SURPRISINGLY YOURS

Shadows

Julia

"You have to go in.."

"But do I?"

"We didn't come all the way downtown for nothing."

"I guess so.."

"Jagger.."

"Julia.."

"My jacket looks great on you."

"It swallows me whole."

"I will swallow you whole."

"Promises, promises.."

"Geez, if you wanted to fuck we could just,-"

"Julia!" A red-haired woman stepped out of the shop, Zen with Zoey, "It's so good to see you!"

She hugged Julia, looking passed her at me and smiling.

"Same to you, Zoey," Julia said, "You look great in this dress."

"I made it myself!" Zoey beamed, "And the beads and the necklaces. Oh, it's been too long since you were here."

"I know," Julia sighed, "I've been meaning to stop by, but I've had school and this guy."

Zoey stepped over to me, "Jagger?"

"That would be me," I smiled, shaking her hand, "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Zoey's wild blue eyes danced as she talked, "Shall we?"

We entered the shop and I almost keeled over.

Someone vomited tie-dye.

Julia

It was interesting to watch Jagger as he took in the scene.

I'd met Zoey when Kyle and I were in foster care and she was one of the many sisters I'd gained from a hippie commune in the country.

That was our last home before turning into adults and even though her parents didn't adopt us, we thought of them as our own.

"Take a seat anywhere," Zoey said, "I've got tea and sugar free snacks for you, Julia. I don't do processed shit so I apologize."

Jagger smiled, "That's alright. I was going for a big burger, though."

Zoey nodded, "I like burgers, Jagger, much to my vegan father's chagrin."

Jagger accepted the tea, placing mine on a coaster in front of me along with the sweets.

I was shocked when he handed me a few, "Here."

"Thanks..." I smiled at him, "I don't want to get chocolate on your,-"

He shook his head, "Don't worry about it. You worry way too much."

"That she does," Zoey said, coming back to us, "Now, Jagger...I hear you're a very special person."

Jagger laughed, "I wouldn't say that."

"Well, Julia thinks your special or you wouldn't be here."

I blushed, sinking into the cushions with embarrassment.

Suddenly, Jagger had turned his head in the direction of a corner in the room and placed an arm around my shoulders. He kept staring at the corner as Zoey took notice as well.

"What do you see, Jagger?"

He pulled me closer, but I noticed he didn't seem to care if Zoey was threatened by whatever he was witnessing.

"Just memories.."

"Tell me about them and why Julia needs protecting," I watched Zoey light some sage and pull out some crystals and other gemstones, "Why are you protective of Julia? Are the memories going to hurt her?"

"I don't want them to."

"Will you hurt her, Jagger?"

"Never."

"What do they look like?"

"Voids.."

I shuddered in his hold which only made him hold me tighter.

"I will not let anything hurt you ever again, Julia," Jagger whispered as he loosened his grip on me and turned from the corner, "Eat up."

The vision was gone—I was intrigued and Zoey was smiling at me.

"I think you've got yourself a protector here, Julia," she said, "Now, let's get down to why you two are meant for each other."