Beyond the Words

[Amorentia]

Tori POV

My little sister Viv was in my newly contructed room as we were reading Cosmo Girl together talking over the tacky factor of their Spring trends. Just when she started showing me a gossip article about one of her heart throb crush, I noticed Jalil outside. Knowing I didn't like dudes being around my little Sister, he hung back outside waiting. Viv saw him. She reacted by giving me her cute little girl smile as she gathering her magazines before she giggled and went inside.

Jalil walked into the opening of my new little room looking around like he had some room to appraise it. His eyes did the same over the flowers I'd been sent from people who'd been in my life in some way. If he thought this was something he should see the ones I had Viv throw out because I refused to even look at them. My eyebrow raised daring him to voice the look. Just like the rest of my Pack brothers, he had a short leash of room to comment on my life.

In his hand he held out a single yellow lily. Giving him a dry look I told him, "I almost die and you bring me a flower you cut from Peni's yard?"

A large grin spread across his face as he reached into the large pocket of his cargo pants tossing something of the bed beside me. My eyes smiled up at him seeing the small brown Coach wallet he picked up for me.  It wasn't plum, he got an E for Effort.

Jalil POV

Instantly Little Bit's eyes lit up. She'd hate to admit I know her as well as I do - as any of us in the Pack do. Part of her wants to remain hidden, a question hidden by a shroud of mystery. To us, we've been inside of her head, so we know. Though she will never let us admit to it. 

As she rummaged through the flods and pockets I teased her laughing at her materialism, "I didn't think anyone could put a price on life."

"We can try," she answered. The smile she gave me I hadn't seen in a long time. It was nice to see somehow that grudge she had was letting ground.

"So.....," I sat on her bed by her feet. Her eyes snapped up at me reminding me we weren't that close anymore. Laughing I stood up, walking to the side of the tent making a big show out of her making me sit on the floor. The raised eyebrow over her smirk told me she was enjoying it.

"So....," I continued. "Are you and Reg serious."

Her face turned dangerious as her eyes snapped up in warning that I was treading on shaky ground. It made me laugh. The smile her face changed into kind of caught me off guard.

"Death is serious. Reg is fun." A wide smile spread across her face. "Girls just want to have fun.

Looking away, I wanted to talk to her. She knew my history better than anyone except Peni. I knew she'd understand some of the things I was dealing with. Knowing she'd understand seemed like good reason not to have to say anything. I didn't even want to feel it, much less express it. "So you're okay?" I asked.

Tori POV

"I'd nod, but it hurts when I move my head." I smiled not wanting to get into details about hearing Justin's screams ringing through my ears, and the dull ache that pulls at my brain. They'd know all of that soon enough when I ran with the Pack again. They all have their own issues to deal with reguardless of mine. I hated sharing mine - with anyone.

"I just wanted to check on you." Jalil said tapping my foot with his hand. Wisely he moved away before I could cut my eye at him.

"Thank you." I told him. Then I asked, "Are you going to Justin's....'

"Yeah...." Jalil cut me off before I could elaborate, looking away as he answered. "Both of them, with Peni." 

The thought of going to the Funeral Service that was being held in the regular community so that all the kids not privy to our world could still mourn Justin sounded like a Nightmare. The life of Cheerleading with the "in crowd" ended when I joined the "strange kids" of the Pack. When I graduated it wasn't to the cool after parties I went it. It was to the Magical Community Center with the rest of the rejects of acceptable society. Our secret had to be protected at all costs, even that of my social life. Now they were slowly becoming my people. I'd fight and die for them. I'd proved it. I even let them die for me. Though I still hadn't come to terms with to live with that.  

My eyes focused the opposit direction he was looking telling him, "I'm just going to the Magical one.."

Jalil POV

Nodding, I knew what she was saying. In order to embrace this new life, she had to leave her old one behind. It was probably a good thing. I's seen her memories. She's better for it. I hoped I could say the same for myself. But right now my past was looming over me like an imposter living a life I didn't deserve.

Even though I didn't feel it, I looked at my phone as if it vibrated needing an excuse to leave. "I've got to take this."

She gave me a peace sign as I stood to leave probably knowing me well enough to know what I was doing. Perhaps knowing me now well enough not to care. I tossed up a wave to leave without looking back.

Jalil Clearwater written by Amorentia. Tori "Little Bit" Young and family by Amorentia.

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