My Peculiar Mates

Chapter 3: Anxiety

    The moonlight shimmered through the dense treetops in the forest. Rheya paused, listening intently, but all she could hear were crickets chirping and a bubbling brook. She took a step forward, gasping as her foot plunged into freezing cold water. The flowing stream pushed sand across her ankles, unhindered by her intrusion. Her gaze followed the stream to where the forest coverage opened up more, allowing more of the white light to reflect on the water.

    She slowly made her way along the creek, stepping into the meadow. She saw several stones arranged in a neat circle in the sandbank, with flowers and ivy blooming all around it in a ring of green. She walked over to it and stepped inside, feeling a buzz of energy crawl over her exposed arms and legs. The stones emitted a dim green light, and fireflies arose from the vines and danced around her body. She glanced down at the water and her eyes widened. Her reflection... Was of a wolf!

    It was a steely blue-grey colour, and it's eyes shone green. Rheya turned to look over her shoulder, but there was no other creature in sight. She turned back to the water, and the wolf remained, rippling in water. 

    You need to be careful, Rheya. 

    Rheya screamed, jumping out of her skin, falling flat on her butt. That voice didn't come from the forest. It came from... her? The wolf reflection slowly rose up, the water forming a mirror in front of her.

    Listen carefully, love.

    Yep, she was definitely going crazy.

    I know you're confused. But you need to listen to me. You're in danger!

    Your world as you know it is about to go through big changes. Many of these things, you will not be able to prevent. But there are people on your side who can help you. Don't allow your challenges to pull you away from your destined path. Keep following the Moon.

~~~

    Rheya woke up with a gasp, clutching at her blankets. Sweat was beading on her forehead. What was that dream? Why was it so vivid?

    She pushed herself out of bed and looked in the mirror. There were dark circles under her eyes, which she rubbed the sleep away from. It wasn't the first time she'd had strange dreams, but that was the first time it felt so real. She went to hop in the shower, preparing for her work day. 

    Both she and Rico worked full time, helping their dad pay the bills. Ever since their mother passed away, they tried their best to help their father any way they could. He hadn't been able to cope with the loss for a year or two, which was hard on all of them. He finally got whipped back into shape when their Nonna flew in from Taranto, Italy. She stayed for several months, helping to babysit the two tweens while he found another job. Now they were just as close knit a family as before, although they often avoided the subject of their missing member.

    Now Rheya and her brother were grown up, and happy to chip in with living costs. She worked as a flight hostess at the airport. She wasn't part of the crew that got to board the planes and travel, but she helped check in the guests and took care of the VIP lounges. She had gained a few pounds, what with the access to the free goodies, but she didn't mind. They all went to her hips anyways.

    She waved goodbye to Rico, stuffing a blueberry muffin in her mouth before catching the bus. Unfortunately, Rico's contract work required him to have the car at his disposal, so she often had to get rides for herself throughout the city. She arrived at the airport just in time for her shift.

    Partway through her shift, Rheya's phone vibrated in her pocket. She jumped behind the service counter and pulled it out.

    Lia: Hey, sweetcheeks. Are you busy tonight?

    Rheya blushed, nibbling on her fingernail and grinning.

    Rheya: Nope! Free. Why, you miss me? ;)

    Lia: I just so happened to have an extra movie ticket to Jumanji, and was wondering if you'd like to join me? :)

    Rheya: Sure, but I need a ride. I'm at the YOW Airport. Off at 6.

    Lia: See you then!

    Rheya swooned and put her phone away right as her manager walked in. "Rheya, get back to work, we're out of cashew packets," he said, motioning to her trolley of snacks.

    "Right away sir," she replied, skipping back to work.

~~~

    At 6:05, Rheya was patiently waiting outside the drop off zone. She figured this would be where Lia would pull up, as she forgot to tell her where the employee parking was.

    A car honked it's horn, pulling her out of her thoughts, and she sat up straight and waved when she saw Lia in a midnight black Camaro.

    She hopped into the passenger's seat. "Wow, nice ride," she glanced at the LED dash and fancy interior. She spotted a heated seat button and flipped it on. "How'd you afford this?" 

    "It was kind of a gift from my parents," Lia shrugged, smiling. "It's my baby."

    They chatted amiably, driving towards the cinema. Rheya was surprised at how comfortable they were with each other already. She had always been more on the outgoing side, but she felt like she had known Lia for forever, and never wanted their date to end. Not that I'll voice that, I don't want to be that girlfriend.

    "We're here," Lia chimed, turning the engine off and hopping out before opening Rheya's door for her. "M'lady," she tipped a pretend hat cheekily, making Rheya cringe and laugh. She reached for Lia's outstretched hand, gasping and letting go when she felt a shock of electricity on her fingers. Only it wasn't painful. It made her want to touch her more. Their eyes met and Rheya was surprised to see an endless flow of passion behind Lia's green eyes. Her knees felt weak when they joined hands again, and Lia latched their fingers together to prevent her from pulling apart. "Let's go, my love."

    They were sitting in the movie theatre, laughing together at the antics of the returning players, all the while keeping some small form of contact. A hand on the waist, a finger trailing circles on her thigh. Rheya was going insane trying to keep from sitting on Lia's lap and kissing her. She excused herself to go to the bathroom, shaking some spilled popcorn off her shirt. She looked in the mirror and sighed, feeling giddy like a schoolgirl. This was so much better than her high school crushes.

    She exited the bathroom and was surprised when Lia caught her arm outside the doorway. "I'm so sorry Rheya, but I need to go home. An emergency came up," Lia bit her lip, glancing at the time on her phone screen.

    "Oh! Okay," she said, noting how worried Lia looked. "Do you want me to come with you?"

    "No!" Lia yelped, looking panicked. "It's too dangerous -- I need to go alone," she cut herself off mid sentence, which made Rheya suspicious.

    "What do you mean dangerous? I don't want you getting yourself into danger, either," she questioned, frowning at her. "Are you sure I can't -"

    Just then, one of the movies let out, and the hallways were filled with people laughing and talking loudly. Lia grabbed Rheya's arm and pulled her away, towards the exit. They made it out into the parking lot before she protested again. "Look, you can tell me what's wrong, you can -"

    Lia twisted her around and pushed her against the hood of her car, her eyes speaking every emotion at once. She pulled Rheya's legs open, standing between them and leaning over her. Heat pooled between Rheya's legs at the intrusive gesture, and when Lia's lips met her own, she readily accepted the kiss.

    Fireworks wouldn't begin to describe the feelings she was experiencing. The kiss was greedy, hot, and demanding; Lia's mouth fighting for dominance against her own. Lia sucked her bottom lip between her teeth gently, pulling at it as she backed away, staring at her with hooded eyes. A group of guys gave a loud wolf whistle, to which they simultaneously gave them the finger.

    "I will explain later, but I have to leave. Now," Lia left no room for arguments, as Rheya was still reeling from the kiss. "Get in the car, please."

    They hopped in, and Lia stepped on the gas, peeling out of the parking lot towards Rheya's house to drop her off.

    "I promise I will be okay, but you can't come with me. Not yet," she sighed, wringing her hands on the steering wheel. Rheya reached over and put a hand on her thigh, blushing when she saw the same heated look in Lia's eyes. 

    "Okay," she said, and they were silent for the rest of the trip home. Lia dropped her off in record time, swiftly grabbing the back of her neck and kissing her goodbye. Rheya stepped out of the vehicle, and as soon as the door closed behind her, the camaro was speeding off into the night. She turned around and gazed up at her house.

    ... I never told her my address.