Helping An Old Friend

Soren

Since Louis came back from his world tour. I avoided being anywhere he would be. I was at the bookstore most days anyway, shipping off all the stock and selling it, giving the money to Juliet. So she could buy sweets. She is sweet. 

There were weekly travels to En-gannin. My family's date was set for the Friday at the end of that month. 

I had told Juliet that it was closure. But… for me, it was anything but. It had muddled me into a useless pile of desperation. I wasn't going to be an ass and go begging for more, putting her on the spot, or face Louis's wrath. But I couldn't get her out of my mind. She was all over me. She had been all over me for two weeks while Louis was on his tour. We had spent so much time together. I couldn't concentrate, thinking about all we had done. All I had to do was stay away for another two weeks. I had stayed away for three weeks... "You can do this, Soren." 

***

I laughed at myself standing in front of the Red gates before I could convince myself how stupid I was being. Before I could even think about it… Addicted already. It was mid-morning, so the chances that Louis would be there… 

"Hey!" I spun around.

"Where did you come from?" My head darted nervously left and right. Juliet laughed at me. I was being stupid. 

"You know I might have been nervous before, but you act like a real goof. Scared that my husband would catch us in the act." I ran my hand through my hair, trying to get it out of my face. Juliet grabbed onto me, putting her finger on my mouth. 

"Nobody knows about us. Right now, we're both invisible." She whispered. My heart accelerated as Louis exited the gates, yelling at Liam. "Tell her I'll be gone for a week." 

"Tell her you're self." Liam's voice came from inside. Liam was angry. Louis swore under his breath, muttering as he walked off. 

"Shhh." Her finger pressed harder onto my lips. We stood really close, and my thoughts wandered until Louis got in the car and left.

"When will you tell him?"

She shrugged. 

"Should I help you with your denial, Julie?" 

Her eyes narrowed. "How would you be able to help me?"

"How can you say that? You don't even give anyone a chance. You haven't even told him. Not about the baby or about me."

"Soren! I'm leaving for the weekend. Are you coming with me or not? Louis won't come even if I asked him." 

"Prove it." 

She took out her phone and called him. 

"Hey, Baby. I was looking for you." Louis's voice comes through on speaker.

"Yeah… I was talking to someone. Louis, I need to go help Nick move this weekend. Today actually. Will you come? Please." Her voice was desperate. Pleading… So soft. 

He was too quiet at the other end. There was hesitation, followed by only silence. "I can't, baby. I'm sorry."

She killed the call. She mocked crushed the phone in her hand. Teeth clenched. She lets loose a string of curse words… I had only made it worse. It wasn't like she was living in a fantasy world. There were so many things that happened to her. I couldn't help myself. "We could walk." Her eyes shot up to mine. She basically grabbed my hand and slipped her fingers into mine. 

"Make for a good time for counseling. I'll unburden myself to you. It's not like I can go to a human psychologist and tell him everything."

We stared at each other… "You could, actually. The whole world knows." We both laughed. "But they would lock you up." She punched me in the shoulder. I smiled and then smirked. "Hey, can you have sex anywhere being invisible?" She laughed and hit me again. I complained, squeezing her hand. 

***

"Juliet!" One guy said when they saw us.

"Juliet!" Another did the same. 

The two guys embraced her and lifted her up into the air, holding her up and dropping her, squashing her in between them. 

"You came to get my grandfather?"

"I did. Help pack up. Close the house. What will you guys do with all the bones you buried." She mocked.

I laughed, and it caught their attention. "Who is this guy, Juliet?"

"Soren. Jack and Francis…." We shook hands. "He is a friend going back to En-gannim and wanted to see the world a bit. Stuck on the compound and all that. Not like the werewolves, we weren't free."

"Yeah, but not so much on Palmyra. Everybody's fate will change really soon if they ever want us back." Francis said.

"Is it that bad?" They both nodded. She seemed concerned. 

Juliet went inside the house, leaving me to chat with the guys. They were home for two days. They had come with their cousin, who was the ambassador, delivering food. 

***

Juliet

I checked my phone a lot. No messages from Louis. It was becoming harder for me to accept how things were going. It was driving me up the wall. The age gap was too much. I chuckled. After that night, I didn't see him for days. He comes and goes… Literally and figuratively. I had not wanted that with Marcus. Being the wife of a politician. But I was not going to complain again. If I needed to use Soren to shut myself up, maybe Karma would give me a break. 

***

I started loading stuff into the cars and the U-Hall. 

"Jack, you driving in what car?"

"You driving with us, Juliet. We need to spend time together. Soren, there can get to know my grandfather." 

I laughed, getting in the car with them. They said goodbye to their childhood home. It was going to be a long drive back to the compound. 

***

We stopped outside our old house, tired and glad to stretch our legs. I had told Nick he would love the place. I couldn't discern his features. He had been quiet the whole drive back. We had switched cars a few times between the four of us, but he wouldn't talk. 

We were unloading for a while when two strong arms grabbed me around the waist and picked me up. It wasn't Soren. It wasn't Jack or Francis. The person held me close against their chest. I tried to kick back, but the guy was practiced in the arts. He swung me around and shook me a bit. I laughed when I couldn't do anything. I disappeared. Mateo freaked out. "That's unfair… No abilities." I came right back to where I was. I turned. Mateo jumped back, just in case.

I chuckled and got a stupid grin on my face. My eyes went from Benjamin to Francesco to Mateo, all smiles. "It is really good to see you guys. Even you, Ben." I punched at his stomach. 

"Thought you would hate me." 

I snorted. "I'm literally the last person to tell anyone how to live their life."

Mateo stepped slowly closer to me and leaned into me. I didn't mind, and I turned my mouth to his, inches apart. Going all out on the flirting my way into happiness… His eyes lingered on my lips, and then he took a good whiff. His eyes widened, and his brows raised as he stepped back. I shook my head slightly. "Shhh!" 

He zipped his lips.

Soren was unloading with the boys. "Hey, Jack and Francis. Come meet your long-lost cousins." I yelled.

The three were busy with the last boxes and came over. Soren stood halfway behind me. Introductions were made, and the guys quickly felt at home. I showed them the house and the patio. Nick invited them to stay. We made a fire and had drinks. I didn't mind sitting between Soren's legs on the grass. He was stable and reliable. He reminded me of Michael, that could deliver a baby without freaking out about it. But still… He watched me my whole life, and he didn't kill himself… from boredom. I wasn't trying to forget him or replace him. Frak, I wanted to start crying. There I was, complaining and sleeping around while he might be dead or locked up somewhere. I jumped up and went into the house. I walked to the bathroom a little drunk. I was pregnant and drinking. Stupid Juliet. 

Closing the door, I sat down on the toilet. My life was a freaking mess. Would it ever even out. Would there ever be a time when I wasn't desperately worried about someone? Or had problems with the men in my life. I blew my nose and checked myself in the mirror. 

Opening the door, Nick was standing outside waiting for me, balancing on his cane. I went over to help him stand. "I don't have long, Juliet. These are my last days. Did I tell you that I'm reaching a thousand this year?" 

I needed a hug and didn't really care. My arms wrapped around the guy. He patted my back. "Don't tell the boys. It might still be this year." My hug got stronger. I started bawling. He patted me and pushed me into a room, closing the door. I fell down on my old bed, crying into the pillow. 

"I had two daughters. Both of them died. You are probably the closest to a little girl of my own I would ever have again…. Many times, my girls would break down. They didn't like Palmyra. Like you, they were different. They didn't want the cruelty or being tired the whole time. Craved peace and happiness. That's why I like you so much… So, are you going to tell me who the father is?"

"Chris." Nicholas laughed. It started out small, but it got louder. 

I sat up. "Shhh," His mirth didn't want to dissipate until he could calm himself. "No one knows. Accept that boy out there. Mateo and You."

"Why?" Nick asked, rubbing at his eyes. 

"My same old excuse. I don't want to be a burden. Louis is so busy. Told him not to read me." Nicholas bobbed his head in understanding. 

"Do you want to stay a few days?" 

"Can Soren stay?" 

"You know what. Our whole planet is harem after harem of women who take men to provide some kind of service to the house. Your small little four men… Reverse Mormon thing you got going is not a problem for me."

"Thank You… I think I'll take a nap now. Good night, Nick."

"Night Julie." The old guy got up, moving slowly out. 

A moment later, Soren came in and plopped down next to me, dragged me into his arms, and wrapped me up. That was the first time Soren and I slept together. On the same bed.

***

After a few good days at Nick's house, I knocked on Charlene's door. I wanted to check in with her. Could I tell her before I told Louis?

"Hi!"

"Hi. Where is baby?"

"Your mother and father have her. It's as if I don't even have a child."

At the same time, we said, "noice." We both laughed lightly. 

"I have big news and then some bigger news, but I can only tell you the first big news today."

"Out with it. Come, let's sit down." 

Charlene wanted to go into her room. "Ben is here." 

She stopped dead in her tracks and turned to me. "Why?"

I almost walked into her. "Have you been watching the news?" 

"I just thought they had so much time left to do it. Why would they rush here?"

"Food, I suppose. The government order and all. No point in delaying."

"Oh yeah. You guys killed people up until a few months ago." Charlene turned again, going further into the room.

"You a little bored, Charlene?"

"I actually decided to go to college." 

I was closing the door, but my hand froze on the handle. She was thinking of leaving. "What, why? Are you moving?"

"We will be on Earth for a long time. I need a job. Something to do. You have to, as well. Why don't you come with me? I can see how bored you are."

Should I blab that I was pregnant? That going to college with my Riphath baby would be impossible. 

I snorted. "What are you going to do?"

"Medicine." 

"Have you even talked to your parents?"

"Yeah, they're somewhere in China for my dad's work… You know what, Jules. I feel like we are drifting apart. And every time that happens, it's because you are keeping some secret from me. That is probably why Louis is so distant."

My head snapped at her angrily… I took out my phone. Being falsely accused was my limit. Louis answered on speaker.

"Hi, baby." 

"Hi… When You come home, you can't read Charlene, okay!"

He was quiet and didn't say anything. I hated it. I hated it with every fiber. I wish he would just freak out. Get it out of his system and leave me. He was supposed to be the one who was good for me. 

"Is everything okay? You talking to her but not to me?"

"I told you. You're never here."

He sighed heavily.

"Fine, see you Friday."

"F- you will! I'm not sitting around waiting for you." I threw the phone on the bed. 

Charlene's hand wrapped around her mouth. "Okay, I'm sorry. Did I just cause that?"

"No S-, Sherlock! Yeah, you did. Now sit down and shut up." Charlene shook her head. She didn't sit down but went to a little fridge in the room and got us drinks. 

I stared at the beer, gritting my teeth. She held it out to me. I shook my head slightly. She pushed it forward at me as she took a sip of her own. I shook my head again… Charlene paused, dropping the bottle from her lips. She had caught on. "Who?"

"Chris." 

We both stood staring at each other for a while.

"F- me!"

"You can say that again. But not you … Soren."

Charlene choked on her next sip. "You cheated?"

I rolled my eyes. "Only you will see it as cheating."

"Are you ever going to cut that out? Say enough is enough."

"When Louis says…" 

Her mouth gaped. "You're actually serious."

"You know what's the worst. I don't think he ever will. He has fallen in love with politics…. He needs me quiet so he can work."