I nod, realising the significance of his duty in Gravehaven and the importance of maintaining the wraiths to protect the people of Felderia.
Xander turns his attention back to us. 'A few warlocks and I are assigned to keep the wraiths at bay,' he explains. 'They will cover my shifts while I accompany you three on the journey to retrieve a flower from the Blossom fox.'
Xander gazes at Janie, ‘It is time for me to go, my love,’ he says to Janie, approaching her, his eyes beaming with affection. As he draws closer, their connection intensifies, and Janie instinctively envelopes him in a warm embrace. Their bodies press against each other, and time seems to stand still in that tender moment.
Amid their embrace, their lips meet in a gentle kiss, expressing their deep bond. The world around them has faded into the background as they surrender to the sweetness of the moment, their hearts beating in unison. It's a kiss filled with love, understanding, and the unspoken promises of their connection.
As their lips part, they remain locked in a silent embrace, their eyes communicating volumes without uttering a single word. In that brief moment, the intensity of their emotions lingers in the air, creating an unbreakable bond between them. Their gazes hold the promise of a future yet to unfold, a future intertwined with adventure, love, and the challenges they would face together.
With a final, lingering look, Xander slowly steps back, 'Will you dream of me tonight?' he asks Janie with a sweet smile. 'Every night, forever and always,' she says in a gentleness that is almost like a sweet melody in the air as a bittersweet smile plays upon her lips as she watches Xander fade into the dark embrace of the shadows.
Imogen and I watch Janie with a sense of happiness and contentment for her as she takes a deep breath. We can see her heart is already aching with the longing for Xander and can see the excitement of the adventures with him that await her.
***
It's Friday evening, and I'm struggling to find something to wear to Neilson's party. Imogen is on video call, trying to help me out.
‘I’ve tried on seven dresses, Imogen. None of them hides my tail, and the one I wore on our last date has tears.
I hold up the damaged dress for her to see.
‘It looks like a cat or something clawed through it,’ Imogen shrugs.
I clench the dress in my hand, ‘That darn cat, Mister Kal! He must be porting into my room when I’m not here and destroying my belongings,’ I tell her.
Imogen chuckles at the ongoing battle between me and the mischievous cat. 'He really has it in for you,' she says, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
I frown. The frustration is evident in my voice. 'Not funny, Imogen, especially when this is the only dress I had that could cover my big, fat fluffy tail!' I groan, giving up on the dresses.
I pull out my favourite jeans and hoodie and change into them.
‘Since I won’t be dolling myself up, I may as well wear my trusty beanie,’ I say to Imogen as I pull my hair scarf out to reveal my dark magenta-coloured fluffy ears. They perk up as I hear Brad’s car pull up. He honks the horn a few times.
‘Is he not going to come to the door?’ Imogen frowns.
My ears flatten with dismay as I look out my balcony to see he’s still sitting in his car. ‘I guess not,’ I frown. ‘My mother wanted to meet him before I left. I guess that won’t be happening,’ I tell her.
‘Okay, well, good luck with that,’ Imogen says sympathetically. ‘My mother said I can borrow her car since I don’t plan on drinking. I’ll head there now, so we should arrive around the same time. I’ll see you when you get there,’ she says and ends the call.
I pull the beanie over my head and glance at myself in the mirror. I hope Brad doesn't mind that I've opted for a casual look. With a quick sigh, I rush downstairs. Brad's impatient horn echoes outside. I reach his car and notice he's still inside, looking angry and fixated on his phone. I let myself into the car, settling in the front passenger's seat.
I offer Brad a hopeful smile, attempting to lighten the mood. He's dressed in blue jeans and a casual shirt adorned with palm trees, with a few buttons undone to reveal a hint of chest hair. Suddenly, I don't feel as underdressed anymore. However, when he looks at me, disapproval fills his eyes.
'What is this, Rose?' he asks, waving his hand dismissively. 'You were supposed to wear a dress. Go and change,' he says sternly.
I stare at him in shock, my gaze sweeping over his outfit. 'But even you're not dressed up, Brad,' I respond, my voice laced with confusion. 'You don't hear me telling you to go home and change. Why does it matter? We're going out to have fun, to socialise and enjoy a party. I don't need to wear a dress for that,' I assert.
Brad's eyes narrow, indicating that my words have only fuelled his anger further. Fear and worry course through my body, anticipating his response. Just then, my mother opens the front door, catching a glimpse of me already in Brad's car. She smiles and waves at him, seemingly delighted with his presence.
Brad nods at her and offers a forced smile, and waves back. He places his phone in the air vent holder on the dashboard and quickly starts the car, driving off in silence, leaving an air of tension between us.
Halfway to Neilson's house, Brad still hasn't uttered a word, his anger lingering. The music in his car sporadically cuts in and out, further exacerbating his frustration. In a fit of irritation, he strikes the only semi-working speaker, causing it to completely die. Just then, Brad's phone lights up with a message from his friend Jarrod. 'Been too long, man. It's got to happen at the party tonight, or the bet's off. Otherwise, Jackson is next in line to win the one-thousand-dollar bet. You know the rules. You snooze, you lose.' Brad's scowl deepens as he reads the words, clearly agitated by the content. He swiftly shoves the phone into his pocket, hoping I didn't read it.