TN: Colón = Costa Rican Currency
I dashed out of school trying to catch the next bus, probably was too far for me to run today, after all, I'm not even human and legs aren't that natural to a creature such as myself.
I panted trying to get the bus ahead of me to slow, however, it was already driving off in the distance. "Dang it, I need to conserve my energy for a break dancing competition later," I muttered without expecting anyone to hear me.
Much to my surprise, Akasha appeared on a motorcycle, the kind parents loathe and you would see only in television I had thought. "Need a ride?" she asked nonchalantly, as if trying to appear macho and cool. How was it she seemed to be everywhere all at once, showing up in front of or behind me at every turn with exactly what I needed? I looked at her with a hint of suspicion on my face, trying to puzzle out her motive for being around me.
She seemed less than irked by my skepticism, and only eyed me back like I was a silly, suspicious cat. I wondered what it would be like if I said yes, while planning to turn the suspicious girl down for the sake of not hopping on a motorcycle, which I regarded as more dangerous than even my parkour. No matter how hot I found her on that motorcycle, I barely knew her. Ultimately I turned around planning to dismiss her as I walked away, given I couldn't let her realize where I lived. Especially not to let her realize the fact I no longer resided in the district I claimed I was from.
As if anticipating my hesitation and rejection, she cut me off before I had the chance, offering me something I couldn't refuse. Food and supplies.
"I am actually on my way to a pizza party for this club activity at school. In fact, we're in need of another member if you care to give it a try?"
My ears perked up at the mention of party, club, and pizza. How could I refuse? I actually loved a party, no rather, I wanted to try to go to one of these that I always saw on TV. I was struggling to fit into society too much for such a thing to actually appear off screens into my life. So these things were actually real! My face brightened as I nodded eagerly, maybe too eagerly. I straightened my face and fixed on a small, nonchalant nod, or well, I tried to.
She got off her black and red motorcycle, a very visibly expensive model, and helped me put on a second helmet, buckling it into place. I felt myself blush slightly at the contact. My hand burning once more. Why was my hand burning again? I tilted my head, confused, because it was merely Akasha.
Surely it can't be, I was no stupid child to completely dismiss this. Suspicions already had begun unwinding in my head. I had no proof though, I could only wait and see how things progressed further than this. Perhaps it really was a coincidence.
On the way there nothing particularly unusual happened, we were just driving fairly safely for a motorcycle. Finally we arrived at plaza, a contemporary, colorful mix that looked both classy and like a place teens would have hung out in the 80s. I wasn't sure how else to describe the mixture of aesthetics that somehow didn't clash.
"Careful, don't trip," she said as she caught me in what she had felt was me stumbling, truthfully I would have regained balance fine, but she didn't know the extent of my parkour skills I surmised.
"Thank you," I said, staring into her eyes like something from a movie. Totally cliché I thought, backing up and acting like it wasn't a big deal, partially I suppose because it wasn't to me.
Inside some jazz music played along with some contemporary Spanish lyrics. This seemed a tad bougie of a location for what I would usually go to, not that I hardly went anywhere given that it was too expensive to living on the streets.
Some people waved Akasha over, they didn't look quite like gangsters nor schoolkids, perhaps a bunch of wealthy oddballs? As I went to take a seat, she casually pulled out the chair for me, something unusual for another wealthy kid to do especially from a woman. I didn't mind though, instead feeling her hand brush up against my neck for a moment, goosebumps spread over my whole body.
I didn't actually feel lesser or hate my situation though, it was far better than the life I had led before. I loved my freedom and my little brother. While reminded of him I wished he could have joined us.
My thoughts were interrupted by the group asking Akasha, "OMG girl, who is this pretty cutie you brought here!" They seemed to coo with side glances at her with suspicious smirks.
Akasha just said, "This is Myst, she's a friend from school. Be nice, no flirting."
A friend from school? My brain chewed on that particular piece of information, that was new to me. Were we friends now?
Her friends laughed at her statement and said, "ow no flirting? Why so? You want her for yourself don't you." The suggestion made my cheeks blush a deeper color. Trying to pretend the comments meant nothing to me as I cast a shy, side-long glance at Akasha. She was not denying it, rather only bonking her friends on the heads.
I wondered why she had taken any interest in me of all people, we were basically strangers right? The feeling of it felt nice though, like something more lingering under the surface.
Her friends introduced themselves to me one by one. Ángel, her best friend I presumed, Samanta the quirky emo that was fun loving, Patricia the quiet one, and Luz the golden retriever charismatic type.
They all seemed excited to meet me and ask more about me, some of which I didn't know what to say or where to begin. They were a very enthusiastic bunch. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a slender boy with onyx black hair and eyes with contrastingly white skin. He stood out immensely in the restaurant for the fact that he was clearly Asian.
I didn't discriminate, I wasn't sure why he even stood out to me. Foreigners happen, however the way he carried himself or maybe his energy felt different.
My eyes continued to slightly narrow as I tried to puzzle out the stranger who was casually asking the waitress something across the room. Akasha's gaze then followed mine, tilting her head as she looked back and forth between us. She opened her mouth as if to say something then stopped.
Ángel sweetly tried to redirect our attention back to the football conversation they were having. Truth be, I didn't give a crap about football or the conversation, but I didn't want to be rude and they were already so welcoming to me I tried to immerse myself in it.
As I ate I tried sneaking little bits of food. Starting with just hiding pieces into a rolled napkin or under the table in my bag. Then I would take a whole plate or pizza slice with me as I would excuse myself to go to the restroom then pack it up later for Eco.
If anyone noticed, they didn't say anything. I worried Akasha would catch on given I was acting unusual and she had her eyes on me the whole time like I was a cuisine she wanted to figure out. However, she didn't show any indication that my ruse was seen through.
"You are very cute Myst, Akasha should bring you over more," Samanta said, leaning her head forward on her hands with her elbows on the table.
Luz swatted her for bad table manners while Akasha turned to me, "well if she agrees to more fun," while raising her eyebrows at me.
By now I was stuffed properly and didn't have to use any of my powers nor pay even a single colón, my suspicions of Akasha had alleviated a good amount. During the whole dinner, nothing particularly strange happened and I didn't sense anything unusual from her. I dismissed my thoughts as paranoia for now, there are so many humans and not many supernatural beings. The chances of her being one, or especially the girl that marked me, are slim to none in such a big city.
"See you guys later!!!" Samanta said while Ángel smiled at us and waved. We had now exited the restaurant and I had secured a big bounty. Eco could feast at home now.
Her friends trailed a bit longer smirking at us as Akasha put my helmet back on and I hugged her close on her bike. She gave her friends a shooing signal and I blushed more but with my eccentric personality I wouldn't let them get one over on me.
Recklessly a new thought entered my mind, and I wrapped my arms around her tightly and breathed on her neck, more than necessary. Her breath quickened and I smirked, I was a siren after all, I should be able to charm her.
I thought to myself maybe it's nice if she is feeling the same fluttering that I am. Surely it wouldn't work of she wasn't human, other seductive beings are partially immune, that and soulmates can develop an immunity per se. To an extent, but here she was responding to me.
So I dismissed my suspicions for real, she couldn't be anything else but a normal human.