My Demons

Chapter Eight

The rest of the school day went by quickly. Tess didn't see much of Silas after science as it seemed they were on two different class schedules, unlike Levi who was on the same class schedule as she was. Tess went out to the track for practice, which was from 3:15 to 4:15. She stretched out her legs, jogging the warm up mile. Levi caught up to her, pacing himself beside her,
"You ready for the meet coming up in a couple of weeks?" Levi asked her,
"Of course," Tess breathed,
"Who wouldn't be?" She asked,
"Chelsea," Levi said, nodding at the girl running ahead of them. Tess elbowed Levi lightly,
"Levi, that's not nice," She said, trying to hold in a laugh but Levi easily picked up on it,
"See? You know I'm right," He smiled,
"Even if you are right, we shouldn't be mean to her," Tess managed, as she concentrated on going around the last turn,
"I guess," Levi answered. They didn't talk again until after they finished the rest of the warm-up mile. She turned off the track ready to run the cross-country course that led through some woods by the school. She jogged steadily, leaving Levi behind during the first quarter of the course. Tess kept her pace and breathing even as she quickly passed the other runners. She smelled the air, enjoying the earthy scent of the woods. Bark and leaves crunched under her feet as she jogged uphill. She tried to keep an even pace even as she went downhill and almost fell when she tripped on a rock. It was a easy recovery though, and she continued running down the path. Quickly Tess became soaked in sweat, as the mugginess of the woods set in. As Tess came around the last turn heading back towards the track, she realized that she was the first runner to come in. Tess felt a deep satisfaction at being first. She waited and soon Levi came in after a long distance runner finished a couple of minutes ahead of him,
"First again?" Levi asked, a look of amazement of his face. He was soaked to the bone in sweat. Wiping off his forehead with the back of his hand, he smiled,
"I don't know how you do it Tess," He said lightly,
"Superiority maybe?" Tess suggested, returning the smile. Levi shook his head with a small grin on his lips. Tess went over and checked her time. She was delighted to see she beat her last time by five seconds. It looked like a small accomplishment, but to a runner that was a big win. Tess went back into the school, grabbing a quick shower in the girl's locker room. She dried of her hair and braided it before grabbing her gym bag and heading for Levi's car. Her house was on the way to Levi's so he insisted on giving her a ride back home instead of letting her walk. His black mustang was sleek and stood out in the school parking lot. The fact that Levi's mother allowed him to drive this car was astonishing,
"I still can't believe your mom trusts you with this beauty," Tess said running her hand down the glossy roof,
"Well, you know, she figures I'm a good driver," Levi replied, opening his door to get in. Tess snorted,
"Oh yes, a wonderful driver. Like the times you speed through town," She said getting in the car. Levi's face turned into a mocking upsetness,
"Hey, if she knows about that, I'm screwed," He said, starting the engine and backing out. Tess raised an eyebrow playfully,
"Maybe I'll use it as black mail one day," Tess said casually,
"Remember who's giving you a ride," Levi said, not taking his eyes off the road,
"Remember who could walk," Tess reminded him. Levi ignored her and continued driving. The humming of the engine was all that was heard until Levi dropped Tess off at her house,
"Good luck on your science project," Levi called to her, 
"You too," Tess said closing the car door.

~

Silas arrived at Tess's house, science book in hand. He wouldn't even be here without Gabriel's permission to be in human form. Silas had told Gabriel it would give Tess better protection, now that they knew Tess was a Seer. The "Seer" part seemed to be what swayed Gabriel to give his permission. Silas was to keep himself unknown as an angel, but keep a very sharp eye on Tess. He knocked, and there was an, "I'll get it," before Tess swung the door open. She looked at Silas and then down at her watch,
"5:01," She said, raising an eyebrow in question,
"You said after five," Silas responded with a small shrug,
"I didn't say you had to be precise," Tess said opening the door wider to let him inside,
"But I am," Silas answered, stepping in. He found it really hard to fake that he had never been to this house before, he looked around pretending to take it all in,
"Nice place," He said to Tess,
"It's alright, I guess," She answered with a shrug. She walked into the kitchen, leading Silas silently. Silas saw her dad doing work on the laptop,
"Hey dad, this is Silas, my lab partner for a couple of weeks," Tess gestured to Silas wordlessly,
"Where's Levi?" Her father asked without looking up. Silas immediately picked up Tess's irritation,
"Silas picked me before Levi could," She said, and Silas was for sure she might have shot him a crude look. Silas inwardly cringed; this girl really didn't seem to like him. Tess's father looked up from the laptop and confusion crossed his features,
"Isn't this-"He began,
"Yes, he is and we've got a big science project to do so if you'll excuse us," Tess said. Silas could tell she was not in the mood to discuss the recent demon adventure,
"We can go in my room," She said, exiting the kitchen. It was obvious that her dad didn't plan on leaving it. Silas halted, making Tess looked at him funny,
"What?"
"Isn't that a little...inappropriate?" He asked. Angels had the highest of standards and he didn't like this idea. Tess laughed,
"It will be fine," She said and continued to her room. He heard her mumble something about living in the seventeenth century under her breath. He followed her into the room, immediately recognizing the smell of lavender,
"Smells nice," He commented,
"Lavender," Tess said setting down her books on her dresser,
"I find it-"
"Comforting?" Silas said accidentally. Tess gave him a questioning look,
"Yes," She smiled. Silas felt a little edgy when Tess closed the door. He saw her pick up on it,
"Come on Silas, lighten up," Tess sat down in a chair. Silas sat down in one beside her, getting out his science books,
"Any ideas?" He asked, flipping a notebook open. Tess chewed on the end of a pencil. Silas immediately noticed that she had a habit of doing that,
"I once saw this experiment where a scientist took four cups of water, boiled them, and then stuck various food sources in them to see what bacteria it created and how they thrived" Tess said,
"Sounds good, do you remember what food sources he used?" Silas asked scribbling down the experiment,
"Egg, grass, rice, and he left one without a food source to compare to the others," Tess said, remembering everything. Silas continued to scribble everything down as she spoke,
"Alright, looks good," He said looking over the paper. Tess nodded and twirled around in her chair so she could open the door,
"Looks like we have water to boil," She laughed and walked out. Silas quickly jumped up and followed her. Tess's dad was no longer in the kitchen which seemed to put Tess more at ease. She measured out some water and put it in a kettle to boil,
"Now the fun part, waiting," Tess slumped into a kitchen chair. Silas followed her action, sitting across from her. Silas studied her a moment and decided to go out on a limb,
"Are you always so tense with your father?" He asked. Mistake. Tess's gaze narrowed and she didn't answer, looking toward the stove. An awkward silence prevailed between the two of them,
"Listen Tess, I didn't mean to offend you," Silas started. Tess looked back at him,
"It's fine, really," She waved her hand and drew in a deep breath,
"My father and I don't have the greatest relationship," Tess said. Silas was about to say something, but the kettle started squealing. Tess jumped out of her chair and shut off the heat almost seeming eager to halt the conversation,
"Can you hand me some jars from that shelf?" Tess asked, pointing to a shelf above the refrigerator. Silas nodded and opened the cabinet, grabbing four clear jars. When he turned back around Tess already had a funnel out and was ready for the jars. Silas set them down on the counter with a clink. Putting the funnel in the first jars mouth, Tess carefully poured the hot water into the jar, doing the same for the rest. Silas saw her glance at the clock a look of surprise passing on her face,
"I didn't realize how late it was," She said,
"Looks like we will have to add the food sources tomorrow, but at least the water is sterile now," Shrugging, she set the kettle down. Silas nodded and began walking to the door. Tess followed behind him, escorting him to the door. He stopped before leaving,
"Same time tomorrow?" He asked,
"Precisely," Tess said with a small laugh. Silas gave a chuckle,
"5:01, no later," Silas promised with a wave, stepping away from the door,
"5:01," Tess repeated closing the door. Silas was halfway down the street before he realized, he'd forgotten something. He came back to Tess's door and knocked. Tess answered the door after a few second, now in her pajamas,
"What's wrong?" She asked in confusion,
"I forgot my books."