TENTH CHAPTER

“Lu that’s all nice but can you introduce me to our guests?” I ask her as soon as Adam returns with Larry and Sarah.

“Oh yeah you were snoozing while we talked.” Lu explained as she approached Sarah. “This is Sarah Hawthrone and that’s her twin Crispin, and standing next to him is Mr. Solace. They were in the neighborhood when the accident happened.” Lucy motioned to Miguel, who walked back over to me. “They knew Miguel from some competition they all went to earlier in the year. They were looking at houses in the neighborhood and wanted to see how the atmosphere was like in the afternoon.

I just nodded as if that really explained their presence. Just because there is a nicer and more expensive neighborhood down the street, for that’s where Miguel lives. I seriously doubt they were looking at those houses or thinking of moving into our section of the city.

*You are correct girl. Cry would never want to be so close to humans as that vicinity is cramped and basically built on top of each other.* Nadia retorts and out of the corner of my eye I see Crispin look at me.

*Why does it look like he just ate an onion?* I question Nadia, causing Crispin to balk at me. That just confirmed that he can read my thoughts. Before I can question Nadia farther, Miguel moves into my view and smiles at me.

“Meri it’s really late and my mom has arrived to take me home.” He explains while motioning to his mom, Momma Lola, who walks in and right to me.

“Oh my. I’m really going to wrap you up in bubble wrap one of these days. I can’t even trust you to walk a straight line, can I?” Momma Lola announces as if this is a daily occurrence. Well, she wasn’t wrong, given how often I get hurt.

“Mama Lola, I’m sorry I just didn’t notice the clown car trekking crazily down road.” I convey as I roll my eyes. It only takes two seconds before most of us are laughing. This is why I love Mama Lola. Sometimes I really wished she was my mom.

“Ok everyone quiet down.” Mama Lola gets control of herself and gets back to business. “Det. Drew called me and explained that your parents are unable to come tomorrow. So, if you get released, I’m going to be here, and I’ll be taking you home.” She grimaces at the last part. I know she prefers I come to her house but until she receives the guardianship of me, I must stay there.

“We have already covered the cost of her medical bills and if you need anything else, please call us.” Sarah says walking up to and squeezing my foot. Now that I get a good look, I can see the similarities between her and Crispin. Only her eyes are greener and more amber than blue. Also, I feel content looking in her eyes and at peace.

*Why do these people feel so familiar to me but also make me feel on edge.*

*Girl, just chill. Yes, they are keeping something from you but that’s because there are too many people around. Wait till everyone leaves.* Nadia snorts. It’s almost like she wished they weren’t here. Then again Nadia didn’t really like a lot of people, just Miguel and Lucy. Though she did complain about how loud Lucy was and that Miguel was too frigid.

“Well, that is so sweet of you. I’m Mrs. Lopez but most of the kids call me Mama Lola.” Mama Lola explained as she shook hands with Sarah. Ericson walked over and shook her hand as well but before I could say anything, Mama Lola was speaking again “Ok it’s late and some of you have class tomorrow. So, who here needs a ride home?” she asked, looking at everyone.

“Mrs. Lopez, I am Mr. Solace. Sarah and Crispin,” he gestures to Sarah and Crispin who is still standing by the window but looking at me right now. “are with me. I will take them home.”

Mama Lola just nodded her head and smiled at him. “Yes, I heard we have you to thank for the wonderful care our Meri is receiving. So please if there is anything my husband and I can do to repay you for this kindness, just speak to us and we will see what we can do.”

Remembering Mama Lola mentioning Sis Maeva, Detective Drew to everyone else, I looked around for her. Though I must say I was surprised to hear she talk with my parents. Though I don’t see her here.

“Was Sis Maeva here earlier?” I asked for everyone or anyone, hoping they would say she was still here.

“Oh, sweetie did you just wake up?” Mama Lola asked as she rubbed my knee.

“Mom, we’ve barely been able to speak with her since she woke up. We didn’t want to over stimulate her.” Miguel ever the scientific and responsible party in the room. Mama Lola just smacked him upside the head.

“And you think being a know-it-all like your father is going to change the situation.” She scolds him while still smacking his head.

“Lola don’t you think one of these days you are going to knock him silly.” Mama Ang says as she stretches her arms and sits up on the couch.

“Oh Angela, I did not see you there on the couch. I thought that was another kid just taking up space.” Mama Lola smirks at her while walking over and hugging her.

“Well next time you will be the circus ringer. These kids just have no clue about self-appreciation. Did they tell you about jumping out of a moving vehicle or running in a parking lot?” Mama Ang discloses as if any of that is new.

“Thank you for bringing everyone here and staying to be the Ringleader to this band of ruffians, Mama Ang.” I say sarcastically as I look down as if I was hurt.

“Oh, please where would I be but here proudly being the host of this three-ring circus.” I laugh as she squeezes me tight in her hug as well as rub my back. I know she was giving me as much of her strength and comfort before leaving me. She has to work early in the morning and will most likely call the school and tell them about the accident. I doubt my parents are even home or will even look in on me, let alone tell the school about me being absent.

“Now just rest and everyone who came with me, besides Miguel, let’s go. I still have to talk to your mom Adam and you guys need to call your friends.” She barked as she held the door open.

“Mooom, we called everyone earlier to explain what we could.” Lucy whines as she crawls into my bed to latch onto me. I just giggled even though it hurt but I hid it.

“Yeah, but we should tell them that Meri is awake and might be out tomorrow. Now come, let’s go.” Larry says while joining his sister in hugging me. Though he leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Call if anything comes up or if you are staying longer. We will bring you whatever you need.”

“Larry move.” Adam requested as he walked over and easily picked Lucy off my bed and put her on his shoulder. Then leaning over he gave me a side hug and told me, “My mom will be home tomorrow, so call her if you need anything. This is the number of my house. Her name is Ellie Hart.” At that point he handed me a piece of paper and then walked out the door.

I really didn’t think he liked me let alone worried about me or would ever ask his mom n  to help me out. I’m used to Mama Lola and Mama Ang always fretting about me and stepping up when my family flakes out on me. Something that always happens, given they prefer my twin sister over me.

“Call me whenever, I’ll be here.” Mama Lola said as dragged Miguel to the door, while he protested and fought her. I just smiled and blew him a kiss, which calmed him down, but he still rushed to me to hug me before leaving as well.

*Could my life be any weirder? First Larry offers to bring me some things and now Adams offers his mom as help during the day. Those two are acting weird.* I deliberate as they all leave.

*Girl sometimes you are so dense! * Nadia remarks. I hear her smirk as if that makes any sense. I will never get used to Nadia or how I don’t have any privacy. Then again, I would never ever want her gone. After how she saved me last year.

---Crispin’s POV---

It took everything in me not to intervene when those two boys approached her. Sometimes it really does suck to know everyone’s thoughts. Though it does require eye contact, so that I can establish a connection to their mind. So, a lot of times I avoid eye contact or people all together. But this time I really wanted to know what these people thought of my liege.