Chapter 26

Ariel snuck looks at Jade as they headed home from school.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, his eyes peeled for suspicious people.

"N-no... I'm still stunned by what happened." Ariel took a deep breath. "Do you think she'll back off or retaliate?"

"I hope she backs off, but people like her don't take well to being humiliated. Still, her influence over people should've dropped off a cliff. There were enough around to make the truth about her spread, possibly to the entire school."

Ariel stopped, her head tilted to the side in wonder. "Wait, did you plan this?"

"I can't plan her stealing your necklace, but based on what I knew about her, I set up a way to make sure we could prove it was yours. It was also she who approached me while in a busy hallway. She dug her own grave."

Honk, honk. Jade glanced at the car beside them, while Ariel looked around him, and their eyes widened.

"Ariel." Conner rolled his passenger window down. "I got off early today, so... Who's this?" Conner's eyes went straight to their clasped hands.

She tried to pull away, but Jade tightened his grip.

"T-this is..."

"I'm Jade," he introduced himself and gave a small bow.

"Jade? Okay, why are you two holding hands? Is there something you haven't told me? Might be my fault for not being around enough, but I was home not long ago."

Ariel froze, eyes wide as she struggled to form a word. What do I say? How do I explain this? Where is Jade supposed to go now? I don't want to leave him alone outside.

"Ariel?" Conner called out to her. "You two should get in the car." He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. "I'll drive you home."

"Thank you, sir." Jade bowed to him and pulled Ariel into the car with him.

Conner drove off and glanced at Jade in the rear-view mirror. "So, I'll be blunt here. Are you two dating? I mean, it's okay if you are, but I don't know why you'd hide it, unless there was a reason to hide it."

"Yes, we're dating," Jade replied, and Ariel gasped. "It only started recently, so I suppose that's why she didn't mention anything."

"Even still... You have to stop hiding things from me, Ariel. Were you afraid I'd grill him?"

Well, I guess that's one reason. She nodded.

"Not speaking to me now? Geez, I must be scary or something. All these years, and you never told me." He sighed. "I could understand if Jade was afraid of me, being a military man and all, but you should be fine."

"It's not easy to bring things up," Ariel spat, finally finding her words. "We both know I'm a loner, so how could I explain this?" It's not like anyone's had any interest in me that way.

"A lot of loners end up dating; it's not unusual."

"But you also still treat me like I'm ten."

"Sometimes, but now I'll treat you your age, and intimidate the fellow beside you to make sure he treats you well, and doesn't push past any limits."

"Ugh..." Ariel covered her face with her hand. "Did you really have to say that?"

"As your old brother and guardian, yes, yes, I had to."

"It's okay," Jade whispered.

I highly doubt he could intimidate Jade in a tradition sense. Only reason I could see of there being any fear is because he doesn't want to be kicked out.

"You know, after all these years, it's nice to see you hanging out with someone. Although a teenaged male the same height as me was unexpected. You sure you're a teenager?"

"Yes," Jade replied.

"So, where can I drop you off?"

"Home?" Ariel winced.

Screech. The car skidded to a halt, and he turned to them. "Wait a second here. Are you telling me he wasn't just walking you home? Have you been inviting him over while I wasn't here? Is this why you didn't seem as happy to see me the other day? Did I stop him from coming over or something?"

Ariel froze again, staring out the window without blinking. Oh, crap. He's such a goof that I forget how intelligent and perceptive he is sometimes.

"I'm sorry if I overstepped by coming over," Jade said. "I meant no harm. I wanted to spend time with her and hanging out at the library has a lot of restrictions."

Conner took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "That makes sense, but you can go to the mall... Wait, are you wearing a necklace? Is that from him?"

"Yes, I gave it to her."

"Ariel, you're going to have to start answering questions for yourself soon."

"I'm sorry, but she seems a bit too stunned, and I expect your reaction is making it harder."

"But... It's me!" He took another deep breath and fanned himself. "I was not ready for any of this. I mean, I hoped she'd find someone eventually, but not yet. I don't know if I can handle this. If you were in our house, I have to ask, were you in her room?"

"..."

"No..."

"I'm sorry, but we didn't do anything."

"I'm going to have to find a way to come home more often."

If he's this mad about Jade coming over, how angry will he be if he finds out the truth?

His heart still racing and stomach in knots, Conner focused on the road and continued to drive them home. "I should really drop you off at your house, though. It's obvious I need to talk to my sister alone."

"I... Is that a good idea?"

"Are you suggesting I'd do anything to hurt her? I love my sister, and I have to protect her, despite how much I've already failed."

"You haven't failed," Ariel said. "You're doing your best, and that's all I can ask of you. Trust me when I say you care more than some of these kids' parents. You can't always be around to protect me. And despite what you've taught me, I haven't been able to protect myself." Ariel hung her head.

"I already knew you didn't like confrontation or hurting people, but I still hoped the lessons would've helped."

"I think we need to work on how much she hesitates to act, even in her own defence," Jade said.

"But it's in her nature not to want to hurt people, even if they're in the wrong."

"Can you two please stop discussing me like I'm not here?" Ariel sighed.

"We just want what's best for you."

Conner pulled into their driveway. "You can come in, for now," Conner said before getting out of the car. "Hey, are those my shoes?" His eyes went straight to Jade's feet.

He had forgotten to switch to the ones they gave him with the uniform.

"'Cause I know the school shoes look a bit different. Both of you, to the kitchen." He pointed at the house. "I'm going to need a better explanation."