9 Chapter Eight: Food for Thought

I sat upright as my phone alarm rang out. My heart felt like it was pounding, and I felt absolutely exhausted. Between hanging out with Lilly and Leo the past four days and having more and more memories come back, I was beginning to want a break.

"Only a week until your birthday." Mom smiled at me in the doorway.

"Yeah." I replied halfheartedly. I looked over at my mirror, my reflection surprising me less after yesterday.

"I thought you'd be more excited, with being able to box again and all."

"Huh? Oh yeah, I am. Have you talked to Coach Adryan?" I rolled my eyes as she tried to hide the blush creeping onto her face.

"Um, well, not exactly."

"As in?"

"Well, we're going out to dinner tomorrow. But I haven't talked to him about the boxing arrangement since we first made it."

"Oooh, I see how it is."

"Why don't you invite Lily and Leo over for a movie night? I know you said you were kind of tired, but I'm pretty sure it's just because you're not used to being so social. You can take today to recharge, and then have fun tomorrow."

"That sounds like a great idea. Do you mind if I go on a hike after school then?"

"Bring a map, a fully charged phone, with snacks and water and sure."

"Got it." I kissed her on the cheek and then closed my door to get changed. A hike would allow me some good alone time with the voice, along with an opportunity to meditate and try to equip my armor. Since my conversation with it last night, I have too many questions. On the other hand, I don't want to look like a crazy lady having a conversation about magic and whatnot with myself.

I stared at myself in the mirror as I tied my shoes. My Ufaerian look didn't match my Disturbed t-shirt and jeans at all. I looked like someone got the genre wrong in writing a fantasy novel. I looked at my red hair in the mirror and the chestnut brown hair in my hand.

"Still weird." I mumbled.

I grabbed my back pack and headed out the door. The noise of the street making my head hurt as I opened the door and told mom goodbye. I decided to walk to school, which was both a good and bad idea. I wanted the time to think, but I am not sure how much quieter cars are compared to the people on the bus. Either way, I didn't feel like driving.

"Got something on your mind?" I turned to Leo.

"Nothing worth sharing."

"Mm, I believe that is likely not true."

"Maybe." Maybe, but I'm not going to bring up Ufaerius and all the craziness I've been discovering to a friend I've only known for four days.

"Any plans for after school today?" I paused, searching his brown eyes for something I wasn't quite sure of. "You okay?"

"Can I touch your hair?" Leo laughed and shrugged.

"Suit yourself." I reached up and felt a piece that wasn't tied back. I was right, it was like Leonus's.

"It's soft." Leo cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable with my comment. "Sorry."

"No, it's okay. I'm not used to letting people touch my hair. The last one to touch my hair was someone very important to me." He turned to start walking and I kept pace with him.

"I didn't realize your hair was that important to you, or I would've been more hesitant to ask. Were they a partner?"

"Yes, she left after we couldn't agree on an important life choice."

"Important life choice? At seventeen?" My eyes widened, "was she pregnant?"

"No. It's complicated." He rubbed his neck.

"Again, sorry. One last personal question. Could I meet your dad?" I needed some answers, and I wanted to see if Leonus was in fact the person I was envisioning.

"Uh. He's out of town right now. I don't know when he'll be back, but I'll let you know when he does." Leo avoided my eyes and I didn't push any further. I knew his life had been complicated and I wasn't going to push him to say what he did want to.

"Oh, after school. I've got some personal plans, but my mom said you, Lily, and I could do a movie night tomorrow night."

"That sound great."

"Pretty sure the only reason she's letting us have a movie night instead of making me do weekend cleaning is 'cause she has a date."

"A date?" Leo's jaw clenched and I raised an eyebrow. "She happy with the guy?"

"Uh, yeah. It's Adryan – remember the coach I told you she was seeing? She hadn't shown any interest in the men department for as long as I can remember, but I guess coach Adryan is different."

"What do you mean she didn't have an interest?"

"Well, I mean… It's probably because of your dad. Even when I brought him up Monday, she was frustrated – and it's been ten years. Well, then again, she did just find out about you. Knowing he cheated on her and had a kid…"

"Yeah." I almost missed the conflicted look on his face as the bell rang.

"I'll see you later?"

"Of course." He kissed my forehead and walked off to class, leaving me dumbfounded. What the heck?