LAILAH
SEVENTEEN
We all agreed to take the next day off since this whole winter break had been a crazy whirlwind of one thing after another.
Beth did have us sit down with her and a few others of the Elementi leadership to go over what we learned while we were gone, wanting to hear it firsthand.
I was surprised to see how many people were not at all bothered by what was going on in the labs, instead saying it had brought us information we wouldn’t have had otherwise.
To me, that was hardly a good enough reason to allow such a thing to continue happening, but to them we were still children who didn’t understand the world and how it was a necessary evil.
Thankfully, we didn’t need to work with them on a regular basis, and Beth was our go-between for other matters.
Beth and I had spent the past hour working on a new schedule for the upcoming semester. It looked like I wouldn’t be doing any classes on the main campus, instead doing all the work here in the Elementi headquarters under the Manor.
“Will it draw attention that I’m here on campus but not taking classes?” I asked, looking up from the list of classes the Elementi offered.
“Hmm, I’m just afraid if we even did one class on campus like Jay, it might make things even more obvious. If we keep you out of sight, then people will talk less, assuming you left the campus,” Beth reasoned.
Something about that didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t want any of those girls who had it out for me to think they won. “Even if I am Synergy, I would still like to graduate with a degree of some kind.”
“Oh, you will. Even if you are taking Elementi classes, you will graduate with a Masters in Mythology and Ancient History,” Beth informed me.
“I guess you could also add on something for the amount of martial arts that you will be learning as well, but we don’t typically do that since it’s not on the main catalog of class options,” Beth mused, tapping her chin with a pen.
I shook my head and looked over the list I’d written down for this semester. “Okay, so if we do Intro to Religion and Demonology, Elemental Powers 101, Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat, Weapons Training, along with Wards and Spells Against Demons, that should cover what I need to know right away.”
“Don’t forget the special sessions we are going to do with Nona and Tony to see what we can do with your combined powers,” Beth interjected.
“Tony? You mean the security guard?” I asked, remembering him from my very first day of school.
Beth paused her typing to look up at me. “You’ve met?”
“Yeah, Cami sent him to help me with my boxes when I first got to school. He said they were friends, and now that makes a whole lot more sense, knowing he’s part of the Elementi,” I said with a shrug of my shoulders.
“Cami had the head of security for the whole school come and help you move in? I don’t know why I’m even shocked at this, to be honest. I mean, of course she would do that—she never wanted to keep any of this a secret from you in the first place,” Beth muttered, shaking her head.
“Wild child, that one. Let’s hope Maggs can manage to handle her crazy. ”
I had my money on Maggs dealing with Cami’s brand of crazy with ease. The more time I spent with those two, the more I couldn’t have picked a better match for my pint-sized best friend.
“Anyways, yes. Tony and Jay will be working with you on all physical aspects of your training. Nona will be in charge of anything to do with your powers, Mr. Creed will be your resource for all things demon, and Mr. Phillips for history and religion. Always feel free to reach out to me as well if you aren’t sure who to ask about something.
We have so many available resources that I’m sure I can find someone to help you.
” Beth smiled and stood up, letting me know that our meeting was over.
“Thanks Beth.” I nodded, returning her smile as I left her office.
Heading back up to my room, I found Parker sitting on the couch playing some video game that had lots of shooting and explosions.
“Come on! Seriously dude, how could you play dirty like that?!” Parker yelled at the TV, tossing his control up in the air.
It was then I realized he was wearing a headset and actually talking to someone on the other end.
“I told you they would have that part of the warehouse rigged with explosives, but you still pushed me anyway. So not cool, man,” Parker grumbled as the screen showed the countdown before he could log back in.
Smiling to myself, I walked past him and headed for my room, but a hand wrapped around my wrist and I was pulled onto his lap, causing me to let out a yelp.
“Hey man, I’m gonna log off for the day.
It seems I’ve found myself some other Trouble to get into,” Parker said with a wide grin and a wink, making me blush.
I could hear someone talking on the headset before Parker yanked it off and pulled me more snugly against him.
“What do you say you and I go into town and get some sugar cookies?”
“Really?” I asked, turning to see his face better.
“Really, really. You and I haven’t had much time to ourselves, and I’m craving some quality time with my girl,” Parker answered, giving me a squeeze. “It’s too cold to take the bike, but I don’t think you’ve had a ride in my pride and joy yet, have you?”
I frowned up at him. “Since I have no idea what you’re talking about, I would say no. I didn’t even know you had something other than your bike here.”
“Oh, this is gonna be fun. Alright, go get bundled up so we can enjoy the town in all its winter glory,” Parker directed, setting me on my feet and giving me a small shove in the direction of my room.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him vault out of the chair and race off to his room.
Grinning, I headed to my closet and looked through my hoodies grabbing one that said any time is cookie time, pulling it on before grabbing my lighter winter jacket.
Since Cami had made fun of me for my puffy winter coat, I just couldn’t wear it without thinking about looking like the marshmallow creature of the GhostBusters movie.
Snagging my floppy beanie from my suitcase that I hadn’t totally unpacked, I raced out the door and down the stairs to pull on my boots, which were by the back door.
Parker was there waiting for me, grabbing the keys off the hook and opening the door for me.
Heading to the garage, we stopped in front of a large truck that was cherry-red and lifted so high that I wasn’t sure how I was going to get into the thing.
Parker opened the passenger door, picked me up by my hips, and tossed me into the vehicle.
I laughed as I grabbed the handle to make sure I didn’t fall back and slid onto the soft cloth seat.
This was something I expected to see back home with all the farmers and ranchers around, not here on the other side of the world, but it totally fit Parker.
Climbing in, he turned the key, and the whole thing rumbled to life, letting out a puff of black smoke like a dragon waking up from a slumber.
“Trouble, this is Roxy. My dad and I rebuilt her together when I first got my license. I thought it was high time the two of the most important women in my life, besides my mother, should meet,” Parker announced.
After a few moments, we pulled out of the garage and headed into town.
I’d always liked Drittilyn and how quaint it was, but add snow and Christmas decorations, and it was straight out of a picture you would find on a Christmas card.
The shops looked so cheerful with the ribbons, evergreen, and shimmering ornaments that I couldn’t help but smile.
Parker found a spot at the end of town furthest from where we wanted to go, a not-so-subtle plan to keep us out longer.
Opening my door, I waited for Parker to round the truck so I could use him to get down.
Resting my hands on his shoulders, I felt his hands wrap around my hips, guiding me down as I slid from my seat.
“Did you do that on purpose so you would have to manhandle any girl you let in or out?” I asked with raised brow.
Parker looked back at the truck, then me, with a surprisingly soft expression.
“You are the first woman to ever ride in Roxy. I don’t even think all the guys have ridden in her before.
When I say that truck is important to me, I mean that.
So no, this is not some chick-mobile, if that’s what you’re thinking. ”
I was so shocked my mouth fell open, unable to come up with something to say.
Taking my hand, Parker threaded his fingers between mine, and we headed off down the street.
We had a blast popping in and out of random little shops, and of course Parker needed to stop by his favorite candy place and get a one-pound bag full of sweets.
“I can’t believe you haven’t had a Kinder egg before.
They’re the best. You get candy and a prize all in one,” Parker said, walking backwards so he could look me in the face.
“If you’re willing to share some of your cookies with me, then I will gladly give you a Kinder egg all of your own—I’ll even let you keep the prize. ”
“You drive a hard bargain, Parker. I’ll have to see you eat one to show me that it’s worth giving up one of my treasured sugar cookies,” I teased.
Parker gaped at me, clutching his chest. “You doubt my word? Don’t you know by now that I would never steer you wrong, Lailah?”
“Of course I trust you, silly, but I still don’t know if your taste in sweets is compatible with mine. This could be a make-it-or-break-it moment for us,” I answered sarcastically.
Parker stopped suddenly, and I crashed into him as he quickly wrapped his arms around me, holding me safely against his chest. Peering up at him, I was shocked to see that he had a worried look in his eyes.
“Lailah, do you trust me? I’m not talking the way you trust a friend.
I mean, do you truly trust me enough to give a piece of your heart to me? ”
Taken aback by this dramatic turn of events, I couldn’t seem to answer him right away.
Seeing my hesitation, an expression of hurt flickered across his face, and he leaned down, resting his forehead against mine, taking a few deep breaths.
After a moment, he released me and took a step back, turning to head down the street.
“Wait, Parker,” I blurted, grabbing his coat to keep him from walking away from me.
“I do trust you. I’m sorry I hesitated, but you caught me off guard, so I froze.
Ever since the first day I met you, you have been nothing but kind, caring, and understanding.
Any time I have been unsure or too scared to try something, you are right there by my side to help me through it, and then the first to celebrate with me when I discover something new.
I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without you—so to answer your question, yes, I do trust you. ”
Parker turned back to me and brushed his thumb along my cheek.
“You don’t trust me the way I want you to—hell, need you to—but maybe someday I’ll prove to you that you can.
” Wrapping an arm around my shoulder, he pulled me against his side as he opened the door to Anne’s bakery.
“Come on, Trouble. We have some sugar cookies to buy.”