I woke up early. So early that I had 45 minutes before my alarm went off. Tao was lying on her side, with her blue fringe toward me. Happy birthday to me, Eris. I sprang out of bed then ran to the bathroom for a shower. There wasn’t a word to describe how I felt right then; I was beyond cloud nine, I was on cloud twenty or something. Turning 18 meant I was closer to being Mio, and that meant I could sleep in all day. Throw school out of the door and be free. Well… sorta.

The warm water droplets pulsed against my skin, washing away 17 year-old Eris, and welcoming 18 year-old Eris to the world. Though nothing was changing about me and I was just getting closer to looking like a wrinkled blueberry, I felt different. As if I was more mature. And that was a good thing. At least it meant Dallas and I were older together. Hah, this is fun being 18. I stepped out of the shower then heard Tao stirring in the bedroom.

She padded into the bathroom, coming over to the sink and seizing her toothbrush.
“Happy birthday, Eris Romi Faye,” she smiled as she rinsed the brush.

“Oh why thank you, madame. Now, all we gotta do is wait for yours.” I lifted the brush to my mouth and ridded my morning breath.

After drying my hair and patting my body down, I slipped into some cute undergarments then looked for the outfit I would wear. There wasn’t more than two skirts and one dress in my closet (thankfully), so I slipped on my Rolling Stones tee shirt and black skinny jeans, topping it off with a pair of furry Uggs Tao lended me. We got downstairs, and grabbed our breakfast. As the zillions of girls maneuvered around the kitchen looking for food, I sat on the counter and talked with Giovanni.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Her hands were going 100 miles an hour, so I knew she had lots of expression.

“Thank you,” I chuckled.

Giovanni roughly cleared her throat then said, “What are you gonna be doing? Is Dallas taking you somewhere?”

“Oh god, no. I kept telling him that I didn’t wanna do anything, but he decided to make me dinner at his place,” I smiled. We hopped off the counter and Tao joined us as we walked to first Hour.

“By dinner, do you mean sex… ”

“No, I do not,” I giggled.

“Hey,” she threw her hands up, “we never know. It is Dallas.”

“And he is damn fine,” Giovanni agreed.

“Don’t, children. Let’s leave that between me and him, and you two can just imagine.”

As Giovanni used her hands to show us what I’d be doing later, Ophelia joined us and put her hands on my shoulders.
“Happy birthday, you bum!” she smiled. Her black/pink/white hair flew wildly in the strong breeze.

“Thank you. Please don’t make a big deal outta it, I don’t wanna see a big banner with my name on it,” I replied.

Tao dragged me off to History and the others went to their classes. I mean, I love my birthday, but once someone gives you an entire banner with your name on it, too far. Whatever. Birthdays during the week were kinda fun because everyone knew it was that person’s birthday, and I think it had been someone else’s birthday that day.

As Nanaya explained a few things for class, I kept my eyes locked her long skirt… which flowed beautifully after her long legs. One thing about Nanaya: she had curves! Seriously. This may be really weird, but her butt and hips were perfect. And, when she wore dresses and skirts, I paid even more attention to her flawless body. God, I need a life. History flew by, and I found myself sitting in Body Science, listening to Sahmi talk about some affinity and side effects. He had on a nice button up shirt, with black jeans and his dark lime hair was luminous with how good of a mood he was in. His wife, Anastasia, must’ve done something, because Sahmi was cracking jokes every two seconds and smiling like a big goof.

Riate consisted of Brice telling his own jokes. After his english jokes were put away, his incisive Riate jokes came out. Class was outright hilarious. At lunch, Tao, Giovanni, Ophelia, Skye, Lela and I were observing some guys that looked hot enough to be served at Thanksgiving dinner.
“I want his babies,” Lela moaned. She was checking out a tall, dark and handsome guy named Vasylis.

“Wanna know what I’m gonna do on his face?” Giovanni leaned into Tao and wiggled her chest out to her. “That!”

We burst out laughing and Giovanni gyrated her hips in a circle, still wiggling on Tao. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see our friend, Gennadi, standing there with thee cutest smile on.
“Hola,” I said.

“Hey, I wanted to say happy birthday. And, uh, so do the Dark Sons,” he sexily said.

The Dark Sons?! Holy poop! They’re like, the Rian version of the football team in high school! Every girl wanted to talk them. Not to mention there were Dark Daughters. All of the popular, condescending chicks caring about their hair and nails. Hey, I had friends, but they just had people who worshipped them.

“Oh, tell them I said thanks,” I replied.

Gennadi nodded. His long brown and blue hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and it made him cuter. He jerked his chin toward Giovanni, also his sister.
“Bye loser,” she said. She threw him a middle finger.

“You’re lucky I can’t jump over the table and punch you,” Gennadi growled. He threw his own middle finger then walked back to his table and Lela started fanning herself.

“I dunno about y’all, but I think I want his babies,” she sighed.

“Don’t, they’ll be mentally retarded like him,” Giovanni warned, signing with great expressions.

“You want every cute boy’s babies,” I chuckled.

“She just doesn’t want the Triplets’ sons, because those are mine,” Skye added.

I made a pout, so did every girl at our table. The Triplets were Lyle, Levi and Link—and if I could, I’d have a foursome with them. Er… sorry, uncalled for. At least I was good friends with them because I would so drool over their pretty faces. (Gosh, Eris, you already have a boyfriend… Quit being a hoe.)

The next bell rang and we headed off to our next classes. In Art, Verc was cracking her own jokes, and teasing and being happy Verc. But, she did have an announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as I said last class, two works will be presented at the upcoming YAC, and, I think you’ll like our choices. Quade Baez, and, Tao Keyton and Eris Faye. Quade’s Eaton Jir will be presented, so will Eris and Tao’s B. WAX.”

The class clapped. Our little wax painting was good after all! (I know the name was corny, but, we had to do something! Our first choice was Wax but that was obviously too obvious.) Cool. Verc concluded her amazing announcement, and today was a free-day, so we could paint/ draw or whatever we wanted to. As I painted a massive oak tree, Quade stood in front of my table with his forearms resting before me.

“Kudos to Eris for that wax,” he said. I kid you not, his hair was bright peach, with black lines like a tiger. His Maxi clawed up his neck in the print of leopard spots. Wanna guess his affinity? (Big Cats.)

“Kudos to Quade for that awesome rainbow,” I replied.

“Eh, I try. Hey, happy birthday, you’ve reached the big 1-8.”

“I wouldn’t call it big. More like the old 1-8.”

Quade drummed his hands on the tabletop. “Who cares, I’m still older than you, buttface.” Did I mention that Quade is my cousin? Yeah, my Auntie Meika’s kid.

“Don’t be a douche. Go before I paint your nose green,” I waved the paint brush by his face but Quade scoffed.

“Bye.” He stuck his finger in the damp paint then sauntered off. Sometimes I wanted to garrote him over and over again. Art was over in a flash and Tao was dragging me off to Math as she babbled on about Maz.
“… so,” she frowned, “I dunno… He just feels even more distant, lately. I mean, when he got back from that ‘trip’, I was completely pissed because he still didn’t talk with me!”

I shrugged. “It’s Maz; he gets caught up in his own Fencing World all of the time, so, it could just be that.” We sat down and Tao gave me a rib-crushing hug that made me wince out. She forced herself off and told me, “Sorry, I just wanted to hug you.”

“I love you, but, don’t kill me.” I winked at her and Tao shook her head.

Class started and Kirsi walked in with a big grin on. Let the fun begin… Math zoomed by, and I was walking toward the dorms with Tao.
“Maz called me,” she flatly said.

“Is that not a good thing? He’s your boyfriend, you usually wait forever for him to call you back,” I stated, arching my eyebrow and cocking my head a bit.

Tao flailed her arms around then blew a raspberry. “I dunno, I just feel like stabbing him because he’s been being a distant-douche-dick.”

“Oh god. Well, I have to go see Dallas after last bell, he’s working.”

“Oooh, I forgot that Eris has a working man. Just to think, imagine how tired he’ll be, and he’ll probably want some pleasure before bed. And, he’s got a sexy Eris to toy with—not to mention it’s her birthday and she’ll probably want a present. What ever could give to you?”

I tapped my chin in pretend-thought. “Good question. I have no idea, maybe he’ll just have to show me.” I waggled my eyebrows back.

We stepped into our dorm and saw Mikey chasing Boing around the floor. Mumble was sitting on the dresser, honking and padding around, obviously egging them on. I sat on the bed, shoved in my earbuds, and listened to The Meteors.


An hour later, I got a call on my cell. Dallas.
“Yeah?” I answered.

“Well, hello, 18 year-old, Eris. Do you feel wrinkly?” he cutely replied.

“I dunno, do I appear that old?”

“Probably.”

“Dallas!” I laughed at his insult (did I appear old?!).

“Well, come down to the courtyard and see a sexy Dallas. Bye, Avatar.” Dallas hung up.

See a sexy Dallas? There was not a chance in hell that I would miss out on that. Tao had left a while ago to see Maz–she left so pissed that I was scared she would burn the place down–so I waved to the pets and shut the door. Walking downstairs, Ophelia caught up with me in the hall and smiled.
“Dallas?” she asked.

“No…” She gave me an unimpressed look. “Maybe….” She could see right through me. “Okay, yes!”

“See? He loves you, and he’s gonna fuck the soul out of you.”

“Ophelia, no. Dallas would break me in half,” I sighed.”

“Uh huh, not surprising. Well, I gotta go. Bye, have a good birthday.”

She kissed my cheek then ran off to the bonus room. When I stepped foot outside, Dallas was waiting for me by the door.
“Hey, you,” I smiled.

He bent down and framed my face in his hands, so that his thumbs rested close to my lips and his fingers splayed back into my loose hair. A big kiss made me sigh, and that sigh made him chuckle. Dallas pulled back while saying, “Hey, Avatar. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you. Now, I came to see a sexy Dallas.”

“Oh, you never have to look far to see him. Come on, I gotta show you something.” Dallas claimed my hand and we walked to the apartments. He started a bit of conversation, “How was your first day of being 18?”

“Actually, great. Verc put the work Tao and I created in a YAC, uh, all my Professors were in good moods,” I answered, playfully squeezing his hand.

“Oh, my Professors were never in good moods. Eh.”

“That’s because they had you in their classes.” Dallas shot me a look but I kept a big grin on.

“You’re so mean to me. Anyway, you ever had bacon dip before?” he asked.

“Uh, no. What is that?”

“What you and I are gonna be eating for dinner.”

“May I ask what’s in it?” I was kicking a rock back and forth as we walked but Dallas stole it. (I figured it had to be a dip, with bacon in it.)

“No. Your tastebuds will have orgasms. And, since you also have a winter birthday, I will make you a Chocolate Serial Killer.”

“What in the fuck is that?”

“Something you’ll really like. Don’t worry, I got this and I got you.” Dallas kissed me and I scrunched up my nose.

“Good because I’m really dying for some food. And, chocolate sounds like a great friend.”

Dallas shook his head as we entered the front door. I could even smell something delicious, something that would taste like heaven. Bacon dip and a Chocolate Serial Killer might be the only things I need in life. Dallas had disappeared to the kitchen, and when he arrived in the dining room, I hadn’t even noticed the food waiting for us. This boy just loved cooking and food.

There was a big dish of the bacon dip (and from the looks of it, I wanted to eat it all), with a main course of our favorite pepperoni-grilled cheeses and the hot chocolate in mugs.
“Baby,” I smiled, “that hot chocolate looks so amazing, yet so evil.”

“I try. And, there’s not a lot of food you can make for your girlfriend that doesn’t eat much red meat, so, bear with me,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Dallas pulled the chair out for me, and before I sat, I ran over to his and pulled it out. He plopped down then said, “Such a lady.”

“I know. Okay, before I drink this, what’s in it?” I giggled.

Dallas cocked one of his eyebrows. “You really wanna know?” I nodded and he sighed before telling me, “The hot chocolate itself is an aunt’s recipe, and, she melted her own chocolate into it, then, I added tons and tons of whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate sprinkles, cookie bits, peppermint chunks and just to top it off, chocolate syrup. Oh, there’s a prize at the bottom of the cup if you finish.”

“Prize? What more of a prize is there other than this mountainous heaven? Oh, and, this bacon dip is amazing.” The dip was an appetizer, and I was eating it with a bag of chips Dallas had thrown to me. Everything was perfect except for the fact that Dallas didn’t have his lips on mine… though my mouth was busy with the food. Inside of the dip, there were bacon chunks (obviously), full of sour cream, cheese, and the other secret ingredients Dallas threw in there. Damn, I needed his cooking more.

I had just finished the drink when I felt something big in my mouth (no, not like that). Chewable… chocolate… holy crap! The “prize” at the end was a broken kit kat bar. I swallowed and smiled at him.
“Ohmygod, that was like touching Jesus,” I giggled.

Dallas shook his head. “Now the sugarrush should kick in soon,” he muttered.

“Sugarrush? Please, I don’t get sugarrush.”

“That’s what I said the first time my Mom made me this. You’ll feel it soon.”

I rose from the table then helped him carry the stuff to the kitchen. After I dropped the last dish in the dishwasher, Dallas pulled me to the couch, and smiled like his little devious-self. His dimple was so cute as he winked at me.
“What? That means you’re up to something bad,” I smirked.

“Okay, okay. I bought you something from Louisiana,” Dallas slowly said in that beautiful, rich, sexy voice of his. I could feel it wrapping around me and making me kinda curious.

“Oh my god, you’re always getting me shit.”

Dallas removed me from his lap then went to his bedroom. What in the world did he get me? He walked back with a big box in his hand.
“Dallas…” I sighed, smiling a bit.

“I swear there’s no rattlesnake,” he grinned. Dallas gently placed the box on my lap and continued with whatever he had to say, “I really hope you like it because I searched long and hard.”

I ripped through the box and laughed. “Ohmygod, baby! This is perfect!”

He got me a Duck Dynasty coffee mug, with the quote from Si, saying “Hey Jack!” and a big picture of the logo. Then, there were four awesomely decorated pens; they looked like a million dollars. And, there was a small, black velvet box.
“Dallas…”

“Open it.”

I opened the box and saw the Fleur de Lis necklace. Absolutely beautiful. I couldn’t thank him enough.
“Dallas! I’ve always wanted one!” I hugged him around his neck and Dallas kissed my temple before sliding behind me and raising my hair to snap it on.

“I know you did, that’s why I got it,” he gently replied.

Dallas draped the necklace over my chest, locked it on my nape, then put my hair back down. I put the box on the table then claimed his mouth with the biggest kiss I could work up. Dallas’s soft lips felt amazing against mine, so good that I could feel a tingling down below. He put his hand on my butt, squeezing and kneading me as my hips rocked against his.
“Thank you,” I whispered on his lips. The necklace was breath-taking, the mug could be used for more Chocolate Serial Killers (I was feeling that sugar rush), and the pens, I could sketch and doodle around in my notebooks.

“You’re welcome… I’ve got one more present,” Dallas replied.

I sat up then looked into his hazel eyes. “Is it a really good present?”

“Big, too.”

Dallas nuzzled my neck and I started to giggle. I knew what his “big” present was. He carried me to the bedroom, with my arms around his neck and our lips pressed together. Dallas didn’t put me down; he kept me in his thick arms, and I kept my long legs wrapped around his waist. I wiggled down from his grip then grinned. My shirt was off in two seconds, and I knew Dallas was staring at my purple bra.
“Your turn,” I smiled.

Dallas pulled off his tee shirt to expose his sinewy chest. (Oh, sexy body.) Like always, I grazed my fingertips over his Maxi, taking in the amazing knots and curves of the blue ink. The bit of ink that crawled onto his neck was my favorite because I’d given him more hickeys there than I could count. Dallas gently pushed my stomach, resulting in my clumsy fall on the bed. When I hit the mattress, I made an unattractive “oof!” sound.
“Haha,” Dallas snickered.

“You butt,” I giggled.

He crawled onto my body, kissing from my navel up to my lips. His benign touch made my pussy warm up, and my nipples instantly hardened. Dallas kissed my lips once more then went down to my chest. Dallas clawed at my bra, finally slipping it down my shoulders. He put his mouth on my nipple, and god did it feel good! His tongue flicked and circled, while his hands massaged my other one. I put my hands in his hair, keeping him closer to my awaiting breasts. Now, I didn’t have Kate Upton boobs, but they were pretty big. But Dallas told me he didn’t like super big boobs, and I had the perfect size for him. (I knew had the perfect size because I usually had a hickey the size of Alaska on my chest.) Dallas used his teeth to gently nibble me, and I moaned out my pleasure. As he sucked and licked my nipples, our hips were grinding away… and my hands in his hair… and his hands on my ass. I was kinda disappointed when his lips left my chest and came back to my lips, but it still felt amazing. Dallas moaned when my hand began rubbing his hardness; the fabric of his jeans was blocking any real contact, but he was enjoying it. I flipped him onto his back, then straddled his hips and kissed down his bare chest. Dallas let out a deep moan, balled his fist in my hair and held me close to his hard on. I shook my hair behind my right shoulder as I undid his jeans, making sure not to hurt his hard cock. Dallas helped me ease his jeans down and release his hard member. Before I could even grasp my small hand around his thick shaft, Dallas pinned me on my back.
“Baby,” I pouted.

“Sorry, I wanna do something,” he smirked.

His fingers eased into my jeans, yanking them down with one rough tug. My panties were blue, and Dallas toyed with the lace between my thighs. Shit, his hand was caressing my inner skin, but he was purposefully avoiding my soaking wet pussy. It completely made me crazy when Dallas brushed his mouth over the thin fabric of the lace covering my aching, soaked, begging flesh.
“Babe, please,” I panted. With a great big sigh, Dallas balled them up to the side then examined my soaking pussy lips. I’m pretty sure he could smell my arousal—Dallas told me that I smelt good during sex. (Why? I dunno.) The soft feel of his fingers tapping and wiggling at my clit made me hornier and wetter by the second, and Dallas was taking his precious time with me. My pussy convulsed and Dallas kissed me. He ripped my lacies off then threw them over the bed and to the floor.

His tongue flicked at my swollen clit. I gasped when Dallas gave my pussy kisses, using his tongue to quickly taste me. He spread my lips apart and slowly licked my labia—all while keeping his eyes on mine.”Ohhhhhh,” I moaned, rubbing my boobs in circles.

His piercing blue eyes made me crazy, and the way he was teasing me was killing me! Dallas sucked on my clit—hard—while his fingers dug into my skin and held me in place. I loved his tongue. I loved how he could torture me with the softest of touches. Dallas trapped the pink knob between his teeth, making me gasp his name and cry out for more. Dallas used his thumb to tap on my clit, briefly rubbing me in circles and spreading my lips apart. I couldn’t wait anymore, so, I slid my own hand down and started rubbing my pussy for him. Dallas adjusted my hand a bit higher then devoured my sex. Holy shit! That felt amazing! His lips kissing and nipping at my pussy, all while my hand was circling my clit for him. Dallas gave me a few more kisses then wrapped his hands around my hips and jerked me toward his mouth. “Mmmmmm, Dallas,” I growled (Dallas loved when I growled, and I loved when he did). If he was to stop, I’d scream at the top of my lungs; it felt so good and I could definitely feel a screaming orgasm coming on. Dallas dug his tongue into me, circling and flicking at my labia while he kept his eyes locked on, watching the signs and observing my exposed body. His hands forced my legs wide, so wide that I was worried he’d break me. After a minute or two of his tongue rolling around in circles on my outer lips, I arched my back and started breathing harder.
“Agh, agh, Dallas…. I’M CUMMING!”

My hands gripped the sheets so hard that I could feel the strain in my body. The spasms started, I screamed out, everything. My eyes instantly shut, I arched my body until Dallas had his hands on my ass to keep me calm, and I was yelling his name at the top of my lungs. All while this was happening, he was torturing me in the worst of ways: trailing his tongue inside of me, swirling around in counterclockwise circles and pushing my flesh further apart as I came. I came down from the sensational climax, then relaxed my body back into the soft confides of the mattress, and watched Dallas kiss and lick away at my leaked juices and to clear all of my cum. He finished sipping at me then pulled away. Dallas stood over me, surveying my body and probably debating what we should do next while I laid back panting and recovering from one of thee best orgasms ever.

Dallas kissed my neck before whispering, “That’s the fourth gift.”

“What’s number five?” I asked, still panting but kind of smiling.

“Come here and I’ll show you.”

He pushed me higher toward the pillows, so I crawled up and Dallas got under me. I arched an eyebrow, giving him a sexy smile as I lowered myself onto his throbbing tool; we both cursed and moaned as I started moving my hips. Gift five was about to have me screaming. Being on top gave me the advantage, because I could easily pin Dallas back and take control—why not give it a shot? I grabbed his hands, then pinned them back on either side of the pillow, but Dallas just grinned. I bent down to his ear and whispered, “I’m in control for number five.”

“Won’t last for long,” he replied.

I sat up straight, keeping his arms back, and continued to ride him. Though Dallas probably had a good 90 pounds over me, he let me do what I wanted (I mean, I am the Birthday Girl) and, man oh man, I had so much fun. The only thing missing was the sensation of his mouth on my breasts. Looking down I saw how Dallas’s chest rose and fell with every one of his deep breaths, and I saw all of that sexy muscle. My hands involuntarily let go of his wrists as I bent down and began kissing his neck. Dallas slid his hands down my spine, making sure to trace my Maxi before going down and squeezing my ass. He ran his warm, rough, hands over my hips; his fingertips brushed over my navel and up toward my chest. As Dallas reached out to massage my chest, I grinned and welcomed him with a rough grab, forcing his hand to my left boob. It always felt like heaven to have him be so gentle, but so rough while he pinched and tweaked my pink nipples. He was always a little wild, a little uninhibited in bed, and this was the sweetest, most passionate gift I ever received for my birthday. Dallas teased and caressed and pinched my breasts for a bit until I looked into his blue eyes and mentally told him I was cumming; he was right behind me. Clawing and digging my nails into his skin I had my orgasm first and Dallas rammed into me harder. Silver sparks exploded from the center of those bright blue eyes, chasing midnight-blue lightning as he grunted his release and I yelled his name out. I yelled his name like a song while Dallas said my name like a curse. Nothing else was audible over our panting, and the soft ruffling of the sheets throughout the room. Dallas looked back into my eyes and I smiled.
“Well,” I panted, “happy birthday to me, huh?”

“Damn happy birthday,” Dallas chuckled.

I cuddled up to his side and reposed against his chest. Dallas draped his arm around my neck, hugging me closer and warming me up. Despite the fact I had school the next morning, I’d feel amazing because I’m 18, and I just had birthday sex with the best person ever.
It’s a good day to be Eris.
====
The faint sound of Tao humming made me turn to my right. She had her headphones jammed in, listening to Bruno Mars. I yanked one out and she made a face.
“What the fuck?”

“We’re in class! Put it away,” I roughly whispered.

Miffed and rolling her eyes and muttering some curse words, Tao dropped her phone back into her pocket then paid attention to Kirsi’s lesson. Truth be told, I’d barely been paying attention, but I still knew what we were doing. Last bell rang, thank Goddess. (Well, technically it wasn’t last bell, but we could ditch Affinity Hour if we wanted.)

Anyway, I was heading to Ria. 57 for another book; this time for pleasure. With a bunch of motivational and enthusiastic talks with Zara, I’d made it halfway through all of the Element books, as I was behind on Tusnced, Reaxced, Quacvced, Fzaesced and Lopced. But, it was okay, because those were advanced-power books, and I didn’t have any yet.

The Air book (Lopced) told me about the misting, and how I practically became invisible on command. The Earth book (Reaxced) said that I could manipulate Earth (i.e, split a tree in half so I could sneak out to see my boyfriend). The Water book (Tusnced) read about the advanced power of ESP through marine animals! And I could potentially control them! In the Fire book (Quacvced), I was pondering the fact of being able to burn someone internally. (It kinda made me think of Aya, but I was sure to push those thoughts away.) And lastly, in the Spirit book (Fzaesced), it told me that I’ have the ability to help someone’s emotion—if someone was suffering from great depression, I’d fill their mind with uplifting, relaxed, euphoric thoughts. But, I had to remember that I didn’t have a strength for Spirit, I just used the candle in a circle. It amazed me how unbelieveable my powers could turn out to be. Then, there were tons of other powers that I could develop, but, I’m only 18 (ha ha), so, I could wait.

I stepped up to the front desk, smiling down at Zara who had her nose in Twilight. She raised her eyes over the edge, then smiled.
“Hello! What do ya need, hun?” Zara asked like her perky-self. Her red hair had been curled, and it framed her face nicely.

“Hey, I just wanted to see if y’all had Ask the Passengers, I think I wanna read it,” I answered.

Zara’s eyes got a bit wide. She leaned in close then quietly said, “Eris, are you having different feelings?”

“Wha—no! No, Zara!” I knew what she meant: the book was about a girl becoming lesbian. “No, Zara, I just want to read it. I don’t feel any different.”

“Oh, okay. Whoo, I didn’t know! Not that I’m saying it’s wrong, just you and Dallas—eh. Nevermind. Yes, you’ll find it in the D bookshelf.” She realized what she said and grinned. “The ‘D’ bookshelf?”

“Zara, you’re not an immature tween. Thanks.” I shook my head laughing as I walked off.


I’d been in the library, curled up with the book and smoothly reading when I heard a throat being cleared before me. I glanced up to see Maz standing over me, with his lips drawn in a firm line, his dark eyes looking darker with how distracted he seemed. I bookmarked my page and said, “What’s up?”

He sat in the red chair across from me. Maz’s chocolate colored hair was a bit messy—like he’d been running his fingers through it.
“Hey, uhm, I got a question,” Maz softly asked.

“Yeah?”

“What’s Tao doing tonight? I really need to talk to her about a few things.”

I shrugged one shoulder and let it fall. “No clue. I not saw her in classes, why? What do you need to talk about? I thought you two me up last night?”

“No, and, it is not your business,” he gruffly said.

“Well, my best friend is my business. And she told me that you’ve been being a jerk lately.”

Maz snorted. “Me, a jerk? Tao must be out of her ever-loving mind. No, I haven’t been being a jerk; my asshole brother is getting in some trouble. Why, Eris? Do you wanna stick your nose somewhere it doesn’t belong?”

“Maz, you’re being a bit of a jerk right now. Don’t talk to me like that because it’s not like you, and, you didn’t even pick up Tao from class… And, she barely paid any mind to it because Tao knew that you’re having a bad week..”

“Eris, I only needed to hear one word from you’ your annoying voice is starting to piss me off. Tao isn’t always gonna be so important and number one in the world. What I actually came here to tell you was that she needs to call me.