20 Brianna

"No, no wondering anything." My hand fished out hers and laced our fingers together. "You, Summer, and I are a team now. There is no way I'm going to sit down and let these assholes break us up." A reassuring smile curled my lips. 

Ashley's lips tried to reciprocate my action but the cloud of depression was too thick for it to last. My gaze collided with grey eyes. Something illuminated them before it flickered elsewhere. 

"We'll start with the concerns of the wolves." Jake's voice bounced off the walls. 

A couple of hands were raised on the right side of the seating arrangement. Most of those hands were selected. Their concerns were heard. Majority argued Ashley was dishonoring her family and her pack or she would disclose sensitive information. 

The vampires' arguments were no different. They worried she would gain information which she would relay to the wolves. Most stated the vampire community had more than enough female vampires who were capable of handling the Advisor position. 

There were a handful of vampires and werewolves who showed appreciation towards my decision. They demonstrated how they understood she was of both species, and she also deserved a chance to do a job she was great at; which I wholeheartedly agreed. 

Then there was the issue with Summer. No one had a good comment to say. It was either she was a human who was incapable of tackling all the tasks of an Advisor, or she was feeble and not made to undertake certain situations a superior creature could. 

Most arguments were truthful and genuine but were not strong enough to change my mind. Summer had a purpose. Sure, she was human and wasn't made to handle certain circumstances with survival. However, she could do greatness. How she was made should never dictate who she became, or what she did. 

When all was said and done. Jake turned to us: the Young Council members. "There you have it, folks. All the concerns of your people. Some have assumptions about Ashley's future as a recreant. Others are content and know she'll do wonders with the task she's given, not just for vampires but werewolves as well. So, now it's all in your hands. What will be your decision? Whether it be to stifle each of their talents because of who their parents pledge their allegiance to, or which species they are, whether it be superior or not. Or would you help elevate and uplift them, so they can help you make a difference in paving our future?" 

My spine straightened as Jake's words floated around the room. Excitement and anxiety bubbled beneath my skin. My fingers gripped the soft handles of the chair to prohibit myself from prancing on the guy. 

Darn, he was good. 

If my thoughts were different, by the end of his speech I was bound to want to give the girls a chance. 

He stood at a ninety-degree angle, so everyone could see him. His eyes on the students. "We'll give our leaders time to discuss the matter and commence tomorrow afternoon. For now, this meeting is adjourned." 

At his last words, whispers exploded across the room while students leaked out the front entrance. The Young Council remained seated until the room was empty. After which we departed.

My heart swelled with gratitude towards Jake. "Is it just me or did that Jake guy also make you have an orgasm?" 

Giggles blended with dreamy sighs, a few chuckles, an eye roll, and a growl were responses given. This time I didn't apologize for my outburst. It was well needed. Besides, we were outside anyway. It was not my fault some people couldn't mind their own business. 

My small moment of irritation evaporated when the students who spoke encouraging speeches earlier came into view. Summer and Ashley were dragged along while we issued out thanks to our mini support systems.

At the end of our last interaction, Jake walked out of the courtroom. The pink-haired beauty hot on his heel. We caught his attention and he flashed us a dimpled smile. His lips closed and opened several times before his companion nodded and left him. 

"Hello ladies," he drawled. A sexy smirk sat on his lips, his eyes on Ashley. "Just want you guys to know I'm rooting for you. You already have my vote." 

Ashley blushed under Jake's blatant stare. "I don't think you're supposed to say that out loud, Jake." 

Gosh, could she be any cuter? 

"Thanks anyway," I intervened. 

His smile never faltered. "Everyone should know my vote by now. I never hid it in there." 

Our three-girl gang giggled unashamed. 

Boy, the effect a brilliant, cute guy had on poor girls. 

"I want to thank you for what you said earlier. Lord knows we need all the support we can get." 

"No. Thank you. You barely know these girls, yet you're willing to fight for them. That goes to show what a great leader you are. I'm more than happy to give my life knowing they are in good hands." Jake flashed us one of those heart-stopping smiles. One which crept into one's memory box and plagued them at night. 

I returned a smile. 

Well, you should try telling my parents this. Wait, maybe I should have recorded it. Would he say it again? 

"Thank you." 

His smile widened. "It's true." 

Hmmm, total orgasm.

It never went unnoticed how much Ashley's heartbeat had increased in speed. Not even the way Jake's eyes had flickered to her lips ever so often. 

A spike of disappointment stabbed at my heart when Summer pulled me aside. "What's that look?" 

The muscles in my forehead pulled together. "What look?" 

She waved her hand over my face. "You know the look you get when you think you've discovered a secret." 

My fingers brushed against my cheek. 

Was I that obvious? Summer's recognition of my action is beyond superb. 

I patted her arm. "I can not begin to tell you how proud I am that you already know one of my looks." 

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I am your Advisor. It's my job to know everything about you. Besides, that's not what I was referring to." 

My smile dropped at the stung of her words. "No, you're my friend. And, knowing who I am should not be a job. It should be what you want." 

Her gaze fell to her shoes. "I know," was the whisper she uttered next. 

To lighten the mood, I patted her cheek and plastered a smile on my face. "I know you do. It's okay, we are all stressed from this ongoing Advisor thing." 

Blue eyes met mine. A smile brought them back to life. "Thanks." 

I know. "Right. Now back to the previous topic." Using her shoulder, I flipped her around to face the two love absorbed vam-wolves. "What's the story between those two?" 

"There's not much. They've been friends for a long time." 

Friends? Hmmm.

Jake's lips curled into a slow smile, the two small holes in his cheeks being advertised. Ashley eyed the spectacle. Her cheeks grew rosier by the minute while her heart had a field day. It backflipped and did cartwheels before drumming away. Each sound was accompanied by each struggling breath she inhaled. 

Friends were not a suitable word to describe this couple.  

"They don't look like friends." 

Summer's sigh blocked out the drumming of Ashley's heartbeat. "I know, but they are. It's like you and Brian. The way how you guys interact, people would think you guys were together, but you aren't."

"Hmmm." 

She was right. People tended to paint a wild picture of Brian and me. Sure, there were times when we crossed the friendship line. However, at the end of the day, friendship was the relationship we shared. 

Summer released another sigh. "I'm going to have to get evidence, aren't I?" 

I tapped Summer's button nose. "You know me so well."