Chapter 8: Be Careful
Waking up, this time in the morning, Callie found herself lying still in the darkened room. Her mind wondered over the events that brought her to that moment. The school project. The dinner. The storm. Jardan.
Callie sat up straight and rushed to the window. Throwing open the curtains, she found a bright sun sending rays into her room. A smile spread across her lips as she stared at the new day. Leaning against the window, she noted how fresh the outside looked and cleaned from the rains. Flowers were opened up to the sun and soaking in the life giving rays.
She felt such joy. Why, she couldn’t understand. Something about the storm passing brought her that feeling.
Quickly she dressed into her clothes from the previous day. Straightening up the bed and putting her night clothes neatly on top, she rushed from the room and right into Jardan.
“Hold on!” He grabbed her arms and held her up to keep them both from crashing to the floor. “Monster chasing you?”
Callie laughed and pushed her hair from her face. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to run you over. It’s just…” She laughed. “It’s no monster. I just saw the sunshine and felt...felt like running.”
Jardan flashed her a smile. “I understand. Come on. Breakfast is waiting.”
Following him down the stairs, he led her straight to the atrium they had studied in the day before. Callie stopped as they exited the house. Her eyes widened at the bright colors that were splashed across her view. Flowers had opened up everywhere. Their leaves shown a vivid green. Small puddles collected along the edge of the atrium from the previous night’s downpour. It was like all of nature was celebrating a clean new start to the day.
Around the patio table sat Jardan’s family. His father sat facing her with a welcoming smile. His mother stood up and moved toward Callie.
“You look rested, my dear.” She pulled Callie into her a warm hug. “Come. Break your fast.”
Callie smiled and nodded as she followed the woman leading her to the table. “Thank you for the nightclothes. I appreciate that.”
“No trouble at all.” Joyceta waved her hand in the air. “Now we can enjoy a calm breakfast.”
The white haired woman who had served them dinner appeared with various dishes on a cart she pushed before her. The aroma drifting up from the plates had Callie’s mouth watering and her stomach rumbling for a taste. She hadn’t realized how hungry she really was. The platters were passed around and then returned to the cart.
As she spooned scrambled eggs onto her plate, she asked, “Was there any damage last night?”
“Damage?” Joyceta asked as she passed another dish around.
“Yes. From the storm. I would assume some power lines were down somewhere and trees. I’ve never seen such wind.”
Callie missed the look that was exchanged between Jardan’s parents. She was taking sausage from another platter. Looking up, she asked again, “Was there damage?”
Joyceta’s voice was soft and bordered on that of cautious. “No, dear.”
Callie took a biscuit. “Wow! That’s surprising. Those winds looked like some tornadoes I’ve seen.”
“Have you actually been in a tornado?” Joyceta asked.
Callie nodded. “A few times. They can be pretty vicious. Do you get many around here?”
“Never.”
“Well last night was a tornado night. Those clouds were circling like mad.” Callie took a bite of the egg mixture.
“I can guarantee there was no damage,” Remedio replied, “I think it is all good for you to go home. Jardan can drive you over.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I can walk back.”
Joyceta laughed. “Nonsense. Jardan would be happy to.”
Callie looked over at Jardan who gave her a heart stopping smile.
“It’s okay, Callie. It gives us more time to talk about The Scarlet Letter.”
It wouldn’t be her favorite topic, but it would give her a little more time with him.
Within the hour, the two teens were in Jardan’s Mustang heading toward her home. As they pulled off of Attic Vista, Jardan said, “I can’t say I’m sorry that you got stuck at my house last night.” His lips pulled up on the side. “We at least got to spend more time together.”
Callie felt her heart thumping hard in her chest. Jardan Laurent was glad he had been with her? Her first true friend. Who was kidding? She’d love for it to be more, but that dream she squashed immediately. That would be too much of a far-fetched one to hang her hopes on. She’d be glad to take him as friend. That was good enough for her.
“Me, too.” She ducked her head down hoping he didn’t see anything more in her eyes.
“Got plans for today?”
Back home she would have been hanging out with her friends at the local mall and shopping for hours. Lily would pick her up by nine. From then on, they would enjoy trying on clothes and pretending to be the movie stars and characters they portrayed in the latest movie they had seen the night before. They knew it was rather juvenile, but it was something fun they had done since the beginning of middle school.
Now she was not there. For the first time, it was hitting her hard. Her Saturdays so far had been spent with her mother giving the home a touch of female occupancy. But this Saturday her mother had plans with Jasper. Callie didn’t really have plans. She was alone.
“I’m not sure. Mom is out with Jasper today. Guess I’ll get a head start on reading our book.” Joy did not reveal itself in her voice.
“Or…”
She turned to look at Jardan as he turned onto her street. He pulled up in front of the house and stopped the car. Turning toward her, he put one arm up behind her seat.
“Or?” she prompted.
“Or you could come hiking with me. I sometimes go up over Creig’s Peak to take some pictures. Thought maybe you’d like to see more of your new home than the few streets you’ve gone to and from school on.”
Callie had to admit it was tempting. She hadn’t seen much of Shadowfort. And...being with him would be a bonus. Refusal wasn’t an option if she didn’t want to be bored.
“Sure. That would be fun.”
Jardan’s smile widened. “Great. I’ll be back in an hour. I’ll have lunch packed for us so you don’t have to worry about that aside from some bottles of water.”
“Okay.” Callie reached for the handle and quickly got out of the car. Looking back before closing the door, she added, “I’ll be waiting.”
*****
Jardan pulled on his hiking boots and grabbed his backpack. He had to admit that he was looking forward to it. Callie was a unique girl, and it was not just the way others looked at her. He felt comfortable with her which didn’t happen often with him. Most around him wanted to get on his good side because of his family’s money and power. Spending the rest of the day with her put a spring in his step.
Running down the stairs, he stopped at the sound of his father’s voice. “Is she going with you?”
Jardan swallowed and masked his face before turning around. “Yes. Callie is going hiking with me.”
Remedio stood in the doorway of his study. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his eyes looked intently at his son. “Watch over her.”
“You know I won’t let anything hurt her.”
His father raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I’m afraid I know it is more than for me asking.”
Jardan narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean by that?”
“Be careful. Falling in love with her could be dangerous.”
“Being anywhere near her is dangerous, Dad, or did you forget last night. And who said anything about love? First time we’ve really talked to each other since she moved here. ”
“You know what I mean, son. You’re getting emotional with the young girl. Be prepared for what that might entail.”
Jardan turned back toward the door but whirled around to face his father. “Dad, I will do everything I can do for the community. I will protect her and keep her safe. But…” He ran a hand through his hair. “But I will give my life for her because I want to. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Jardan. I understand that. Don’t forget to leave a trail for her to follow. Just in case. Though I doubt you’ll be bothered, I don’t trust how far he will go.”
Jardan sobered. “Will he hurt her?”
“Who knows what he will or will not do anymore. He has crossed a line no one ever knew existed.”
Jardan nodded and walked out of the house.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone