“Yeah, I agree with that,” Jeremy said.
“Thanks guys,” I said, wrapping their necks with my arms and pulling them in for a group hug. Their heads collided.
“Ouch,” Jeremy and Lia yelled.
“Sorry!” I replied, releasing them. Being around them made me briefly forget I had super strength.
They both sat back, rubbing their foreheads.
“Have you been working out?” Jeremy asked, straightening his glasses.
I shrugged. “Maybe just a little,” I answered.
“I knew something was different about you!” Lia snapped. “I couldn’t put my finger on it. But you also look really happy, like you’re glowing. Are you wearing makeup?” she asked, studying my face.
“A little,” I answered.
“You have to give me the name of your brand. You’re face looks flawless.”
“It’s called Transformation,” Dom blurted.
“Transformation? I’ll have to remember that,” Lia said.
I could see Dom’s eyes in the rear view mirror, so I narrowed mine on him. He began laughing.
“Was he joking?” she asked.
“Yes, he was joking. I’ll show you what I have when I get home,” I said, and she sighed.
The rest of the ride was filled with tales and horrors of the school year and graduation. It was great to have my human friends back here with me. They brought laughter and reality back into my life.
When we arrived back at the house, Alaine immediately collected Jeremy and Lia, bringing them up-to-date on the wedding ceremony and reception. She then took Lia to try on her dress, which was supposed to be another surprise.
As night fell, Courtney, Caleb, Jeremy, and Lia hung out in my room. We laid around talking and laughing all night long, while Kade and the guys hung out in the cottage, playing games and filling up on junk food.
I couldn’t help but think about him, and Lia caught me several times staring blankly into nothingness.
“You’re thinking about him aren’t you?” she giggled.
I nodded. “My insides twist when I think about him.”
“I am so jealous of you two. You are so perfect for each other it’s disgusting… in the best possible way, of course,” she added.
“Yeah, I guess we are,” I giggled. She rolled her eyes, and then we continued on with our pointless conversations until our eyes got heavy and we all fell asleep.
When I opened my eyes the next morning, the boys and Courtney, had already left the room. Lia was still on the floor, and if I didn’t hear her snores, I would have thought she was dead. Her hair was a knotted mess, her mouth was hanging wide open, and I swear there was drool on the pillow.
“Lia,” I said, poking her with my finger, knowing anything short of an alarm wouldn’t wake her up.
A few moments later, Jeremy knocked and slowly opened the door.
“Alaine wanted me to wake you guys up. Breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes, and the hair and face people will be coming after.”
“Alright. I’m up, but,” I thumbed to Lia and shook my head. “I have sleeping beauty over here.”
“More like sleeping beast,” he said with a twisted face.
“Jeremy,” I scolded.
“I’ve come to awaken the Kraken,” he said, his face narrowed on her.
“Oh no,” I exhaled.
“Oooh yes,” he said excitedly. “And I brought back up.”
From behind his back he revealed an air horn.
“You can’t do that,” I gasped. “She almost killed you last time.”
“I can and I will,” he said, with a grin the size of the Cheshire cat.
“Where in the world did you get an air horn?”
“Caleb,” he answered flatly.
“Well, I am going to proceed to the bathroom and lock myself in. Don’t do anything until I’m safe,” I said, quickly running and grabbing clothes, as Jeremy stalked toward Lia. “And you’d better leave that door wide open for your quick escape, because she will pounce on you and eat you for breakfast,” I laughed, quickly shutting the door behind me.
I jumped as the air horn blasted. It wasn’t just a simple honk… Jeremy held it for a good three seconds. It was the loudest, most horrifying sound which carried straight through the door and vibrated my chest.
Lia screamed directly after, making me cringe.
Then I heard her yell at the top of her lungs.
“I hate you, Jeremy!”
Jeremy’s laughter quickly diminished as his footsteps carried him away. Shortly after, Lia’s thudding, angry footsteps followed.
Oh, he woke the beast and he was definitely going to get it.
It was great to have them back.
Excitement buzzed in the air as we made our way down to breakfast. When we entered the dining room, all the curtains were drawn to keep the back yard a secret.