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  “Then what is it?” he demanded.

  This was the angriest I’d ever seen him. Quite honestly, it was almost humorous seeing the always goofy, comedic Mark Spears being confrontational. A part of me was proud of him, another part was beginning to get annoyed with his persistent, and now physical, inquisitions. I’m still a demon, and prone to get angry very fast when I feel I’m in a hostile situation.

  “Listen, Mark, for the last time, leave it be. That’s the only answer you’re going to get from me, got it?” I replied.

  I walked around him when he hit me with some harsh words. “So it’s going to be like that, huh? This is how you want it to be now? Fine, Leo. You can have it your way, walking away from me, friendless…the same way you entered our relationship.” His choice of words cut me like a knife, stopping me cold. I turned around to face him as he stepped up to criticize me further.

  “You know what this says about you, bro,” he pointed into my chest, “it says to me that you only give a damn about yourself. I guess this is why you’ve never had me over to your house, or why you’ve never let me meet your parents. You must think you’re better than me or something. Did you forget that I’m the one responsible for hooking you up with Shade, for hooking you up with friends, period? Before you hung out with me, you were just some friendless loser that sat in the back of class, staring into space. Yeah, that’s right, I said loser.”

  A flicker of fury welled up inside me. I needed to get away from the situation before I did, or said, something I would later regret. But yet, I stood in silence, listening to him badger me.

  “You know what? Forget it,” he said, shaking his head in disgust.

  When Scruffy completed his barrage, he walked by me in a huff and slammed into my shoulder with his. This treatment instantly infuriated me and just as I was about to confront my ex-friend about it, Shade ran up and put her hands into my chest, stopping me from advancing.

  “Leo, baby, take it easy…calm down…look at me…” She reached up and gently pulled my face down to her with her hand. “Your eyes, hun…your eyes are turning to pure black with your anger. You’ve got to calm down and get your emotions in check before somebody sees them.”

  I was infuriated but managed to cool myself down enough to focus on Shade’s efforts. I was so locked in on what Scruffy said that I didn’t notice the once packed hallway had become completely empty. Suddenly the bell rang, telling us we were late for our next class.

  “Don’t let it get to you, Leo. You’re doing the right thing. He just doesn’t understand. He still cares for you, I’m sure. I’m confident you two will get things ironed out. Look, we’re both late; if you want to, we can talk about it later. Smile, sweetie.”

  Shade gave me a quick kiss and reached over to squeeze my hand in hers, reassuring me that she was still by my side. I watched her jog down the hallway before disappearing around a corner. I was still frustrated from the encounter and thought it best to leave school to go calm down. No sense in risking another confrontation in which I could possibly lose control. I shook my head and huffed my way out of the hallway, shoving open the doors to the outside world in anger, hearing them bang shut behind me.

  I wasn’t concerned about missing more school because, being what I am, I could easily gain access to ‘things,’ like files or computers in the school offices and change them to suit my needs accordingly. Wouldn’t be the first time I did something like that; one of the benefits of being supernatural.

  I got home and waited out the remainder of the school day, thinking about what Scruffy said. I was still angry. Although I completely understood the motives behind his behavior, I still couldn’t believe he had that little of faith in me. How could he think I would just end our friendship without justification, or a good reason? Didn’t he know me better than that? Somewhere, deep inside, I knew he had to know better. He would come around eventually, I hoped.

  It seemed like no time at all had passed before I could hear Shade’s little car struggling to climb up my driveway. Shadow recognized the sound of it , somehow, and he darted from our tree towards where he knew she would park. They greeted one another briefly when she got out and walked towards me.

  “I didn’t see you at school after the confrontation. You still down about Mark?” she called up to me.

  “Nah,” I lied.

  “Whatever. Anyway, I have some news that may cheer you up.” She grinned.

  “What news is that?” I mumbled.

  “Will you get down here please so I don’t have to keep shouting up at you?”

  Adhering to her wishes, I hoped off my branch.

  “Thank you.” She gave me a grin. “The reason for my visit, at least for today, is that my parents have been curious about meeting this new boy they’ve heard so much about. So, they invited you to dinner at our house tonight in order to get to know you.”

  Instantly caught off guard, I switched emotions from being a little bummed, to being over anxious.

  “Dinner…tonight?”

  “Yeah, tonight. You have plans or something?”

  “Well, no, but besides being in the presence of Christian or any of the council members, I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous about a meeting.”

  “You’ll be fine, especially after you get a mouthful of my father’s barbequed grilled chicken…oh, wait, nevermind…”

  “Ah, yeah, you forget? All sulphor and ash to me. I couldn’t tell you the taste difference between lobster and lint.”

  “Well, at least try and pretend it tastes good, will ya?”

  “Don’t I always?”

  She flashed me a reassuring grin and gave me a warm hug and kiss. “I gotta go get ready.”

  “Already?” I replied, slightly disappointed.

  “Yeah, lackey. I want to look nice for dinner with my boyfriend. Speaking of that, you make sure to wear something casually nice. Transform, change, whatever you do, do it.”

  “Geez, you’re almost as bossy as Christian.”

  “Just look nice, please. And what do you mean by almost? I demand much more out of you than he does.” She winked as she headed back to her car.

  “Stay here, Shadow. I’ll come get you later,” she assured my little buddy, who was following her.

  “Oh yeah, Leo, be thankful you’re not of this world…”

  “Why is that?” I threw my hands up.

  “…because my dad is a gun owner.” She chuckled as she climbed into her car.

  “I could’ve done without that. Hey, what time should I show up?” I shouted through her open window as she was turning around to leave.

  “Be there at six! Bye, babe!” She blew me a kiss and quickly took off down the hill.

  I waved to her before bending down to pick up Shadow. “Let’s see, pal, what can I come up with to wear?” I scratched my furry friend’s head as he purred in my grasp.

  I eventually came up with something that I thought would be proper for the first meeting with the girlfriend’s parents. It was also my first time being under parental scrutiny, well, that I knew of, so I hoped my attire was fitting. I had just enough time left to make sure I made it over to their house. In the human world, I’ve heard that it’s best to show up to important occasions a few minutes early, especially in cases of suspicious parents meeting the guy in their little girl’s life. But on the other hand, why am I in such a hurry to be potentially hung at the gallows?

  All kidding aside, I showed up about twenty minutes early, pulling up to the Lewis family home. I entered through their white picket fence and cautiously walked up the curvy sidewalk. Although I had been to her house a bunch of times up to this point, this was the first time I was actually about to use the front door. I hopped up the three small steps that took me to the porch and front door. Just as I raised my hand to push the door bell, Shade slung the door open.

  “Hey,” she greeted, before giving me a disapproving once over.

  “What are you wearing?”

  “What
do you mean? You said something nice.” I adjusted my tie.

  “Yeah, but a business suit? I can’t tell if you’re going to a meeting or a funeral. C’mon, before they know you’re here.” She quickly tugged me by the arm to my car.

  “I thought this is what you meant by dressing nice.”

  “Yeah, if you’re meeting the President. This is just dinner with my parents. Be yourself. I expected you to dress casually nice. Wear something like you did on our first date.”

  I slid back into my ride and instantly transformed my attire into something more…casual. I thought a short sleeve, V-neck, designer black shirt, with dark blue jeans and brown Doc Martin boots, complemented with a dark colored bomber jacket would do the trick. Instantly I knew Shade approved as her eyes lit up.

  “God, you look hot.”

  “Is this…casually nice enough for you?” I teased.

  “Oh yeah, now you can come inside.”

  We held hands, walking back up to her front door. I wasn’t comfortable showing even that little bit of affection near where I thought her mother and father could see us. Just before we walked in, she gave me a little insight about her parents.

  “You’ve known that my father is a carpenter that builds custom homes and does handyman work on the side, but you don’t know much about my mom. She used to be a school teacher, but once dad’s business took off, they agreed to her retiring early in order to take care of me shortly after I was born. Lately, she’s been thinking about going back to teaching again now that I’m old enough to take care of myself.”

  “Are you sure about that?” I kidded as she opened the door to go inside.

  “Very funny. Just one more thing about my mom though, she thinks she’s a sensitive or something,” she whispered.

  “You mean, like a psychic?”

  “Kind of. She thinks she can read peoples auras and get insight on who they are and what they’re about, but I don’t think she has that ability. I think it’s more of the lingering effect of the 1960s creeping back into her head from time to time, if you know what I mean.” She giggled.

  “Your mom and dad are a couple of hippies, eh?”

  “Pretty much.” We both chuckled under our breath.

  “Mom, Dad, Leo is here!” she yelled into the house as we walked inside.

  Quaint family pictures filled the walls of her house, giving the home a warm and loving feel. You could tell they were a very tight-knit family. She guided me into the living room and around a lightly worn couch that was complemented with a matching recliner sitting right next to it. A flat screen television flickered the ballgame that was just getting underway, telling me that either her mom or dad, or both, were sports fans. Shade continued to pull me by the wrist and just as we were about to enter another room, a man walked into the living area holding a pair of cooking tongs in his hand. Shade nearly ran smack into his chest.

  “Hey, Pop!”

  “Hello, dear, who’s this you have with you? Would this be the all-too-perfect Leo we’ve heard so much about?” He extended his hand toward me.

  “Yes, this is Leo, Dad.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Hello, sir, nice to meet you,” I greeted, meeting his hand with mine.

  “Hello, Leo. That’s a firm handshake you have. My father used to say that’s a sign of a strong, confident person.”

  “Ah, yes, sir, thank you.”

  Slowly, he leaned in closer to me and gave me a suspicious look-over.

  “But strength and confidence quickly disappear from a man when he’s looking down the barrel of a shotgun held by an angry father who’s just found out his little girl’s heart was just broken…understand?”

  If I was human, I would have just wet myself.

  “Father, will you quit messing around? You’re going to give him a complex.”

  Mr. Lewis’ face remained serious, before finally breaking into a huge smile.

  “I’m just kidding, son…maybe…” He winked. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Leo. How do you feel about some barbeque chicken, veggies, and mashed potatoes for dinner?”

  Letting out a huge sigh of relief, I nodded my head in approval and muttered, “Sounds wonderful.” Shade looked at me with a sarcastic glare as her father turned to walk into the kitchen.

  “It’s still going to be a little while before everything is ready, so you kids feel free to have a seat anywhere that isn’t her bedroom. I have to go outside and check on the food.” Quickly he spun back around to face us again. “Your mother should be out here in just a minute, so no funny business while I’m in the backyard grilling.”

  “Dad, stop it. You nerd.”

  “Oh, and Leo, I really do own that shotgun.” He raised his eyebrows with a half cocked grin.

  Shade walked up to her father and playfully pushed him into the kitchen. “Will you go away?” she teased. “You know he’s just goofing around with you, right?” She walked back to me.

  “Yeah, I hope so.”

  “He is. My dad is the sweetest person in the world.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  “Don’t you start now.” She gently smacked me in my chest and we chuckled.

  “Did I hear that our guest has arrived?” another voice called out from somewhere within the home.

  “Yes, Mom, Leo’s here!”

  “Why don’t you come into the office, Shade, I’m organizing your father’s receipt files!”

  “C’mon.” She grabbed me by my wrist again and starting pulling me into the opposite direction.

  We shuffled into a small room in the back of the home where a woman dressed in faded jeans and a tye-dyed shirt was rustling about in some file cabinets. Her rather large earrings dangled rapidly as she mumbled to herself when we entered the room, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying.

  “Mom, this is Leo.”

  Instantly her mother turned to us with a giant, warm smile and softly acknowledged our presence. Those giant silver and turquoise earrings swayed from side to side as she neared us. I couldn’t take my eyes off those gaudy things.

  “Hello, Leo, I’m Shade’s mother. Pleasure to finally meet you.” She approached me with her hand out. I swear there wasn’t a single finger on her hand that didn’t sport a ring of some kind on it. It looked like some kind of Indian jewelry.

  “Shade mentioned that you were handsome, but I had no idea.”

  I smiled at her kind words. “Thank you Mrs. Lewis, nice to meet you.”

  “Let’s not be that formal now, my mother is Mrs. Lewis. Please call me Anne.”

  I nodded as my hand met hers. As soon as they clasped together in greeting, a wave of energy flowed over my body, almost like I was plugged into an electrical socket of some kind. My always cold hand became very warm in hers. As we shook, I noticed her eyes, just for a split second, go completely black. A small flame of fire flickered in her eyes. As quick as I saw her pupils transform, they instantly returned to normal. Anne jerked her hand out of mine and gave me a very suspicious look. I could tell she sensed something about me. Maybe Shade was right when she said her mom was a sensitive of some sort.

  Pretending as if I didn’t detect anything odd about our meeting, I adhered to her request. “Will do, Mrs…ah…Anne.”

  Her mother was silent for a moment before cracking a hesitant smile and fumbling out a few words. “Um…yes…much better. Now, you two hustle into the kitchen and grab a seat. I’ll join you shortly.”

  Shade smiled at her mom, as did I, and she led me out of the room. Her mother was still watching me with great interest. Even though it seemed that she was shocked by something about my presence, she didn’t look to be out-and-out worried about whatever it was that she felt from me.

  “What the heck was that all about?” Shade asked, letting me know that she too detected something weird about her mother’s brief meeting with me.

  “You picked up on that as well, huh?”

  “Yeah, she flinched when she shook your hand.”

&n
bsp; “You don’t think…?”

  “That she sensed what you are?”

  “Yeah, that.”

  “I don’t know, but just keep playing it cool.”

  “I will. Maybe your mother does have a psychic gift.”

  “Possibly, I guess it isn’t stale bong resin clogging her brain stem after all.”

  “You’re so mean.”

  We started laughing together, which helped to take off some of the uneasiness about the odd meeting with her mother.

  Chapter 4

  ADVICE

  Shade and I sat together at the dinner table and talked in shy conversation as her parents darted around the kitchen, prepping for our meal. Mr. Lewis joked with his daughter, with a serious tone, about not setting the table. Shade picked up on her father’s hint and helped her parents get the food prepared.

  Once everything was settled, they sat down and started passing food around. Shade kept bumping me with her elbow every time her father told me not to be shy about loading up my plate. This was another one of those times I wished I could smell and taste the food. Being supernatural has its perks, of course, but on occasions such as this, staring at all of this smoking hot fresh food, it really sucks being a demon. I picked up my knife and fork and dug in as if it was the most anticipated meal of my life.

  “How’s it taste, there, Leo?” her father asked.

  “Fantastic,” I sputtered out after choking down my first mouthful.

  I guess I didn’t sound so sure because Shade nudged me in my ribs with her elbow again and her father answered me with an unsure, “Good…good.”

  As we chowed down, conversation went as expected. Her parents were naturally curious about who I was, where I was from, who my parents were, and where I lived. I did my best, as did Shade, to answer their questions with as much clarity as I could come up with. Pretty much everything was a lie, of course, but it managed to come out convincing, or so I thought. Her mother continuously scanned me over with an investigative glare. Although her mannerisms were very warm and inviting, I could sense that she was very suspicious of anything I talked about. She hardly took her eyes off me the entire meal. I kept my head down most of the time, a little leery to make eye contact with her.