City of Kinetics

TWENTY-EIGHT ✴ Matchmaking

       When they got back to the house, the first thing Hunter did was fill Jason in on everything that happened. Then, he called Bowen to let him know about Theo coming in to give a statement. According to Bowen, there was nothing more they could do after that other than wait it out.

       It was almost five o'clock in the afternoon, and Mila found comfort in sitting outside on the back deck while drinking some coffee. Evelyn sat across from her, also drinking coffee while Leila sat with a glass of orange juice.

       "How long do you think we'll be stuck here?" Leila asked, aimlessly threading her fingers together.

       Mila sighed, a frown tugging at her lips as she tried to think of a good response to that question. Evelyn only smiled encouragingly.

       "Don't worry," she said. "I'm sure you guys will get out of this mess eventually."

       Mila looked at her. "You're very optimistic."

       "Well, what good does being pessimistic, do?" Evelyn asked, raising her eyebrows.

       Mila couldn't argue with that. She watched as Evelyn then cupped her coffee mug. The mug suddenly began to turn a little red where her skin connected with the ceramic, and the drink inside began to boil.

       "There," she said, letting it go once it was hot enough. "Being a kinetic never gets boring."

       Leila only smiled at her, watching as she took the smallest sip out of her boiling hot drink.

       "Doesn't that burn your tongue?" Mila asked.

       Evelyn grinned. "I control fire. It would take a lot more than a hot coffee to burn me."

       She rolled her eyes, suddenly realizing how stupid her question really was. Of course, with the power of flames at her fingertips, Evelyn wouldn't burn. She was lucky that way.

       "Don't take this the wrong way, Ellie," Leila suddenly started. "You could be living your life right now instead of being under house arrest with us. You're not exactly wanted by the police."

       Evelyn shrugged. "I like it here. You guys are nice."

       Mila's lips tilted up and she raised her eyebrows. "We're nice? That's all you've got?"

       "Well, I mean, I'd feel bad just leaving," she said. "I want to help you out of this mess as much as I can before I leave. I know firsthand how much of a nightmare it is to deal with Kane. I wouldn't wish that on anybody."

       Leila tilted her head as Evelyn's grin widened.

       "Besides, I'm not paying rent here or anything," she said. "I want to put that off for as long as I can before I have to start looking for my own place."

       Mila chuckled. "Well, if you have any trouble, my door's always open."

       It had only been a couple days, but to Mila, Evelyn had proven herself to be genuine. Although Hunter still acted a little wary of her, everyone else enjoyed her outgoing personality and warm company.

       "I might take you up on that," Evelyn said, laughing lightly. "Fair warning, though, I make an awful roommate."

       Leila frowned. "Where's my invite?"

       Mila grinned at her. "Ask your brother first and if he agrees, and you can stay with me for however long you want."

       "Hunter's so cute with you," Evelyn said to Leila, almost pouting. "One second he's all serious and grumpy but the second you say something to him, he immediately changes his tune."