Haven

Chapter 9

Mila's POV:

Emma had him pinned up against the locker! Where did she even come from?

"Listen here, you disgusting perv. If you EVER. Try to touch. MY. Mila. Again I won't be as nice. Now stay the f**k away from her!" She yelled. I could see the fear in his eyes...

Wait back it up a second. She just said, "MY Mila." She claimed me to be hers, but why?

As she let go of him, he quickly walked away and shakily said

"God, you're a Fr-freak!!" As he turned away and was almost running at this point.

She turned to me, and her eyes, they were dark again with those glowing red specs, but as quickly as I saw them, she blinked, and they were back to her normal color. She took my face into her hands, gently inspecting to ensure no bruises.

"Are you okay, Mila?!" Her cool hands felt good along my jaw and face where Chad had harshly grabbed my face. I was so lost in how concerned she was for me... how I was hers?

"Mila? Are you okay?" I finally snapped out of my daze and noticed just how close she was at this point. Damn, she feels so good against me. I felt the shocks erupting everywhere her skin touched mine. She smelled so tropical; even her breath that was fanning over me did. I felt my face inflame.

"Umm yeah.. thank you. I'm so glad that i***t wasn't my first kiss-" I slapped my hand over my mouth. f**k she wasn't supposed to know that.. her eyes lightened up more, and I started to feel horribly self-conscious as she lightly smiled. I began to look down...

"Hey, you don't have to be embarrassed. It's okay that you haven't had your first kiss. I'm never going to judge you.."

I finally looked up into her eyes, and I felt calm and safe again. I didn't feel insecure at all... I saw her look from my eyes to lips... and mine started to drift to hers.. we made eye contact again.. and she started closing the distance between us, and I just closed my eyes, wanting and longing for her lips to be on mine, and of course my luck the bell had to ring... I opened my eyes, and she was just gone... nowhere in sight... I stayed there, leaning up against the locker, completely lost in my own world. I almost kissed Emma. She wanted to kiss me.

"Hey, Mila, you okay?! I'm sorry again about bringing it up.."

"Oh hey, Chloe, yeah, I'm fine. It's just a sore subject. I'll tell you about it when I'm ready." If I was ever going to be ready...

My last two classes were AP Bio and AP English... I already had all my general core credits for college once I'm done with this school year.. so I'll basically be starting college as a sophomore... I wanted to study investigative journalism and have a minor in psychology. Finding the truth and the brain were my favorite things. It covered my need for writing, photography, adrenaline, truth, and science to pick up on people's micro-expressions!

The rest of the day blurred by... The last bell finally rang, telling me I was finally out of this prison! As soon as I stepped out of my classroom, Emma was there...

"Hey, Mila. I just wanted to let you know that we will be leaving school a little later today. Sorry, I forgot to tell you. I run this mental health club on Tuesdays and Thursdays till 4:30! And I also have practice for volleyball Monday, Wednesday, and Friday till 6!"

"Oh well, that's fine.. I'll just wait."

"Hey, the school newspaper usually meets up today after class.. you should ask about joining." I was confused about how she would know I would even be interested. I've only known her for two days.. she doesn't even know me.. and I definitely don't know her...

"How do you know I'd be interested?" She tensed but quickly went away.

"You're already in a journalism class, and you write in your free time. I just figured..." I felt like that was a good explanation.., but I can't shake this feeling like she knows more about me.. but how?

"Right... well, thank you, I'll go check it out!" Right as I was about to ask where it was.

"Just follow this Hallway all the way down; it's the door second to last on the right." She smiled... it's like she can read my mind or something.. she quietly laughed...

"Thank you, Emma. I'll see you after!"

  When I got to the door, I heard talking, and I don't know why but I instantly became so nervous. I was about to walk away when the door opened. It was Ms. Miller.

"Oh, Hey... Mila. Are you looking to join the school newspaper?"

"Umm yeah.. actually, I am." You could hear the nerves in my voice.

"Amazing! I was hoping you would. I saw your work from your previous school. You did a good job there!"

"You.. you've read my previous work?"

"Yeah. Come on in, Mila. No need to be shy!" I started to relax a bit and smiled. As I walked in, I noticed Chloe was in there too!

"CHLOE!" I said that way more excited than what I should have...

"Oh, Hey Mila! What are you doing here?"

"Well, Emma suggested I check it out. While she ran her club."

"Hmm. Well, are you going to stay?"

"Yeah, I think I am. I did it back at my old school, and I would love to do it here too."

"Good, I'm glad I know someone here!" We still had a few minutes before the meeting officially started, and I couldn't shake the stuff with Emma...

"I don't understand Emma sometimes..." I let my inner thoughts out loud.

"Yeah, Emma.. can be complicating.." I sighed

"you know her really well, right?"

"Well, I'd hope so; she's been my best friend since we were young."

"Why is she always weird around me. It's like she's so distant yet there... But she's also been crazy protective today... she's used to be so cold to the touch, but for some reason, she seems to be becoming less cold, and she always shocks me... and her eyes-" Immediately Chloe interjected.

"What about them?!" She questioned frantically...

"You may think I'm crazy, but I could have sworn I've seen them change colors rapidly... from like this black-" a voice suddenly caught me off.

"Alright, everyone, meet our newest writer Mila! She's a transfer from Maine. She did great there. Make sure to make her feel welcome! Moving on, Let's begin pitching ideas." Chloe didn't really talk much to me the rest of the meeting, and soon it was over. We started walking to Emma's car...

"Okay, Chloe, what aren't you telling me? You're acting weird now."

"It's nothing, Mila. I just don't feel good, is all. It came out of nowhere.." I could tell she was lying, but I just dropped it.

Emma was there soon with a smile that soon faded as she looked at Chloe and then me. Noticing Chloe was being awkward, and I'm sure she could see my frustration. Finally, we all got in the car, and it was complete silence... We dropped Chloe off first, and then there were two...

"Alright, you need to start talking.." I said, surprised by the load of confidence I just had.

"What do you mean, Mila?" She asked, playing dumb.

"You know exactly what I mean. What was that today?! What's up with your eyes? Why are you so f*****g distant yet telling people I'm yours?!..." Great awkward silence. I'm never getting answers. I just sighed.

"Sorry for being distant.. That's just how I am, but I meant as my friend when I said that. I was mad because you're my friend, and he was harshly touching you, trying to steal kisses that I know you didn't want to give. My eyes just change depending on my mood, what I'm wearing, the weather... I have blue, green eyes; they switch between the colors..." Why is she lying to me? My frustration was growing by the second.

"No, I'm talking about when they were black.. with re-" She really just cut me off. My anger is about to reach epic proportions. 

"Mila, I think you're seeing things... it probably just seemed that way because of the lighting.." I scoffed, not at all convinced with her answer.

We pulled into my driveway, and she had barely stopped when I went to get out... She grabbed my wrist, gently pulling me back inside the car.

"Wait... please." I could hear the pleading in her voice. I don't know how, but my anger just washed off me as I listened to her voice. Finally, I sighed and turned to look at her.

"What do you want, Emma?" My voice was so soft.

"I'm sorry, Mila. I know you don't like my answers, but you will have to accept them for now. Just please don't give up on me.." I could hear the sadness in her voice as she looked down from me.

I don't know what came over me as I reached out to push her chin up so she'd look at me.. of course, her face is cold too. I looked deep into her eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere.." I simply and softly stated.. her eyes I could visibly see become lighter.

 "I've got to go now, okay. I've got a lot of homework. Thank you for the ride. I'll see you tomorrow at school." With that, I started to make my way out of the car again.

"Mila, can I give you a ride tomorrow?" Her voice pulled me back just a little bit. How is it possible that just her voice can bring me to a complete stop instantly? Why does she already have so much power over me?

"No, I told you one day.." she frowned but then just smiled... "Okay. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Emma." Finally, I exited her gravitational pull. 

I walked to my door. I turned around to look at her one more time and wave. I wonder why she doesn't want me to give up on her. I wonder if she feels the same way I do. I turned the key in the lock to the door and stepped in. My mom immediately attacked me.

"Mija! I was so worried!" she said frantically, bringing me into a huge hug.

"I'm fine, Mami. Don't worry, okay. I was just hanging back for the school newspaper."

She smiled. "I'm glad you are getting back to what you love to do."

"I'm tired, Mami. I'm going to go to bed." I kissed her cheek goodnight as I headed up the stairs.

Shower, cut, sleep... Repeat. I climbed into bed, trying just to stop thinking. I really didn't like to sleep... it was usual horrible flashbacks of him.. my anger quickly turned to panic and fear... oh man, I really hope he doesn't find Mami and me. Then, out of nowhere, I started to calm down... I finally started to feel sleepy. When I drifted off, I was so happy to find I was on the beach again with Emma. I walked over to her, and she just had the biggest smile on her face, and her eyes lit up even more when she saw me.

"I've been waiting for you." She had a playful tone in her voice.

"Sorry, how long did I keep you waiting?" I sounded a bit more serious, however. I was honestly worried about how long I kept her waiting.

"Not too long. I've missed you today!" I couldn't fight the smile reaching my face. 

"Oh really now? Well, I'm here now." She patted the ground beside her.

"Here, come sit with me." I approached her; god, she's so tall even when she's sitting down.

"I know I'm 5'9." I froze for a second...

"How do you always know what questions I want to ask?" I smiled shyly

"I've been tall my whole life. I know the look someone gives when they are questioning my height." She softly laughed

"You have the cutest laugh.." I blurted,.. whoa, that wasn't supposed to come. I could feel myself blushing like crazy now.

"Thanks. Yours is adorable as well. I love your laugh." My eyes widened at what she had just told me. When I sat down, I ended up laying my head on her lap as she ran her fingers through my hair.

"Mila, do you believe in supernatural creatures?" curiosity all over her face.

"Like ghosts and stuff?" I questioned. 

"Yeah, Ghosts and stuff like vampires and werewolves and witches?" I paused for a long minute, thinking about the question.

"Honestly, I don't know. I believe in ghosts; I've seen one before. I swear aliens are real too. It would just be stupid to think that there aren't others out there, but there are only legends and tales that talk about the others... there really isn't any proof."

"What would you do if they were real? Would you be scared?"

"Umm, well, probably. It depends, you know? What if they aren't all bad? Then I wouldn't be scared of the good ones. The ones who didn't want to kill me." She paused for a moment taking in everything I said.

"What if someone close to you was a vampire?" I finally looked up at her, our eyes locked on one another.

"Well, I definitely wouldn't know, but if someone close to me was. Then I would just accept them for who they are. If they are truly close to me, then I know they are already a good person. I have good judgment of people." She smiled at this.

"Mila... I lo-"