Oxygen

Chapter 8 - The bonded

We pack up our things and leave the library. Chucking the books in the back of Jordan's car, I leave my bike in the rack and Jordan opens the door of his Jeep to let me in the passenger seat.

He closes the door and gets in the driver's seat. It's still all so crazy, I always assumed that love was something you decided to have for each other, but perhaps it is not. Who knows, in this supernatural world.

When we reach Jordan's house, I have a mini panic attack over the size of it. It was magical, especially with the lights glowing in the garden. It looks like a castle from Disneyland.

The three story building was painted cream, with grey trims on the roof and balconies. There was a long path made of tiles, with a garden of palm trees and flowers surrounding it.

To the left of the path was a gorgeous blue pond, with shimmering lights surrounding it. Along the edges were stones and boulders, creating an earthy feeling to the grand palace.

Jordan got out of the car and opened the door for me. He lead me down the path, walking past the white butterflies that flew around us, and opened the huge wood doors.

Jordan's mother, I assume, was perched on a beige armchair in the living room, typing on her laptop. Across from her was the kitchen, with a maid chopping onions and carrots.

"Hi, Mum" Jordan greeted, with a wide smile on his face. "Oh, hi Fern" she said, recognizing me in my sweatpants and T-shirt.

"Hi, Cathy" I smiled warmly. "We need to talk to you" Jordan explains. I realised then that I should be nervous. I should be trying to make a good impression, but since I've babysat Carol before it doesn't seem so necessary.

She stands from her position and places her laptop on the glass table in front of her. She guides me and Jordan to another room, with a bold glass wall at the far end.

She sits down on one side of a large oak desk, and Jordan and I take the other. "So, what is it you wish to talk about?"

I look to Jordan, with my hands clenched in my lap. "Well" he says, smoothly. "Fern and I have been having dreams about the same thing, like you told me happened with you and dad." Cathy looks at Jordan astounded, then starts smiling cheerfully.

"That's great!"she says, almost off her seat. "Do you understand what this means, Fern?" She asks. Now it's my turn to come in.

"Yes" I say, "I also know that because I am an Ashford, that this is not an ordinary bonding". Jordan looks at me and smiles, as if proud of my collected approach to all this. Then his face turns serious, aware of the conversation.

"Oh" she says. We wait in silence until she explains her thoughts further. "One hundred years ago, when this last happened, the couple, Gemma Ashford and Elijah Kingsley, were attacked by the Summers family, and it didn't end well".

Jordan looks flabbergasted. His lips are split open slightly, as if he wants to speak but can't.

"Who are the Summers?" I ask, and Cathy looks at me sympathetically. "The Summers are Natalie's family. You must have seen her at school. Her family came after us the last time the Ashford's and the Kingsley's bonded. It's not good news for you, unfortunately".

Now I'm starting to get worried. "So, what has this got to do with us? Why would they come after us?" Jordan sits shrugged over in his seat, uncomfortable by the apparent dangers ahead for us.

"The Summers haven't been bonding for years" Cathy says. "The thing is, once a couple reaches the third step of bonding, the couple gain special abilities, according to their relationship. And when two clans combined, the abilities are even stronger".

I go silent now, extremely worried for both Jordan and I. "Once they figure out who you are" Cathy continues, "they are going to try and stop you from bonding. They are going to come after you and do the best they can to split you up".

Jordans voice comes back into action. "So what do we need to do?" He asks, looking into my eyes. This is ridiculous. "You should continue next week at school, don't talk to each other, I know that will be incredibly difficult, but if you can last next week then I will have a plan sorted for you to go somewhere safe".

"Run?" I ask, already aware of the answer. "Yes" Jordan says. "I'll keep you safe, I promise, but it's not safe for us here anymore".

I take a deep breath, or a sigh of relief, I can't tell which. "Okay" I conclude. "I'm ready".

•••

I arrive at school on Monday with Evelyn, Jordan's number safely in my emergency contacts on my phone, along with his mother Cathy's.

I'm wearing my favourite pair of black jeans, my black ballet flats, and a mahogany coloured top. It's starting to get cold again, so I have my grey snood around my neck.

I know I need to tell Mum about all this. She could be in danger if I don't, but she could also be in danger if I do. I consider texting Cathy about it as I head to my locker, holding my books on my hip.

Evelyn walks behind me and waits for me at my locker. I feel so bad that I can't tell her, she's the one person in the world that I tell everything to.

"What are you doing this weekend?" She asks me, "I'm going to throw a winter party for our year". How do I get out of this one? As much as I want to go I have to follow Cathy's instructions. I have to go to Jordan's on Saturday to talk about the plan. Even Jordan's dad is coming to help us.

"I can't, I have to go Christmas shopping with my Mum, it's really important to her". There, that should do it.

"Oh that's a shame. Nik, Kyle and Jordan are going to miss you being there, me too obviously. We'll make the most of the time we have at school". She seems so nice about it.
It makes me feel sad, once Jordan and I leave, I might not see her for a while.

"Yea we should" I agree. We walk down the hall side by side. The ugly grey walls and blue bulletin boards make the halls look dark and miserable, which suits the vibe of this place anyway. Each classroom is just the same, with one or two windows in each to get light in.

The main building outside is modern, with grey slates on one side, and the rest painted a dark blue. Some of the buildings are much older than others, with open rooves covered in tarp.

We arrive at English and sit in our seats. When Jordan comes in, he does his best not to talk to me, but turns to wink discreetly as he walks past. I smile to myself, unable to wait for the time when we can be together, and in love.

We spend English reading books, and Nik borrows a pen to write notes. He really needs to get his own stationary. Maths is boring yet again, the worst subject, although it seems to be the one I do best in.

When lunch swings around I head to the field and sit at our signature table, waiting for Evelyn. I don't know if Jordan will sit with us today.

While I'm looking through Snapchat on my phone, an unexpected visitor comes and sits across from me. I look up and see the putrid ginger hair and pale skin of Natalie Summers.

Crap. It takes me a minute to muster up something to say. "Hi, Natalie" I say, as innocent as possible.

"Look, cut the sweet talk. I know that you like Jordan. But he's going to be mine. He doesn't like you, he never will".

"You might be surprised" I mutter. "Watch yourself, Fern" she warns, "He's special, and I'm not going to let some nerd take my man". She stares me in the eye, waiting for my agreement. "Fine" I say, laughing to myself. She doesn't know what's coming. He is definitely special, but so am I.

As she walks away I see Jordan coming onto the field with his lunch. He takes one look at me before Natalie swoops him over to her table and sits him down beside her. All I have to do is last the week.

As much as I want to walk over there and slap the life out of Natalie, I know what danger I'd be putting myself in. It's not just my problem anymore, it's everyone's.