The 6 Gifts (On Hold)

Chapter 4 - The Way the Cookie Crumbles

Sorry for super late update. Forgive me, please ;)

My legs felt frozen as I locked eyes with Alec. Through his eyes, I could tell he was laughing at me.

"Acacia, right?" He smirks, extending a welcoming hand.

I shake his hand hesitantly, surprised when he pulls me in for a teddy bear hug.

"I can't believe you lied about your name!" I whisper harshly." James?! really?"

"Well Acacia, you know what they say about keeping personal information from strangers, I mean, isn't that right... Tallulah?!" I can feel him smiling against my back.

"Well played..." I mumble, pulling out of his grasp.

The problem with the situation now isn't that I can't stand Alec, but I can't stand losing this bet I know is already over for me. There's no point crying over spilt milk but being someone's personal slave for a day will be humiliating beyond repair.

"Have you guys met already?" Maiah asks suspiciously, raising an eyebrow.

'Oh wouldn't she like to know,' I think.

She has changed from her usual Saturday house joggers to a turquoise waist hem dip dress, letting her toffee coloured hair fall down in curls. With Maiah, you literally dress to impress.

"We had an encounter at the pool..." I say quickly trying to end the topic before Alec went into details. Peering at everyone, I notice them all carrying amused expressions on their faces. Well, everyone except Reetan and Maiah.

"What kind of encounter?" Reetan questions, glaring at me.

'Did I do something wrong?'.

"Well we don't need to go into details just yet." Neysha points out. "I mean, we were here to talk to Mr Smith right?"

"Right, right." Reetan dismisses, waves his hand; still glaring at me.

I look away from Reetan's eyes, remembering that Mr Smith is still here. Even if he's Reetan's grandfather, his presence still infuriates me.

"So what's to discuss?" I challenge yet again, approaching Mr Smith. "You made me question my life my priorities...even my parents!"

"Acacia, you know I have no reason to lie to you. If I didn't care, I wouldn't be warning you."

"What do you need to warn me about now?" I whine, dragging my feet to the nearest chair and plopping myself down like it's the most work I've done in years.

"I don't think you seem to understand the concept of your gift. It's not as easy to handle as the others."

"Why isn't her gift easy?" Reetan questions, taking a worried glance at me.