Camouflaged

Chapter 28

While running back to the house, I feel the rain stopping and the sun starting to show itself. When I get back to the house, everybody is very confused.

"The weather's cleared up," my dad notes, looking at me weirdly.

"Oh, yeah. I guess it did," I say lightly.

"You're...you're not upset," my mom points out, talking very slowly.

I shake my head, smiling.

"You probably don't want to hear this but you wouldn't understand. It's hard to explain," I answer, shrugging. "It doesn't really matter though. What matters is that Alex and I have to get back to California."

"I can arrange that!" Hailey pipes in, automatically turning on her phone.

"You still visiting?" I ask.

Hailey nods, rapidly tapping her phone's screen.

"You're leaving so soon," my mom says sadly.

I hug her tight.

"Don't worry. We'll be back before you know it. Only two or three more months and then our movie's going to be over," I reply.

"But then you're gone again as soon as the movie comes out for the next one. And you'll have to do so many interviews and that stuff," my dad states.

"You guys are coming with me for that part. So relax, okay? I'll take care of myself and I'll be back sooner than you want," I say, winking.

My mom sighs, and opens her mouth to say something.

"Booked!" Hailey interrupts.

My mom clamps her mouth shut.

"See you then, Rave," my dad says, hugging me.

"I love you. See you soon," I mumble.

I then hug my dad, and then Alex, Hailey and I set out to go back to the airport. I order a taxi and then we quickly drive back to the airport. By the time we get to the airport, it's 1:00. After we cross security and everything, I suggest we get something to eat.

"Let's go to the sandwich shop," Hailey suggests.

"Sure," I say.

Alex doesn't answer, but he follows us there anyway.

On the plane, Hailey and I sit together and Alex sits with a random stranger that also can afford the top class cabin. When the airplane lifts off the ground, I turn my phone on airplane mode and start to listen to some music with my earbuds. Hailey says something, but I can't hear her. I remove my earbuds.

"What?" I ask.

Hailey looks at me.

"What do you mean?" she asks.

"What did you say?" I answer.

"Oh. You loved Blake, didn't you?" Hailey asks softly.

"Of course I did," I respond.

"Where did you send him?"

My breath catches.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I know he can turn into a leopard. And I know you can change forms too. I saw you whisk him away in the blink of an eye. But where did you send him?"

"How do you know?" I demand.

"You're not the only one with special powers," Hailey giggles. "I can see things, even if I'm not there. If I try, I can see what's happening in Antarctica right now."

"That's really cool! That would be a really cool power to have," I admit.

Hailey laughs quietly.

"I know," she whispers.

A lady with a cart arrives and asks us if we want anything to drink.

"Coke, please," I respond.

"Lemonade," Hailey answers.

The lady pours us our drinks, smiles, and leaves.

"She looked at us weirdly," I murmur to Hailey.

"I know," she replies. "Maybe she was trying to restrain from asking for an autograph."

I roll my eyes.

"Whatever," I mutter.