The Fawx Bite

III.

One of the most fascinating things about Arizona was how diverse the environment was. As we left Sedona a forest broken by red rocks with a mild temperature in the seventies, the environment changed to a more traditional desert. And the temperature slowly rose to triple digits. And the bars on my phone doubled as well.

I texted Viola: Hey, what's up?

I set my phone onto my thigh and looked out the window, expecting to wait a little bit before she was able to answer but in only a few seconds my phone lit up: Not much, just getting ready for homecoming. What's up with you?

Ah shit that's r8 I'm sorry I'll b missing it. My nails clicked against the screen as I typed.

You're good, I wasn't expecting you to after the disaster of the last couple weeks. Are you good?

I'm ok just need a few xtra days.

I understand, I'll have Bruce send you pictures of tonight. Love you, be safe!

I smiled. Love u 2, have fun :*

I sighed, feeling guilty for not being able to be with Viola for her senior homecoming but...I looked over at Marek. How did I explain the dragon? And the two new people in my life?

It was nearing six in the afternoon by the time we slowed and found a room at Village Inn. Echo yawned and immediately curled onto the corner of the bed. I settled onto the floor, my back against the wall as I watched her settle to sleep. Jin had disappeared behind the closed door of the bathroom. Marek touched my knee with his muzzle before going to lay down on the ground next to the bed. I watched as the tip of his tail came to rest on his nose.

I stood slowly and walked over to the front door. Looking over my shoulder, I could see the peacefulness that was settling over the room. The buzzing energy within me had no place in this room. At least until I could expel some of this restlessness. I slipped out, closing the door slowly. I turned around and nearly screamed when I found Jin standing behind me. I flinched away violently and he immediately stepped back, raising his hands. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

I placed a hand on my chest, feeling my racing heart. "You're good, just yikes. What the fuck are you, a ninja?"

He sighed heavily, "Really, going for the stereotypical name calling?"

"Stereotypical as in, when people appear out of nowhere and scare the crap out of you or stereotypical as in your Asian? Because in case you didn't notice, I'm brown. I get stereotyped quite often," I arched a brow.

Jin chuckled, his smile transforming his sharp boned face into something slightly softer. Handsome, almost. "That's true. Sorry, I'm so used to people using terminology like that that I sometimes forget that others face the same thing. And on your end, at the moment, it's worse."

"When the president has a thing against people with brown skin, it kind of sets someone like me up for some struggles. Even though by technicality I am half white and was born and raised in America," I shrugged, then pointed towards the door. "I thought you were in the bathroom?"

"I was but I slipped out to grab a soda," he held up a coke.

"Ah, I didn't see you." How did he slip out? I honestly hadn't seen him. "Anyways, I'm going to go for a walk."

"Did you want company?" Jin asked.

Not really, no. But even though it was on the tip of my tongue, it seemed kind of rude. I had left Phoenix to be alone, and I had yet to be properly alone. But I also had a handful of questions that I wanted answered. Plus...Jin wasn't terrible company. At least looks wise (that sounds mean but come on, he hasn't been a teddy bear). I nodded, "Sure."