Guardians

James-22

"We should do this more often," Mark W. claimed.

"Yes, how about next Friday." The other Mark suggested.

"Sounds good!"

"Thanks for taking me James."

I could tell that this was the only thing Marie had really wanted so badly before.

"Anytime. Did you get some pictures?"

"Oh yea! Wanna see?"

"Sure," she turned on the camera and ran through the images of her, Alyssa and Keelie posing with different statues and Princesses.

When we got home, Jeremiah was on the phone while looking at the news. There were fires somewhere south of us and were starting to spread quickly.

"Yes, but where is she?" Jeremiah's voice cut in quickly.

"She did what!"

The two of us jumped as he slammed the phone down. He turned to look at us with a more calm and serene expression.

"What happened?"

"Penelope exposed herself."

"Does that mean we have to leave?" Marie replied sullenly.

"No we're staying for now, but I have to talk to her when she gets home."

"Is she not with Brady?"

He shook his head, "No she left him at the party. I don't know all the details."

I knew right then and there something had gone wrong. Whatever the reason was for Penelope exposing herself in public.

"Why do you think she did it?" Marie whispered to me.

"Probably to protect herself, but if she was at the party when it happened then I have no idea. Whatever it may be, I'm sure she knew what she was doing."

The door opened and slammed as Penelope came rushing in, clutching her arm.

"Nel," I started but stopped when Jeremiah intervened.

"Penelope what happened?"

"I was attacked by this guy. he knew what I was without even seeing my wings."

"Then explain how everyone else saw them?"

She held a steely gaze and said in a cold hard voice, "Brady defended the guy because it was Marisol's brother."

Jeremiah sighed and examined her arm with tender care. "You guys can't be."

"Too late, I'm with someone else. he saw what I am and protected me."

My jaw dropped and Marie gasped. This whole high school idea had been a terrible idea.

"He might protect you now but what if he's plotting."

"Jeremiah I know you still have a family. Your wife protects your secret. Why can't I be allowed this? Not everyone is bad in this world. Even if they were we know how to fight! It's in our brain and blood. We're not children anymore."

Marie grabbed my hand as I took a step back and listened to the argument escalate.

"You're just lucky this guy intervened when he did or else you would be seriously injured. But I guess you're right Penelope. I will start allowing you guys to deal with the world now. No sense in me worrying about you four anymore. You can watch after each other."

"Wait you can't leave us!" I piped up.

"No James, I'm not leaving but I'll start looking into what you guys need to do in order to fight the Desmonda."