Guardians(8)

”

Tears spring to my eyes. But I pull them back. I’ve gotten good at that. No more crying all the time. It does little to help. I look down at the floor. Miku places her hand over mine.

“Frat parties suck, someone always throws up on you. I hear childbirth is excruciating. And the books are always better than the movie.”

“Well then, I’m totally ready for death now,” I laugh despite myself. She looks at me with sadness and concern.

“Emmy, I’m sorry that you’re…”

I know Marcus wants me to keep hoping, but when the girl that died the worst death in Guardian history looks up at you with that much pity…you know the end is very near.



***************************

It was a good thing Miku and I went shopping because a few days later, Marcus texted me. It turns out I didn’t even need to seduce him.

“Hey, need 2 C U alone”

OMG! This is it! What do I do? What do I wear? How do I…should I…???



Okay, Emmy. Do. Not. Panic.



I make myself calmly reply to make sure that we are both on the same page.

“Is it about the Triplex?” I text.

“No. It’s…personal.”

Just to make extra sure, I texted more questions.

“Will team B there?”

Please say “no.”



“No”

We’re going to have sex. Yes!



Wait. We’re going to have sex?



OMG!!!



I sit on the edge of the bed and panic for a full five minutes. I have seen this stuff in movies all the time. Why is this still freaking me out? I have wanted this moment since I met him. There are a million butterflies doing a tumbling routine in my stomach.

I wish my mom was here. Well if she was, I’m sure she would be against it. In fact, she’d ground me forever but still I could use a hug, or at the very least, antipsychotic meds because I am losing my mind.

“Okay, Emerson Hope Baxter, keep it together.” I order myself out loud in the mirror.

“You have come a long way. You know he loves you. You love him. And tonight is going to be special. You’re going to make love to an Angel. How many girls get to say that?”

Then something happens that almost never happens: I talked myself out of panic mode. I walked over to the closet and picked out a black mini-skirt and top Miku bought me. I put on heels and thank the heavens above that they are wedges. Had they not been, I would surely have fallen over. I let my hair out and put on some gloss. I’m not Ameana but I cleaned up pretty okay.

As I headed out the door, my nerves give way to excitement. I love him so much. I can’t wait for the chance to love him in a whole new way.

Jay and Rio are standing guard over me tonight. I didn’t even have to call Rio for him to come and get me.

“I read your Wave; anxious and excited.”

“Yeah,” I say bashfully.

He reads more of my Waves.

“Oh, I see,” he says.

“Rio, please don’t tell anyone—”

“Hey, it’s none of my business.”

“How do I look?”

“Great.”

“Thanks.”

We head outside. Jay asks why I’m wearing a skirt. It’s a fair question sine I have made a religion out of jeans and sweaters. I say I just wanted to wear something different. He exchanges a look with Rio. This is so embarrassing.

I wish Marcus had come to pick me up himself. It would have been better if the whole team wasn’t in on what was going on. But I don’t even care at this point. All I want is to be alone with my boyfriend.

Once we get to the house, Rio and Jay see me upstairs and head back out. I enter and find Marcus among his books as usual. He looks up and sees me standing before him.

Suddenly I’m not really sure what to do with my hands. I keep shifting my weight and biting my lower lip. I think back on what Miku said and I try to give off an air of confidence.

“Hey,” I say, in what I hope is a light, breezy, sexy tone.

“Hey,” he says quickly.

“Where is everybody?” I ask taking my coat off. I wait for him to see my new outfit.

“Demon hunting,” he says not looking up. Damn.

“Oh.”

“That’s why I asked you over.”

“I kinda figured,” I say slowly, gaining more confidence. He stands and gives me a quick kiss.

“I think it’s about time this happened,” he says softly in my hair.

“Okay, um…should we go to your room?” I ask, uncertain about undressing in the middle of the living room.

“No, out here is fine,” he says simply.

“Okay,” I wanted more privacy even through we were alone. But I didn’t want to disagree with him and ruin the mood.

“Stay right here,” he says, as he runs into his room.