Decay (3 page)

What would her father think of her? Would he be proud of her? What would he think of JD? He never got to meet him. She and JD hadn't been friends when her father was still alive.
I'm pretty sure Daddy would love him just as much as I do. Though he probably wouldn't be too into the idea of us dating at the level we are.
Her father was old fashioned, her mother not so much. Cadence was pretty sure her mother knew what was going on between her and her...she wasn't sure what to call JD...boyfriend? He'd never officially asked her out, so it didn't feel right to call him that. Whatever he was, her mother knew everything and approved of them dating, even if Cadence hadn't said anything about him yet.

Life couldn't get any better.
Wait, that's not quite right. It could be better.
She decided, after taking a moment to reflect on all of the circumstances in her life at that moment. Alan and the war on Altura were the most pressing things going on. Being recruited by the red tribe, she, JD, his sister Angela, and Orlando, had all gone on a few crazy adventures already. Cadence liked it, even if they were a little scary sometimes – especially for her, since she didn't have super powers to protect herself with.

Cadence's gift from Altura had been knowledge. Her book smarts far surpassed anyone she'd ever met. She went from being the school ditz to school genius overnight.
Daddy would probably be disappointed in that, but I'm sure he's glad that I'm making the most of my opportunities now. He always told me to never settle for less than I could achieve.
She sighed heavily and rolled onto her stomach, her head popping out from the covers so she could look at the clock.
I should probably get up and help Mom with dinner.

When she left her room, she'd expected to find her mother in the kitchen already cooking, instead she was alone in the house. Cadence decided to get to work anyway. If her mother wasn't home yet, that usually meant she was caught in traffic or taking extra special care of one of her patients.

Pasta sounded good to Cadence, so she grabbed a pot and turned on the stove. The water had just started to boil when her mother entered their apartment.

“Hey Mom,” Cadence greeted as she poured spaghetti noodles into the pot of boiling water. She turned down the heat on the stove before leaving her post long enough to give her mother a hug.

Her mother sighed as if in contentment before letting go to hang up her purse and coat in the closet. “Solo tonight? I thought JD would be here keeping you company until I came home, like usual.”

“He said he had to be back before dinner. Something about family time and it being one of the few nights everyone is home. And if his mom is doing something big for the meal, he'll have to watch the little ones,” Cadence said.

“I see. That's all right. We haven't had a girls' only night for a whole week.”

“A week? How scandalous!” She mock gasped.

Her mother started to get drinks ready for them both. The woman seemed to always know just what Cadence wanted and when she wanted it. That particular evening, she had wanted something light and sweet, and her mother poured them each one of her famous “lady cocktails.” She mixed a little lime juice with some cran-cherry juice and soda water.

“We haven't gotten to talk much since Christmas,” her mother said. “I feel awful about it. Hopefully the staffing situation at work will be resolved soon. While the money is nice, working overtime is starting to get exhausting.”

“It's okay, Mom, I promise.” Cadence resumed cooking, while her mother set the table.

Having her mother work all of the time wasn't easy, but it was something she accepted a long time ago. When her father died, money became even more tight than it already was, and she was the only family member who worked in the house. Cadence was forbidden to work because of how much trouble school gave her.
Maybe now that I can get my grades up, she'll change her mind. Even if it's only for the summer, or a weekend job. Every little bit helps.
Though she didn't know what sort of an effect a job would have on working with Alan.
If JD can balance babysitting in his free time, along with school, and helping with the war on Altura, then I can do the same with a part-time job.

She drained the noodles, put some red sauce over them, and then dished the pasta into a bowl for each of them. “You can make up the lost time to me tomorrow. JD is doing some family stuff during the day, so I certainly don't have any plans. Maybe we can go somewhere before you leave for work? You have a night shift tomorrow, right?”

“I do. Will JD be staying over again?” her mother asked.

“I don't know,” Cadence said and tried her hardest to not let the comment make her cheeks flush with heat. She shouldn't have been embarrassed. She was an adult now, and if she couldn't talk to her mother about her relationship with JD, who could she talk to?

With a slow nod, her mother sprinkled some Parmesan cheese over her noodles. “It makes me happy to see you two finally dating. I was wondering how long it would take for him to be your boyfriend.”

Cadence could no longer stop the warmth from spreading to her face. She only hoped it wasn't too obvious, but that statement did leave her feeling flustered. “He's not my boyfriend. I mean, we're dating...I think? But he hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend, or to be his steady relationship for that matter.”

“Oh,” her mother said a bit too casually. Cadence could hear the disappointment in her low tone of voice.

“I guess I assumed since...”

“Since he's spending the night? Sleeping in your bed? Sleeping with
you
?” Her mother's voice became sharp. Why was she getting angry?

Cadence stirred her dinner, no longer hungry. “It's complicated, Mom.”
It's too complicated. You'd never understand, Mom.
Since we had a near death experience, and I realized I couldn't live without him. Since he told me he was interested in
me
and had been for a long time now. Since we've been best friends for five, almost six years. Since he'd know better than to do anything to hurt me like that.
She held her tongue because Cadence couldn't get into those kinds of details with her mother. She couldn't talk about how the Alutra war was changing her relationships – especially when it came to JD. He was a different person just as much as she was. They'd both matured a lot. His old noncommittal ways were in the past, she was sure of it.

Her mother's face softened. The hard lines of her frown were no more, and she even smiled softly. “I'm just trying to understand honey. How many times have you lamented to me in the past over his dating behavior? And how you didn't have respect for a girl who could so easily succumb to his charms.”

“They're different,” she insisted. “And he made sure to tell them flat out that it was only just a fun fling for him. Everyone knows he doesn't do the dating thing.” Cadence gasped slightly when she heard what she was saying, and then quickly corrected herself. “
Didn't
do the dating thing, I mean.”
I'm different. I have to be.

“You know I love him just as much as you do. He's sweet, and nice, and he's been a good friend to you. I'm only looking out for both of your best interests here,” her mother explained.

“I know, and you should know that I wouldn't do anything stupid. I know what I'm doing.” She sat up, trying to look more confident in her words than she felt. Her mother's words were a harsh reminder of the reality that was JD's dating history. The guy did get around, there was no doubt about it. But he'd reassured her and put her at ease. He would say the words she needed to hear. JD had changed. She'd make sure of it, if he hadn't yet.

Her mother's smile brightened. “It's part of my job to worry about you. You've never dated before. While I could lecture you about how you're choosing to go about your relationship, I won't. What's done is done, and I'm glad he makes you happy. Just protect yourself.”

“I am,” she said.

“Not just your body but your heart, honey. Sex complicates a relationship. It changes everything between two people. You can't take it back.”

“I know.” Cadence was on the verge of seething.
Why does she keep trying to rain on my parade?
Desperate, she changed the subject. “Did I tell you I got an A on my final exam?”

For the rest of the meal, they made small talk. Disappointing, because Cadence had been hoping for a chance to gush about her new budding relationship with her best friend. Instead, she had shied away from the subject because of her mom's disapproval. She'd never be able to talk deeply about JD again with her mother. Not if all she was going to get were lectures.
It's like she doesn't trust me.

Her cellphone rang as soon as she finished washing the dishes. Relief washed over her when she saw JD's name on the caller ID. Without a word, she took the phone back to her bedroom so she could talk without her mother watching her every move. She didn't need any eavesdropping.

“Hey,” she said, smiling.

“Hey babe!” he greeted. “Sorry it took so long to call you. We haven't even eaten yet. Mom is taking forever, and I'm starving, but I wanted to talk to you before it got to be too late. I know how much you like your late night showers, and early bedtimes.”

“I don't go to bed that early!”

He scoffed quietly. “You're asleep by ten any time I'm there.”

“That's a normal bed time.”

“Not for a teenager.”

“I can stay up later if I need to,” she mumbled.

“Don't get all offended,” he said. “I'm just giving you a hard time.”

“I know.”

“So why are you on edge?”

She played with her hair as she tried to think of how to word what she wanted to say to him. “Had an awkward conversation with my mother. Awkward and bad.”

JD grew so quiet on the other end of the phone that she couldn't even hear him breathing. “So she knows?”

“Of course she knows.”

“And she's mad?”

“No,” Cadence said. It wasn't a complete lie. “Everything is fine.”

He exhaled deeply. “I wish break didn't have to end.”

“I know, but nothing is going to change once school starts up again. It'll be just like it's always been,” she said.

“Duh!”

She relaxed in her bed, tempted to press him for a stronger definition of what their relationship was, exactly.
But is there a need for that? I'm being paranoid. Besides, definitions are so old school anyway.
That's what she told herself to feel better, but it didn't necessarily help.

 

 

Orlando walked out of class ready to tackle the three he had remaining for the day. The first week back at school after Christmas was already almost over. It had been smooth sailing for the most part, and at first he was excited about getting back into his desk to learn. By the time Wednesday hit, he was already tired of classes. One more day, and then the weekend would be there. Not that school was trying or difficult for him. If anything, he didn't find himself being challenged enough. The hardest class he was taking was advanced biology, but once he'd taken the time to learn all of the terminology, it got significantly easier.

What he needed the break from, was girls. As soon as word got out of his break-up with Tait, the female population of Lunar Falls High School didn't want to leave him in peace. Orlando would like to attribute it to his natural good looks. He'd always been told blue eyes were swoon worthy. Or maybe it could be blamed on his dark, mysterious, bad boy persona. Girls had a thing for sarcasm, and his dark hair along with his all black wardrobe added to the image.

However, he knew it was probably only for one reason. Tait was popular as well as the head cheerleader of the squad. There had to be something special about him to make her want him so much. She still pined for him rather openly, making it no secret she thought of him as hers. In a lot of ways, he didn't know what was worse. Dealing with the awkward tension of spending time with her, or dealing with the girls he barely knew.
The other girls,
he decided. Tait gave him attention he wanted.

Nia waited at his locker, and she was another girl he didn't mind being around, mostly because he didn't feel as if she wanted to date him. At first he had wondered if that was the case. He couldn't read the girl all too well, but she came on strong, always wanting to hang out, talk to him, and follow him around like a lost puppy. As more time passed, it became clear she was just desperate for a friend who had something in common with her. Orlando wasn't so sure he fit the bill, but she made for good Tait repellent. As much as he didn't want to, he did need to spend some more time away until he could figure out what was going on in his heart.

“Hey Stalker,” he teased Nia as he opened his locker to grab the books he'd need for his next class. Orlando made sure to smile when he said it so she would know he was joking. Sometimes she got a little defensive over stupid things.

Nia pulled down the hood from her black sweatshirt and fluffed up her short, black hair, styled in a pixie cut. “So this weekend, we're still on right?”

He gave her a sideward glance. “I wasn't aware we had plans.”

“We do now, so we're still on?”

“How nice of you to check with me first.”

“Well, you don't have a girlfriend, so I don't know what else you'd be doing in your free time.”

Orlando rolled his eyes. “I have other friends I could hang out with, and you don't know my relationship status. The only thing anyone knows is I'm not with Tait anymore, and even that isn't certain because we did have a hot date over the break.”

“Oh, you got a new honey?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“I don't, but I'm saying I could. Apparently I have a female fan club now, and not just from our school.” He shrugged innocently. “What can I say? I'm a stud.”