Demon Love...Or Hate...Or...WHATEVER! *Chapter 6*

“What do you mean “not human”?” I asked, turning to look at Tulia.

“Well, at least, that’s what the rumors say. But, it’s my belief too. Everyone back home was nervous around them. We thought it was their group who started the fire.” Tulia absentmindedly wove a daisy chain. She kept her voice down. “They scare me.”

“What do you mean “their group”? There’s more besides Prick and F-Cup?” I vaguely remember other people coming out of the limo, but I kept seeing Prick’s annoying face.

“Oh geez, Myr, you and your tunnel vision. Okay, listen carefully.” Shanti stood up, looking every bit intimidating as a commander addressing his troops. “There were exactly six people to get out of that limo. Two of them were Herpangina and Hot Prick. I’ve got classes with three of the others, and I’ve just heard of the last one, I haven’t actually seen him.”

I sighed crossing my arms and leaning against the tree. “Prick is not hot Shanti.”

“Fine, gorgeous, then.”

“Try idiotic and nauseating.”

“Just because he called you a retard doesn’t mean he is not humping material.”

“Shanti, almost everything to you is humping material. And how did you know he called me a retard?”

“I’m good at getting information, and I do not think everything is humping material. Just boys.”

“Hey guys…uh, can we get back on topic?” Tulia interjected quietly.

Shanti stuck her tongue out at me, but continued her report. “Anyways, the others are Shasa Sevin and Avish Urvi, who I have during second period, along with the missing Cree. Then there’s Hot Prick third, Herpangina sixth and Shasa along with this cute guy with long hair seventh.”

“Oh, that must be the guy Cree thought was cute, too. She mentioned him when I saw her for the few seconds before she disappeared this morning.” I commented.

“Do you mean Abel Allard? He’s the only normal one out of the group. It’s weird, he actually seems to not like anyone in their little gang, but he’s always around Shasa.” Tulia placed the daisy chain on her head and began making a bracelet.

“Are they dating?” asked Shanti.

“Not the last time I heard.”

“Good, because I forgot to get his number.” Shanti began to prattle. “Should I wear the rosemary blouse or the baby doll dress to impress him? Do you think Cree will mind? Well, she’ll thank me later. Oh, I’ll wear the Versace blouse with the amber necklace set! That’ll look much better against my skin. Now, should I wear gladiator sandals with my skirt or wedge heels?”

“Shanti, focus.” I interrupted, taking my position on the tree again. “The sixth person?”

“It was something Daray…Garrett? Gene?” Shanti struggled to recall his name.

“Gethin Daray.” whispered Tulia.

“That’s it!” Shanti clapped her hands together. “I heard he was the loner type.”

“He’s the worst,” answered Tulia, hugging her legs to herself, crushing her little daisy bracelet.

“He’s the only one I haven’t’ seen yet. Why’s he the worst? Did he start the fire?” asked Shanti.

“No, he’s just…Well, you know how Zachary seems bad boy, but good at the same time? Like he’s shameless, but kind? Well…Gethin just seems….cruel. If you ever see him, he’s good looking, but there’s this…darkness in him. It seems like he’ll silently torture you from the background. I’ve never spoken to him. I avoid him as best as I can. You should too, Myra, Shanti. He’s evil.” Tulia’s face was hidden, but you could hear the fear in her voice.

“Forget that! Gethin or whatever his name is, he’s no better than the dog down the street. I bet he’s full of it, and just wants attention. He’s probably no better than the Prick. Bring him on, I’ll stomp his ass down. I’d never be intimidated by anyone, human or not, no matter how evil rumors said they are.”

“Myra, you’re really brave.” Tulia smiled shyly at me.

“I don’t know, bravery is the cousin to stupidity...” commented Shanti.

“And flirting can lead to whoring…” I replied.

She shrieked in fake indignation, and attempted to through grass at me, but because of the wind it just came back in her face. She sputtered and coughed. “Eww…I think I swallowed some of that.”

I laughed so hard I fell out of the tree, so we laughed at that. Then Shanti started coughing again because of the grass and we just laughed harder. We probably sounded like a group of maniacs.

“Oh, guy’s, it’s getting late. I should be heading back.” I stood up and wiped the tears from my eyes. “I’ll call Cree later, and see what’s up.”

“Okay, I’m going to take Tulia home. Then I’ll three way and you two can help me decide what to wear to talk to Abel tomorrow.” Shanti brushed the dirt from her boots, then helped Tulia up.

“Shanti, what about the other guys you met?” I sighed.

“One can never have too much fun,” she smiled. “See you tomorrow Myr! Let’s go Tuli.”

I waved goodbye and made my way back to the house.

***

“Mom, I’m back!” I called, closing the back door behind me.

“ATTACK!” Something tackled me from behind.

“Holy Mother!” I caught myself and grabbed my little brother around the waist. “Serge! Prepare to die!” I threw him on the couch in the den, then had him in a sleeper hold. He grabbed my arm, and flipped me over him and onto the floor. He poised over me, then jumped.

“Death to the older sibling!”

I caught him with my feet and threw him over me. He landed in the hallway with a groan. I quickly jumped up and twisted his arm behind him like they do on Cops.

“Say uncle!” I cried, triumphant.

“Tio, Tio!” He cried.

I rolled my eyes. “In English, you dork.”

“What’s the point of that? It’s no fun. Besides, you’re lesson is done for today young grasshopper, so get off me.”

I stood up. “You’re the one who attacked me. I should make you my indentured servant or something.”

“I’m your little brother, isn’t that basically the same thing? Besides, remember when you couldn’t even get out of my tackle attack? I basically made you a killing machine. That officially makes me awesome.” He smiled and stood up.

When Sergio was first adopted, he was only comfortable around mom. But, we found common ground when I told him I had this thing for action movies. He told me he could do almost every kung fu thing imaginable, and I told him he was full of it. So we started attacking each other, and believe it or not we got closer.

But,beating himwas becoming difficult.

For being thirteen, he was really tall. I was five four, while he was already five eight and showing little signs of stopping. His dark auburn hair shaded his gold colored cat like eyes. He was from Spain, so he knew a lot of Spanish. My little brother was a looker with a mischievous smile, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“What’s all that racket?” yelled my Dad as he walked in.

“Sibling bonding” we answered in unison.

“Sibling bonding my foot” he grumbled. He walked off and started mumbling in Japanese. He does that when he’s irritated.

I smiled at his little quirk. My dad was in his mid 30’s, but he was so handsome and baby faced people often mistook him for my older brother. My parents had me at a young age. It was a big thing for this town, an interracial relationship and a kid out of wedlock? It’d never happened before.

Some relationships don’t last those hardships, but my parents just grew closer together. My mom had been living with her aunt, since most of her relatives are in Mexico. My aunt wasn’t too phased by the relationship. “if he takes responsibility for his child, he’s a good man.” That was her philosophy.

But my dad’s family felt ashamed and all but disowned him, although his sister (I’d never call her my aunt) comes around to rub her perfect life and perfect children in his face. I hated her, but my dad couldn’t cut the last remaining tie to his family, and my mom was too nice to tell them to shove off, so I had to fake smile my way through their torturous visits. Thank the Lord my cousins went to East high.

“Dinner’s ready!” My mom set down the platter and started to serve plates.

Sergio and I were still discussing who was better at kicking ass.

“Hush you two, eat.”

We laughed and talked our way through dinner.

I loved this, my mismatched family. Even if I was only a half breed (I’ve been called that before), I always felt like I belonged here.

After dinner I helped clean up and was about to go watch a Bruce Lee movie with Serge, when the doorbell rang.

“Got it!” I yelled.

I opened the door and was surprised to see Cree. She had one around her middle and ran a shaky hand through her hair. Her eyes were swollen, like she’d been crying.

Few things rattled her. It was weird to see her like this.

“Cree? What’s wrong?”

She squeezed her eyes shut and hugged herself.

“It’s Von.” She whispered, barely audible. “He’s…He’s gone missing.”