Masked

XVI

We exchanged stories for the next hour or so. I told her everything about what had happened to Lacie and myself. She listened patiently before beginning hers.

 "I was adopted when I was five, because my parents couldn't take care of me. I've been in a wonderful home since then with great foster parents and two little siblings, but they're all related. I feel like an outcast there, so i leave the house alot because it gets lonely when no one else is interested in the stuff you're into. I'm seventeen and I wish I could see my parents again. The thing is my dad is in jail for being an alcoholic and my mom is in a mental institution for having a mental problem. They were good people, i just don't know what happened."

Taran looked at me and smiled as if it didn't bother her as much anymore with telling someone her story. "Anyways I'm working as an intern for some local detectives and help them with different cases. There was one where some guy killed his girlfriend and then himself it seemed."

She went on explaining I realized it was Lacie and Sam she was talking about.

"That crime was in Canada. Why would they ask someone here to investigate?"

"No idea, I'm sorry if you knew both of those people,"

I didn't say anything as the news just seeped into my body. God I hope she wouldn't ask anything else about it...

"It'll be getting dark here really soon. Come stay with me, it's going to be cold tonight."

Why not, I thought and flew her towards her house. Climbing through the window, we listened to see if anyone had heard us come in. So far the coast was clear.

Taran got another mattress and laid it down for me by the window. I helped her make the bed as we joked quietly and tried not to make too much noise.

There was a small part of me that really felt drawn towards her and I smiled knowing eventually Lacie would want me to move on sooner or later.

We both ended up on her bed just staring at the ceiling, not touching or anything.

"Michael?" she yawned.

"Yes Taran?"

"Goodnight."

"Night Taran," I said not sure what else to say.

She threw the blanket over us and curled up, her back touching my side gently. I wrapped my arm around her and drew her closer to me so she wouldn't be as cold. Her skin smelled of honeysuckle and I inhaled slightly, as it reminded me of Lacie.

"I won't forget you Lacie," I whispered and held Taran closer.

I woke up feeling dazed and then remembered where I was. Taran was sleeping peacefully beside me and I caressed her cheek gently. She didn't stir and i wondered what her parents would think if they walked in right this second. Glancing at the clock I saw it was seven thirty and wondered if she had to get ready for school.

I gently shook her shoulder, "Taran."

She rolled over and mumbled, "hmm?"

God she looked so cute when she was sleepy. I wanted to just lean down and kiss her... wait what was I thinking!

"It's seven thirty, do you have to go to school or whatever it is you humans do?"

An alarm went off in her head as she shot up and went towards the bathroom to shower. I made the bed for her and put the spare mattress up while I waited. When I finished, I heard little footsteps outside her door so I slid under her bed with ease.

"Taran, we're leaving for school! Bye!" a little boy and girl called through the door.

"Bye Alex, bye Shawn. See you after school!" she called as the footsteps padded away.

I slid out from the bed and saw the door open with Taran in her undergarments. The steam was pouring out from the bathroom and her hair was in a towel.

"Shit, sorry Michael. Just turn around and I'll get dressed," she apologized.

I tried not to chuckle, "it's alright Taran. My sister used to do that when she was little."

"Alright you're good," her voice seemed close to me.

I opened my eyes to see her in a halter top with some really short denim shorts on. Way too small for dress code but I guess they didn't care here. Her accessories matched her perfectly along with the sandals.

"Wow your parents let you dress like that?"

"Sorta. They told me I needed to bring a boy over," she giggled.

I chuckled and wished partly that her parents could meet me...

"Want me to take you to school?"

"Sure! Michael you can go to school if you want, and just wear a dark shirt or something. We're in our senior year of high school... surely," she looked at me.

"I don't think my kind would really fit in there Taran," I said trying not to burst her bubble.

"I understand. But I'm hoping you'll at least pick me up from school then. I'll be thinking about you today, because that's what best friends do."

I already was considering her something more but wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

 "Taran I'll make you a deal if you answer this one question for me."

Her eyes lit up like embers from a fire being brought back to life, "anything Michael just name it."

"How do you feel about me? I know it's only been like a day and a half."

Taran thought about her response, "honestly. I really feel something towards you and hope you feel the same."

I smiled, this couldn't have gone any better, "same here. Since you answered the question... I guess I could go to school with you. Let me change real quick."

Taran squealed and hugged me fiercely before running to get some of her dad's old clothes. I found some jeans and a black shirt that fit decently before hopping into her jeep and going to school.

**Can't remember if I've said this before, but the chapters I had written originally were much longer so I'm splitting them up to make the story drag out more I guess you could say. Hope you're enjoying it! I would love feedback so that I can fine tune some areas in this one! Thanks!**