The Two Alphas' Fated Witch

Questions and Concerns

As the preparations for lunch begin, I show the guys how I can ignite objects, just as I have shown them my new found skills during every lunch break this past week. Joey's busy cooking to pay much attention, but Eric is enthralled the moment I start explaining what we were working on. When I ask if they have any candles around, he immediately bolts upstairs and comes back down with five or so scented ones. I chuckle a little, but I can't make fun of his collection. I have my own at home.

While Joey makes a batch of his amazing garlic bread, I put on a little show for Eric. However, after all are lit, he seems a little disappointed.

"What's wrong, Eric?" I ask, wondering if he's finally realized how dull these parlor tricks really are.

But it seems he's disappointed for another reason. "I thought you were going to shoot the fire at them. Guess this is a bit safer, though."

I shake my head a little at how immature he is sometimes. Although...

"I mean, I could try-"

"There will be no fire shooting in this house." Joey proclaims over his shoulder. "Please and thank you."

And with that, Eric's enthusiasm dies once again, leaving him with a pout and me trying to contain my laughter. We enjoy our meal for a while before they eventually have to get back to work. They boot their computers back up, and I lounge on the couch, plugging in my headphones and pressing the shuffle button. My playlist is a bit chaotic, but that's just because I add so much music to it. Any time I hear a new song, if I like it even a little, I search for it on Spotify and download it to my playlist. Doing so, I have amassed a list if over 1000 songs, spanning from country and soul, to rap and hip hop, to musicals and soundtracks, and all the way back to greatest hits, old and new. Sometimes it's the lyrics that grab my attention. Sometimes it's the beat or the instrumentals. And other times, there's just something about a song that makes me want to listen. It grabs my attention, and binds me with every chord, note, and measure.

As I'm playing Subway Surfer and listening to whatever Spotify deems worthy today, one such song begins. Even from the first tiny keys of its intro, I know this song. Lightweight by Demi Lovato. It's one of her lesser known works, outshined by its sister Skyscraper, which blew up the charts back in their album's release date, but I actually prefer this one. There's just something about the feeling it invokes. I pause my game and begin to listen as the lyrics start.

"The slightest words you've said

Have all gone to my head.

I hear angels sing

In your voice..."

Same, Demi. Same. She's always been a favorite of mine. Maybe because I can match her voice pretty well, compared to some other artists. As I listen, my desire to sing along slowly increases. I want to follow her rhythm, and belt out this chorus cing up, as I normally do. I can feel my voice rising, ready to be heard-

A small amount of motion snaps my attention over to the kitchen. Eric's on the phone, arguing with someone about some technological issue. He's gesticulating a lot, which is probably the movement I saw.

Right, I'm not alone. I sigh a little, and go back to my game while still listening to the song. Good thing he did that. I almost started singing. And I never sing in front of other people. Most don't like it, anyway. So I usually stick to singing in the car.

The car...

A sudden realization almost makes me jump from the couch. s**t, we left my car in the street after everything that happened over a week ago! I can't believe I forgot all about it! Did it get towed and impounded? Ugh, my dad is gonna kill me!

"What's up, Ali?"

I turn to see Eric and Joey looking at me with a tinge of concern. Eric must have finished his phone call, because now it's just laying face down on the counter. Well, if they aren't busy right now...

Biting my lip a little in embarrassment, I take off my headphones and tentatively ask, "Hey, did you guys, by any chance, go back and get my car while I was out...?"

"Oh, that." Joey's concern washes away as he sips some coffee from a mug. "Yeah, we grabbed it the next day."

"Really? Where is she?"

"We had her taken to one if our shops. She's just in a holding lot."

I exhale a sigh of relief. That's one issue nullified.

"Why do you ask?"

I snap back to the boys. Joey is still drinking, but he's glancing over between me and Eric. His partner, on the other hand, is now glaring at me. The darkness has returned to his hazel eyes, and there's a hint of suspicion in his tone.

What's he mad about now? Cautiously, I respond, "I just realized we left her there by the church. I was worried she got stolen or something."

He keeps a hold of my gaze for a moment longer, but then closes his eyes and sighs. As he opens them again, I see they've returned to their normal lighter hues. He smiles at me. "Yeah, she's fine."

Before I can say anything, Eric gets up and heads upstairs. As he leaves, I turn to Joey. "What was that about?"

He sighs and finally puts his mug down. "He thought you were planning on going somewhere, and that's why you needed your car."

"Oh." I didn't even think about that. But I guess it makes sense. I really should've asked about my car's whereabouts a while ago, if all I was worried about was that. As I think the conversation over, it did really seem like I was planning on leaving. Gods, I'm such and i***t.

When Eric finally comes back, from the bathroom I assume, he sees us talking and asks quizzically, "Did I miss something?"

"Not really," Joey replies. "Ali just wanted to know why you were so antsy about her car."

Eric glares thinly at Joey, and there's silence between them once more. They do this so often now, I'm used to it. Probably a couple's thing. I just wait until they're finished having their staring contest.

Finally, Eric sighs. "Sorry I snapped at you. I probably scared you a bit, huh?"

"No, it's fine. I should be the one, saying that, actually. It's obvious my questions about my car should've been brought up a while ago. And bringing them up now makes it seem like I'm going somewhere. I realize that now, and I'm sorry for worrying you."

His eyes stare at me in shock, and his mouth hangs agape. I guess he wasn't expecting an apology, but it's not like he did anything wrong. Sure, he was a little snappy, but I've seen him angrier. Though now I wonder why he thought he scared me...

"Are you just gonna stand there, or are you going to come sit your ass down before Marissa calls again and complains that you aren't working fast enough?"

At the mention of this name, Eric's trance is broken. He rolls his eyes and groans, but still goes back to the bar and continues working. Joey does the same, so I return to my game and music. Though, as I beat one high score after another, a new question continues to arise.

Who's Marissa?