Embers & Spells

17 – Feelings

I had missed at least three homework due Wednesday and a quiz in Physics. Come Monday, we would have exams and I was nowhere near ready for it.

My days was spent dodging Agatha, trying to follow Arawn, and observing Inigo. My nights were for researching how to kill an alpha wolf and I had to admit my obsession to their race was beginning to get the best of me. Now I had constantly trying to shadow Inigo, pushing back the guilt tripping my head to what my real motive was.

We agreed to study together and I invited him over, giving me enough to courage to be in my own territory. Enemies couldn’t use their full power in a witch’s circle.

The chimes dinged, warning me there was another race behind the door. When the doorbell rang, I took a deep breath, tapping my heart to go calm. Opening the door, I motioned my hand, letting Inigo inside.

“I brought chicken and pizza,” he said, a warm smile on his face. He handed them over and glanced around the house, maybe trying to familiarize himself. “You’re alone? Aren’t you living with your godmother?”

“You can sit there and make yourself at home,” I said, pointing at the sofa on the living area. Taking the box of chicken and pizza, I headed toward the kitchen to transfer them to plates and went back to the receiving room. “Erin’s not home. Not right now.”

I actually had no idea what to expect. He looked neat with a blue shirt and jeans, his muscled arm exposed, a hint of tattoo peaking from the sleeves. How could he look too radiant and warm? Stories said that werewolves was strong, enough to break human bones with bare hands, that they love mating and dedicate their life with someone fated to them. They were the most loyal beings, a pack of soldiers to protect their realm.

“Are you just going to stand there, Tana?” he called out, snapping me out of my reverie. Inigo tapped the space beside him. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite.”

I shook my head at his lame joke and sat beside him. The thick Physics book was already opened on the table, my notebook ready as well.

“You think we should ask Agatha to join us?” Inigo muttered, peeking at me.

“Do you want to?” I asked.

He flashed me a smile. “If that will make you comfortable, then yeah. I mean, you’re quiet and look uneasy.”

I blinked, not expecting that I looked that way in his eyes. “I’m fine. It’s just, this is the first time a guy came over.”

His eyes narrowed, nudging me slightly. “That right, huh? Is your godmother strict when it comes to boyfriends?”

I shook my head, remembering how Erin would buy me dress to make a statement that I was ready to mingle. “No, she’s more open about that kind of thing.” He kept his gaze on me. My cheeks warmed. “There’s no boyfriends or visitors before.”

“Why?”

I shrugged my shoulders, thinking it was obvious. “Because guys don’t look at outcasts as girlfriends, that’s why.”

He snickered. “I don’t know what’s with girls like you who seems oblivious to their effect on guys. Seriously, Tana. You’re beautiful. This new look suits you better, too.” He motioned on my new dyed hair.

My lips curled into smile. I felt my stomach sunk, suddenly feeling the hot air, even though I was sure the air conditioning was up and running. “And I don’t know why you guys love to play with words. Is fluttery really the way to a girl’s heart?”

Inigo shook his head, groaning softly, holding his chest. “Not to you, I figured. But yes, it always works like magic.”

“I bet.” I replied, getting mesmerized at his chocolate brown eyes. His gaze was soft but he always gave me a look like he could see through my soul. If ever I still have one. “You’re quite the charmer. You don’t know how half the girl population at school gets all giggly because of you.”

He laughed, his voice bouncing off the walls. He looked carefree, too human, the kind of guy I always imagine to fall in love with- and not to kill. “Are you part of that population?”

I cleared out my throat, forcing myself not to lose my guard while with him. “Well, I’ll become a part of the failing their Physics subject population if we won’t get started.” I tapped the book with the pen on my hand.

His dimple showed when he smiled again, nodding his head. “That’s one way to evade a question. But yes, we should start with these sample problems.”

****

I woke up from the constant ringing of my phone. It was already past three in the morning and just when I finally able to rest my eyes, my cell phone kept dragging me back from sleep.

Reaching to the bedside table, I grabbed my phone, seeing Agatha’s name on the screen.

“Agatha?” I answered, looking at the digital clock. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, it’s going to be.” Her voice sounded too far from the mic, I could barely hear her.

“Where are you? Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, still half-asleep.

“I’m not in town, Tana,” she answered. “I’m with my grandma now. Well, me and my brother. I know it’s not the right time to call, and I could even just send you a text message, but I just wanna say thank you. I realized I really need help, especially my brother. My grandma’s taking care of us for the moment and I won’t be able to go to school for a couple of days.”

My heavy eyes seemed to fully open. “You’ll be really okay now?”

I heard her laughed at the other line. “Uh-huh.”

I found myself smiling at her news.

“Are you still mad at me?” she asked, tone low.

I sighed, pulling up the blanket at the foot of my bed. “I’m not mad. I’m just upset.”

“I’m upset at myself too.” She sighed.

“You know I’m going to help you, right?” I muttered, remembering how hard she cried the first time she told me about the abuse. “Friends shares their trouble with each other.”

“I know, Tana,” she replied. “And you know that I’m also going to help you, right?”

I snickered. “Help me with what?”

“Boys?”

I laughed at the sudden change of her tone.

“Inigo Remora kept asking for your number, you know? I mean, I can tell he’s interested.”

I was silent for a moment. “He actually invited me over last time at their place for his cousin’s birthday. I think he’s nice.”

Agatha shrieked and I automatically pulled away my phone from my ears. “Holy s**t, Tana, that’s crazy! I mean, he’s into you, isn’t he?”

I laughed at her reaction. I could imagine her animated face. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s just being friendly?”

“I don’t think so. He’s friendly with me but you don’t see me in his cousin’s party, do you? Inigo wanted you for himself.”

I bit back my smile. Why was I giggling with Agatha about some guy? The way Inigo gaze at me made me lightheaded, warning me of the complication of my mission versus what I feel.