Chapter Nine:: Winter Wonderland

The weekend arrived slowly, agonizingly, with Reid constantly at my shoulder checking on me. The snow had gotten heavier and heavier with each passing day, turning our moments outside into a hazy blur. The weather seemed to be in touch with my feelings.

"Jenna, the Winter Wonderland dance is tonight."

"Hm." I muttered as I looked at the computer screen. We were watching some movie, or Reid was watching, I couldn't even remember what it was about.

"Would you want to go, it could get your mind off things. They say dancing is the best form of medicine."

"I thought that was laughter?"

His face lit up at the lame joke, "C'mon, what do you say?"

"If you want."

His smile fell slightly but he shook it off, "Great, did you want to go out and get a new dress? My treat."

I shook my head, going to the mall was the last thing I wanted, "Oh no, it's fine, I have plenty of dresses at home that I haven't even worn yet."

"Sounds good. I'll drive."

He hopped up off the bed and grabbed my keys and jacket from the desk and held them out to me.

….

He gasped as I opened my closet. I couldn't blame him, it was the size of a bedroom after all.

"I know, my mom could never resist buying clothes for me. Now that she's gone Annie's taken over that task. She especially likes getting dresses she thinks I'll look good in."

He looked over a few of them, "They've got good taste, any of these will look great on you."

The alarm for the door downstairs chimed for a moment before someone punched in the security code. "Hello, who's got the Benz?" Reid opened his mouth to say something and I grabbed his arm, "Don't say anything to my dad about you know what." I gave him a meaningful look and turned as my dad entered the closet.

"Hi sweetie," he gave a quick kiss to my forehead, "who've we got here?"

He gave Reid the once over as I introduced him, "This is my….friend Reid Garwin."

He looked at the necklace around my neck and shook Reid's hand, "A pleasure Reid."

"The pleasure's mine sir. We were just looking at Jenna's dresses for the dance tonight."

"Oh, a friend, going to the dance with my wildflower. We have loads to talk about then. Pictures and videos of Jenna, background checks on you."

I couldn't help but smile at his joke.

"I'll just take Reid here to my study while you get ready."

"Make sure you don't scare him too badly, he is my ride after all."

He winked at me and led Reid out of the room.

…

I showered quickly, and curled my hair.

"You should braid the sides, like we used to…"

I'd gotten used to having Jae comment at random on things, I did as she suggested and lifted the top layer of hair, braiding it on each side, clasping it together in the back. It was very pretty. I chose a light blue, floor length, gown. It had sparkles on it and I figured it was perfect for a winter themed dance. Plus it had a little handwritten tag on it, indicating that I should wear it on such an occasion. Thank you Annie.

When I walked into the study they were watching a video my dad had made of Jae and I dancing in the studio. "They look just alike," Reid said sadly. "Yes, they did. They were so different though. Jaelyn was very reserved and quiet. You know Jenna of course, always outspoken and free spirited."

I cleared my throat at the door and my dad stopped the movie quickly.

"You look great dear, like a snow angel."

Reid grabbed my hand, he'd changed too, the sneaky bastard must've had clothes in his car. "You're stunning," he placed a hand on my cheek and we said goodbye to my father and trekked over to the car. I pulled my silver shawl around me against the chill and slid into his car.

"They got the winter wonderland part right, that's for sure." Reid said as we pulled up to the school. We rushed into the ballroom, as fast as someone on three inch heels can, and had just entered when Pogue, Tyler, Caleb came rushing over.

"Finally, we've been calling you for the past couple hours." Tyler said as he approached.

"Sorry, I left my phone in the dorms. What's happened."

Their faces were grave but my interest wasn't peaked until Caleb spoke, "We think we've figured out what's going on with you Jenna. You're not going crazy. Let's go to the gym, we can talk privately there."

The group exited the hall on the premise of going to the bathroom and veered off down the hallway into the empty gym. Caleb led the way over to the bleachers.

Pogue cleared his throat, "I was talking to my dad about this and he had some information about something called a Vessel. He said they were supposed to be extinct but that in early times they were portals for spirits, usually evil, to come through to our world through possession or manipulation. That the vessel could communicate with certain spirits and even see them. However, they were susceptible to madness and often killed themselves or were killed by others. This is why they were thought not to continue. They haven't been heard from in ages but it had been rumored that once a long time ago, a son was killed and communicated with this vessel and even took her over for a short time. While he was in control his powers manifested in her body. But even the short take over was enough to turn them, the vessel was killed. It seemed to be the only way to get rid of the spirit after the full take over."

Reid placed an arm around my shoulders, "What are you guys saying, that Jenna's a Vessel?"

Caleb nodded, "I believe her sister was too. She killed herself right?" I nodded, "And you said she'd been acting oddly?" I nodded again.

The fear must have shown in my eyes.

Caleb placed a hand on my arm, "There's a way to stop it. It's a bit like our power. Using it too much, as in a take over, could kill you. There's a slight difference though."

At this I stopped him, "Your power, and what is this about a Son taking over the vessel. How do you guys know this?"

They all looked at each other meaningfully. "We're more connected than you realize," it was Tyler who spoke this time. At this Reid took over and told me a tale that made my head spin.

"I knew I recognized him. That kid, Chase, he's the one I've been seeing. He keeps telling me to let him in. And these powers, is that what I saw that one night at the party…with that guy."

Reid frowned, "Sort of."

Caleb's brow creased. "Don't worry. Like I said, there are differences between our powers. You can will yours away. It will make you very weak and will require a lot of effort and spell work by all of us. But it can be done. You will never be able to see spirits or communicate with them ever again. You'll be safe."

Reid sighed in relief, "Where and when Caleb."

"Tonight's perfect, it's Friday, it could take a couple days so she'll have the weekend. Plus, we're likely to get snowed out this week. You'll be able to recover."

"We should do it at your dad's old place, it'll be private there," Tyler said as he stood up.

As they discussed the details I made a plan.

"You ready," they were all standing around me.

"I'll meet you guys there. This has all been a bit overwhelming, I want to go back to my dorm and get my head straight and change."

"I'll go with you."

"No, Reid, it's okay. You go home and change too. I'll meet you all there, just text me directions. I need to get an alibi straight, leave a note for my roommate."

"Good idea," Caleb said.

We exited the gym together, I let Reid kiss my cheek and as he whispered, "see you soon", I turned away from him so the guilty look on my face wouldn't be evident. There was no turning back now. I knew what I had to do.

A/N:: One more chapter to go people! Please give me some feedback on this chapter as I'm pretty tired and feel like I didnt do a great job of explaining things. I may go back and edit a few things. R&R with thoughts

Thank you!