Hidden in the Immortals (Book #1)

Chapter 13

The next day was even hotter than it was yesterday. If they closed school when it got too cold, then they should do the same when it gets too hot; but that's just my opinion. Well, not technically. Since Uncle Romeo, Aunt Danielle, and Gabi were leaving tonight, mom and dad (mostly mom), agreed to let us skip school. We decided on going to the beach, because who knows the next time we'll all be together when it's this nice out. Noelle, Ben, and Chad had somehow managed to convince their parents to let them skip school, too, so I knew we were in for a fantastic day. I had already called Garrett and told him the plan and he was in as well.

The whole morning as Jana, Gabi, and I were getting ready, my dad was trying to convince my mom that this was a bad idea and that we should be in school. Mom being the awesome, not evil parent, told him to relax, because Jana and I hardly ever got to see Gabi and today was just so beautiful. He was outnumbered when Uncle Romeo and Aunt Danielle took mom's side. I shot him a taunting grin as the three of us left.

Each of us had all packed a bag for the beach and we headed out. I was wearing a black bikini top paired with a pair of white gym shorts and my old peach colored flip flops. I had my hair down, as I have been lately, to cover up the bite mark. Jana wore a pink, flowery tube top with a pair of denim shorts and she had her hair up in a high ponytail. And Gabi was wearing a grey t-shirt over her bikini, paired with white shorts and a simple braid in her hair. We began walking to the trunk of my car to put our bags in it.

"God, what's dad's problem lately?" Jana asked in an annoyed voice.

As we were walking out to my car, it occurred to me that I never threw away the empty blood bag on the floor in the front. I ran over to the passenger's side door, picked up the blood bag, and put it in the glove compartment. I silently prayed that neither of them would open it.

Gabi snickered as they approached me. "What are you doing?"

I cleared my throat and tried to control my breathing. "I was just making sure there wasn't any trash on the floor." I answered coolly.

"Oh." She answered. I let out a deep breath. That was a close one. We walked to the trunk of my car and put our stuff in it, then we got in my car. "Oh, to answer your question, Jana," I said and made eye contact with her through the rear view mirror. "Dad hates me now, that's his problem."

Gabi scoffed. "I'm sure he doesn't hate you," She said in a doubtful tone. "I get in fights with my parents all the time; that doesn't mean that hate me."

Jana chuckled. "It's a little different with Jules and our dad," She spoke in a sure voice. "They can't even get through one conversation without fighting anymore."

"Why?" Gabi asked and turned to me. I didn't answer her question as I finally pulled out of the driveway and began toward the beach. "Why, Julianna?" Gabi pressed.

I sighed. "Honestly, I don't know." I began. "He doesn't want me dating Garrett for starters."

"He looked like he liked him yesterday." Gabi pointed out.

I groaned. "I don't know what he's thinking." I replied. "And I'm not gonna ask him either." It was silent for a moment, then Jana sighed.

"Jules, I know something's up with you. You've been different for the last couple weeks." She said in a soft voice. "Like... you hurt me." She added in an even softer voice.

I cringed, remembering back to that fight. I lost control. Who's to say something like that wont happen again? "Wait, what do you mean she hurt you?" Gabi asked Jana.

I slammed my hands on the steering wheel. "We were fighting, I got too mad, and I pushed her into my desk." I replied irritably. "I feel horrible about it." I added in a normal voice. I looked at Jana in the rear view mirror, and then over at Gabi. "There is something going on, but I can't tell you guys," I told them. "Not yet anyway. I don't want you involved."