Shift (The Neturu Chronicles) (25 page)

               
Tracy pauses again. “Are you sure you have mono, you sound fine?”

               
“No,” Kayla groans, “I’m really sick.  I should go back to bed.  I’ll
call you tomorrow.”

               
“Fine, I would ask if you need anything, but I can’t be around you.  I
totally
do not
want mono.  I like kissing boys too much.”

               
Kayla sighs. “Tracy, how is that you don't have chronic mono?”

               
“I'm gifted.  And speaking of hot boys, I should see what Jackson is
doing.”

               
“Yeah,” Kayla replies.  “I don’t think he’s doing anything tonight.”

               
Humming, Tracy inquires, “So you wouldn’t mind if I did something with him?”

               
Kayla's chest tightens and she murmurs, “Nope, do what you want.”

               
“All right, bonus for me.  I won't hit on him, but he is sure pretty to
look at.”

               
“That he is,” Kayla replies.  She rubs her forehead. “I have a
headache.  I want to go lie down now.”

               
“Okay, talk to you soon.”

               
With a nod, Kayla says, “Yup, bye.”  She hangs up the phone and sighs,
half-laughing. “Mono?  Really, Jackson?”

               
She goes back to her closet and starts to go through her stuff again. 
Kayla decides on a plaid skirt and button-up top.  As she is getting
dressed, her phone rings again.  When she grabs the phone, she smiles as
she answers, “Didn’t you just leave?”

               
“Yes, well, I wanted to remind you to bring your bathing suit,” Damien replies.

               
“Okay, I’m getting ready, so I’ll make sure to put on my bathing suit.”

               
“Awesome.  I’ll see you soon.”

               
“Yup, it won’t take me long to get ready.”

               
“Okay, beautiful, don’t let Jackson drive you nuts, and I’ll talk to you in a
bit.”

               
A light laugh comes from Kayla. “Okay, bye.”

               
“Bye,” Damien says before he hangs up.

               
After she is dressed, Kayla runs down the steps.  She finds Jackson
sitting in the living room.  “Hey.”

               
He looks up at her and raises his eyebrows.  “Wow, Kayla, you look really
pretty.”

               
“Thank you,” she chirps.  “I’m all set to go.”

               
Jackson sighs. “All right, are you sure about this?  I mean, Damien has
his reasons.”

               
“I know, he told me already.”

               
With a surprised look, Jackson says, “He did?”

               
“Yup, now if only you would tell me why you’re so repulsed by the idea of us
dating, then everyone would be honest.”

               
“You’ll probably figure it out soon.”

               
Kayla shakes her head. “Whatever, Jackson, it doesn’t even matter.  Let’s
go.”

               
They grab their jackets and head out the door.  The ride to his house is
somewhat awkward because he doesn’t say anything.  Kayla fiddles with her
skirt.  Finally, they pull up to Jackson’s house, and he parks.  He
sits in silence for a moment before turning to her.  “I want you to be
happy.”

               
“Well, I’d say I’m happy right now, but this is all a little much.” Kayla
laughs.  “I’ll be fine, and I like Damien, I really do.  Plus, he
seems like a really nice guy, maybe a little promiscuous, but a good guy
nonetheless.”

               
“Yeah,” Jackson exhales.

               
“Though from the sound of it, as much as you don’t want to admit it, you’re a
lot like him.” Kayla sighs, looking out the window.

               
Jackson pauses before responding. “What do you mean?”

               
“I mean, you make comments about him, but you’re pretty much the same. 
He’s a nice guy and you’re a nice guy.  You’re both really smart, and
you’re both a little crazy with the girls.”

               
“When did I ever say that?” Jackson snaps.

               
Kayla shrugs. “Just comments you’ve made.  Why?  Am I wrong?”

               
“I’m not like Damien!  He has been really…well, that’s beside the point, I
guess.”

               
“Do you think I have to worry about that?  Answer me honestly.”

               
Jackson shakes his head.  “No, as far as I know, he’s never shown true
interest in a girl. You’re the first person he’s taken seriously.”

               
“Good to know,” Kayla exhales.  “And it’s good to hear you aren’t all
slutty.”

               
“No.” Jackson chuckles.  “I’m not like that.”

               
Curious, Kayla inquires, “Can I ask you a question?”

               
“Uh-oh, I’m always hesitant when you say that, but yeah you can ask.”

               
“You aren’t a virgin, right?”

               
With a twinkle in his eye, Jackson laughs.  “No, I’m not.”

               
“Well…I meant more…with our kind,” Kayla whispers as she looks away.

               
“Oh…no in that aspect I am.  I’m really hesitant about taking that step
with another person of our race.  My family has high expectations and
everything.”

               
Realization slams into her. “Is that why you don’t want me? I’m not good
enough!”

               
“
No
!  Kayla, no.  It’s the exact opposite.”

               
“What?  What does that mean?”

               
Jackson opens his mouth and then closes it.  “Nothing, it’s nothing, let’s
go in.”  He opens his door and jumps out of the car.

               
Kayla scrambles after him. “No, tell me what that means.”

               
He shoves his hands in his pockets.  “It’s nothing, Kayla.  Leave it
be.”

               
“Jackson, you’re going to make me scream.  Tell me what that means,” she
commands.

               
Spinning around to her, he snaps, “My parents are trying to push me to date
you. 
That
is the reason why we moved here.”

               
“Oh, so…you don’t want to be with me because of that?  You want to rebel
against your parents?”

               
“It’s more than that.”

               
Kayla blows out a breath of frustration.  “I guess you don’t need to feel
forced, because it’s never going to happen!”  She turns and storms toward
his front door.

               
“Kayla, stop!”

               
Ignoring him, she crosses her arms and keeps her back to him.  When she
gets to the front door, she hesitates.  Turning around, she growls, “Can I
go into your house?”

               
“You never have to ask that,” Jackson returns, coming up to her.  “You can
walk into my house whenever you want.  You are always welcome.”

               
“Thanks.”

               
Jackson opens the door and holds it for Kayla.  She brushes past him
without a word.  Knowing where the kitchen is, she walks down the hallway
toward it.  She turns the corner to find Damien at the counter.  He
looks up and smiles.  “Hey, beautiful.”

               
“Hi,” she replies, forcing a smile in return.

               
“Uh-oh, what’s wrong?” Damien asks, setting down his chopping knife.

               
Kayla sighs. “Nothing.”

               
“Was Jackson a jerk again?”

               
With a roll of her eyes, Kayla replies, “Not on purpose, just a little too
honest.”

               
“I’m sorry.  Anything I can do to help get your mind off of it?”

               
Kayla grins.  “You can make this date really good.”

               
“How am I supposed to do that?” Damien inquires, returning her smile.

               
Kayla shrugs. “I don’t know.  Work your magic.”

               
“Sounds good,” Damien retorts.  “Here, I made some bruschetta to start.”

               
“Wow, you really can cook.”

               
Damien nods his head.  “Yes, I can.”

               
Picking up a piece of it, she takes a bite.  “Wow,” she moans. “That is so
good.  It tastes a little different.”

               
“It has Kiej in it.  You need to eat more of that right now.”

               
“Well, it tastes good,” Kayla states, taking another bite.  “So tell me
something about yourself.”

               
Going back to chopping, Damien hums. “What to tell you.  My favorite movie
growing up was
The Neverending Story
.  I know it’s from the 80s,
but I love it.”

               
“Oh!  Mine was
The Lion King
,” Kayla exhales.  “And
Grease
! 
Have you ever noticed how inappropriate that movie is?  I only realized
that when I got older.”

               
“I know, I can sing the whole movie.  I usually don’t admit that, though.”

               
Laughing, Kayla replies, “Now that just earned you some cool points.”

               
“That’s good,” Damien says, throwing vegetables into a pan.  “Tell me
something about yourself.”

               
“You’re my first real date.  Jude was in the eighth grade and doesn’t
really count.”

               
With a smile, Damien says, “Well then, I have to make this a great night.”

               
“I won’t lie, I’m nervous.  You intimidate me a little bit.”

               
Shock passes over Damien’s face.  “What?  Why?”

               
“You’re super intelligent, which I find horribly attractive, and you’re much
more experienced than me.  I’m afraid I’m going to be an epic failure in
that department.”

               
Damien wipes off his hands and walks over to her.  He puts his hands on
her arms.  “Kayla, relax, you’re going to be a great date.  I have
had so much fun with you already.  This will be easy for us.”

               
“Okay,” Kayla sighs with a small grin.

               
He brings his own hand up and holds the side of her head.  “You are
extraordinary, don’t think otherwise.”

               
“Thanks,” she replies, slightly relieved.

               
Damien pauses and then bends down to kiss her.  As soon as their lips
meet, the electrical charge returns.  Kayla can’t help herself.  She
pulls him close and presses herself against him.  They stand there for a
while kissing each other.  When it starts to get intense, Kayla pushes
away from him.  Damien takes a step back.  “Sorry, my fault.”

               
“No,” Kayla exhales.  “It’s like I can’t control myself.”

               
“That's what I meant by my fault.  I can manipulate our energy, thus
exciting you.”

               
Confused, Kayla says, “What?”

               
“Give me your hand,” Damien instructs, sticking his hand out.

               
Hesitantly, Kayla does as he asks.  Damien takes her hand in his and looks
into her eyes.  A wave of pleasure passes through her.  “What in the
world,” she mutters, yanking her hand away.

               
“It’s what happens when we come into any sort of sexual contact with each
other.”

               
Her jaw drops.  “And how did you learn to do this?”

               
“Oh, well…from the little bit of experience that I have had,” Damien mumbles.

               
“Little bit,” Kayla retorts, crossing her arms.

               
He puts his hands out.  “Yes, little bit.  I’ve only been with one of
our people.”

               
“Oh…really?  I thought it was more than that.”

               
“No, it was the one girlfriend that I had.  Not the best experience of my
life.”

               
Curiosity gets the best of her. “Why was it bad?”

               
“She was only interested in me because of who I was.  We kind of used each
other.  That wasn’t the lowest thing I’ve ever done, but close.  I
know you’ll probably think less of me, but I plan to only be truthful with
you.”

               
“No, honesty is the best policy.”

               
Damien turns around and returns to the stove.  “Oops, don’t need to burn
our dinner.”  He stirs the stuff in the pan.  “I’m glad you don’t
think I’m a horrible person.”

               
“I just want you to realize I don’t intend to have sex with you…at least not
for a long while.  I don’t want you to manipulate me either.”

               
Damien replies, “That's understandable.  Now, let’s get off this
subject.  Tell me more about your favorite things, like color, books,
flowers, bands, songs.”