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"Not really, it was still you. You don't give me the serial killer vibe, so I think we're good. I mean, I may sleep with my door locked, but I didn't think you'd just eat me," I rambled on before catching myself.
"I wouldn't have. He's like a companion. I'm there, but he's in partial control when I shift. But he liked you, too," he said with a shy grin. A soft “that’s an understatement” was whispered under his breath, making me flush with pride. I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t feel the connection with him… with all of them.
"I liked him too. But, don't go thinking you get scratches and back rubs like he does," I joked, giving him a wink.
"That's just not fair, I'm a good boy too!" he joked, his smile finally reaching full capacity, a small dimple showing on his left cheek. Their easy acceptance of me made that loneliness ebb away, but that voice in the back of my head kept reminding me that true colors always show eventually. It was just a waiting game to see what theirs were like.
"Stop waiting for us to fuck up. We aren't perfect, but we won't treat you like those assholes," Lachlan said quietly, clearly picking up on my mood change and calling me out. I hate that they can see through these doubts I have so easily. "Come on, I'm starving. Anything sound good?"
"Not cafeteria food?" I quipped, taking his offered hand and hopping off of the counter. He led me out of the bathroom, not dropping my hand until we were in the other room. The others stopped talking when we entered, but it didn't feel awkward, more like they were surprised to see me. "Did you think I ran away?"
They relaxed at my joke, smiles and grins forming as they stood up and grabbed their coats. "I thought you might have. This shit is nuts," Evander joked back, shrugging into his black pea coat.
"It really is, but so is growing scales and gills," I mumbled, fixing my scarf around my neck and pulling my gloves on. "What's good in this town?"
Tristan's eyes narrowed on me for a moment before he spoke, his words laced with confusion. "You're a senior and never had food outside of this school?" I gave a shrug, nobody wanted to go out to eat alone. I spent enough time feeling like a loser, no need to make it worse. Plus, the idea of running into Clara wasn't too appealing.
"Well then, I say we wine and dine the lady," Aeson said, using a fake snotty voice. "Well, spoil and dine her since we aren't old enough to legally drink."
"Alcohol doesn't do anything for us anyway," Lachlan grumbled before turning to me and explaining. "Supernaturals have a higher metabolism and different internal structure, so alcohol works for less than five minutes."
"No drunken parties, got it," I said, a smile playing across my face. It felt so natural with them, that it made me excited to go to this school and check it out. Yet there was still this small whisper of doubt, the undeniable fact that something was holding me back. I think it was the fear that I would be an outcast yet again. Maybe Evander was right, I just needed to know more first. I wanted to know more about who I was before I went and joined them, too. "Wait."
They all stopped and turned to me, but now that I had their attention, I had to stop and think how to word it. Finally, I turned to Tristan for help. I gave him a pleading look before his eyes unfocused, and I sent all my jumbled thoughts and fears to him.
"She wants us to wait until she wraps her head around this, and figures out her powers before we tell the school we found her. AKA, she's asking us to stay here with her until then, and help her figure this out. Right, kitten?" He turned to me for confirmation, his grin full force since he’d elaborated a bit.
"For the most part, yes," I confirmed, shaking my head. "Why kitten?" I asked, confused as to why he would call me that if I was supposed to be a siren. He grinned brighter and chuckled to himself.
"Kittens are cute and adorable, but when they are cornered, their vicious side comes out. We heard about that right hook," he explained. I actually really liked that name, it was fitting. I'd take being unassuming to most until I'm pushed. I couldn't hide the smile at his explanation, letting out a little laugh and shrugged.
"I'll take it," I agreed, "Now, are you guys okay with waiting?" I got us back on track, wanting their confirmation before I agreed to go anywhere with them. My mistrust must have shown because a mental connection opened, their thoughts flooding my mind. It was startling and overwhelming, so I closed my eyes and tried to sort through it all. I could hear each of them thinking over the answer, mainly conflicted between hating this place, but wanting to be near me. It helped calm my nerves, knowing that they were genuine and had no idea I was listening in. It was surprising to hear that their mental voices were the same as their normal voices. I could tell because of Evander's Hell yeah! I'll take spending time with a hot girl, over going back and having to share her attention with the new school.
"Fair enough, let's go," I said, and they all turned to Tristan at once with accusing glares. He didn't even bother to look sorry, instead walking through the crowd of annoyed faces and holding out his arm for me to take, a small smirk on his face. I didn't miss the noises of protest Evander and Lachlan made, as I hooked my arm through his.
"Do you like seafood?" he asked as he led me out and through the school.
“Hell yeah! I can eat the shit out of some shrimp...huh, I guess it all makes sense now,” I said, laughing at myself.
“What does?” he asked, clearly not getting it.
“Well, I’m a siren, wouldn’t I want to eat seafood?” I joked, his eyes rolling instantly.
“Isn’t that like, cannibalism?” Lach joked behind us, making me snort.
“No, they aren’t tiny mermaids, any more than a chicken is a tiny person,” I shot back, shaking my head.
“Great, now I want chicken,” he whined, his stomach rumbling loudly as we made our way down the stairs. Technically, it was a school day, but there was no way in hell I was going to sit through class today. The bell ra
ng as we wound our way through the corridors, the students spilling out around us. I reveled in the feeling of their shocked eyes on me, jealousy replacing the usual hate. Until we saw Clara. She was in the Headmaster's office, being yelled at about expulsion, tears streaming down her face. Of course, he left the door wide open like the asshole he was. We slowed as we walked past, and Clara turned her watery eyes toward us. She glared over at us, the hate now mixed with fear as she took us in, my arm still hooked in Tristan's.
"Well, I don't think you'll ever be having a sleepover with her," Aeson muttered behind us. The others snorted, and Tristan picked up the pace so we didn't have to look at her any longer than necessary. Walking between these five and knowing that I was no longer like the humans, gave me that extra boost of confidence to keep my head held high.
When we stepped outside, I realized that we had no way to really go into town. Most students didn't have cars unless they weren’t from the cape, though at this point I probably shouldn't doubt them. They seemed to get away with a lot more than the average student. And knowing what I do now about them I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a magical element to it all.
"Our car is over here," Tristan said with a laugh, reading my thoughts again. That was definitely going to take some getting used to.
Aeson snorted and walked up to my other side, putting his arm around my neck and whispering dramatically, "It's weird at first, but he grows on you."
