Burdened (A Burdened Novel) (32 page)

“Of course
. Who else?”

“Well
, considering I’m half demon and all.”

“It’s not what you’re made of, it’s what you make of yourself. You make who you are
—no one else. We are not who we are because of where we come from or what people make us out to be, but because of what we want to be.

“You’re not a demon
,” I continue. “You just possess demon behaviors, but you know that, you don’t let it consume you, and you’ve bettered yourself—which means you were made by God and not by a demon.”

He doesn’t respond
. I stay quiet too, holding onto his hand that hangs over my shoulder.

My mom’s words start playing back in my head. I can’t imagine what it
is that they want to talk about. And keeping a clear schedule for two days? When my dad comes back, we usually do things as a family, staying out all day or going away for a few days.

To be without Nathan for a full day makes me remember that ache in my chest.

“What are you thinking about, babe?”

“
Keeping a clear schedule.”

“Why?”

“Because most of the time, when my dad comes home, we either go away or are gone for the entire day.”

“So why are you worried?”

Clingy me is breaking through. “I won’t see you. And I can’t figure out what they could possibly want to talk to me about. That didn’t sound good at all.”

“Maybe they want to talk about you finishing school
. You do graduate in a few months. They may want to talk about where you want to go afterwards.” He pulls me to walk closer to him. “That just means that tomorrow will be the day we will look into it. But whatever it is, you shouldn’t be worried about me. I told you I’m not going anywhere, and you will see me as long as you want to.”

“Thank you.”

“This is a really long walk, huh?”

“Yea
h. We just have one more corner and we will be there.”

We round the corner to Scott’s house.
“So what are we doing?”

“Normal stuff
, since Glen is going to be around. And Scott, being a coward, erased the details of what he is from her mind, only leaving the fact that he wanted to talk to her, and she became upset thinking whatever it was he had told her, he was lying.” I shake my head at that and he matches me. “And probably be around a lot of people, so we don’t risk being attacked.”

Speaking of being attacked
… “Why aren’t you at this family meeting,
number one
?”

“Because we are bound
and you now have a distinctive scent. So that means you go, I go, and vice versa. And don’t call me that.”

“Okay,
how do I have a distinctive scent?”

“My mark is on you, and you are covered in my scent. By
the way, your scent is extremely potent and it screams that you want me.”

“So even if I wasn’t with you
, one of your people would still know I’m your girl, because they can smell you on me?”

“Yes
, and the fact that you are craving me. If you knew how to control those hormones of yours, it might not be as strong. But I’m not complaining about that. I’ll take care of that later, and we’ll work on your control.”

My entire body chills. “Okay, so even if we are around a lot of people, can’t we still be attacked?”

“Yes, but they wouldn’t because of the risk of exposure. Remember how I said we are careful? And no race I’ve met has ever risked exposure—although, you can never be too sure.”

“So should you be at this meeting?”

“Probably.”

“
Then that’s where we need to be headed.”

“No
. Someone will let me know what’s going on. And with my phone not blowing up, it’s nothing too serious.”

We are approaching the confused couple
, and I drop the conversation. As soon as we’re in front of them, Scott says, “So I was thinking we could go to the fair, play some games, and go on some rides.”

We ride to the fair in Scott’s A5, which is a little cramped, considering how big Nathan is, trying to squeeze in the backseat. Glen is pressed against the dash to give him enough leg room, but it still isn’t enough. Scott and I laugh at their complaining.

We arrive at the fair
, which is full of people. I’m not big on the rides, but I do like the food and watching the performances. Nathan and Scott play a few games, while Glen and I watch, eating popcorn and cotton candy. We see a few of our friends from school, who sit back, watching Scott and Nathan go head to head shooting basketballs, neither of them missing a shot. ‘Show-offs.’

The
girls ood and aad, admiring them. Glen and I roll our eyes, our insides begging us to punch them. Well, I only assume Glen’s is. They tie the game, walking away with huge bears that are bigger than me and Glen.

As Nathan turns around
, holding the orange-colored bear under his arm, a girl I don’t recognize runs up to him.

“Hi, I’m Sarah. Can I hold your bear? It’s cute.” She’s smiling too big
. I stand back, watching her. Glen is in my ear, enticing me to check the situation. I’m calm.

Nathan looks at her face
, showing no interest. “No, my girl is going to hold it.”

“Right
—me!” She jumps slightly as she speaks.

“Wrong
—her.” Nathan looks at me. I can’t help smiling at him. He is perfect.

Still by his side as he approaches me
, she says, “Well, I’m okay with sharing.” She wears a slutty smile.

“I’m
sorry…Sarah? I’m not okay with it. That’s your exit,” I say. Sharing? Really?

“Well, when you get finished playing with her, come find me. I’ll teach you a few things.” This bitch cannot be serious.

Nathan starts pulling me away. “That’s okay, Sarah. I don’t associate myself with girls who like to share.” He turns us around and I can hear her cursing our backs. Nathan tries to hand me the bear. It’s way too big to walk around with.

At some point
, Glen left my side and is now next to Scott, who is handing her his purple bear. She is smiling, but refusing to take it, considering how big it is.

“Hey Scott
,” a familiar voice says loudly, from an approaching group of girls.

Scott pushes his hand
through his hair, wearing a look as if something bad is about to happen. I pull Nathan to walk faster. Glen isn’t as laid-back as I am, and I can already see her turning around to see who it is.

Pepper walks up
, with a hand on her hip. “You can’t speak, Scott?”

“I didn’t know he was obligated to
,” Glen states, stepping in front of Scott.

Pepper looks at Glen like she’s a cute puppy. “Aww Glen
, you’re hot over Scott.” She shakes her head with pierced lips. “You, and about all the other girls at school. What is it Scott? First you don’t talk to anyone, and now you’re talking to Tracey and Glen?” Tracey?

I start to step forward
. Nathan holds me still with his arm around my shoulder. “Wait,” he says. We stop a few feet away from them.

“And considering you were supposed to pick me up for Andrew’s party and you never showed
…” Pepper continues.

“Pepper you
—”

“No! Don’t talk to her.” Glen turns to Scott
, pointing her finger. Turning back to Pepper, she says, “And I recommend
you
not speak directly to him. You have something to say to him, you say it to me.” I can hear the irritation in her voice.

Pepper laughs. “Okay
, Glen.” She pauses, with a wicked smile taking over her face. “So
Scott
, what are you doing after you leave here?”

The purple bear hits the ground as Scott reaches out to grab Glen, catching her only inches from her fist making contact with Pepper’s face.

Pepper is stunned, and Nathan and I are pushing through the now-forming crowd.

I approach Glen
. Nathan’s behind me, hand in mine. “Calm down, Glen. She’s not worth it. Let’s go.”

“Hi Tracey.” I turn to Pepper
, and the smile is back on her face.

“Scott
, let me go!” Glen is angry, and Pepper is about to take this to the extreme.

I look back at Pepper
. “Why do you need to start shit? Everyone is here to have a good time, and you just have to go there.” Nathan wraps his arm around me, over my chest, still holding my hand.

Pepper follows the arm and looks
him over. “Wait, this is not your guy, Tracey,” she says rhetorically. “Nice!” She pushes her hair back. “Hi, I’m Pepper.” She reaches her hand out for him to shake.

Without thinking
, I smack her hand away. “Put your damn hand away!”

Nathan’s arm tightens around me, pulling me against his chest. “Don’t
, Tracey.”

Pepper’s eyes widen when he speaks. “Damn
, Cey! He sounds good too!” She smiles at him, before looking at her friends.

Glen moves closer to me. Scott is only using one arm
, holding her by her waist. “I told you to let me get her. But, noo…” she sings. “Calm down, Glen. It’s not worth it,” she mocks.

“I’m not going to touch that girl
,” I say calmly, but still fuming.

“She may not touch
me
, but I am definitely going to touch
him and Scott
.” Pepper looks from Nathan to Scott, and kisses the air at them. Shit just hit the fan.

Glen and I both reach out for her at the same time. Nathan has both
his arms around me. I’m not coming close to her.

She laughs
, taunting me.

I know Nathan isn’t going to let me reach for h
er, so I wrap my arms around his—that are around me—for leverage and I kick her with both of my feet. She flies back into the crowd. I didn’t put much force behind it, but it looks like I did.

“Time to go!” Scott says. Glen is laughing
, talking shit to Pepper, as Scott and Nathan pull us away. I feel better.

“You lost it
,” Nathan says in a low, disapproving voice, shaking his head—the deepness and sternness back in his voice.

I
did
lose it, but I’m not in the mood to hear it. I look at him, shaking my head.

“Tracey, how can I expect you to keep me in control if you can’t even
maintain your own control?” I didn’t think about it like that. “You could have killed that girl.”

“She’s okay
. I saw her breathing.”

“You’re stronger now,
because I’m a part of you. Your strength is not what it used to be.” He looks away from me. “Things like that are going to happen. You cannot let shit like that get to you. Even though I wanted to beat the shit out of that guy at the party and your ex-boyfriend, I didn’t. And the shit they did was worse than that petty talking the girl was doing. Why would you let her get to you? You knew nothing was going to happen.” I start feeling bad. “You let people talk, unless they threaten you. She
definitely
was no threat.”

“Nathan
, she—”

“Nothing
, Tracey! She did nothing but run her mouth. And you let those petty words get to you. You lost it.” He takes a breath. I can see the disappointment in his face.

We continue walking to Scott’s car and I stay silent.
Scott is pulling Glen and seems to be talking a little harshly to her as well.

After we’re in the car
, Scott pulls away from the fair the moment the doors close. “Scott, drop Tracey off at her house.” I look at him, but he doesn’t look back. He’s upset, and I don’t say anything.

Arriving at my hou
se, Scott gets out to let me out. I look to Nathan before getting out of the car, still not saying anything.

“I’ll be
back later, Tracey. Go in the house,” he states calmly, looking at me then away.

“Okay. Bye
, Glen,” I say softly, filled with despair.

“Bye
, Cey. I know the guys are mad at us, but I’m cool with it. One of us was bound to hit her,” she says, smiling.

“Thanks.” I return
, detached, as I get out of the car.

Scott says nothing to me as I walk past him and he gets back in the car. I walk to my door quickly and watch the car pull off.

“Tracey?” my mom calls from the second floor to make sure it’s me, considering that we don’t lock the front door and anyone can just walk in.

“Yes
, Mom, it’s me.”

“Did you have a good time?”

“Yes. I’m going to sit in the family room for the evening until I get tired.”

“Okay
. If you’re hungry, I ordered a pizza. It’s in the oven.”