Chapter 3

Jolie

The window tint guys are here. They started downstairs, painting a thick layer of UV blocking film onto every window and door. They are extremely careful not to miss a spot, probably because Mom took the morning off and is watching their every move. I'm watching from the safety of my bedroom, eye pressed to a crack in the door.

Mom's footsteps on the stairs alert me that she'll be up here soon. I step back from my door and grab the book I'm reading, hoping to look natural.

"You were spying." Mom accuses with a soft smile as she slowly pushes open my door.

"Guilty." I smile back.

"They're almost done downstairs, and then they're coming up here. Maybe you can hide out in the bathroom?" Mom's eyes flicker around my room. "We can't risk exposure."

"Okay."

"And no spying when they're up here. You're too close to the windows."

"Okay. I'll bring my book."

"Thanks, Love."

My bathroom is one of the only rooms in my house without a window. Therefore, it's considered safe for me without any extra precautions. Even so, I stuff a rolled up towel under the crack in the bottom of the door.

It's weird seeing my room with daylight coming into it. I have blackout shades, but I've thrown them wide open for now. It's much later in the day, and I've already gotten my eight hours of sleep.

Now, I'm scrolling through my YouTube channel, checking the comments on a video I posted last night. There aren't many yet, but then again, there hardly ever are less than 24 hours after I post.

"Hey, honey." Mom sticks her head in my room. "Enjoying the light?"

"Yeah. It's nice."

"I'm sure. Can you go to the store and get us some ice cream? We'll have a movie night. I've got a parent conference. Don't forget your sunscreen and layers and shield and meter."

"I got it, Mom. I've had XP since I was five."

"Yeah, yeah. You know everything." Mom rolls her eyes. "It's my job to worry."

I flash her a grin before hopping up to grab my sunscreen. "What flavor?"

"Chocolate chunk?" Mom gives me a look that clearly says, "Duh." It's not surprising; Mom's a chocoholic.

I apply the two lays of sunscreen before getting dressed. Jeans, tee-shirt, hoodie, gloves, socks that go to the bottom of my pants, face shield. Getting ready to go out with XP is a real pain in the ass.

"Be right back!" I call to Mom.

"Be careful." she replies before ducking back into her bedroom.

I stand in the ice cream aisle, debating between cookie dough and rocky road. I love ice cream, but I always have trouble deciding which flavor to go with. I've just decided on rocky road when someone rams right into me. It's a woman with three long scars marring her pretty face.

"I'm sorry." she says, her gaze locking in my face shield. I hate it when people stare at me. I know I look weird.

"All good." I grab Mom's chocolate chunk ice cream and turn to head up front.

"I'm Emily Young." The woman says. I slowly turn back around. "You must be new."

"Yeah. I am." I fake a glance at my phone. "I'm sorry. I've gotta run. Sorry again for running into you." I turn and book it up to check out.

I'm used to the way my disease makes me different. I'm used to the weird looks people give me. I'm used to the comments about how I "must be a bee keeper." That doesn't mean the insecurities ever go away.

I climb back into my car, where it's safe, and finally drag off my face shield. The heavy tinting on the windows will keep any UV rays from shining through. My UV meter is reading 4. It's nice to not have to worry about being fried in at least one place.

"Did you find the chocolate chunk?" Mom asks as soon as I come through the door.

"Yep." I drop the two pints of ice cream on the table and pull off my shield, gloves, hoodie, and shoes.

"That's good. Did something happen?" Mom's eyes zero in on my face. She can read me as easily as I read one of my books.

"Just a girl who saw me in full gear and just stared at me." I drag my hand over my face.

"I'm sorry." Mom moves to pull me into a hug. "I should've gone instead."

"It's not your fault." I mean, technically it is, but it's not like she passed on the mutated gene on purpose. I don't blame her.

"You're the strongest person I know." Mom squeezes my shoulders. "You are way more than your disease. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't." I squeeze her hand. "Thanks, Mom. Now, shall we go binge watch some movies?"

"We shall." Mom grabs the two pints of ice cream. "Go pick out the movie. I'll get the ice creams and spoons."

Mom and I are settled on the couch, eating ice cream directly from the container. We're watching The Hunger Games series for the zillionth time.

"I would be one of the first ones out." I shove a giant bite of rocky road in my mouth.

"You'd have to fight for that honor with me." Mom laughs. "Remember that time I tried to learn archery?"

"You mean when you fired the arrow backwards?"

"Yep. I still have no idea how I managed to do that."

"The look on your face was hilarious." I giggle at the memory.

It had been at a gym when we lived in Florida when I was about ten. I'd sit on the bleachers in full gear, and laugh at how bad Mom was at various activities, including yoga, archery and boxing. My poor mom.

"I wish we had some pictures." Mom leans in and steals a bite of my rocky road.

"Me, too. I have some of your other misadventures."

"No!" Mom says, giggling.

"Yep." I grab a large bite of her ice cream in retaliation.

"Okay." Mom finally says, reaching for the TV remote. "I'd better get some sleep."

"Okay. I'm going down to the beach. I'll be back before sunrise."

"Okay. I'll leave the light on. Be safe." Mom quickly gives me a hug before heading up the stairs.

I grab my book and head down to the beach with a towel slung over one shoulder. I flop down on the sand and let the water wash over my toes. I lean back on my towel and settle into read.

XP may have taken a lot of things from me, but I've found a way to claim most of those back. Having the beach to myself is one of the best things about my disease.

"Hey, Jolie!" I turn around to see Jared Cameron heading down the beach toward me.

A/n: Hi y'all. I'm back. I'll try to get back on schedule, but no promises. LOL. I hope you enjoy this update. Please review and let me know. Later!

Lauren.