Chapter 25
Lucas's arm weighed heavily on top of my own while he was spooning me from behind.
"Get off," I mumbled, shoving him gently off to the side of the bed.
Lucas faced up to the ceiling, spreading his arms out wide while his eyes were still shut. "Shush, let me sleep in peace."
I rolled my eyes while picking up my ruffled blue pillow behind my head. Without thinking twice, I smacked him directly in the face.
Lucas clenched his jaw at the same moment his eyes opened. Before I even had enough time to run away from him, he zipped me under his hard chest, supporting himself up by just his left hand.
"Come on Princess, you should know better than to do that," Lucas smirked darkly, ignoring my shocked gaze.
"Get off of me Lucas," I growled out, shoving his chest farther away from me, but barely moved him an inch.
Instead, he grabs both of my hands, and locked them together above my head with only one hand.
"You do realize I can make you fly across my room without even blinking an eye?" I reminded him, and he smirked.
"Go ahead. While I won't receive a scratch, your furniture will be destroyed."
"Fuck you."
"You wish, Princess."
Narrowing my eyes, I squinted, and his body flew off of my bed.
"Fuck you," Lucas groaned from the ground.
"You wish, Lucas."
After mumbling several curse words, Lucas hopped off from the floor and headed to the bathroom first, while I, smirked in victory.
After Lucas got his slow ass out of the bathroom, I rushed inside, brushing my teeth and hair.
Once I've exited my washroom, I found Lucas sitting by the edge of my bed, fully closed with dark washed jeans and a white shirt.
"Go in the bathroom," I demanded, pointing in the direction.
Lucas pouted, ready to ask why, but stopped when he saw my impatient expression.
Sighing, he stood up and stomped his way to the bathroom before locking himself inside.
In less than five minutes, I was dressed in dark washed jeans, and a maroon, spaghetti strap, loose tank top.
Right as I was slipping into my black Puma socks, Lucas banged on the bathroom door. "Can I come in now? I'm so bored," he whined.
"Yeah, yeah. Come in," I said.
Lucas swung open the door, revealing his cute little pout. "I was in there forever."
"Oh shush, you were in there for less than five minutes," I retorted just before grabbing my cell phone from my vanity.
"Whatever," Lucas mumbled under his breath as we both left my bedroom.
"Your bag's downstairs râ" I began to ask, but got interrupted from the sound of another door opening.
"Emma, who are you talking toâLucas?" My father, Alex, stood frozen in front of his bedroom door as his wide eyes met Lucas's cool ones, who was not even bothering to care about my dad seeing him this early in the morning.
Before I was able to explain the situation to him, Alex's expression morphed from shocked to complete anger.
In a matter of seconds, Alex pressed Lucas against the far wall beside the hall bathroom with his right hand lodged onto his throat.
"Why the fuck are you in my house, Lucas?" Alex snarls, bringing his head close enough for Lucas to smell his day old breath.
When Lucas didn't answer, Alex tightened his grip slightly. "Answer me boy! Why are you with my daughter?"
Not wanting to put up with his shit, I stood beside the both of them, and shoved Alex away from Lucas. "Don't act like a father. Not now. Not when you've been a completely different person since... since Vancouver."
Alex stared at me with unshed tears in his eyes as I grabbed Lucas's hand and moved him behind me. "And if you'll excuse the both of us, we have school to get to."
Without looking back, Lucas and I walked down the stairs, heading to the front door, where our bags laid.
"Yo Jase, you ready to go?" I shouted once Lucas and I both entered his house next door.
"Gimme a second!" He shouted back, and I sighed, turning towards Lucas.
Lucas looked off to the side, giving me a clear view of a bruise in the making. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry," I shirked as I dragged my thumb softly around the bruise.
Lucas remained silent as he gently pulled off my hand away from his neck. "It's alright."
"Okay, let's go," Jason said as he jogged down the stairs with his car keys in his hand.
All three of us silently walk to Jason's car, and as I open the back door behind the passenger seat, I briefly glanced at the purplish bruise on Lucas's neck.
Short conversations are spoken between all of us as we began to make our journey to school, which we reached after seven minutes.
"Hey guys," Anna cheered as she saw the boys and I walking inside the school, where her and Lauren stood.
I grinned, waving to the girls.
Anna nodded in greeting to the boys before grabbing Lauren's hand and tugging her in our direction. "We have some news," Anna sang, meeting us halfway with Lauren grudgingly following behind.
"What?" I asked.
"There's a semi formal going on in a week and a half!" Anna grinned, showing me a poster that I hadn't noticed was in her grip.
Furrowing my eyebrows, I grabbed the piece of paper out of her hand. In bold letters, words were written, saying, "Winter Wonderland," with hundreds of snow flakes variety in size filling the rest of the page.
"Are we going?" Anna asked, and I look up and notice her wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
I looked between both Jason and Lucas, checking to see if they'd want to come.
Once I saw Jason subtly nod, I turned back to Anna and nodded. "Yeah I'm down."
Looking over Anna's shoulder, I found Lauren casually checking her nails in boredom.
"How about you? You wanna go?" I asked her, and she shrugged.
"Yeah, I don't see why not. I'll ask Dylan during lunch," Lauren said.
I happily nodded, actually excited for a high school event. "Great! We can go all together as a group, it's gonna be so fun."
"Jason!" A pitchy voice shrieked from the opposite side of the hall.
Furrowing my eyebrows, I briefly watched as Becky and Allison made their way toward us, however, instead of matching Becky's cheerful expression, Allison's face showed no joy, only annoyance.
"Where have you been?" Becky asked as she trailed her index finger up and down Jason's broad arm.
Deciding to ignore Becky's presence, I turned around to face Allison, who was casually typing something on her phone. "What's up?"
Allison looked up from her phone, shocked I even spoke to her. "Uh, I'm good, I guess."
"I really like your top!" Anna chirped in.
Looking down at her outfit, I nodded in agreement.
Allison wore black knee length leggings with was a striped cropped ringer t-shirt with a small pineapple on the top left.
"Thanks," Allison blushed, looking down at her outfit.
"âBut I'm sorry, Becky, I don't want to ruin other guys chances of going with you!" Jason's voice rang in the background, and I looked behind me to see Becky on the brink of tears.
"But babyâ"
"Oh God, Becky! He said no, don't be desperate. There are so many more guys who'd love to go out with you. Now let's go," Allison said, going up to Becky to grab her wrist.
"Bye guys, nice chatting with you," Allison waved over her shoulder, and I slowly waved back.
"That was fun to watch," Lucas laughed, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I agree," Lauren followed Lucas's actions as she stood beside him.
Jason rolled his eyes at his friends before turning his attention to me. "So according to the flyers, they're selling tickets during lunch but I have no idea where," Jason stated.
I shrugged, but am suddenly weighed down by someones arm going around my neck. "We'll find it during lunch," Lucas said calmly as I tried shoving his arm away from me.
Jason slowly looked in between us before settling his gaze on Lucas. "Okay."
Without warning, the bell rand, indicating that there's five more minutes until class starts.
I finally managed to get Lucas's arm off me before turning around to face him. "I'll see you at lunch," I said.
Lucas's lips tip up slightly, but was so quick that only I could manage to see.
"Bye," Lucas said blankly before turning around and walking down the hall.
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"Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, " I chanted as I waited for Lucas outside of his classroom.
"Shut up," Lucas said blankly as he walked passed me.
I rolled my eyes, but followed him nonetheless.
Only five minutes into our search, and we found the tickets being sold right next to the entrance of the cafeteria.
"Hi," Philip Jonas, our student body president greeted us by the opposite side of the table with a large smile on his lips.
"Hey," I smiled back.
"You're looking lovely as always Emma," Philip said, his thick British accent laced through his voice.
"Thanks," I couldn't help but blush.
Suddenly, Lucas wrapped his arm around my waist, bringing me closer to his side. "We were just wondering where the tickets were being sold. That's all," Lucas stated dryly before guiding the both of us away.
"You're so territorial," I laughed, and Lucas just growled lowly, shooting glares in my direction.
"Oh, I'm so scared," I singed, poking his tightly clenched jaw.
"Stop it," Lucas mumbled under his breath as we're both nearing the group by the lockers.
"Then let go of me," I retorted.
Lucas grudgingly let go of me right when Lauren caught my gaze. "You found them?"
"Yeah, they're selling in front of the cafeteria. We can go afterwards if you want," I said.
Everyone nodded and we all made our way to the cafeteria line.
"What are you getting?" Lauren whispered next to me while the boys stood in front of us.
"Probably some fries and popcorn chicken," I whispered back, and she nodded, agreeing with my decision.
After Lauren got her food, it was my turn to order.
Right as I was about to give the lunch lady, Rita, my order, Lucas handed me exactly what I planned to order.
"Lucas, you have to stop buying things for me," I said, feeling bad that he's continuing to buy meals for me.
"I want to," he replied simply before turning around to leave.
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After we all finished eating, our whole group headed to where they were selling tickets, and we all purchased one.
Philip's previous seat was now filled by another student, and I could tell Lucas was pleased.
By the time we all got our tickets, the warning bell rang and Anna and I went to our shared class together.
After school, Lauren, Anna and I headed to Chapters, our local book store for the afternoon.
A book store that had home decor as well, may I add.
"Look at this pineapple!" Anna screeched when she saw a seven inch gold pineapple on display.
I grinned while Lauren scoffed, ignoring her enthusiastic friend as she checked out the journals displayed against the wall.
"This ones nice," Lauren commented as she picked up a light purple covered notebook with dark purple trees lined up from the corners.
Internally agreeing, I made my way over to the wall, keeping my eye on the crystal covered notebook.
Once I'm nearing it, I pay attention to the colors they've used. Beige, light blue, purple and pink, and some darker colors are thrown in as well.
"You getting it?" Lauren asked once the notebook is in my grasp.
Checking the price tag on the back of the notebook, it showed it only being fourteen dollars, which I happily grinned to.
"Yeah," I stated simply as I walked to the cash register.
After purchasing the notebook â and Anna getting the pineapple â Lauren drove me home, where I stared at the notebook in silence.
The notebook laid flat on my bed while I sat crisscross across from it.
What am I gonna write in it? I continued to ask myself as I drummed the black pen on the hard cover.
I found myself suddenly thinking about Adam, and who he's working for.
Suddenly a light went off in my head, giving me a bright idea.
I'm going to write everything I've learned over the last two months, and see if I can connect the dots.
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After my eight grade graduation, parents got to a huge fight, resulting in them divorcing. He barely ever kept tabs on me while I was in Vancouver, and seemed hesitant taking me in.
Was drugging me to keep my magic at bay.
I dropped my pen finally after an hour of writing.
Twisting my wrist, I re-read everything I wrote on my fathers chapter.
Did he find out I was a witch and was repulsed by the idea?
I shook my head. That's not it.
I'm still missing something.
"Emma!" Someone suddenly shouted, and I looked up to find both Lucas and Jason standing in front of my room.
I immediately tossed my notebook under my pillow, glaring at them in the process. "What the hell did I tell you about transporting in my room?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes while Jason answered for the both of them. "I didn't want to walk to your house."
"We live right beside each other!"
Jason stared at me blankly. "Your point?"
I rolled my eyes at his behavior, and started fiddling with my fingers.
"What's under the pillow?" Lucas's authoritarian voice booms in my small bedroom.
"A book," I said without pause.
Lucas's eyebrows rose, and suddenly my notebook was in his hand. "Hey!"
I quickly stood up to grab it out of his hold, but Jason stood in front of me, preventing me from reaching him.
"Why are you doing this?" Lucas asked once he had a chance to read through most of the pages.
"Because I want to understand God damn it! My whole life is a big ball of confusion, and just writing this makes me realize how many questions I have!" I ranted loudly as I frustratingly stomped back and forth.
Jason looked at me with question and I ripped the notebook out of Lucas's hold.
"Look, the crash back in Vancouver. They never found who did it! My... my fucking sister and mom died from the asshole and they never found who did it!"
I flipped the next page furiously. "Then Adam and Jasmine show up. They work for the Boss. Who, by the way, wants me, for some unknown fucking reason."
Next page. "My dad. He knew this whole time I had magic inside of me, and he was doing something about it! And he's been completely different for years!"
I threw the notebook on my bed as I faced my two stunned friends. "I don't know what's going on anymore," I whispered under my breath, ignoring the feeling of wanting to cry.
My gaze is directed to my feet, not wanting to stare into their intense gaze.
Suddenly, two bodies wrap their arms around me, and I see both Lucas and Jason hugging me on each side.
I lean my head on Lucas, feeling slightly more comforted.
"Thanks, I didn't know I needed a hug that bad, " I laughed awkwardly, taking a step back from the both of them once they let go of me.
"Let us help you Emma," Jason blurted out, and I stared at him with confusion.
"Let us help you find answers," Lucas explained, and I slowly nodded.
"Okay."
â¡
Bang!
My eyes fluttered open, and noticed Lucas sleeping next to me on my right, with Jason sleeping next to him.
Slowly getting out of his hold on my waist, I turned my head sorely to the front of my door, only to see Alex glaring at the scene in front of him.
"Dad?" I whispered, looking at my nightstand to see it's close to midnight on my clock.
He stayed silent, but moved forward to pick something up off of the floor.
While he's doing so, I quickly shake Lucas and Jason awake.
When I looked back to Alex, I found him reading the first page from my recently bought notebookâ which is my conspiracy theory about what happened back in Vancouver.
"What's this?" Alex demanded, but before I can even form a sentence, he glared at both Lucas and Jason.
"Leave my house, boys. Now."
Jason stood up, ready to leave, while Lucas sat up, leaning against my headboard beside me.
"It's okay," I whispered, bringing my head close to his ear.
I heard Lucas's breath slow down as he slowly nodded.
I waved goodbye to the both of them just as they began to leave my bedroom. Right when Lucas shut the door, I faced Alex, feeling slightly afraid.
Alex stared at me with no emotion before looking back down, flipping through the rest of the pages, while I, sat on the edge of my bed.
After a few minutes passed, he took a seat on my left, placing the notebook slowly on top of his lap.
"You really want to know what happened the night of your graduation?" Alex whispered, looking down on his lap as if he's afraid of just looking at me.
"Yes."
He sighed. "Well first off, I always knew you had something... different about you, Emma. Your mother, and... Jessica had it," Alex's voice cracked at the thought of his late daughter.
A tear slid down my cheek as I continued to listen to him. "I loved you all with all my heart. You having powers didn't stop that." Alex suddenly looked up, staring at me with emotion filled eyes, showing me how serious he was.
I slowly nodded, and he sighed once again as he looked back down to his lap. "After we dropped you off at the banquet hall, I drove all of us home. Right when we got inside the house, your mother rushed up the stairs, only telling me she had to do something."
Alex paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I was worried, so I followed her, but bedroom was locked. We didn't even have a lock on the door, so I knew she was using her magic," Alex spoke, laughing dryly.
"Once I managed to get inside, I saw her burning a leather jacket. On the back, there was written Eastside Hunters. When I demanded her to tell me where it was from, she just started... crying."
Alex looked back to me, anger shown on his expression. "She started apologizing. Begging for my forgiveness. But I didn't know what to forgive her for. So I repeated my question again."
"What did she say?" I breathed out when he took a long pause.
"It's Emma's fathers."
My eyes widened a millimeters as he sighed.
"You're not my biological daughter, Emma."
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That's a wrap!
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter... which I honestly thought would be much shorter.
So, I just became a leisure buddy for two weeks, and let me just say...
Why did I do this to myself?
I literally asked one of the people working there if I could take an Advil and drink coffee for the next day because I'll need something for my headaches and energy.
She said it's fine, but when I told my mom about my plan, she gave me shit.
But shush, she won't know.
Anyways, I'll see y'all in the next chapter, love you lovelies xx