Shadow of the Day (Wolf Moon Sequel)

Chapter 26: Fat Elephant

Ivy POV

"Dad can I have friends over this weekend?" Lila asked Dad, leaning over the couch with her arms around him. "Please?"

"Who?" he asked, looking at her out of the corner of his green eyes.

"Just Mirah, Dakota, Matt and Jared," she continued in an innocent tone.

"I suppose it'll be alright. Are they sleeping over?"

"Yes," she said, looking relieved.

"Not the boys," he said quickly, "Boys have to leave."

"That's fine," she pecked his cheek happily, "Thanks Dad," and with that cheer, she ran up the stairs to her room.

I looked at Dad curiously and he shrugged. "What? Do you want something too?"

"Nope," I stood up and followed Lila to her room, deciding to figure out the why behind the sudden sleepover plans. I knocked on her door, "Lila?"

There was a shuffle, and a few whispers before she called, "Come in."

I frowned and went in, looking around her room. "Are you hiding somebody up here or something?"

"No, I was just on the phone," she waved her cell pointedly. "Did you want something?"

"Um...yeah. Was there a reason for the slumber party?" I sat down on her desk chair and studied her carefully. She seemed relaxed enough as she lounged on her bed, the sheets a complete mess as if she'd tossed and turned all night.

"I figured everyone needed a break," she replied, "Everyone seems stressed about one thing or another so one weekend to relax and have fun seemed like a good idea."

I scrutinized her. "I can't tell if that's a shot at me or not."

She grinned hugely. "It is. I was just trying to be subtle."

"Oh yeah, very subtle," I rolled my eyes at her, "So what's on the agenda for this little get together?"

"I don't know. Doing anything we feel like doing really; watching movies, playing games...anything," she replied, sitting up and grabbing her pillow before she grinned wickedly at me, "Another opportunity for you to flirt with Matt."

My cheeks grew hot. "Lila!"

"What?" she asked innocently, "I'm just saying. Every time you two are in the same room there's always some major flirting."

"Shut up," I mumbled, "You flirt with Wyatt all the time."

"That's not flirting," she said, completely calm and relaxed. "That's just how we work."

"Uh-huh. You already admitted to the fact that you like the guy. Just tell him already so you can date," I made a face at her.

"Hypocrite!" she threw a pillow at me. "You practically drool every time Matt's nearby and when you watch him play soccer. Why don't you tell him you like him?"

"Well...that's different..." I fumbled for an excuse, but the only one I could think of was that he dated Lila. But she doesn't even care about that.

"Not really," she said breezily, "You're just chicken."

"I am not chicken!" I protested.

"Yes you are," she sang. I whipped the pillow back at her face and she laughed. "Fine I'll stop. But you should seriously tell him. You'll never know when someone else might come in and steal him away."

I stood up and went for the door, "You know, you aren't making me feel any better," I pouted at her.

She shrugged. "I'm your sister, not a therapist. Just talk to the guy. It's not that hard."