Seaside, California October 14, 2012
Celesta
THE sun was scorching down on the football field. With the concrete track surrounding the field, it seemed even hotter. Zach was out on the field with Eddie, and Brandon had yet to show his face. Amberly was with a group of girls attempting to try out for the cheerleading squad. She was with Maggie, making the girls do a series of drills. Elle had decided last minute to attempt to get on the team, but she had already busted her ass ten times.
Zach seemed to be doing great, Coach Jennings especially seemed to favor him over the other recruits. Lounged on the bleachers beside me was Scott, his arms behind his head and sunglasses on, without a care in the world. Lily was supposed to be here, but she had messaged me that Mr. Hathaway needed her for something, so lord knows how long she'd be.
"What is the coach saying about Zach?" I asked Scott, even though he seemed like he was relaxing, I knew he was picking up on every conversation around us.
"They want him on the team, but I think Zach is having second thoughts," he sighed, "He keeps muttering things under his breath. I can't pick up on it though."
"So he is just speaking gibberish?" I questioned.
"Basically," Scott muttered. "The coach just said he is going to be on the starting lineup as a receiver."
"That's great!" I smiled and gazed at Zach who was beside Eddie. I looked down at my phone, Lily's most recent message was from over twenty minutes ago. "Where the hell is Lily? She should've been here by now. I'm going to go look for her."
"No need, she's coming," Scott murmured.
I saw Lily walking with Brandon, my expression turned into a grimace.
"So, what was the reason they split?" I heard Scott inquire.
"He dumped her for Isabel Florence and broke her heart for no fucking reason. After I found out, I gave him a nice black eye," I snickered. "Actually, it happened just in time for picture day."
"You seem to enjoy partaking in violence, don't you?" Scott chuckled.
I nodded in response and gave him a fake innocent smile.
"Remind me to not get on your bad side then," he added.
"Brandon, please don't get involved with her," I heard Lily pleading with Brandon as they drew closer, right in the range where I could hear.
"Lily, why does it matter if I hang with someone? Like it's any of your business. Can you stop nagging me about Seana?" Brandon seethed.
Scott and I hopped off the bleachers after that.
"I'm not nagging Brandon, I'm just, I can't explain it okay? She isn't good to be around, please just trust me," Lily pleaded as she reached for his arm.
He recoiled from her. "No, not until you tell me what is going on and why it is just so important to stay clear of her, she hasn't done anything, Lily. Maybe you should get to know her yourself before spitting out accusations," Brandon remarked.
"She has done many things and is probably the last person you want to be associated with. However, it is your choice, even if it is a bad one," Scott broke in.
Lily and Brandon turned towards us, her eyes were teary.
"You too?" Brandon asked in disbelief. "What makes you all think you have a say in who I hang out with?"
Lily looked like she was about to start sobbing. What the fuck happened in that classroom?
Scott looked like he was about to murder him, he kept glancing between Lily and Brandon.
"Careful Kaiser, remember the last time when you made Lily cry?" I threatened.
He just glared at me.
"This has nothing to do with you Cel," Brandon hissed. "I just want all of you to stay out of my business." With that, he turned on his heel and stalked towards the field, with Eddie jogging over to him.
God, I wanted to take a cleat to his fucking head.
Lily started to move forward towards where Brandon went, but I clamped my hand onto her arm, halting her. "Let him go, Lily. He's an asshole," I muttered.
"No!" Lily whimpered. "You don't understand, Seana is going to," she stopped. "S-She is going to—"
"Just spit it out, Lillian!" I yelled.
"I can't! It's like my mind won't fucking let me!" she shrieked. "I can't do this right now. I think maybe I should go home."
Why would her mind not let her say anything? My expression darkened.
"Lily, what did you do before you were with Brandon earlier?" I asked.
"I was getting my book, then I—" she paused, "I think I went to my art class? But I don't know why. But I saw Brandon and I had to warn him about her."
"Seana compelled her!" I hissed at Scott.
Lily's eyes widened in shock.
"Compelled? I wasn't with Seana Cel, I was helping Mr. Hathaway," she chuckled. She turned to Scott. "Anyways, I'm gonna run, I'll see you later to finish the project."
With a turn of her heel, she was gone.
"What the hell was that?!" I gawked.
Scott was silent.
Her entire expression changed from upset and crying to almost blank and robotic, all because we asked what happened. Compulsion was too complex, it fucked with the mind. And I hated it.
"What the hell does Seana want with her Scott?" I seethed, getting up into his face. I was pissed.
"Well for starters, you can get out of my face," he frowned.
I reluctantly took a step back.
"Well?" I asked again, this time slightly calmer.
"I'm sure Seana had her do something, I'm not sure what. But when Lily comes over tonight I'll try to break the compulsion if it hasn't worn off by then," Scott murmured.
"No," I retorted. "I know you care for Lily and everyone, but I need to be there for her."
"Celesta, I trust you enough to leave you here with Zach and look after him, so you need to trust me enough that I won't let anything happen to Lily," Scott stressed. "I need you to look after Zach tonight whereas I can't."
"Zach isn't a child Scott, he can defend himself. Do what you need to do, we have to know what Seana is up to," I sighed. "Go look after her till then, I'll stay here."
"Thank you," he murmured, then dug into his pocket and got a pair of keys out. "Can you give these to him?" he asked. I nodded and took them. He looked around us for a second then sped off.
I looked down at the keys, they were to his black Camaro.
I knew had to take it to do some burnouts. I just had to.
Taking a deep breath, I slipped the keys into my pocket and walked back towards the field, Amberly was trying to show Elle how to cartwheel properly while Maggie was showing the recruits how to move and raise their pompoms. I remember Lily's parents had her be a cheerleader in first grade, and boy did she hate it.
"Cel! I got on the team! I'm going to be on the starting lineup!" Zach beamed, then looked behind me, "Where are Scott and Lily?" he asked.
"Uh, they had to go do their project," I chuckled then started fluttering my lashes. "Do you want to go see a movie tonight?"
"Cel, is something going on?" Zach asked, crossing his arms.
"Nothing is going on," I replied, feigning innocence. He didn't look convinced.
"Cel, Scott isn't the only one who can hear far away," Zach grimaced. "I understand why he wanted you to stay here with me."
"Zach, you know I didn't just stay here because he asked me to. I like you a lot," I admitted. "You already knew that..." I trailed off.
Zach smiled, then put his arm around me. I glanced up at him while raising one of my eyebrows.
"What?" he grinned, "Also, seeing a movie later sounds great. Do you want me to pick you up at your house? I can use my dad's truck or the Camaro."
My eyes widened, my father would not approve of me dating a werewolf, "Uh, I can just meet you there," I replied in haste, pulling myself away from him. "You are all sweaty from running!" I added.
"Do I gross you out now?" he laughed.
"Yes, you do. You smell like a—" I paused, I didn't want to say it, it was rude, but he did smell like a wet dog.
"I dare you to say it," he urged humorously.
"A very cute, adorable little puppy," I replied, he started to laugh again.
"Very funny. But seriously, why can't I pick you up?" he asked, he almost sounded upset at that.
"My father is very protective. But! I will introduce you to him eventually, I promise!" I reasoned, "I just need time to persuade him to be nice."
Which would be impossible.
"I'm not scared of anybody Cel, I think I can handle your father," he assured.
We started walking towards the parking lot.
"We'll just have to see about that," I chuckled darkly.
He had no idea how bad my father was when it came to being protective.