The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (154 page)

             
“You know there is a way you can find out?” Josie hinted.

             
“How?”

             
“Ask him,” she said simply.

             
“I don’t even know where he is.”

             
“Visit him in a dream like he does you.”

             
“I never tried. I wouldn’t even know how? And how do you know he’ll tell me the truth?”

             
“You just have to believe he will. Didn’t you say yourself you figured out how to tell if people are lying?”

             
“Yes,” I said skeptically. It was something I picked up on a while ago. At first I thought it was a new power, but Ms. Kraft told me no. It was just my intuition kicking into overdrive – a perk of being supernatural.

             
“Ella, I think you’re making this more difficult than it is. I think you’re just scared to admit that you already know it wasn’t Tristan.”

             
“Well yeah,” I agreed. “If I admit that then that means it’s something else or someone else and I really can’t handle anymore.”

             
She sat down on the bed next to me and gave me a hug. “Ella, you no longer have to handle it alone. I’m here now and don’t plan on going anywhere for a long time,” she smiled.

             
“Now that you are back are you going to tell Billy?” I knew this was a sore subject, but I needed to take the attention off of me for a while.

             
She fell back on my bed dramatically. “Billy was so last season. I’m in the mood for a new look.”

             
“When are you going to stop kidding yourself? I think someone needs to admit a few things but is too scared to.”

             
“Ella please, there’s nothing to admit because there was never anything going on. We were just having fun.”

             
“Someone is in denial,” I sang.

             
“The only person in denial here is you thinking you look good in those sweats.”

             
“Hey,” I said, smacking her. “What’s wrong with these sweats? They’re comfy.”

             
“What happened to the Ella that actually cared about how she looked?”

             
“In case you hadn’t noticed, a lot of things have changed. And I do care how I look. Just not as much.”

             
Josie sighed, sitting up. “So what do you want to do now?”

             
“We can call Cameron and the rest and go watch a movie in the social room if you want?”

             
“Sounds great,” she said.

             
I called Cameron and Dean and asked them if they wanted to join us. Cameron agreed but Dean said he had other plans. What, I didn’t know, considering there was no one else here but Mackenzie. I shivered at the thought. Josie asked the other angels if they wanted to join us as well. Sophia said yes, but Dylan decided to stay in her room and pout. Clearly she was still pissed about being here and was not going to enjoy herself.

             
I also called Roman, hoping it wouldn’t be weird with Kyle there, but Kyle had said he understood so I was hoping he really meant it. I guess we would find out.

             
We watched two movies until I fell asleep in Roman’s arms. I was sad to say goodnight, realizing he could no longer stay in my room with me. I couldn’t stay with him either, because Dean was his roommate and that would just be awkward. After the five kiss goodbye, Josie got sick of us and pushed Roman out the door and slammed it in his face. “Goodnight Roman,” she said, standing in front of the door. I tried to glare over my smile but was unsuccessful.

             
“Goodnight Josie,” he laughed. “And sweet dreams, Ella.”

             
“Goodnight Roman,” I called, hoping he heard me before he left.

Aidan relieved us of our duties so we could rest up for school and prepare for the new students who we would have to
‘mentor’
. Gabe had told me now that school was starting up, Zane would no longer have the time to train me and I was going to go back to training with him. As much as I enjoyed my sessions with Zane I was actually happy to go back to training with Gabe, but I was not happy about getting up early.

             
I spent the week hanging with Josie, Cameron, and Roman. Kyle would hang with us once in a while. I could tell, despite what he said, he was still uneasy seeing me with someone else, but he proved he could do the friend thing. He even went out of his way to befriend Roman, which is a hard task to do when you’re one of my exes. Roman and Kyle were a lot alike and had so much in common it didn’t take long for them to become buds. It did take a bit for Roman to warm up to Kyle and only after Kyle and I both had convinced him we were just friends and he had no interest in trying to get me back. I was just happy everyone was getting along.

             
Dean hid most of the week and I was worried something was wrong. He just kept telling me he was catching up on his sleep and to leave him alone.

             
I didn’t bother him anymore.

             
The weekend before school started Roman asked me to stay with him in his room and promised me Dean wouldn’t be there. He said Dean had plans to spend the night somewhere else. Where, I did not know, and didn’t want to. I was happy to oblige to Roman’s request. Spending the night in his arms warmed my heart and made it easier for me to sleep at night. Of course Roman had other plans than sleep, but I was too nervous about Dean accidently walking in. So I told him he would have to suffer with cuddling. He didn’t seem to mind.

Chapter Twenty-five

For once I was actually excited for school to start. I was looking forward to seeing my other friends and I was actually excited to be mentoring the new students. I think I was the only one though. I thought maybe since they were new they wouldn’t be tainted by the many rumors that had been floating around last year about me. And since they were new I understood how they felt and could help them relate and also they would get to know me for me and not the freak everyone else thought I was when I started.

             
I was hoping to start a new outlook on life. I wasn’t going to hide from my powers or be ashamed. I was going to embrace them and try to accept who I was. I was going to be starting the school year with my best friend Josie and my wonderful boyfriend, Roman, by my side. With their help I knew I could handle anything.

             
“Okay seriously, I never thought I’d see the day I had to wear polyester,” Josie complained, fidgeting with her skirt that she hiked up way too high. She insisted I wear a skirt too because I had killer legs and should show them off. I told her I would only wear it if she stopped pulling mine up higher. It was still warm enough so I didn’t mind the skirt. I topped off the look with a light blue polo. Josie also insisted I wear my hair down.

             
I would have rather wore it up, but she reminded me I was to embrace my powers, not hide from them.
So much for all those hats I bought to cover my streaks.
“So when do you have to go babysit all the newbies?” Josie asked, while she still tried to pull my skirt higher.

             
I smacked her hand away. “I’m not babysitting. I’m their guide.”

             
“Whatever, better you than me.”

             
“What time is you first class?” I asked, while I slipped on my ballet flats.

             
“It’s at ten and it’s with that horrible Mr. Atkins.”

             
“Mr. Atkins?” I asked, not remembering him.

             
“Yeah, that hideous man that kept telling me I was fallen and trouble.”

             
“Oh,” I said, remembering that atrocious meeting in March when we had to tell all the teachers about the attack on the school.

             
“And we have to spend half the day with him,” she groaned.

             
“Why?”

             
“Because for some reason he’s the only teacher who knows the most about our kind.”

             
“He didn’t seem to want to jump on the angel band wagon.”

             
“I know,” Josie said.

             
We were interrupted by a light knock on the door. “Come in,” I called.

             
“Good morning,” Roman said cheerfully, walking over, and kissing me on the cheek.

             
“Good morning,” I smiled back, kissing him on the lips, wanting more.

             
Josie cleared her throat and Roman pulled back. “Good morning Josie.”

             
“Roman,” she nodded. “Say, did I ever tell you how much I love a man in uniform,” she winked.

             
“Down tiger,” I warned her.

             
She shrugged, throwing me a coy smile. “Do you have any cute brothers?”

             
“No,” he said curtly.

             
“Sorry I asked,” she said, noticing the sudden change in his mood, and stomped off into the bathroom.

             
“Roman?” he ignored me. “Roman, what was that all about?” I asked, not liking his sudden attitude toward Josie.

             
“Sorry, nothing. I just…I’ll go apologize,” he said, heading to the bathroom.

             
“Josie,” he knocked on the door. “I’m sorry. I was being a dick, forgive me, please?”

             
She opened the door with her arms across her chest. “You’re lucky I’m a sucker for a boy with an accent.”

             
“And one in a uniform?” He threw her his most charming smile, the one that few could resist.

             
She hit him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re forgiven, but only this once. Don’t do it again,” she warned.

             
“How about I keep an eye out for any new potential single men for you,” Roman offered.

             
“Good idea, just make sure they’re cute,” she said, grabbing her bag and heading out the door. “See you at lunch,” she called over her shoulder.

             
“Finally, alone,” Roman said, pulling me close and kissing me. His hand slipped down to my behind and I pushed him away.

             
“Tempting, but I’m going to be late,” I said.

             
“Would you like some company?” he asked, holding out an arm.

             
“You want to help me show the new kids around?”

             
“How else am I going to make sure no one comes and sweeps you off your feet?”

             
“And scope out potential hotties for Josie?” I added, smiling. He rolled his eyes as he escorted me out the door and to the quad where I had to meet the new students. Aidan told me I would have seven students and gave me a list of their names. All I had to do was give them a tour of the school and then drop them off at the assembly.

             
Piece of cake
.

             
They were right where they were supposed to be, at the entrance to the auditorium. Having Roman with me made me feel better about not having to do this alone. I laced my fingers with his as we approached the new students.

             
“You know,” Roman said, leaning in close. “I really like this whole skirt look. I think you should wear one more often.”

             
“Don’t get used to it,” I smiled, elbowing him.

             
We reached the students and I tried to remember what Aidan had gone over with me on what to say. Drawing a blank, I figured I’d start with the basics. “Hey everyone, I’m Ella and this is Roman and we’ll be taking you on a tour of the school and if you have any questions we’ll be happy to answer,” I said, smiling kindly.

             
“Nice streaks,” someone sang.

              “Um, thank you,” I said nervously, feeling the knots start to twist in my stomach.

             
“So are you that girl everyone’s been talking about?” they continued.

             
“Excuse me?” I craned my neck to look and see who was talking. A blonde with a Barbie like figure, manicured nails, and Gucci sunglasses stepped out from the crowd wearing a, I dare you smile. My jaw dropped. I stood there speechless.

             
“Nice to see you too,” she said, noticing my shocked expression. “You can close your mouth now, unless you plan on catching some flies?”

             
“Cassidy, I…what are you doing here?” I was so beside myself at the sight of her my brain wouldn’t function properly.

             
“This is a school, isn’t it?” she said sarcastically. I nodded not wanting to make a dumb comment. “Okay,” she said, drawing out the word. She took a step forward and pulled her sunglasses down to the tip of her nose, exposing her baby blue eyes. She gave Roman the once over and my hand tightened on his. “Nice arm candy,” she smirked. “I see you traded up.”

             
“Cassidy you’re –”

             
“Witch,” she finished for me, pushing her sunglasses back up and skipping over to me. She linked her arm with mine, pulling me away from Roman. “So how about we skip this little lame tour thing and get to the dirt.”

             
“Cassidy, I’m sorry,” I said, pulling my arm away from hers. “I’m glad to see you, but we’re going to have to catch up later. And as lame as this little tour might be I can’t get out of it.” I walked back over to Roman and the group, leaving Cassidy where she was. Now was not the time to dwell on why or how Cassidy was here. I decided I would get to that later.

             
“Okay so before we start I’d –”

             
I was interrupted again. “Oh my god, you’re the one everyone’s been talking about,” one of the boys said.

             
My hand tightened around Roman’s again. “Look, I think there’s been a mistake.”

             
“You’re the girl with all the powers,” he said, not caring that this was clearly making me uncomfortable.

             
I looked to Roman for what to do. This was exactly what I hoped wouldn’t happen. Roman stepped forward and spoke for me. “Look, when we said we’d answer your questions we meant about the school and to make things clear, yes she has multiple powers so I wouldn’t piss her off.” Roman turned and smiled at me.

             
“Thanks, I think.” I turned back to the group. “Okay so again my name is Ella and this is Roman and yes I have lots of powers and with every new power I get it turns parts of my hair blue and any other rumor you heard is not true. So how about we get back to the tour?” I said, turning with Roman and hoping the rest would follow. I thought if I just put it out there they would shut up.

             
The group followed suit without any more questions regarding me and the many rumors and for that I was thankful. I decided to skip the introductions, seeing no one else seemed to care. When we finished the tour of the school, I dropped them back off at the auditorium and waited for Josie like I promised. The boy who had asked about me in the beginning came and stood beside me. “I wanted to say I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said sincerely.

             
“It’s fine,” I said, not wanting him to feel guilty about being curious.

             
“I’m Trevor by the way,” he said, extending his hand. I took it and smiled politely at him. “That’s Jason over there,” he gestured over his shoulder. Jason did not seem like the socializing type.

             
“You and Jason know each other?” I asked, trying to be polite and keep the conversation going.

             
“We’re cousins,” Trevor said. “He doesn’t talk much. He just keeps to himself. He’s a
‘loner’
,” he air quoted.

             
I looked back over at Jason. He kind of resembled a younger Mark Wahlberg, while Trevor looked more like Chase Crawford. No resemblances between them accept for their dark hair. There was something about Jason though, I couldn’t stop staring at him. He caught me and the look he gave said he didn’t appreciate my staring.

             
Embarrassed, I quickly looked away. “Just ignore him. I always do,” Trevor said.

             
I saw Josie waving at me from the door. “It was nice talking to you Trevor. I’ll see you around,” I said, excusing myself to join Josie and Cameron.

             
“Hey, who was that?” Josie asked.

             
“One of the new kids I had to show around today.”

             
“Lucky you. Check out my 90210 crew,” Cameron pointed behind her. Standing there, were four blondes with the latest designer hand bags and all texting on their phones. Anyone that passed them they gave nasty looks and dissed their appearance.  I just shook my head. “Where’s Roman?”

             
“He’s talking to Justin. He said he’d meet me inside.”

             
“Well isn’t it the dynamic duo,” Cassidy cooed.

             
“Cassidy, holy shit,” Josie said.

             
“Sup, Jo.”

             
“Wait, you’re not freaked out?” Josie and Cassidy looked at me confused. I leaned in closely and whispered, “You do know that Josie died?”

             
“Yeah and she’s an angel,” Cassidy said, like it was no big deal. Seeing my stunned expression, she continued. “Ella, I’m a witch and have been for a while. I’ve always known about angels so seeing Josie is no big surprise to me.”

             
“Then why are you just coming here now?”

             
“Right, so my parents think I have no control and are tired of me
‘misusing’
my powers,” she mocked. “According to them there were too many incidents that could have been avoided if I knew how to use my powers properly.” She shrugged, not caring. “So Josie, I noticed Ella already has a new boy toy. How about you? Am I flying solo?”