The Exclusive One

Chapter 7

Day 3.

12:00 p.m.

Parker:

We get back to the house and Emma and Ava take me off into my room. Ava reads from a few different passages of Nikki’s journal, but it all sounds like gibberish to me. The gist of everything is in three nights when the full moon is at its peak, I will begin to receive my powers. The process is painful and because I was never meant to have powers before they will be monitoring me very closely. Specifically, Emma because she’s a doctor. She used to be a nurse, but decided to continue her education and became a doctor and now works specifically for the group of people with abilities called the Originals.

I had never heard them use that term before so I asked her what the difference was between the Originals and the Aberrations and she told me that the Aberrations- specifically their leader, Hunter, became power hungry. He wanted to start forcing powers on regular humans until there was more people with abilities than there were regular people so that way us with abilities could run the world.

I asked what it meant to be the ‘Exclusive’ and she said it was somebody that had more than two powers and that the powers weren’t related. For example, they had somebody that had the powers to control water, but they could also freeze it although not everybody that can control water can freeze it the powers were still under the same category, so it wasn’t the same.

There is only a person with multiple capabilities once every few decades and occasionally there will be more than one person. Nikki and Hunter both are ‘Exclusives’ that’s part of the reason he became so power hungry.

He wanted Nikki to work with him and rule by his side because he had suspicions that she was the Exclusive. When she refused, he became desperate to force her hand and she tricked him into thinking I had powers as well to throw him off her trail. Thus, resulting us going into hiding and trying to find him and kill him before he had the opportunity to do it first.

I ask, “So, how many powers did Nikki have? And how many should I expect to get?”

Emma and Ava both stuttered for an answer before each of them began yelling for the boys. I laugh at their response as I fall back on my bed as Tom and Jasper both ran in and Emma asked, “Do you guys know how many powers Nikki had?”

They both look at each other and then one yells for Ryan while the other calls for Ashton. I shake my head at them and wonder how it’s possible for no one to know the answer.

The boys run in the room both looking panicked and Ryan asks, “What’s up?”

I answer, “Do you guys know how many powers Nikki had?”

They looked at one another beginning to count on their fingers as Ashton said, “She could fly.”

Ryan nods, “She could control the earth.”

Jasper adds, “She could control water.”

Tom, “And fire.”

I laugh, “Sounds like she was the Avatar.”

Ashton smiles at my joke, “She always joked about time travel, but no one knows if she actually could or not.”

Ryan said, “She could put people to sleep and she could turn invisible.”

All the boys continued to make faces as they tried to think and I said, “So, what I’m hearing is she had at least 10 powers.”

Ryan nods, “Yeah, at least 10 that we were aware of. I know there were certain things she never let anyone else know.”

“If it was painful for you guys to go through receiving your powers how much worse must it be to go through getting 10 or more?!” I groan throwing myself back and Ryan and Ashton sit on either side of me both of them taking my hands and Ashton says, “That’s why you’ve got us, Parker. We’ll be there for you to comfort you and try to make it go as smoothly as possible.”

Ryan nods in agreement, “He’s right and on top of that with my powers there’s a chance that I can force you to focus on something other than the pain.”

Emma says, “And I have the power to heal people, if something were to happen really bad then I could heal your body.”

I look up at her, “So, if I died from this you could bring me back?”

She comes to me and pets my head and says, “I’ve never done that before so honestly I don’t know, but I will try my hardest to make sure that you will make it through this.”

Tom adds, “We’re all in this together Parker. None of us want to lose you and we will all do everything that we can to make sure you survive this.”

Tom’s phone rings and he mutes it and says, “I gotta head to work, Parker, if you need anything don’t hesitate to call.”

“Thanks Tom.” With that Tom, Emma, Jasper, and Ava left the room. Ryan looked at me and said, “Do you want us to go or stay?”

I look at him and then at Ashton and say, “I want y’all to stay. How about we watch a movie?”

Ashton smiles, “I’ll go make the popcorn.”

Ryan says, “I’ll go to the store to get some soda.”

I grin, “And I’ll pick the movie!”

We all take off on our jobs and soon Ashton is back in the room with me as we discuss different movie options. The one thing that sucks about the girls not being around right now is normally they would take my side in what movie to watch.

We finally pick a superhero action movie- mainly because we have all always enjoyed making fun of the effects or if it was good effects debating on if it was made with people who actually have powers or if the visual effect artist was just that good.

Ashton sits beside me and asks, “How are you feeling with everything?”

I shrug in response, “Even if I didn’t feel good about it it’s not like we can change anything.”

He nods in understanding and I look over at him and his dark eyes captivate me. I move one of his dark brown locks back in place and suddenly things feel very intimate.

I know that Ashton has always looked at me in that light, but I’ve never allowed myself to go there when thinking about us.

To be honest, I never thought I would find someone who would actually love me.

Both my parents abandoned me. I always felt like I wasn’t enough. But I’ve been here for years and Ashton has always treasured me and made me feel valued.

I watch as he begins to move close to me and it feels like time stops just for us.

I feel his breath against my face, and I look down from his intense stare as I glance at his lips. They’ve never looked so tempting before and my eyes start to flutter shut as I feel his lips hesitantly press against mine. We both pull apart looking at one another as if asking if this was ok. I begin to lean towards him and the next thing I know his hand is wrapped up in my hair as he kisses me feverishly.

I feel euphoric in this moment. I touch his face and let out a small gasp as he nibbled so softly on my lower lip and in that gasp, he slips his tongue into my mouth. I moan into his kiss and quickly move to straddle his lap. I hear him groan in response and I smirk into our kiss. I grind ever so softly against his lower half as I feel him growing harder against me. He rolls me over and suddenly he’s hovering over me and ours eyes lock. I feel my face get flushed and I am in shock that we just did that. I see him gulp and I let out a nervous chuckle.

He pushes himself away from me and I sat up looking over at him. He wasn’t looking at me anymore and seemed deep in thought. I briefly wonder if I did something wrong, but I don’t know how it could’ve been wrong when it felt so good.

I stare at him waiting for him to look back at me. He’s absolutely breathtaking with his sharp jaw that has just a little bit of stubble across it, his dark brown eyes that burrow into my soul, his dark brown hair that right now is wet which makes me assume he had just taken a shower before coming in here, and his lips still seem so irresistible. He looks over at me and smiles softly before saying, “Parker, if that didn’t mean anything to you that’s… okay. I know you’re under a lot right now and I’m sure you feel confused and I don’t want to make things worse for you.”

I nod in understanding and we both sit in silence before I speak up, “Ashton, there’s a lot of things I’m confused about, but the only thing I’m certain of is you.”

He looks back at me with wide eyes and I can tell he is floored by my statement. I smile softly, “I don’t want to announce to everyone else yet, but I would really like to see where this goes.”

He smiles at me and says, “I’ll follow your lead, Par, you’re worth the wait.”

I scoff nervously, “I don’t know about that.”

He smiles and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear before cupping my cheek and making me look at him, “I’m sure of it.”

With that he leans in and gives me a quick peck on the cheek. We then sit back in the bed and begin to eat popcorn as we talk like two best friends would while we wait for Ryan to come back. After about half an hour I get up to go grab a water bottle from the kitchen and I’m shocked to see Ryan in there.

******

Day 3

3:33 p.m.

Ryan:

I get inside the house and get into Ashton’s head while I’m getting our drinks ready: Hey how’s she doing?

We’re making out. Leave me alone.

Wait, you’re what?

I’m kissing Parker now get out of my head!

I close off the connection and laugh to myself as I put the drinks in the refrigerator and a couple of them in the freezer so they would get colder faster. I decide to let the two of them have their moment and I look around the kitchen to see if there was anything, I could make in the meantime. I grab out some brownie mix and some cookie dough and I get to baking.

I wonder what made her finally decide to give Ashton a chance. The guy has been obsessed with her since he first laid eyes on her. Well, maybe obsessed is a little extreme, but he has had a crush ever since they met.

I wait for the cookies and brownies and after a bit I hear a door close. I look up and see Parker and I smile at her. She huffs, “You know, don’t you?”

I laugh at her reaction, “Yeah, I know, but if you don’t want me to say anything to anyone then I won’t.”

“Thanks.” She mutters as she grabs a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. I say, “Can I just say something?”

She glares at me making me laugh and I say, “You should date him.”

She comes closer to me and punches my arm making me wince a little. Since when did she pack such a good arm?

I laugh, “I’m serious, Par. I think you guys would be really good together.”

She sighs, “I know we would be.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

She looks down at her hands as she twiddles her thumbs and when she looks back up at me I notice she has tears in her eyes as she asks me with a shaky tone, “What i-if I lose him?”

I look at her confused and say, “Why would you think you would lose him?”

“You lost Bella.”

My mouth goes dry at the mention of her name and I breathe out, “I have not lost her, not yet. We will find her. I just know it.”

Parker shakes her head, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought her up. I’m just terrified of having feelings for him and losing him.”

“Parker, loss is a part of life. If you’re always so scared of something happening, then you’re really going to miss out on a lot of stuff.”

She looks at me and wipes her eyes and nods, “You’re right. Sorry.”

I shrug, “It’s fine, Parker, you’re under a lot of stress right now.”

I sigh, “How about you take these drinks and some brownies and cookies in there and watch the movie with Ashton. I’m not feeling too great anyways.”

“Are you sure?” She asks me with her head c****d to the side in concern. I smile at her and say, “I’m positive. Now go enjoy time with your boyfriend.”

I run out of the room before she can punch me again and I hear her growl in frustration. I laugh at her as I head to my room. 

I get into Ashton’s head and say: Enjoy your time with Parker. I’m not feeling too well.

You okay, Ry?

Yeah, yeah, just enjoy your time with her I’m gonna go lie down.

With that I cut off the connection and collapse onto my bed. I grab my phone out and begin to look at pictures of Bella. I hope she’s okay.

I close my eyes and try to see if I can connect with her.

Bella? … Bella? … Bel-

Ryan?!

Hearing her voice in my head floods me with relief.

Yes, darling, it’s me. Are you ok?

I could be better. Do you know where Nikki is? They haven’t shown us Nikki in 24 hours and I’m getting really freaked out.

I clench my eyes shut as the image of my sister’s death flashes in my head. If Bella knew it would freak her out too much. I can’t let her know what I know.

Tom has a lead on Nikki. We’ve had a hard time figuring out where you and Lorelei are. Can you give me any hints?

Silence.

That’s all there is.

Silence.

I can still feel the connection, so I don’t know why she’s so quiet. I hear her sigh through it before she says:

I don’t know Ryan. We’re in some holding cell. There isn’t even a window so I can’t look at anything. All I can tell you is it looks like a jail cell.

I groan in frustration and defeat I was really hoping this would work.

Darling, I will find you. I promise.

Ry, if something happens… I just want you to know that I love you.

I close my eyes feeling frustrated that she thinks she may never see me again, but instead of telling her not to worry about that I respond back to her: I love you too, Bella. Forever and always. I will contact you soon, but I know the longer I hold the connection the more exhausted it will make you feel since you already have low energy.

Okay, Ryan, I’ll hear you soon.

I could hear her trying to sound funny. She always trying to make the best of every situation it’s one of the things I love about her. The connection breaks more than likely because she passed out.

She sounded exhausted over the link and when you already have limited energy being used for a link like that drains you like no other. Otherwise I would’ve talked to her for hours.

I sigh as I look at my screensaver on my phone and I touch her face and say, “I’m coming for you, Bella. Hold out for me. I’ll be there as fast as I can.”

With that I let myself drift off to sleep because I know I will need all the energy I can muster when it comes to trying to find her.