Thanks for all the great reviews—you guys rock! Fortunately, this is the last expositional chapter, as in, after this, stuff is actually going to happen. Please enjoy and review :)
OoO
Julian's room was very, very different from Jenny's. The walls were painted a deep navy, and the curtains and bed covers were black. Julian kept the curtains drawn, so the only light in the room came from the UV bulb in the Creeper's aquarium and the TV's ghostly flicker.
"I ought to start bringing a flashlight with me," Jenny shouted of the blare of cyberpunk music, "…and earplugs."
The music fell to a less eardrum-splitting level as Julian fiddled with the volume. In the almost-darkness, his ice-white hair and super-blue eyes seemed to glow.
"Scared of the dark?" Julian teased. Before Jenny could retort, Julian cupped his hands together, and light appeared between them.
"Show off," Jenny whispered, but her face was a mask of awe. She reached out to touch the pale-yellow orb of light that hovered in Julian's hands. It was warm—a welcome quality, since Julian kept his room cold as an ice box. Jenny secretly liked how Julian sometimes used his powers when it was just them together; it reminded Jenny that they had a special secret.
Julian smiled, pleased that Jenny was impressed. In that moment, with soft lemon light illuminating Julian's face, Jenny could see why all the girls at school had monster crushes on him; whatever Julian really was, he liked every inch an angel. Abruptly though, the smile disappeared, and Julian plopped down on his mattress. The ball of light left his hands to bob about the room like a will-o-the-wisp.
"So how was your almost-date?" Julian asked, though it was clear from his tone that he really didn't care.
"Great," Jenny emphasized. She was used to Julian's arbitrary mood wings, but they were still frustrating. Almost defiantly, she added, "we're going out for ice cream tomorrow after school."
"Huh," Julian replied laconically, then gave Jenny a pleasant smile. "Well, anyway, the Exorcist is on TV. Kind of a goofy representation of demons, I know, but still fun to watch."
Jenny stared. She didn't trust Julian's response, or lack thereof, to the obvious challenge in her statement, and there had been an odd little gleam in his eye after he'd spoken.
"You know I don't like scary movies," Jenny said. She tried to keep the unease out of her voice as she sat down on the bed.
"Oh, don't worry, I'll hold you if you get scared," Julian assured, then, before Jenny could comment, "hey, are those donuts?"
"Yeah," Jenny said, remembering the still-warm bag of jelly and cream-filleds she'd picked up on the way to Julian's house. Most of Jenny's anxiety was forgotten as they tore into the confections.
"You know," Julian said as he bit into a jelly; the strawberry filling glistened on his lips like wet blood. "I think this is the best of the nine worlds because of Krispy Kremes alone."
"Are there really nine worlds?" Jenny asked. Julian had said such things before, but Jenny could never tell whether he was being serious or just messing with her. Often, Jenny tried to get a straight answer about it, but Julian clearly got a kick out of being cryptic. Today was no exception.
"One day, Jenny, I'll let you see for yourself."
"A simple yes or know is all I ask for," Jenny muttered. At this, Julian laughed, a musical, silvery sound.
Jenny wanted to hold his hand like she had when they were young, but middle school law prevented her. Because no one was here to giggle or whisper, Jenny buried her face in Julian's shoulder at the scary parts. However, when Julian started running his fingers through Jenny's hair, she stopped him, and not because of middle school law; lately, simple touches like that from Julian didn't make her feel safe or comforted like they used to—now they made her blush and go all tingly outside.
That's another change, Jenny thought, that could really complicate things.