“I’m glad I’m getting to share this secret with someone.”

  Winnie held her hands out. Two of the balls fell back into the tub. Cupping my hand, I scooped up the water. It kept its shape. Winnie held out her little pruned hands. Leaning over I placed the ball into her hands. Her eyes grew wide as her little mouth became a perfect ‘O’. Her eyes left me and focused on the ball in her hands. The light reflected as the water moved within the shape. Winnie squealed again.

  “Bee!” She laughed.

  I smiled. “Water.”

  “Ater.”

  “Good Winnie.”

  Her other hand came down and splatted my ball over the both of us. Water dripped down my nose. This was almost one of the driest baths I had ever given Winnie.

  “Thanks.”

  She giggled. With a wave of my hand, the water was pulled from me, and I released my hand over the tub. Shaking my head, I grabbed a towel and then pulled the plug. The water started to swirl around the drain with a light slurping noise. Opening the towel, I looked at Winnie who was waving at the drain.

  “Bye-bye.”

  I smiled.

  “Come on fishy, let us get some clothes on you.”

  She stood up and let me wrap the towel around her. My arms tightened their hold as she wiggled about. We walked out of the bathroom as my mom walked through the front door. I placed Winnie down and she rushed through the kitchen making a beeline for our mom. Her feet slapped against the tile floor. My mom’s face lit up as there was a red ring around her eyes. Her hair was still in the bun from the beach. My mom’s bathing suit straps stuck out from underneath her tank top. Plastic bags dangled from her side. Mom placed the food on the counter then picked up Winnie.

  “Let’s get you dressed so we can have dinner. Though it might be easier to just let you eat naked.” My mom glanced at me. “You’re so dry, I think that’s a record. How did you stay dry?”

  I smiled. “I’m just skilled, that’s all.”

  My mom shook her head.

  “I’m going to get her into some clothes, how about you get dinner on the table.”

  “Okay.”

  Persephone came running into the room wearing a nightgown with a princess on it.

  “Persephone put dinner on the table, and I’ll get the plates.”

  She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

  Persephone snatched the bag from my hand and placed it on the table. She climbed onto her chair and opened the bag. She started to pull out a couple of white cardboard boxes, then a few black plastic containers. The sodium-rich food filled the air. My dad followed suit with another bag.

  “This one is for after dinner, don’t get excited.”

  Persephone hopped off the chair and followed Dad across the kitchen to the fridge.

  “Milkshakes!” Persephone cried out.

  “We are knocking that food pyramid out of the park today.” I chuckled.

  “You don’t have to have a milkshake if you don’t want one.” My dad replied with a smirk.

  “Oh, I’ll take one, and I put cookies in it too if we have any,” I commented.

  My dad chuckled and grabbed a couple of forks. Winnie’s stomps came into the room.

  “Okay ladies, how about we get our dinner on.”

  “I can’t believe how quick we knocked this project out.” Gabriel stretched out in the chair in my kitchen.

  I glanced over at him. One of my eyebrows raised and one of the corners of my mouth curled up.

  “I like to work efficiently.”

  Gabriel nodded causing his hair to bounce slightly.

  “I can tell. Maybe we should be partners for every project the rest of high school.”

  Snorting I rolled my eyes as I hit submit on our electronic classroom.

  “That sounds like torture. However, that would mean I wouldn’t be moving again, and my family moves all the time. You don’t have good odds of having that in your favor.”

  “That’s fine, I’ll just follow you and we’ll be the duo that helps each other graduate high school in this crazy world.”

  “Fantastic plan.” I chuckled rolling my eyes at his ridiculous plan.

  “I normally start the project the week that it is assigned. Then I get distracted then about four days before it is due, I have to go search for it and then finish the project.”

  “I believe it.”

  He smirked at me.

  “Now that we’re done, I think it’s time for you to hang out like a local.”

  I closed the laptop and looked at him.

  “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”

  Gabriel leaned forward and folded his arms on the table. Gabriel’s brown hair fell near his eyes.

  “Come on, you know fun.”

  “I know what fun is.” I snapped.

  He raised a brow at me as that stupid lopsided grin was still on his face.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone sit that straight before. Your back isn’t even against the back of the chair.”

  “If I wanted to hang out with you, what would that include?”

  “A small tour-”

  “I ride my bike to school every day, I think I already do that.”

  “The local pizza place.”

  “You already know I eat there,” I interjected and crossed my arms over my chest.

  “The beach.”

  “I go all the time to the beach.”

  “With friends or by yourself?”

  I narrowed my eyes.

  “Exactly.” Gabriel pointed. “Come on, it’s not even three thirty and we’re done. Hang out with me for a couple of hours.”

  “Why are you pushing me so much to hang out with you?”

  “I’m just trying to be nice to you. I think you’re cool, and you get my humor, not only do you get it, but you dish it back. I’ve never seen anyone avoid human interaction as much as you.” His voice lost its usual laughter.

  “I don’t know why it bothers you so much. When did I become your project?” I bit back.

  “You’re not, believe it not, but I’m honestly trying to become your friend.”

  “Whatever, maybe it is time for you to leave.”

  Gabriel paused and stared at me for a moment. Then he hung his head and I thought I heard a sigh. He then stood up and walked out the door with his book bag draped over his shoulders. The door clicked behind him, not slamming.

  My mom came out of her office and stood in the doorway to the small hall. She leaned against the wall and had her arms crossed over her chest. Her mouth was in a line.

  “Blair that was so rude I don’t know where to begin.”

  I leaned back into the chair and braced myself.

  “I don’t feel like hanging out with him.”

  “Why not? He is polite, nice, and somehow understands that dry, sick sense humor of yours.”

  “You’re right, I should just jump him.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “That’s not what I meant at all. You need friends.”

  “Why bother getting close to anyone, we’re just going to move again. I hate getting to know people then doing the fake ‘I’ll keep in touch’, but no one ever does.”

  Mom walked into the room. “Bumble Bee, I’m telling you we are not moving. I don’t know how many more times I have to tell you that.”

  I shrugged my shoulders and stood up. Opening the door, I went to step out.

  “You’re not leaving. Blair, we need to talk.”

  I glanced over my shoulders. “There’s no reason.”

  I closed the door and grabbed my bike that was off to the side.

  Pedaling fast I needed to beat my mom. I was not in the mood to deal with a kindergarten lesson on how to make friends. I was doing well in my life without them and learning new powers. A friend would only get in the way, and I would be forced to say bye to them in the end. Or I would lose them when they found out that I was a freak with powers

  The sand was poking the soles of my feet through the socks in my sneakers. The sun was setting making the sky streaked with pinks and oranges. My legs were pedaling slowly as I watched for cars. I had wished that I had grabbed my music to listen to. Then again it would be nice to have anything, when I left the house, I didn’t grab anything. Luckily, I left my shoes on when I pulled into the neighborhood I began to slow down. My dad was standing in front of the garage. He had changed so he wasn’t still in his uniform, but that straight back, strong glare, and arms crossed showed that he meant business. I pulled into the driveway feeling the heat rise to my face.

  “Hi, Dad.”

  “Park the bike and get in my car.”

  I wheeled my bike around his car and climbed in. I buckled up and waited for him. He climbed in and shut the door. I gulped. He pulled out and we were soon out of the neighborhood once again. We drove around without even the radio on. This had to be a tactic. I was in for it. Soon he was parked by an outlet for the beach. He got out and I followed him. We climbed the stairs and went down to the sand. He sat down facing the water. I cautiously lowered to the sand next to him. I crossed my legs and took a deep breath.

  “I have always considered you one of most levelheaded people I know despite your age.” My dad started out. “However, if I ever hear that you speak to your mom as you did then leave the house so that she’d be worried, being grounded for the century will look like child’s play compared to what you will receive.”

  “Yes sir,” I whispered.

  My dad turned to face me. “I love how close you are with our family. I hear stories from my friends with teenagers and how they never see them. I want you to know that it is okay to know people outside the family. I want you to have friends.”

  “Easier said than done.”

  “I know moving around hasn’t been easy for you and it was probably a little selfish of me for the number of times we actually did move. However, in a couple of years, you will be in college, and it really won’t matter because you will pick where you go. It won’t matter where you came from, or the number of times you moved, because everyone will be new there.”

  I turned my eyes and looked at him. Our blue eyes connected.

  “Connecting with people isn’t easy, but life is easier when you are surrounded by those who care about you.”

  I nodded. “I’ll work on it.”

  He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Thank you.”

  10

  Blair

  Gabriel’s hair seemed to be covering more of his face the next morning during math. Then we were taking a quiz, so I couldn’t speak to him during class. When class ended, he had grabbed his books and was able to weave through the kids to get out of the room. Then in Chemistry Gabriel was focused on some artwork on the back of his notebook. His usual smile was gone, not even a gleam in his eyes. Not that they would turn to look at me. That left lunch the time when I had to talk to him, but I had another class before that. Dragging my feet, I headed towards the gym. People pushed and shoved by me. Taking a deep breath, I curled and uncurled my fists by my hands.

  A couple of girls in front of me were chatting and blocked the locker room door. I rolled my eyes as they opened the door and made it through as a cluster. Girls were lined against the walls of the locker room getting changed. Some were trying to change under their clothes, while there were those girls in the middle who were standing there in shorts and their bras. I went around the bend where Anjuli was standing by our lockers. Anjuli was already changed and was leaning back as her arms were behind her tying her black hair into a ponytail.

  “You’re late,” Anjuli commented as one of her black eyebrows arched on her tanned skin.

  I shrugged. “It’s been a Monday.”

  She chuckled. “Today is Tuesday. If this was a cartoon, I feel like there would be a cloud over your head.”

  Dropping my stuff on the bench near us I opened my locker. Reaching out for my clothes I got changed as fast as I could.

  “Gabriel came over yesterday and we finished the project.”

  “Okay…” Anjuli’s voice drifted off as we headed out of the locker room and into the gym. People were scattered.

  We were supposed to be getting on with our own classes, but the teachers weren’t out of the locker rooms yet either.

  “He mentioned hanging out and I may have bitten his head off, a wee tad, and my family gave me grief the rest of the night about it. “

  “Really? Why?”

  “He just wants to hang out all the time. That can’t be normal.”

  Anjuli shook her head. “You need your hardware readjusted.”

  I groaned as I covered my face.

  “I’m just tired of starting over. It is like a full-time job.”

  She smiled. “I’m sorry, but I can sense that things will be different for you around here.”

  “I wish I shared your optimism.”

  Anjuli grinned and took my hands in hers. “It’s in you.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You need to lay off the chick flicks.”

  She laughed and wandered off to her class.

  Standing in the entryway of the cafeteria, my eyes scanned the room. There was one boy with long hair that I was searching for. People were reaching over tables and yells from one table to the next filled the room. I could not wait to leave the jungle of high school. Then a head stuck out at a different table. Gabriel was sitting with a group closer to the windows on the other side of the room. His head was back slightly as a metal spoon hung from his nose. And I had to apologize to this guy?

  Taking in a deep breath then releasing I headed towards him. My head was held up and focused just on Gabriel. Gabriel on the other hand turned to talk to someone next to him, still with that spoon on his nose. My ego was already screaming in my head. I stood next to him, and Gabriel clearly didn’t notice. The guy next to Gabriel looked around him causing Gabriel to turn his head. Gabriel took the spoon off his nose.

  “Hi, do you need something?” Gabriel’s usual chipper voice was monotone.

  He had me feeling like I just told a kid that I was taking him to Disney World then pulled the sheet away to reveal that he was at the dentist.

  “Can we talk?”

  Gabriel stared at me for a moment, and I rocked on my feet.

  “Fine.” He pushed in his chair and headed towards the snack machine.

  My eyes fell onto the floor before connecting with him. When that smile wasn’t on Gabriel’s face, he looked mature, unlike his happy-go-lucky nature.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered and paused to read his expression. “I know you’re getting tired of hearing how many times I’ve moved, but that’s a lot of new starts and bye’s that I had to listen to people say they’d keep in touch. People never actually stay in touch. I am not looking for your sympathy on that, but I am sorry for being rude to you when you were just being yourself.”

  One corner of his lips curled up.

  “Okay.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You forgive me?”

  He shrugged. “I’m a sucker what can I say.”

  I laughed and shook my head.

  “So, you want to do that tour after school today?”

  My stomach dropped. “I guess.”

  He grinned; his arms went wide before wrapping around me. He was warm as his grip was tight. Gabriel then let go. I swear I could almost smell the saltwater on him.

  “I’ll see you at your bike. Do you want to eat lunch with us?”

  I shook my head. “Nah, maybe another day I’m going to eat elsewhere.”

  Waving over my shoulder I headed towards the library to read while I ate. I could only handle so much people time.

  A smile escaped as I saw Gabriel standing by the bike rack. Gabriel leaned against the end of the rack and had his arms crossed over his chest. There on his face was that crooked grin. I could not tell if it was irritating, or I was starting to get used to it.

  “What’s the first stop on this tour?”

  “First, how about we get your bike in the back of my car and start this journey.”

  He took my bike off the rack and climbed onto it. Gabriel wheeled ahead of me then his long legs were off the pedals and up in the air. Laughing I ran towards him. He rounded the corner of the sidewalk then around the school towards the side. A few students stared at Gabriel then at me. Once I reached the corner, I searched the parking lot for Gabriel. The cars were filing out of the parking lot behind the buses. Then there in the third row was Gabriel alongside a sub-SUV. Looking both ways I ran across the street. He popped the hatchback open, and he was folding the back seats down. Turning around he lifted my bike and slid it in.

  “Are you ready?”

  I nodded my head as my stomach twisted.

  “You look like you are preparing yourself to get a cavity filled.” Gabriel came over to me and placed his hands on top of my shoulders, so I was forced to look at him. “If you change your mind. I will drive you home at any time you want.”

  I nodded my head and climbed into the passenger seat. Buckling up I glanced around the car. He had a couple of soda bottles on the floor. There perched on the dashboard was an alligator wearing a hula skirt and yellow sunglass figurine. The little alligator’s hips swayed back and forth in the sun. Taking my phone out I texted my mom to let her know I was hanging out with Gabriel. Gabriel soon swung himself into the driver’s side and turned on his car. The music though did not come up. Instead talking filled the car. I scrunched my face.

  “Are you listening to an audiobook?”

  Gabriel chuckled as he pulled out of the parking spot.

  “Yeah, I have trouble sitting still to read so I listen to the books.”

  I smiled. “I’m surprised.”