Hidden Flame 30

**Avery**
After my beach hang-out with Cassius, I fell asleep on the long drive home from the burger joint. I don’t remember
getting into my bed, so he must have put me there. I stretched as I woke up from a blissful sleep. I have never slept that well either. Maybe, I need to get out into the sun more. I began my morning routine. When I came out of my bathroom
there was a knock at my door, but when I opened it there was only a box with a note. The note read; ‘Put me on. It will
make sense after school.’ It was signed by Conner. Well, it looks like Conner is going to be my babysitter later during our
non-date. The silly concept makes me laugh, but it feels good to have friends. I put on the Xbox T-shirt that had some weird characters on it around the logo and jeans. I put my hair in low pigtails and apply some lipgloss. I slide on my
sneakers and head to the kitchen.
As the days prior, the Trio is waiting for me. I sigh because this is starting to feel like a family. I decided to show them how
to make breakfast burritos. At least when they find their mates, they can cook a few things for her even if it is just
breakfast food. After we ate, Conner drove me to school. Once he parked, I motioned for him to get out first but he
shook his head. He made me wait until he opened my door. He walked into the school with me too. I wonder if
something happened while I was at the beach or is he starting the non-date now?
To my astonishment, my day flew by in a blur. I don’t remember seeing the Hoity Hags once. If I did, I must not have let it
bother me. I am proud of myself too. Each of the Trio worked with me during our classes together. It has been such a
good day. Conner was waiting for me outside of Mrs. Moore’s class. Clint looked a bit sad when I told him bye. This isn’t
a competition of who can be the better friend. Each of them has qualities that I like. I just hope that they know that.
Conner drives us into the human world. We park at a convention center. He smiles, “Welcome to Megatech, the world’s
largest gaming convention. Let’s go blow some shit up.”
I laughed because this might be the outlet that I needed. I can picture the Hags’ faces on everything that I kill. “Conner,
this is great. I love it!” I do too. I will suck at most of them but the fun will be in watching the Hags burn. I look away from
Conner to hide my immense amusement at that thought. I am not a violent person, but they just bring it out of me.
He smiled as he led me inside. There were huge screens set up everywhere. So many different types of games to choose
from too. I have no clue how to play, but I am prepared to learn. We walked around. Some games I just watched Conner
play but others I tried. I sucked but it was fun.
Once we had our fill of games, we went back to his car. “What type of food do you want for dinner? You name it, and I
will find it,” he says with a grin. His eyes sparkle when he is happy. Food and games are his keys to happiness. Mine are
books and tea. Cassius’s seems to be the ocean and wildlife. I don’t know what Clint’s are because he took me to the cafe
which is something that I like. I will discover his happiness one day soon too.
“What is it with dragons and food?” I ask jokingly.
He shrugs, “We like it a lot. But in all honesty, I prefer your cooking to restaurants.”
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He is being serious. I am a good cook, but I am not that good. There’s so much that I still don’t know how to prepare.
“Pasta, I want some pasta.” I smile because I am enjoying my newly found courage around The Trio.
He smiled as he drove us to an Italian restaurant. Their food smelled wonderful too, so much that my stomach rumbled in
anticipation. I blushed and he chuckled. “Killing shit works up an appetite,” he joked.
We sat down and ordered. I got a salad and baked spaghetti while Conner ordered nearly half of the menu. We shared a
laugh at the team of servers it took to bring it all out. After we ate our fill we started the drive home. I put on the radio
and started bopping to a song.
Conner looks at me, “Do you know what this song is about?”
“No, I just like the beat. What is it about?”
“Maybe it is better that you don’t know,” he says as he continues to drive. I make a mental note to research all songs
titled Unholy.
When we arrived at the palace, the rest of the Trio was waiting for us. “So I am the only one that bores you to sleep?”
Cassius teases.
“Your nerdy ass is a snoozefest,” I taunt.
We all laughed before we went to bed. Their Grand Ceremony will be here before any of us knows it. I can’t help but feel
sadness at the thought. All of my non-dates were great too, but they will likely end. Also, I have just made friends and the
moment their mates come into the picture I will be pushed aside. At least I will still have Trisha until she turns eighteen,
but by then I will be in college in the human world.
I lay in bed hoping sleep would come, but I kept running over the past few days. Each excursion with the guys was
different and I enjoyed them all. I wasn’t afraid either. That fortune teller was correct in the reading that she did for
Cassius. What if she was right about mine too? I laugh out loud at the silly notion as I finally drift off to sleep.