Welcome

Part 4

It's been a crazy week so far. Between our last visit with Alex, the online school day, Kira's "outbreak", and this mysterious Jason, there's just too much going on. And it's only Thursday, which also means that Valentine's Day is in a week. That honestly isn't important right now but it just adds on to everything.

Max and I are heading to the café. Maya has been asking Kira to stay behind once school ends for two hours. Then, she would walk over and meet us. Apparently, Maya's training her to use her new abilities. I don't even know how she found out about them in the first place. I mean, I'm sure that she has been keeping tabs on us since she was assigned to whatever this is, but still. We didn't see her on Monday and then she gives Kira a little note the next morning. To be honest, I'm already tired of it.

We walk in and sit down. It felt so good to just sit there. I know we have homework later but I'm not going to worry about that right now. "Hey, guys. You look tired," Blake says, walking over to the table. "That's what online days do to you," Max replied. "I'm lucky I don't have to go through them," he said, "Kira's still at school?"
"Yeah, still working on that project. She'll be over in an hour or so though," I said. It felt weird lying to him, but then again, it comes naturally when you've been doing it for a year...
"Well, I'll make sure to have something for her when she gets here. Did you guys want anything," he asks. "A water," Max and I say at the same time. "...would be nice," I finish hesitantly, trying to keep contact with Blake while I try to eye Max. "Trying to be healthy, I see. I'll get that for you guys," he said walking off.

We both leaned over the table so we don't have to talk as loud. "I've been abnormally hot lately. Like, it's been going on for a couple of days now," he says without me even asking. "All I have been drinking is water, but then again, it feels weird to have it at the same time. So I don't know what's going on," I said. Blake comes back and sets the cups on the table. "You guys enjoy," he says as he leaves to tend to another table. "Well, I'm sure it has something to do with Monday, so I guess we'll just have to wait," I said, getting my computer out. "I guess," he said, doing the same.

A couple of minutes pass before Max calls me again. "Scarlet, can I ask you something," he asks. He kinda sounds sincere. "Yeah, of course."
"So..." he starts, "the fourteenth is coming up and I-" I cut him off. "Max. I really appreciate it. But I think it would be better if we stayed friends," I said and he just looked at me. "I... No. I was going to ask about Kira," he said a little confused. I burst into laughter. "I know Max. I'm just kidding," I said. "Oh... ok then. You're a good actor," he said. "I know," I smiled and I felt his glare from across the table. "Anyway, it was pretty obvious. If you do ask I'm sure she'll say yes," I said, looking back at my computer. "Is it that obvious," he asked, sounding a little shocked. "Yeah, it is. Sorry," I shrugged, "If you're going to get her anything, just make sure it's not chocolate. Unless it's a Twix. She loves those," I said. "Ok then. I was going to get her one of those Valentine grams the school was doing but I might do that as well. Thanks," he said, looking back at his computer.

Literally a couple of seconds later, Kira basically bursts through the door and jumps into a seat at the table. "Did you run all the way over here," Max asked, caught off guard. "I had to," she says out of breath. "Say no more," Blake says, placing a glass of ice water on the table. "Thanks, Blake," she says and he walks away. Then, she downs the water in five seconds.

"Are you sure you're ok," I asked. "Yeah, I'm fine. She told me to run all the way here in five minutes, and if I didn't make it, I had to turn back around and do it over. I swear she's out of her mind," she says in one breath, "And the water was going to freeze on me if I didn't finish it. Still, I haven't figured that part out."
"I'm just surprised you made it over here in five minutes. Especially with that stupid light," I said, amazed. "I was lucky, I guess," she shrugged.