Rehabilitation

63

Alisha had agreed to come driving with me so after community service we walked back to my place.

"So, does this mean things are good with you and the mysterious guy?" I asked as we walked. I didn't want to bring it up when we'd been talking earlier in case she didn't want Kelly to know.

She left out a nervous laugh and I could tell she was blushing, "Um...yeah."

I smiled, I was glad things were going well for her. She deserved it after all the shit she'd gone through with her power.

"That's good. I don't want to intrude but is he okay with you know...your power."

Her smile faded slightly and I realized I shouldn't have asked. I felt closer to Alisha now but maybe we still weren't close enough to talk about personal things.

She swallowed before saying, "Well, the thing is..." she began, "...my power, it doesn't work on him."

"How?" I asked.

"I don't know, actually." She said, sounding slightly amused.

"Mysterious."

She laughed softly.

"Wait," I said, a smile creeping onto my face, "So you two..."

She was blushing again, "Yeah." I could tell it wasn't just about the sex. She really liked him. Being able to touch him was just a bonus.

"I'm happy for you, Alisha." I said sincerely.

"Thanks. I'm happy too." I kind of got the feeling that there wasn't anything else to say about it. So, I didn't ask her any more questions about him. We got to my flat and got into my car which was parked opposite. I got out my keys and played with them in my hands.

"I need to buy some more key rings, it's so empty." I said, noticing that the only key ring was an Italy souvenir key ring that my dad must have bought when we holidayed there.

"I love keychains," Alisha chimed and dug into her pocket. She pulled out her own keys and I saw the number of key rings on it.

"That's a lot," I remarked, gaping down at the packed full set of keys.

She fiddled with the keys, "Yeah, but they all have a meaning you know."

I looked closer at the key rings and noticed a small key ring of a flower.

"What's that flower for?" I asked, genuinely curious as to what the sentiment behind it was.

She picked the flower out of the jumble and looked at it, "It's...my favorite flower," She said slowly.

I raised my eyebrows at her, thinking there was something else she wasn't saying.

"No, it is. It's like my birth flower. An Aster."

"You into stuff like that?"

"Well, no, but it's a beautiful flower. Also, I don't know, I guess it reminds me of my dad. He bought it for me," She said.

I smiled, "That's cute."

"You can have it, if you want. Bulk up your keys."

"Are you sure, I thought it was meaningful?"

"It is, but I've got loads more and you need one."

"But I thought they needed sentimental value," I said. As she said, it was a pretty flower but it was the first time I'd even heard of it.

"This can represent this time in your life." She said. Immediately after she'd spoken she cringed and we both laughed.

"Okay," She said seriously, "I'm reaching here but you know, things are big for you right now. You're learning to drive, you're starting a new job, this key chain can represent that. Given to you by a fellow young offender from that one time you got arrested and was doing community service."

I laughed softly, "Yeah, you're right. If you're sure?"

"Yeah, I have a couple others that are for my dad. And besides I can't drive for another month so what does it matter." She took the key ring from her keys and held it out for me.

"Thanks," I said and took it from her. I looped the key ring onto my own keys.

"Okay, let's forget that I've been banned from driving and teach you to drive." She smiled.

I put the key into the ignition and we set off.