Remember

Chapter 10

 I had finished up at work and was starving. I had walked to a near by deli shop and ordered myself and Ares a sandwich. He was to be meeting me near the skate park and had something to tell me. He was running late, but I didn't mind. I was enjoying watching the skaters do their tricks and stuff. I started to eat my chips when I heard a diesel engine roaring. When I turned around I saw a monster of a truck pull up into a parking space and snickering from girls who hung around the skate park just to flirt with the guys. I saw Ares hop out and he looked almost like his Fae form except for the ears and the fangs, but everything else about his seemed normal. He came toward me and I couldn't stop watching as he stalked toward me looking so rebel like. I'm sure I heard a comment behind me about him, but I didn't react. 

"Hi," 

"Hi," 

"I didn't know you drove." 

"I prefer to warp, but I want to fit in." 

"Oh I think you've done more than just fit in. I'm pretty sure you have a fan club starting over there." 

He looked over my shoulder, "Not my type at all." He shook his head and turned his attention to me. 

"Here you go." I handed him the sandwich 

"Thank you." 

"Best deli sandwiches ever." I told him, "I like human food. Its really good." 

"Is Fae food not good?" I asked him 

"Its good too, but when you have never tried something and you finally do your taste buds explode." 

As we began to dive into our sandwiches a girl I had recognized from school came up to us. 

"Hi, um I'm Riley." She sat down next to him 

"I'm Ares and this is Emma."

"Yeah we go to to school together." 

I gave her a full food face smile because I knew of her and knew she was not a nice person at all especially to me. 

"So your Jenna's brother right?" 

Ares nodded and continued to eat. 

"Do you go to school?" 

"Nope." 

I was trying not to laugh because he was definitely giving her the cold shoulder. 

"Well I was wondering if you wanted to come hang out later with my friends and I. We are having a get together at our house." 

"No thanks Emma and I have plans." 

"Well you can come too Emma." 

I was surprised at the invitation because in all the years that I had know Riley she was never this nice to me or invited me over. 

"Like he said we have plans, but maybe next time." 

"Right. Well here is my number just in case. It was nice to meet you Ares. Emma I'll see you at school soon." She said handing him a piece of paper folded up. 

I waved bye and Ares didn't acknowledge her in the least bit. I waited until she was far enough away and I saw Ares turn the small piece of paper into a tiny ball of flame and it disintegrated into ash and blew away. 

"I don't think I have ever seen a rejection that bad." 

He snickered, "We call those minx back home." 

"Minx?" I asked 

"Slut." 

I laughed, "Oh yeah. She's had lots of boyfriend already." 

"We do have plans by the way." 

"We do?" 

"Yeah we are going back to school shopping." He smiled, 

"Really?" I asked 

"Yes." 

I groaned, "Why?" 

"Because school starts soon and you need new clothes." 

"Fine. I need to call my mom." 

"Already done she said that was ok and to have you back home by ten." 

I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped. 

"How?" 

"Parents really like me." He smirked 

I couldn't believe it and became very speechless. 

"You ok?" 

I looked down at my work clothes. 

"I need to go home and change." 

"Ok." 

We got up and went to his truck where he put my bike in the back of it and we drove to my house. 

I saw my mom's car parked out front and I walked in. 

"Hi mom." I called out, Ares followed behind me. 

"Hi-oh hi Ares." 

"Hello." He responded 

"Thank you for taking Emma shopping. She hates it when I try and take her." 

"No worries and I promise to have her back by ten." 

"You two have fun." 

"I'll be right back." I told him and went into my room to change. 

I threw some jeans on and paired with with a fitted dark red t-shirt and my slip on checkered VANs shoes. I had long hair so I just brushed it and ran it threw the straightener real quick and applied a mild amount of makeup and body spray just because I thought it would be something different. I went back into my room and crawled underneath my bed to grab the box of money I saved from my job and anytime I got money from my birthday or Christmas I'd save it. I placed it in my wallet that I hardly ever used and grabbed my mini black backpack that I used instead of a purse. 

I walked out to the living room where he was sitting and waiting for me. He smiled once he saw me and my mom looked at me in a different way. As if I was no longer little baby, but her grown up daughter. 

"You ok mom?" 

"I am fine. Here." She handed me a hundred bucks 

"Mom." 

"Its fine. Go have fun and get something cute. I love you." 

"Love you too." 

Ares led me out to his truck and we drove off to the mall. I still held the money my mom gave me hot in my hand.

"You ok?" He asked 

"Yeah I'm fine." 

"You look great by the way." He commented and I blushed 

"Thanks." 

"I've never seen you wear make up before." 

"I don't wear it a lot." 

"You don't need it, but still looks good on you." 

I smiled, "Thanks." 

"You don't appear the same way to me as you do to my mom do you?" 

"Why do you ask?" 

"Because if she saw the tattoos and they plugs in your ear I doubt she'd let me go with you anywhere." 

He laughed, "She sees me how you use to see me." 

"And today at the skate park you showed off because?" 

"I wanted to help your social status." 

I snorted, "Why?" 

"Because I can." 

"Maybe I don't want to up my social status, maybe I am content with who I am. I don't need girl's like Riley to be nice to me to try and get into my boyfriends pants." I don't know how or why I said it, but it came out fast and I wanted to rewind and take it back. 

I could see him smiling, "I didn't mean it that way. I mean that you are a boy who is my friend." I was scrambling to try and cover myself, but it was way too late. 

"Its ok Emma. I understand." 

I didn't say anything anymore too embarrassed to speak so I tried to look out the window to escape. 

"Emma." 

I turned to look at him. 

"Your too good for me to just be your boyfriend Emma." 

"One day you'll be more." I told him 

"One day, but for now lets go enjoy the typical teenage life of going to the mall." 

"I take it you didn't have much of a childhood?" 

"All work and no play." He smiled 

"So you are compensating for it now." 

"Yes." 

We got to the mall and began to walk around. I really did need new clothes and shoes. Especially since I was starting my Junior year. I didn't want to wear the same clothes I had, but was willing to make the sacrifice because I wanted my parents to be able to afford Casey's clothes and I was really into t-shirts and jeans so it was just easier for me to go into the city to a high end thrift store and pick out my clothes. 

I hated malls because it smelled good and there were things that looked desirable, but screamed money. Thankfully I had worked my ass of at the store and the owner paid me pretty decent for an under the table job. We stopped at our first store which was my favorite shoe store VANS. I had the same pair since I was in 9th grade and desperately needed a new pair. 

"Welcome to VANS how can I help you?" Said a*****e clerk he looked down at my shoes. 

"Dude your shoes are total vintage, but its time for a new pair."

I smiled out of embarrassment, "Yeah just a little." 

"Don't worry mine turn up like that all the time. What is your size?" 

"Its a 7." 

"Ok cool all our women's shoes are from this side on. Happy shopping." 

"Thanks man." Said Ares as we walked toward the Womens section. I started to scan the area and found a pair of solid black slip ons. I tried them on and they fit snug. I stuck them in the box and stood up. 

"Ok I found a pair.' 

"Do you want to get more than one pair?" 

"One is fine." 

"Emma," 

"What?" 

He sighed, "Are you worried about money?" 

"No I have money." 

"From your job?" 

"Yes." 

He shook his head, "Save it. This is my treat." 

"No way I can't have you pay for a pair of shoes." 

"Your right because I don't want you to just get one pair." 

"This is crazy. I am not going to be like Casey." 

"Casey gets all of Jenna's stuff she doesn't like or want." 

"Still....I am not going to have you pay for my stuff." 

He was stoic in his expression. 

"Well we can either spend your money and I'll just return it safety in the box under your bed or you can allow me to spoil you as you deserve and we can move on and have a great time." 

I knew in the back of my mind I was not going to win this fight. 

"Fine" I smirked, so I looked around and continued to shop for shoes. I grabbed 3 more pairs and we walked toward the front to check out. Ares brought out a credit card and did not question the price of 4 pairs of shoes. The clerk put them in a bag and handed them to Ares. When we walked out of the store I was speechless because I wasn't sure what to say except the obvious. 

"Thank you." 

He smiled, "Your welcome, but we aren't done yet." 

When I looked down at his hands the bag was gone. 

"Where are they?" I asked 

"In the truck." 

"Oh...well that's fancy." 

"I figured we will be doing a lot of shopping today." 

"Don't get too carried away." 

"What? Human shopping is fun." 

"You think shopping is fun or spending money?" 

He shrugged, "Both, come on let's go have fun. I can see it in your eyes. You are dying to shop." 

I snorted out a laugh, "Ok fine. I'll let you spoil me." 

"Yes!" 

He took my hand and led me on to the next store. We hit up all my favorite stores-Tilly's-Hot Topic-Bath and Body-Victoria Secret (for underwear and cute sweatshirts and sweats) We even hit up Ulta for some make up even though I hardly wore any, but the lady was super nice and very helpful.

By the time we got done I was starving and exhausted. I was ready to hit up the food court, but Ares wouldn't hear it. He wanted to take me to a decent place. Luckily they had a Bar and Grill within the parking lot of the mall so we walked over there. 

As we sat down in a booth the waitress asked if we wanted anything to drink. 

"I'd like a Whiskey on the rocks please." Said Ares 

"Ok and you ma'am." I was shocked by the fact she didn't ask him for some ID. 

"I'll just take a raspberry iced tea please." 

"Sure thing." She walked off and I looked at Ares funny 

"You don't get carded?" 

He shook his head, "I have the power of persuasion." 

"Oh...makes sense now." 

"Does it." He gave me a devilish smile 

I let out a heavy sigh. 

"So how much of a dent did I put on your credit card?" I asked him 

"Seriously Emma, you didn't. Trust me. My sister and I'm sure your sister would max the s**t out of it together." 

"Oh. Will your dad say anything?"

"Why would he? It's my money. At my age I should have my own assets and investments." 

"Fae's invest?" I asked 

"Yes especially in the human world. It's an easy way to make a lot of money." 

"Well glad to know you're responsible." I teased

"It took a lot of years to get this way trust me." 

The waiter brought his drink, "Well have we decided on what we want?" 

We were so busy talking that I didn't have a chance to look over the menu. 

"Can we get a few more minutes?" I asked 

"Sure thing." 

I gave a quick glance at the menu and saw so many delicious items. I wasn't sure which one to choose from. 

"What are you getting?" I asked him 

"The jalapeño burger." 

"Hmmm I think I might get the appetizer meal. It comes with all kinds of deliciousness." 

The waitress returned and took our order. She brought a basket of chips and nacho cheese sauce to help curb our hunger. 

"Did you have fun?" 

"I did, thank you." 

"You are welcome." 

"I have a favor to ask even though you did a lot already." 

"Ok." 

"Can you some how magically give my mom back the money." 

"You want to give your mom back the money?" 

"Yeah I do." 

He thought for a moment. 

"I have a better idea." 

"Ok what do you have in mind?" 

"You'll see." 

I gave him a flirty smile, but I knew he was up to something. We finished our meal and drove with a full back seat of shopping bags. We drove to a gas station and I waited inside the truck. 

He came out with a couple of energy drinks and some scratch off tickets. He climbed back into the truck. 

"Here you go." He handed me a can 

"Your power of persuasion is very canning." I teased 

"It has its perks I suppose. I used a lot in war." 

I sucked in a breath. 

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." 

He looked up at me, "Thank you." 

It was quiet and I had thought he'd reach across the console and finally kiss me, but I knew him too well to not even try. 

"So what is with the scratch offs?" 

"Let me see the money." 

I dug in my purse and grabbed the hundred and handed it to him. He placed it on top of the scratch it disappeared. 

"She will win her money back on a scratcher." 

"Genius." I said 

I held the scratcher in my hand excited for my mom. 

"Another thing. How am I going to bring all these bags in. She knows I have money, but not this much money." 

"As soon as we get to your house it will be in your closet and drawers." 

"I should have thought of that." I said 

He smiled, "Your cute." 

"Thanks you're not so bad yourself." I smiled at him. 

I watched him drive the truck back and I took in all his mannerism. The way he held the steering wheel or the way he put his arm up on the consul showing of his fancy watch. When I looked closer at it I noticed two clocks and they were showing different times. He caught me watching him. 

"This worlds time and the Fae world." 

"Do you miss home?" 

"Sometimes." 

"When do you return?" I asked 

"When I feel like it." 

"Oh..." 

"Fae can spend decades doing whatever they want and it will only seem like a few years had gone by." 

"But what about your dad and Jenna. Have you told him yet?" 

"Soon." 

"Are you scared?" 

He didn't say anything.

"It is ok to be scared." 

"I'm not scared. I just know...I already know the outcome Emma and I don't want to change something that is already good and peaceful. I'll deal with it when the time comes. He probably won't even show up for another five years." 

"I'll be in college." 

"Yes you will." 

I smiled at him as he drove us back to my parents.