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

Chapter Thirteen - Friends

Amelia and Alex went inside the cafe to grab everyone's drinks and something to eat while Joe and Jade saved a table in front of the cafe. Joe watched as Jade looked around, soaking in everything as if it were the first time she'd ever seen the outside. Alex didn't exaggerate when he explained her beauty. Every part of Jade seemed flawless, but how could that be with her growing up as a Serf? Joe glanced away when Alex came out and placed a coffee and muffin in front of her.

"Poppyseed, your favorite, right?" Jade nodded and thanked him. No matter what she did, Alex's eyes were glued to her. He was mesmerized by her. Joe caught her meeting some of Alex's glances while they all spoke. Joe frowned.

"If you'd excuse me, I'm gonna go to the bathroom," Jade said.

"I don't know if you should," Alex interjected. "That guy who wrote on your cast is in there." Jade frowned.

"I'll go with her," Joe explained. Relief crossed her face. Alex glanced at her, she gave him a reassuring smile, but Alex wasn't as convinced. Jade's crossed inside, Joe following her. Matt smiled as she walked in, and Jade politely returned it before rushing to the bathroom in the back. Matt's smile remained as he leaned against the wall when she came back out, polishing the same cup he had been the entire time.

"I heard about you, Alex's girl, hm?" Her eyes looked away. "They weren't kidding about how pretty you are. Guess it makes sense now, huh? You weren't even a Serf, and none of those Serfs could ever look like you." Jade looked down, not saying anything. "Is that how you were taught to treat an Arc?"

Joe noticed her body trembling as Matt closed the space between them. Joe crossed over. "I'd take a few steps back."

"Just how many men are you juggling, little Serf?" The Jade that Joe met just an hour ago vanished. She turned into a shell, unable to speak, to move. She froze in fear.

"She's with Alex, and unless you want trouble with me, I suggest you back off."

"Oh, yeah? What are you going to do?" Matt chewed on his lip, and he pulled Jade closer to him. Jade struggled to try to escape his grasp, but he tightened it.

Joe's eyes glared in anger. He got Jade out of his grip and lunged at the guy. "Joe, no!" Jade cried out, but he ignored her. The two of them on the ground exchanged blows, but Joe pinned him, repeatedly punching his face. "Joe, please," Jade said, grabbing his hand before taking another blow. He turned to her, settling his breathing—blood on his hands and all over Matt's face. Jade lit up, and a large green aura surrounded her. She didn't know how she did it by her expression, but the aura wrapped around him and Matt. Their wounds were healing.

"Wait, Jade, stop," the aura returned, and he could see Jade struggling to stay up. Joe held onto her. "You can't overdo it."

"Take her. Too much trouble for someone like her." Jade's eyes narrowed. Joe glared at Matt and walked Jade back outside. She pulled out of Joe's grasp before Alex could notice. Jade took a seat and smiled at Alex. Looking back to Joe, he could tell her unspoken words were she didn't want Alex to know.

"So, did he say anything?" Amelia asked.

"Not after we explained I was with Alex," Jade replied. Joe watched Alex look at her and smile. Joe sighed, watching Alex cling to her every word. Why didn't she want Alex to know about what happened?

"I can help you catch up this weekend," Amelia gestured to the stack of papers beside Jade. "I'm already a few weeks ahead in reading."

"What is your ability, anyway?" Jade asked. "Oh wait, should we not ask stuff like that?" They chuckled at her.

"I have kinetics," Amelia explained, "basically, I make barriers. Hence support class."

"Water," Alex raised his hand.

"Healing," Jade answered.

"Hey, wow, that's a good ability to have," Amelia explained. "What about you, Joe?" Joe glanced away.

"I've been curious myself," Alex stated. Joe met Alex's gaze and then Amelia's. He sighed.

"You don't have to say if you're uncomfortable," Jade chimed in. He smiled at her.

"No, it's okay," Joe rolled up his sleeve, exposing his red tattoos.

"Wait, you're Chaandian?" Alex asked. "I didn't know that! But your hair isn't white?"

"Half Chaandian," Joe said, taking another drink of his coffee.

"I think that's amazing," Jade proclaimed. "Dean Turk showed me his tattoo, and his snake Moon was so friendly. What about your animal?"

"Well, it's a pangolin," Joe explained.

"A what?" Amelia asked, perplexed.

"A pangolin," Jade repeated for him. "Kind of like an anteater, but it's covered in sharp scales, amazing for defense. They are nocturnal, so yours must be asleep now, huh?"

"How do you know so much?" Joe questioned.

"Heh, Jade's other love," Alex chuckled. "Prince Emanuel of Thundaar," Alex taunted, "the writer of nature around the entire kingdoms of Theia. She especially loves his studies on herbology, as she studied and created her own medicine for the Serf community back home."

"Alex," Jade said, embarrassed.

"That's amazing, Jade." Amelia said, "your community must've been so happy to have you."

"Yeah," Jade's voice trailed. Alex frowned, confirming that likely wasn't the case. "So," she cleared her throat to change the subject, "I know Dean Turk said the ability was called Animal Adaptation, so what features do you take? The scales?" She asked with keen interest.

"Yeah, the scales and claws. It's almost like an armor that covers me," Joe explained.

"Fascinating," Jade said, staring at him wide-eyed. "They are endangered, aren't they?" Joe nodded, "well, maybe- what's yours' name?"

"Pangy," Joe said under his breath, getting a chuckle from Alex.

"Oh, I love that! Well, maybe Pangy will find a mate; who knows?" Jade smiled. "A pangolin. Wow, I'd love to meet him sometime." Suddenly Joe could understand it. The way Alex watched her, she cared so deeply for the things she loved. It made sense why Alex became so drawn to her rather than the other Arc girls who flocked to him. Something about her innocence, her eagerness to learn, and how she seems to know an obscene amount of random details. He could see why she'd catch Alex's attention. Still, what he would give for Alex to look at him the way he did her. "Joe?" He perked, realizing he hadn't been paying attention. "You okay?" Jade asked.

"Yeah. I was thinking about when your arm heals, and I thought I could train you if you want. It might be a nice surprise for your grandfather if you knew a bit of his work."

"Really? That would be incredible, thank you." Joe nodded, enjoying the pleased look on Alex's face. Joe sighed, finishing his coffee and wishing he could be on the other side of those stares.