TEAM DEMETRA OR TEAM SERENITY?
This chapter is dedicated to the awesome fan who started the team rivalries haha. Well done.
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"I miss you." I said to Dad who was clothed in a white robe. A slight smile twitched as his lips and as I tried to walk close to him, his figure began to disappear. I stopped walking and watched in absolute sorrow.
"Dad. I miss you Dad. Don't go yet please." I begged. His face continued growing faint and his arms and legs began to fade into the whiteness of the robe.
"Wait!" I pleaded. I felt myself sinking to the ground, hugging my feet to my chest, like a child. As the cold breeze sent shivers up my arms and legs I woke up to an open window. I could have sworn I closed it before going to bed.
I got up, still shivering and closed the window. I stared out into the tree by my window and the movement of the leaves in the wind sunk my heart for some odd reason. There was no one to warm them, no blankets for them to cover with. They would just fall off come winter, they would wither up and die.
I got a thick sheet from my closet and threw it on my bed before cuddling under it. The dream hit me twice as hard as when I was dreaming it and I turned my head into my pillow and sobbed myself back to sleep.
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"Morning mom." I greeted walking downstairs, fully dressed and ready to leave for school.
She smiled sincere and went back to making breakfast. I decided this was the best time to tell her. "Mom, can I have someone over for dinner?" I asked standing in front of her. She took bread out of the toaster and set it down on a napkin before replying.
"Sure sweetie. Who are you bringing?"
"Umm... Demetra." I said hesitantly. I took up one of the toasts and bit into half so that my mouth was full. I knew she had 20 questions going through her head by now.
"Oh darling! The girl you have been hanging out with? I finally get to meet her?" I began chewing on the toast slowly, the plain bread didn't taste that good without butter or juice to wash it down. I stared at mom waiting for her to finish.
"Does this mean you two are getting serious? Should I make a big dinner? What's her name?"
I looked up at the ceiling, wincing at the dry toast scratching against my throat.
"How does she look dear? Do you know what her favorite food is? Huh, honey?" I continued to chew staring at mom with uninterested eyes. When would she stop?
"Oh, I'm going to make my special punch!" She said excited. I choked coughing chunks of bread into my hand.
"Don't make the punch!" I pleaded. I threw the bread away and washed my hands then rinsed my mouth with some orange juice.
"Why not?" She asked looking slightly sad. I didn't want to disappoint her by reminding her that the punch gave me diarrhea the last time.
"Nothing. Go ahead make it." I assured her. Her face was back to its cheerful smile and her blue eyes scanned the kitchen excited to see what else she could do to make the dinner absolutely perfect.
I kissed her cheek and left before she pelted me with more questions. My bag pack and coat found me and remained elevated in the air until I grasped them both. Mom looked at me in amazement still not used to the whole power thing. I laughed before walking out the door.
"Demetra." I mumbled quietly. My mind was blank, probably because it was still half asleep.
"Demetra? Are you there?" I asked getting into my car. I dropped my bag pack on the seat next to me and started up the car. The cold steering wheel felt nice in my hands.
"Good morning." I heard her soft voice echo in my head and could only smile like a child. Her face appeared in my vision and her green eyes claimed me all over again. I really liked this girl.
"Good morning." I answered back. I didn't notice the blankness in my voice, but she picked it up quickly. I guess I was still a little shaken from the dream. I began thinking about it, flashes pouring back into my mind.
Demetra was quiet. Could she see it?
"Yea, I can...Are you ok?" She questioned. I shrugged unable to lie to her. I wasn't ok. If she could see me imagine the dream in my head, she could also see that I had randomly broken down.
"Why don't you come over here today?" She asked. Though she was not frowning, you could see the change in her face. She actually cared about me. She cared that I was sad and she wanted a way to help.
"You have dinner with my mom. Remember? I replied, pulling out of my driveway.
"Don't go to school today, come see me." She said. I contemplated it for less than a minute and re-routed my travel. I continued in a different path to the Hilton's neighborhood and left my car by the house she once told me she lived in. I got out and walked to the forest until she was by my side. The day was chilly and my hands were stuffed into my pocket. Demetra was wearing what looked like a light blue night gown and for once her hair was pulled into a pony tail bringing out all her best features.
Her naturally red lips looked softer, her big green eyes, her buttoned nose, the little strand of hair caressing her cheek. She was so beautiful.
I began to think I didn't deserve her.
As we walked through the chilly forest, the sound of branches crunching beneath me was some how soothing. It was silent and calm, and already I was glad I came here instead of school.
"I know you miss him." She said walking close next to me. I stared off into the forest thinking about the dream again. "It was a good dream. I promise."
I looked at her now. Her eyes pleading for me to believe her.
"Why do you think it was a good dream?" I asked curious.
"Max, think back, to when you very first met me.." She stopped in her tracks, turned so she was facing me and took my hands in hers.
"In the rain?" I asked, involuntarily pulling her closer.
"No." She blushed slightly. I thought back to what she could be talking about, then it snapped.
"In the Realm.." I mumbled looking at her surprised. "Wait! He's in a Realm?" I asked confused.
"Yes, but we don't have access to it. Only the dead go there." She confirmed. There was still some hope in me, hope that couldn't possibly be dismissed, now that I knew I could probably communicate with dad again.
"Demetra, I have to see him again." I pleaded. "Can you get there some how?"
Her face was empathetic. "I don't know how."
The hope was slowly drifting away. I almost got mad at her, but I controlled myself, that wouldn't be fair.
She ran her hands through my hair. "I'll find out if it means making you happy." She looked into my eyes, probably filling with tears. I couldn't cry in front of her. I cleared my throat and looked away.
"We should just leave it alone.."
"Are you sure?" She asked resting a hand on my cheek. I felt the surge of electricity that I always felt when she touched me.
I nodded moving my eyes back to hers. I felt warm hands move up my chest and lock around my neck. I took pleasure in the silence there was after she did that.
"I've never liked a boy this much before." She stated smiling slightly. Her face switched to confusion and it was so cute it made me grin.
"How long have you been alive Demetra?" I asked.
"Only since America got it's independence." I stared at her with wide eyes. Is that why she still dressed like this?
"Are you serious?" I asked. She giggled watching my reaction.
"No. I was born when you were. You kind of made me."
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Yea. Every Alternator is born at the same time as their Copron. I am your Copron, a stronger you in girl form. I grew up in a different Realm." She laughed.
"So your like my sister?" I asked disgusted.
"God, no. I'm suppose to be your soulmate. But it doesn't always work out that way."
"Does my Dad have a Copron?" I asked sadly excited again. Just to have my dreams crushed once more.
"Your dad doesn't have powers. Its just for us...we're special."
We went inside of the cottage and I walked to the couch, settling down for the day. I opened my arms and welcomed Demetra on my lap. She felt like a baby cradled to me. Her head resting perfectly on my chest and my arms around her waist.
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"Sweetie! Dinner is almost ready! Get down here." Mom called from downstairs. The smell of lasagna and chicken drowned the house. My stomach growled at me, just from thinking about it. I was going to do something different with my hair but it looks creepy so I just messed it back up and wore a dark green buttoned up shirt and jeans. I unbuttoned the shirt leaving my white undershirt visible. I liked it better that way.
My old converse would be as hard as I would try as far as shoes go.
I made my way downstairs to the table set with food. I finished it up by adding the silverware and additional napkins. I saw mom looking at me from the side of my eyes.
"What is it?" I laughed.
"You never dress up like that. This must be important. She said. She was wearing a nice red blouse and her favorite black skirt. Though she was slightly plump, mom was a beautiful lady. She had rosy pink cheeks and straight brown hair. Her eyes were the same blue as mine. It wasn't a mystery that I didn't know I was adopted. We did look a lot alike sometimes.
"Don't freak her out ok?" I cautioned smiling. Mom gasped and then laughed.
"I won't! When is she coming over?"
"Soon." I replied. There was a knock at the door, and my heart almost burst out of my chest.
"I'll get it." I said walking to the door, not seeming too hasty, but it probably still appeared that way, because mom was laughing.
I opened the door. "Dem-"
Serenity stared at me with a notebook in her hand. I sighed and walked outside, closing the door behind me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Dropping off history notes. We have a test tomorrow, thought you might want to know that since you totally left me without a ride home." I stared at the notebook then annoyingly back at her face.
"Are you sick or something?" She asked.
"No. I was with Demetra today. I cut school...don't tell my mom."
"Great." Serenity mumbled. Her face falling slightly.
"I'm sorry. I should have called and told you I wasn't coming." I apologized. She stood there staring at me the book held close in her arms. She was upset.
"Why are you all dressed up? You guys getting married?"
I smiled. "No, mom wanted to meet her."
"So, it's serious? You guys are dating?" She asked, her voice breaking at the end of the sentence. Was she about to cry?
"No...it's not official. Why are you so upset about this?" I asked, pulling her into a hug. She pulled back to look at me.
"Because, Max! It's not fair that we've been friends for years and you blow me off to be with someone you just met!" The tears were present in her eyes now. I felt like a complete asshole.
"You're right. That was a douche move. Forgive me? Please?" I wanted her to stop crying.
She held the book of notes out to me and when I took it, she turned and walked down the driveway. Hurt pierced through me like I have never felt before. I was ruining our friendship.
Mom opened the door slightly. "Is that Serenity?" She called. Serenity stopped in her tracks and from the door I could see her hands quickly move up to her face, wiping away all evidence,
"Hey! She said walking back to mom. "I haven't seen you in so long Mrs. Hunter!" She went to being so happy in seconds. I almost believed it myself. Her arms wrapped around my mother who rocked her side to side.
"You're as beautiful as ever, sweetie. How have you been?" Mom asked holding Serenity's hand.
Serenity looked at me then at my mom. "I've been great. I was just about to leave though. Don't want to interrupt your plans."
"No, no dear. Your family. You can have dinner with us." Mom insisted. 'Shit.' I thought.
"Is that ok with you honey?" Mom asked turning to me.
"Yea, Sounds great." I said heading inside. "Just perfect."