21 Ready to go

Our baggage was set outside the mansion, probably waiting for our means of transportation to arrive. I said goodbye to Ebenezer, Elizabeth, and Marg, who continuously asked me to take care. Elizabeth was really worried about me, and she made me eat a heavy breakfast before leaving.

"You are so skinny. How will you grow stronger if you peck like a pigeon?"

If I had a mother, I assumed that she would have nagged me like that. However, on hearing Elizabeth's complaints about my eating routine, Adrian scoffed in disbelief.

"She eats more than the two of us."

He claimed it, pointing at Sid, and received a smack from the vampire queen. Adrian, Sid, and Ryan were with me on our trip except for Helena. A 'I don't know what model' BMW car was parked in front of us. Adrian and Sid helped the driver load the luggage, and then the three of them got inside.

"Guys, what about Helena?"

I asked, looking confused, as always.

"It's better if she doesn't show up."

Yup, you guessed it right... It was 'Sid the Great'.

"Shut up, Sid. And Atarah, get inside. Helena will come on her own."

Ryan's voice was demanding, so I didn't waste any more time. He sat in the front, leaving the rest of us to adjust in the back seat. We got out of the mansion and into the dark forest. Thank God it was morning; otherwise, those shadowy creatures would have attacked us already. Though I am their Master, I still don't know how to control them. In fact, that's why I am playing this hide-and-seek game, where the person to be found is Ignacia. I slept for half the journey as we were heading to the human dimension. I woke up more than a couple of times to see my two friends adjusting their maximum so that I could take a comfortable nap.

My head was on one vampire's shoulder, and my legs were on the other. After a few hours, I felt refreshed, and it was time for them to take some rest. Ryan had his eyes closed as well, but I doubted if he was sleeping. My thoughts and the car came to a halt at the same time. Everyone got out, followed by me, and I was surprised to see our destination. It was an airport. Are we going by flight? But I don't have a passport. When I expressed my concern, Ryan took a small book from his jacket and opened it to show me my photo, filled with all my details. He got me a passport? That's cool, but creepy.

"Where are we heading to?"

I asked no one specifically. I was so excited about traveling on a flight for the first time, and I couldn't wait.

"You will know. Sid, you go get the tickets, and Adrian will deal with the security."

Came from my beloved crush. Oops, did I just say that? Whatever. Both Sid and Adrian gave a dutiful nod and left us alone. Ryan was helping the driver take out our luggage from the trunk, and I studied my environment. Somehow, I felt happy about getting outside those walls. After all, it's been a long time since I've come face-to-face with humans. I can run away if I want to, though they will find me, eventually. Even so, something was holding me right here, with him. Moreover, the trust he has in me, that I won't leave him. It would cost me my life to break that.

"Are you happy to see everyone? Or are you planning to escape?"

Although Ryan asked me seriously, I could sense a bit of tease in it. It seems like he knows that I won't leave him.

"You are not going to get rid of me that easily."

I smirked, thinking of the words he said on the night of our forest adventure.

"Oh, my bad. I have to tolerate you then."

How dare he? Before thinking twice, I punched him hard on his right shoulder. Not that it will affect him. I withdrew my hands immediately and looked down, blaming all my stars. I just couldn't withstand his staring eyes.

"Guess you are having your own way with me."

He acknowledged it, sending bullets through my head. I was used to hitting Sid, Adrian, Nathan, and all, and my stupid brain forgot that it was Ryan on the receiving end.

"No, I did not mean to... Actually..."

"I like it."

The words were barely audible, but I still heard them slowly and steadily. I looked right into his eyes to see many emotions passing by. It caused my cheeks to heat up like a hot pan. Out of the blue, he chuckled. Yes, my Lords and Ladyships, Ryan, 'my mature master' mate, chuckled like a normal young man.

"What?"

I knew I sounded like a whining kid, but I didn't care any less.

"You are red as a rose, Atarah."

His voice was so relaxing, which filled me soothingly. However, I acted like it didn't affect me.

"You don't have to pretend to be a tough nut to crack. I know how much I affect you."

"How did you?"

I shut my mouth with my hands. Can he read my mind? He chuckled again. Is today his birthday? Or did someone hit him on the head? Because he was really acting weird. Still, I wish he behaved like this all the time.

Look, Atarah, you don't have to be formal in front of me or constrain yourself from getting close to me, because you are the only one who has that right to do so and also because... I love you."

One... two... three... four...... ten... fifteen... Say something, Atty. He is waiting. But I was afraid that I would confess my feelings if I opened my mouth. A thin smirk formed on his lips, as if sensing my dilemma.

"Atarah."

Thank god! Helena, 'My Savior', was here. I should probably hail her as my goddess. I immediately turned to look at my witch friend, but she was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I saw a young girl about my age. She wore black denim jeans with a brown crop top. Her hair was in a high ponytail, resembling that of Ariana Grande. She was no longer a witch but a girl who seemed to be the captain of the school's cheerleading club.

"How do I look?"

She asked me in a sassy way and spun around, showing off her attire.

"Gorgeous."

Wait, last time I checked, my voice was a female's, but now it's so... boyish? I looked to my right and found Sid dumbstruck. Oh, it was his comment. I cleared my throat so that at least he could close his gaping mouth. He got my signal and diverted his eyes from his stunning ex-girlfriend.

"I mean, I got the tickets."

Sid muttered and waved the rectangular-shaped papers awkwardly. Helena was embarrassed as well, as she looked everywhere else but him. I think it's my chance to repay her.

"Come, let's get inside."

By saying that, I grabbed her hands and headed towards the entrance, not even glancing at Ryan. He just confessed to me, and, as an inexperienced girl, my first instinct is to avoid him till my heart settles.

"Thank you so much."

Helena said, breathing heavily. She did not know we were equally indebted to each other.

"Oh, that's fine. Take it as a gratitude gift."

I winked at her, smiling. She just nodded and continued talking.

"I was suddenly out of words. It's been a long time since someone has complimented me like that."

She was looking down, avoiding eye contact with me.

"Don't worry, I know how that feels."

Honestly, I don't know anything about it. Still, that's how you console someone. I guess.

"How would you know when Ryan has not left you for another girl? How can you feel when the person you have loved so much has not abandoned you for a slut?"

Helena completed her sentence with a sad laugh. She's right. I can't even imagine how I would survive if Ryan did something like that to me. I wanted to hit Sid until he screamed, 'I am sorry'.

After five or ten minutes, Adrian came, and we were ready to board the flight. It was a huge one, with three seats on either side of the window and a group of four in the middle. I, Helena, and Adrian took the window seat, and the other two sat in the center. The two people sitting near Ryan were kids, maybe seven or eight years old. They seem to be twins.

As the flight started to take off, one of them clutched Ryan's hand and started calling for 'mummy'. We four erupted into fits of laughter at seeing his expression. I am sure this trip is going to be a long and fun one, wherever this plane is heading.

******************************