Summer Wind

Summer Wind

Chapter 9 - Introductions

The evening was still quite warm despite the late hour. The familiar five had had to wait until Warren had finished up at the Paper Lantern before they could make any progress in discovering who his mystery friend was. But, now it looked as though all of their waiting might have been for nothing. Even though Will could boast of having superhuman strength, it seemed that he had very limited night vision. Their friend seemed to have given them the slip. Will was sure that they had remained undetected while trailing after Warren, but now as they stood on the street corner, he realized that the sidewalk ahead of him was empty.

Layla and Magenta crossed the street and began checking out the stores on the far side of the road. Ethan and Zach scouted ahead to see if Warren had already turned the corner. Will called the four back when he saw his friend through the plate glass window of the soda shop. He was sitting at a back booth facing the door. The smile that was so unfamiliar to his school mates was on his face again. The dark haired girl was with him, her back to the door. She appeared to be deep in conversation with Warren, her hands waving animatedly as she talked.

Despite the fact that his five friends had badgered him relentlessly all day, Warren had refused to reveal the identity of his companion from the previous evening. Now however, Will knew he would have no choice. Did Warren actually think he could keep a secret like this from them for long?

The group of friends heard Warren groan as they entered the store. He slumped backwards, closing his eyes in resignation. The girl in front of him turned to see what had elicited such a response from her companion. She actually smiled and waved when she saw them advancing upon her.

Warren gestured towards the group now standing beside the booth. “Jameson, these are my well-meaning, yet very irritating friends, Layla, Will, Magenta, Zach and Ethan. They have good intentions, in their own intrusive way.”

“Hi, please sit down. Warren’s told me all about you.” Jamie moved over to make way for the new additions, while ignoring the kick in the shin that Warren had directed her way.

Layla slid in beside of Jamie. “All about us?” She raised her eyebrows questioningly at Warren.

Jamie smiled. “Yeah, all about you He’s a real chatterbox once you get him started.” Jamie disregarded the glare from Warren and moved her foot out the way before he could inflict any further damage.

“Funny, he hasn’t mentioned you at all.” Will shoved Warren to one side, making room for himself and Ethan.

“Really, we met this summer. I’m sorry, Will. I get so confused sometimes. I can’t remember what Warren said your powers were. Was it melting?” Jamie said, looking interested.

“Strength and flying. Ethan’s the one that melts.” Will explained good-naturedly.

“Zach glows,” said Magenta, nodding towards her boyfriend, “And I shapeshift.”

“So, you must be the one that…” Jamie hesitated, looking over to Layla.

“Controls plants and their growth.” Layla nodded, downplaying her powers, as usual.

“That’s right. How could I forget?” Jamie nodded. “Do you have many classes together?”

“Well, some of us are sidekicks. Or ‘hero support’ as its officially called.” Zach answered, still standing. “Not like Warren here.” He quickly added.

“Oh, well, don’t feel bad. All I’ve seen Warren do is scare a couple of joggers in the park. And set the grass on fire.”

Jameson felt Warren connect with her shin again. “What? I said you set the grass on fire. Not your sheets. Whoops, Did I say that out loud. Sorry. Warren has some control issues sometimes.” She grinned as she watched Warren grimace. “That’s for trying to roast that duck yesterday.”

Warren stretched out his hand, touching the base of Jameson’s drink glass. Flames encircled the glass, licking up the side. Jameson watched as her milkshake quickly melted and began to boil. The smell of scorched milk filled the air. “That’s for letting the duck bite me.”

“You know, that was really a goose, not a duck.” Layla interjected, trying to distract the couple.

Warren looked at Layla pointedly. “Evidently, these are my well-meaning, yet dishonest friends, who follow people around, spying on them like peeping toms.”

Jameson laughed, and, changing the subject, touched the jewelry on Layla’s arm. “I like your bracelet. Where did you get it?” The three girls spent the next few moments talking fashion as the boys looked on in confusion. Jameson glanced up to see Warren zoning out as his attention drifted.

She leaned across the table as Layla and Magenta continued to discuss The Bead Shoppe that had opened the previous week. Warren sat forward to hear her whispered comment. “I bet I can make you blush in front of your friends,” she said.

“No way.” He shook his head, sitting back in his seat.

“Twenty bucks says I can. If I don’t, you can drive my mustang this week.” She smiled wickedly.

“You’re on.” He leaned forward again as she crooked her finger in his direction. Raising herself up onto her elbows, she leaned in close to be sure that only Warren could hear. “I’ll swallow the next time I go down on you.” She watched the color rise in Warren’s cheeks and Jameson knew she had him on the money.

Warren began to cough uncontrollably, and the water glasses in front of Layla and Magenta began to boil wildly. Will turned to look at Warren, eyebrows raised in question. “Control issues, again?” he asked.

“We have to go now. Jameson has an early curfew. It’s track season. Her dad’s really strict.” Still coughing, Warren shoved Will and Ethan off of the bench seat unceremoniously.

Layla and Magenta stood to let Jameson out of the booth. “It was nice to meet all of you,” she said, as Warren began to pull her towards the door. “We’ll have to get together again, soon.”

“She seems nice,” Will said as the door closed behind the couple. He slid to the side so that Zach could join the group in the booth. They stayed for another hour discussing Warren and Jamie’s relationship, and all that it might possibly imply.

As Warren and Jameson left the shop, several notes were made in the van across the street. It remained parked there until the rest of the teenagers left the store.

Tbc…..

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