Visions of Fate

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: WEBS OF DECEIT

I was at Ethan's house on Sunday morning, a fact which help me establish my theory–I always found a reason to leave the house ever since Dad arrived. Something I never did when Mom was home. I guess I was just more comfortable when she was around, than I did when Dad visited home.

Thankfully, the doctor said she'd be discharged soon, thanks to her sudden miraculous recovery. He'd informed us that her bones were healing much faster, and she suddenly began to respond to the many treatments they'd used to aid her.

However, she hadn't completely recovered yet. They still had to run some tests and diagnosis to ensure she was strong enough to manage her normal life before they could release her, which was more than enough for me.

Mom hadn't uttered a word the entire time, and I guessed it was because she hadn't fully healed yet. From the look in her eyes, it was obvious she was still a bit shaken by the incident. But the doctor had assured that, by the way things were going, she'd be back to her old self in no time.

Though the time when she'd be back home wasn't settled yet, I couldn't help the excitement that came with her recovery. And that good mood had accompanied me all the way to Ethan's mansion.

"You're in a good mood today," he stated, and I glanced up at him. We were both on his bed, with my head on his chest and his arm wrapped around my shoulders.  

When I'd asked where Grace was, Ethan had mentioned she had gone to church with his grandmother, and would be back in ten to fifteen minutes. Meaning we just had as much time to ourselves, before my over enthusiastic close friend naively invaded our special time together.

"Of course I am. Mom will soon be home," I replied. "And soon, everything would be back to normal."

"Normal, huh?" He said, and I stared at our intertwined legs in deep thought.

No, things weren't normal as they were. Yes, I once had a life I could triumphantly call normal. But, the question about if things could ever go back to the way they were, was a question I yearned to answer, but unfortunately couldn't.

Because things could never go back to the way they were, as long as I was The Chronokeeper with the Visionari living inside of me. Things could never go back to the way they were as long as I was granted freedom, and didn't have movie nights with Ethan in my house as frequently as before.

But maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. Maybe this change was good, and was only waiting to get better. Maybe this was a change that could be my happily ever after.

Because as long as I could see into the future, I could never be afraid of it.

"Well not normal," I said. "I guess we'll just have to make change our new normal, then."

"What if losing me would be a change?" Ethan asked. "Would that ever be normal to you?"

"Ethan," I hit his chest lightly. "I can see into the future, remember? Losing you will never happen, cause I won't let it."

"I highly doubt that, babe," he said, but from the light circles he drew on my waist, it was easy to tell he wasn't taking this discussion seriously. "Remember what your granny's note said? Embrace your vision, but you can never change the future, or something like that."

I laughed at how far he was from her real words. But I also knew he was right. "True, I can't prevent the accident from happening. But that doesn't mean I can't fix it when it already has, now does it?" I thought back to Mom, and how I couldn't save her from my vision. But I knew I was blessed with the power to heal foreseeable tragedies caused by fate.

"Yeah I guess not," Ethan's finger was still trailing around my waist when he spoke. Then the room fell into a comfortable silence I immediately settled into.

"How is football?" I asked, when a minute had passed, remembering that I hadn't gotten time to focus on Ethan's life.

"Football is football, for now," he answered. "Until the date for our match is fixed, at least."

"Woah, you're having a match?" I raised surprised eyebrows at him.

"Yeah, it's going to be between Ravenswood Academy and Larkspur High."

"That's so cool," I giggled with a blush at the thought of him on a football field, with a helmet and shoulder pads, looking all serious and ambitious. "I can't wait to see you out there."

"Something I've dreamt of my whole life," he kissed me on the bead of my nose, causing me to giggle quietly. "I learned that one of your friends is going to be a cheerleader on the field on that day."

I peered up at him. "Who told you that?"

"I saw her practicing cheerleading one time, and recognized her as one of the girls you brought to Ava's house."

Well that made sense. I already knew it was Abi he was talking about, since Ben had mentioned it beforehand. Before I could reply, we heard some footsteps before the door opened to reveal Ava. She was dressed in a short skirt and crop top, her hair becoming wavy curls that flowed seductively down her arms, obviously with the help of her hair extensions.

Our uninvited guest obviously detested what she saw, as the veins on her forehead were so prominent, I could have sworn they spelled out the word 'anger '.

Within a second, she replaced that look with a happy beam that transformed her into a different person. "Ethan, there you are," she said, paying no regards to me whatsoever. "I literally called your line like a million times, but you never picked up."

Ethan let go of my shoulder and went over to offer a her a comfortable looking, white furry couch in his room. "I'm so sorry, I must have left my phone charging in my study room," he said, finding a comfortable spot beside her.

Suddenly feeling awkward in his spacious room, I let my legs dangle over Ethan high bed, trying not to make my eavesdrop on their conversation too obvious.

"That's okay, Ethan," she rubbed his chest, with the excuse that she was ironing the crease on his shirt only she could see. "I'm just glad I could finally see your face. I was having such a bad day."

"I'm so sorry about that," Ethan rubbed her hand that wasn't on his chest. "You wanna talk about it while shopping in the mall?"

A fond, and dare I say genuine smile crept over Ava's face. "You always know what to make me feel better."

"Of course I do, you're my best friend," I held back a laugh as Ava's smile fell just an inch. "Emily," I almost jumped at the sound of my name. "Do you mind? This seems kinda important."

"No, not at all," I picked myself off his bed. "You both should enjoy yourself. I'll just head back home and complete my homework for tomorrow."

"Bye Emily," Ava beamed. "Make sure to always keep our little secret with you." She gave me a knowing glare.

"What secret?" Ethan asked.

"If I told you it wouldn't be called a secret now, would it?" She booped his nose with her manicured finger.

"Bye babe, bye Ava," I said, catching the latter's evil smirk before shutting the door.

Immediately I was safely out of company, I let the vicious smirk finally settle on my lips.

Phase two complete.