“Wake up, Jade.  The food is ready.”  Someone was shaking my arm.  I rolled over to see who was interrupting my peaceful slumber.  Ripley smiled brightly.  I just can't be mean to him.  That is probably why they sent him.  I sat up and stretched my arms and back.  I stood up and headed for the bathroom.  “Just give me a few minutes.”  I went in and shut the door.  I washed my hands and splashed some water on my face.  I changed my clothes to some tan khakis and a green long sleeved tunic and put my hair up in a bun via the skin.  One last look in the mirror, and I saw Yaris looking back at me.   I backed up, real quick, until I hit the wall behind me, freaked out.  What's going on?  Don't be afraid, I am just your skin.  Is that all?  I am how you communicate with Yaris telepathically.  We were doing it before I had you.  No, he was, but you weren't.  Is he hearing this conversation?  Yes, I am.  Can you explain what is going on now.  Come and eat.  I will explain afterward.  Do not worry.  You are not crazy.  I walked out of the bathroom.  Ripley had left.  I made my way to the kitchen.

The smell of fried chicken was glorious.  I could smell it long before I reached the kitchen.  I was afraid they would make something I never heard of, then I would have to choke it down and pretend that I liked it.  The sides were all on the island counter.  Stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, corn, and dinner rolls waited to be devoured.  They were already eating, so I just took a little bit of everything and went to the table.  Kale got me a can of Diet Coke from the refrigerator.  I smiled at him, grateful, “thank you.”  I bit into a chicken strip.  I closed my eyes, and I am pretty sure that I moaned.  It was tender and moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside.  By far, the best fried chicken I had ever had.  “Who made this?” I asked, ”I am pretty sure I want to marry him.”  They were all smiling at me.  “What?” I asked, “so I like to eat.”  “Yaris made the chicken, but you have to taste the sides too,” Theo spoke up.  Oh, I planned on it.  I finished the piece of chicken and moved on to the stuffing.  Everything was really good.  “Where did you guys learn to cook?  This is all so good.”  “We took a culinary class a couple of years ago,” Yaris explained, “we got tired of eating takeout all of the time.” I went back for seconds.  I ate most of it but couldn't finish.  I pushed the plate away and sat back.  “That was soooooo good.  Thank you for cooking.”  They were all still eating, so I just sat and waited.  I don’t know if they just eat slower than me or if they eat more.  It's probably a little of both.  Next time, I will try eating slower.

When they were finished, I stood up and started collecting the plates.  “No,” Antony said, “leave that for us.” “I can help.  You guys did all of the cooking.”  “No,” Ripley, this time, “it is our honor to cook for you.” “Okay.”  I put the plates back down onto the table and sat back down, unsure of what to do.  I have never been treated like I was special by anyone other than my parents, Rosa and Jeffrey, before.  Even then, I would still help clean up after dinner.  I noticed that Yaris didn't get up to help.  He seemed at ease with it, though.  I think he is used to being served.

I just sat quietly as they cleared the table, loaded the dishwasher, and put away what meager leftovers remained on the counter.  Yaris was looking over paperwork again.  As they finished cleaning, one by one they came and sat at the table.  They were all clearly waiting for something.  I wasn't sure what until Yaris looked up at them and said, “okay, you are dismissed.  Be careful and don't come back rowdy or drunk.”

They all smiled and stood up.  “Wait a minute,” I stopped them, “where are you going.”  I was curious now because of what he said.  “Clubbing,” Kale answered.  “I want to go,” I started, jealous.  “You are going to be busy,” Yaris interrupted, “you are too young anyway.”  “Ever heard of a fake ID?” I asked.  “Surely with all of this,” I gestured, indicating the penthouse, “you could get me one.”  “We will get you one,” Theo spoke up, “after we go to the club.”  I crossed my arms over my chest and huffed, pouting.  “Your reaction just proves you are too young,” Yaris didn't look up from his paperwork, “ Are you going to keep proving me correct?”  Seething with anger now, I bit back my reply.  I got up quietly and walked towards the door.  I need to be alone in case I start to cry.  I cry when I get angry.  Sometimes, I can't control it.  Immature or not, let them think what they want by me leaving the room.  I walked out of the door.

“Get the IDs, then bring them back before you go to the club,” I heard Yaris say as soon as I walked out of the room.  I paused to listen.  “Are you going to let her go?” Ripley asked.  “I will think about it.  It might be good to see how she reacts in that type of situation.” “I think she would have a really good time.”  I could hear chairs scraping the floor as they moved to get up.  I hurried back to Yaris' room so they wouldn't know I was eavesdropping.  I laid down on the bed and stared at myself in the mirrors on the ceiling.  The anger was gone now, just embarrassment.  I did act like a child.  I can't  believe I was actually pouting.  It's just disappointing to find out that everyone else is going out to have a good time while you are stuck at home.  Home, what am I thinking?  This isn't my home.  I don't know if I will ever even be able to go back home again.  I suddenly missed home and Rosa and Jeffrey.  I missed my parents.  I felt a tear slide down my cheek.  I hadn't given much thought to Rosa and Jeffrey's safety.  Did they have to leave home, too?  I hope that they are okay.  I wonder what they are doing right now.  Do they worry about me?  Do they still think of me?  Maybe it has been a whirlwind for them too, and they haven't had much time to think of me.  If I do go back, what if I can't find them?

There was a soft knock on the door.  I wiped away the tears, “yes.”  The door opened, and Yaris walked in.  He walked to the bed and sat down beside me.  “Are you angry with me?”  “No.  Just embarrassed,” I answered, “I was upset over not going to a club, and I don't even know if Rosa and Jeffrey are safe.”  “Oh,” clearly not the answer he was expecting.  He paused for a minute, “They are safe.  You had to leave for your safety as well as theirs.”  “Why are we so unsafe now when we weren't before?”  “Until you came of age, the hunters did not even know that you were still alive.  When you did come of age, hundreds of tiny sensors in your body turned on.  Now they do know.  Some of those searching for you want you as their wife.  Others want you for more nefarious reasons.  They are all willing to pay top dollar for you.  It is our duty to stop them and keep you safe.  I do not know how, but Ethan found you early.”

“What do you want with me?  Do you want me for your wife?”  “Yes.  But I will not force you.  If you do not choose me, I will still keep you safe until you have made your choice.”  “But what about all of my plans?  I plan to graduate high school and start college next fall.  What if I never want to get married?”  I honestly have never wanted to get married.  I don't see the appeal. “I will still protect you,” he promised.  “Why are you so safe if you are like me?”  “They stopped hunting me long ago.  They fear me.”  What did he have to do to get them to fear him?  “Why do they fear you?  Can we make the hunters fear me, too?”  “That is the plan.” “When do we start?”  “We will be traveling tomorrow.  We will rest up for a couple of days and then start.”  “Sounds like a plan,” I felt better.  I want to be able to defend myself.  I have a feeling that I need more than the self-defense classes and karate classes that I have taken.

There was silence for a few minutes then, “Do you want to go to the club?”  “I don't know,” I answered, “I don't think I would be much fun right now.” “I would like for you to come with me,” he invited.  “With you,” I paused, “Are you asking me out on a date?”  “Yes,” he smiled.  “Are you sure you want to go with an immature brat like me?”  His smile got bigger as he nodded his head, yes.  I smiled, “Okay, but only since you asked me.”  I wonder why he changed his mind.  “I just thought that maybe you could use a little fun,” he answered.  I know for a fact that I didn't say that out loud.  “How do you do that, and can you teach me?” “Maybe,” he answered, “but not right now.”  I smiled wondering if he ever would really teach me that.  “Maybe is not the same as no.”  “I know,” I conceded.  “I will teach you. Just not right now.”

“What else will you teach me?”  “First, and foremost, it will be about learning to trust your skin.”  “Learning to trust my skin?” I questioned.  “Your skin will enhance and hone your reflexes.  You will learn to trust them.”  “Can you give me an example?”  “Yes.  Stand up, relax, and do what comes naturally.”  I stood up, facing him.  Unexpectedly, he punched his right fist straight at my face.  I did as he said and trusted my reflexes.  I stepped to the side.  His fist went sailing past my head.  I grabbed it with my left hand, yanking it further, throwing him off balance.  He stumbled forward.  At the same time, I turned, and with my back facing him, I drove my right elbow into his midsection twice.  I heard, “Ugh,” from behind me.  I had caught him off guard, too.  I let go of him.  He sat down on the bed holding his right side.  “Oh, are you okay?”  I hadn't expected to really hurt him.  I had learned that move in a self-defense class but never actually had the opportunity to use it.  He wasn't talking, just sitting, holding his side.  “I’m sorry, I didn't expect that to actually work so well."  “No, that was really good.  You learned that in a class?”  “Yes.”

There was a knock on the door.  “Yes,” I called out.  “Is everything okay in there?” Ripley asked.  “No,” Yaris yelled, “she is beating me up.”  He opened the door.  “I didn't mean to hurt him,” I explained.  “What did you do?”  “I elbowed him a couple of times.”  “ She has a sharp elbow,” Yaris complained, “I think she bruised some ribs.”  “Do you need some help?” Ripley teased.  “No!” Yaris yelled, “I need you to leave.”  Ripley left, shutting the door behind him.

“Is there something I can do to help?” I asked.  “Yes.”  His shirt disappeared, revealing well-toned abs.  He turned and laid back on the bed, groaning as his head reached the fluffy pillows.  “Lay down,” he patted the bed next to him.  I climbed across him and laid down.  He snaked his arm around me and pulled me close.  He seized my hand with his free one and placed it gingerly on his side.  “Leave it there for a few minutes.”  I relaxed against him, smelling that familiar lavender and mint.  “Let me know when it feels better.”  “It is already getting better.”  I started to pull my hand away.  He grasped it, holding it in place, “Not yet.”  I breathed deeply and relaxed even further.