."

Suddenly, Maria entered and grabbed my arm painfully. "Jesse, surely you are joking!"

I shook my head. "No, Maria, I'm sorry. But I'm already devoted to someone else. I will always love you like a cousin."

"You will regret this, Jesse. Don't do this."

I lowered my head and kissed her hand. "Goodnight, cousin."

I wanted to be outside first. But I did not miss the malicious look on her face.

"You will regret this, Jesse."

"Paul-wait, it's not what it looks like."

I scurried away from Matt and stood up, brushing sand off my body. "I still love Jesse! I really do! I mean, what you saw there? Yeah, totally was not intended. I-"

Paul stopped walking directly in front of me. He was off his crutches, obviously, able to use both legs. He crossed his arms and I couldn't help but notice how his arms were so toned and menacing. Yeah...bench pressing was good for him. He towered above me and looked down at me. I noticed that he still had a few scabs from Crissi's assault. His ocean eyes looked angry. "I'm not blind," he snapped, "I saw what the freak was doing even before that." He shook his head. "Jesus Christ, Simon, you really are naïve."

I felt tears sting my eyes. That hurt. I tried to cover it up, but a sob escaped my lips and I felt so ashamed. Damn it all, he thought I was cheating on Jesse! Just what I needed; for this psycho to just tell my boyfriend! Great. My cheeks flared. "This wasn't supposed to happen! I…I-" I felt my eyes narrow. Did he just call me naïve?

I obviously voiced this thought aloud. "Uh, yeah. Didn't you see this coming? Now back to the asshole."

"I thought you two were friends! Like, remember at school? You two were so chummy."

"That was before tonight."

Paul advanced toward Matt. I tried to follow, but his strides were so much longer than mine. You think that after being on crutches, he would have some sort of difficulty. Lies. All lies. "Get away from her," he growled. Matt narrowed his eyes. Sensing trouble, I ran faster.

"Oh, right, suddenly you're Saint Paul?" Matt guffawed at his pun. Paul's eyes flashed, but Matt continued, oblivious to the impending disaster. He was going to lose his arm or something. I sensed maim in the future. "I've seen the way you look at her; it's not the look of love-" he smiled rakishly, "-it's the look of lust. In school, watching the way she walks, the cuts on her shirts. The occasional lick of the lips. It's a wonder who you jack off to." My mouth dropped. Did Matt really say that? Matt started backing up as Paul tried to slug him. He continued even after my futile protests of "you-guys-are-creeps-stop." "Don't tell me you don't think of her in ways you shouldn't. You don't give a damn if she's taken, that's the beauty of it. It's the thrill of committing that sin… adultery. You know you want to do exactly what I did. You're just jealous. I swear I had good intentions, but when you're alone on a beach…you just want to caress her in the dark. Stroke her hair and maybe some other things. Oh, and not only that, but I've heard that you have a criminal record coming up. I mean, the whole rape thing? Yeah, that is a little far-"

Paul snapped. "SHUT IT!" Paul leapt towards Matt. Matt, suspecting this attack, feinted and pivoted on his foot. Paul whirled around, his eyes flashing in the quickly darkening sky.

"Stop it!" I shouted and jumped in front of Matt. This was not worth it. "Please, Paul, don't let him provoke you. It's under control now-"

"Yeah, because of me," he muttered vehemently.

I glared at him and was about to hurt him when I stopped. Paul, clairvoyant as he was, noticed and dropped his fists. "What?"

My eyes darted around. "Do you feel something?"

"Your sexy body?" Matt inquired. I shot him a dirty look. Boys.

"No you dolt, I meant-"

Paul stopped as well, eyes widening. "A chill."

I nodded. "Yeah, a chill."

"Well…you know…it is like, late at night on a beach, them sea breezes…"

"SHUT UP!" Paul and I shouted simultaneously. For once, Matt did.

"This isn't an ordinary chill…" I looked around at the fading surroundings. It was dusk and, true, the winds were picking up, but I like those breezes. They're cooling. Refreshing. Not chilling. I should have put on a sweater or something. This bikini really didn't help. Something caught my attention. Further scrutinizing made me squint.

Suddenly, Paul whispered hoarsely, "GET DOWN!!"

Paul grabbed my shoulder and pushed me down. Matt did as Paul told and we huddled behind a lifeguard post.

"What the hell is your p-"

Paul shushed us and pointed to the waters. My eyes followed his and I dropped my towel.

There was something on the water.

It was totally obvious; I mean, it was dark (almost), and silhouettes were very apparent against the twilight. Yet this…wasn't a boat. Nor a buoy.

It was a person.

On the water.

"Is that Jesus?" Matt laughed. I glared at him.

I looked at Paul and saw that he wasn't staring at the water anymore. Ooh no. He was staring at my collarbone. Or something else. Maybe this was a bad idea after all.

"Suze…are you supposed to be protected from something?" I realized he was staring at my necklace. It was an ordinary necklace, really. I guess he thought it was some repellent for…

Shit.

I frowned. "Jesse told me to stay in that chicken blood circle that we made at my house…"

"Why??" Paul hissed urgently.

"Oh, err, I didn't tell you?"

The figure on the water was scanning the beach. You could tell because its hair was rippling in the steadily rising breeze.

"She wants to trade bodies. Crissi's going to kill me."

The figure on the water snapped its heard, hearing that name. White, pupil-less eyes stared at us across the waters. Paul's eyes widened as the figure smiled, revealing equally unnerving white teeth.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" said a voice.

"Shit. Come on! We've GOT to get out of here!"

Paul and I scrambled to our feet. Matt, however, remained stoic. His eyes were unseeing, staring out at the waters. "Matt!! Come on!! Get UP!!"

"I think I see my dad," he said, dazed.

"MATT! Now's not the time! Get up! Please!" I tugged at him. When he remained sitting, I steadied myself and wrapped my arms around his waist. "COME ON, MATT! MOVE!"

He blinked and noticed my arms. Then his gaze went back to the shore, where the figure was getting steadily nearer. "What the fuck is that light?" he said roughly.

Paul shouted. We glanced up, not realizing that Paul already was at the top of the beach, looking down. "Hurry!"

Matt and I broke into a run, just when that boulder we were sitting by earlier exploded. The lifeguard post started shaking, beams splitting, debris flying everywhere.

I stumbled on the steps, running as fast as my legs could. Shit! I forget my bag. I turned around and saw her gliding towards me. It was so bizarre. I quickly retrieved my bag and rushed back up the steps. I hoped the pepper spray was all right. It was expensive. Plus, that could come in handy later. Not. Unless we fought hand-to-hand, the keys and coins were pointless. And no way in hell did I plan on letting her come any nearer.

"Suze!! HURRY!" Paul was already at his BMW, the engine running. He backed out and flung open the passenger door. "Leave yours!" he barked sharply to Matt, who was bewildered. "Get inside mine. Now!!!"

"Yeah, and then what??" I asked hysterically. I heard maniacal cackling behind me.

"Oooh Suzie…Suzie, sweetie, why are you running? Don't you remember me?? Don't ruin that face-I want it when I take over your body."

"WHY THE FUCK ARE WE RUNNING?" screamed Matt. "YOU GUYS ARE SERIOUSLY JOSHING ME-"

"Paul, what are you doing? Remember all the good times we had together? We can continue the fun and games just like before if you'd just hand over Suzie."

I pushed Matt into the back, then crawled into the passenger seat, slamming the door.

"Now what???" I asked shrilly. This had never happened before. Never has a ghost, other than like, Maria, ever wanted to take over my body! I watched as Paul calmly accelerate. Crissi was behind us, trailing behind the car. I stared around. How the hell were we going to live? She was going to run us into the wall or just apparate into the car. She obviously never tried on a car, or it never occurred to her because she hadn't-yet. There was a thump at my window and my shrieked. Crissi was flying right outside our window! She extended a hand and I saw her attempt to slip it through the glass.

"Holy shit, she's moving our car!!" Paul gripped the wheel. I saw us start to veer around on the road, yet his hands were steady. Oh crap. Suddenly, I looked out my window. Crissi was smile demonically at me, and beyond her was…

Big Sur.

"Oh fuck! Oh fuck!" Matt started hitting my seat. "We're gonna fly fucking over the railing!! No one's going to find our fucking bodies because the fucking tide is going to pull us out to the fucking ocean!"

This was where Michael Meducci nearly killed me, I thought as my heart jolted. No Jesse or Angels to suddenly appear.

My eyes wandered to Paul's mirror. A rosary dangled from it, rocking back and forth to the swaying of the car. We were getting increasingly closer to the edge. Paul even honked his horn.

I snatched the rosary, ripping the thread. Beads went flying, but I didn't care.

"Suzie, what the hell are you doing?"

I had an idea, which might have killed me in the process, but I had to try.

"SUZE! WHAT IN HELL ARE YOU DOING? STOP IT! SHE'S GOING TO KILL YOU AND TAKE YOUR BODY, DON'T YOU KNOW THAT???"

As I was rolling down the window, I stopped and said quietly, "I know. That's why…I'm doing this!!!" With that, I rolled down the window completely. Crissi grabbed my throat. She lifted me as I was still in the seatbelt. I strained for breath and struggled to undo my seatbelt.

"You dumbass! You just WANT to die, don't you??"

"SUZE!"

I smiled feebly. I felt my vision blur. "Actually, I am a dumbass. But before I never let you take my body…I think I'm going to embrace Christianity soon."

And with that, I threw the rosary at her.

A/N: input. please.