Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Thirteen - The Bodyguard

 Jade awoke early, stretching her arms outward. Jade started a pot of coffee, readying herself for a shower while it brewed. Jade grabbed the ring Alex gave her out of her bag and put it on to keep her cast dry. Crossing to the closet, she smiled while choosing her outfit for the day before getting into the shower. Jade sighed with relief as the shower's warmth beat down on her. Showering with one hand proved to be challenging, but she managed. Bottles lined shelves in the shower. Taking time to read and smell each bottle mesmerized her. Jade dried herself off the best she could when finishing and changed into a casual sleeveless black dress tied around her neck. She tried to dry her hair with one arm but wasn't having much luck.

Jade stepped out of the bathroom, still struggling with her hair as she walked towards the coffee. Alex turned to look at her, amused as he sipped his coffee. A blush heated her cheeks, knowing how ridiculous it must look. Alex crossed over to her and gestured for the brush. He brushed her hair and waved his hand over her, removing the water and leaving it straight and dry.

"Thank you," Jade smiled. Her hair hung down past her back when worn straight, and she moved some of it towards the front to cover the tattoo.

"That's a lot of hair," Alex commented, teasing.

"How do you prefer it worn?"

"In whatever way you want to wear it." Jade hadn't cut her hair since she was young. Tending to it with Serf limitations was a struggle, so she wore it in a braid most of the time. A knock at the door turned their attention to each other. Jade started over to it, but Alex intervened. "Hey, that's not your job." Alex carefully opened it but swung it open after seeing who was there, "Joe? What are you doing here?"

"Uh," Joe backed up and looked at the door, "well, I mean, Alex, it's great to see you, but what are you doing here?" Joe glanced in the room and caught Jade's eyes. A sudden realization seemed to have come to him as his jaw dropped as he looked between Alex and Jade. "Wait, wait, Jade, she is your Jade?"

"Wait, you're here for Jade?" Alex asked.

"Well, yes, I'm her bodyguard." He moved Alex off to the side to make his way through. Joe approached Jade and smiled, extending his hand. "I'm Joe. I've heard quite a lot about you from this guy." Jade glanced between them. "I worked on his tour, and we became friends quickly. He spoke a lot about you." Jade turned to Alex, seeing his cheeks redden. The reaction warmed her heart.

Jade extended her hand to him, "it's nice to meet you." Joe had short, buzzed hair and steady brown eyes. His long-sleeved tight shirt showed off a very muscular body. Joe's perfect posture seemed as if he were a student from Omega 1. Joe smiled, but a sympathetic look went across his face as he noticed her cast. "It's not so bad," Jade said, catching his gaze.

Joe checked his watch, "we need to get going if we don't want to be late."

"I can walk with you guys about halfway there. Are you ready, Jade?" She nodded, reaching for her bag, but Alex swept it up. They crossed down the hallway, and both Joe and Alex stood on opposite sides of her. "So, Joe. Not that I'm not happy to see you, but I thought you were."

"Alex." Joe cut him off, his face reddening. Jade didn't bother pushing. Right now, her only goal was to continue to blend in, but her instincts sent her eyes to the ground. How was she supposed to compete in a school of the most talented Arcs?

"Here's my stop," Alex proclaimed, pulling Jade out of her trance. "You're in good hands," Alex said, gesturing to Joe. Jade smiled and watched as Alex walked off before turning her attention to Joe.

"Thank you, Joe," Jade managed. "I'm sure this isn't how you expected to spend your time at Omega 5, but-."

"Hey, in a heartbeat. It's my pleasure." Joe guided her a bit further down until they reached their classroom. "So, are you and Alex together?"