Crimson Mist ✔️

11: The first shift.

After watching Jeremy and Tyler hunched over the engine of a very sexy muscle car for more than an hour, Michael and I went inside. I really liked the car, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like, revving the engine and pressing the pedal to the metal.. Michael thought I was silly, but he grinned at me, as if he somehow knew I thought of Jeremy as more attractive too, because he had a hot car.

We're sitting on their couch, watching music videos on the TV, since I need to be educated in popular culture, and everything new from the last five years. I agree, but it's a bit much. I sigh suddenly, and turn towards Michael, who eyes me with one of his black eyebrows arched.

"What's up, Elle?" he asks.

He has taken a liking to calling me "Elle", probably because Jeremy already started calling me "Dani". I don't get why they need to give me a nickname at all, but I guess Michael thinks my name is way too long for a casual chat. I have no clue what Jeremy's reasoning is.

"Nathan was being weird at breakfast today," I tell him, "he said I was leading Jeremy on by not accepting or rejecting him. I tried to talk to Jeremy about it, but he brushed me off, so it just bothered me more.. What does it mean?"

"He didn't want to tell you?" he questions, "why?"

"I don't know, he just avoided the subject. I hoped you could tell me."

I sigh, and look down at my folded hands, before closing my eyes in annoyance. I don't really know what the hell is going on with him about this, and it's driving me insane.

"I can, I just think he should do it," he sighs, and leans forward to turn up the volume on the TV, probably to mask our voices. "It's simple, honestly. Mates can either accept or reject each other, but it has to be mutual."

He pauses, and stares into the air for a second, before turning to me. I nod at him, just to let him know I'm paying attention and I'm ready for whatever this is.

"If it's not mutual, it will cause both your hearts to burn, and there was a story about a man who just burst into flames and died on the spot because of something related to this," he says, waving a hand in the air, as if it's nothing. A man died of a burning heart, and he just grimaces and waves it off.

"Yeah, Jeremy told me about that," I say, biting my lip a little as I think back to it. "He said he lied about his feelings, and his heart started to burn from the inside."

"Yep, that's how it works," Michael says, and then he takes a deep breath. "But there's more to it than that. If two mates are agreeing on what to do, truly, there's no problem at all. They'll accept each other, mate under the full moon and live happily ever after. In theory. If they both agree to reject each other, they'll do so, under the full moon, and part ways. Easy as that."

I ponder over his words a little. That sounds easy enough. I can do that. But what if-

"What if the mates don't agree?" I ask, and my eyes lock with his, as he scrunches his nose up.

"I was kinda hoping you'd forget that I said anything about that," he mutters. "Then you'll be cursed with a burning heart forever, for hurting your mate's feelings. Both of you will have a burning heart, and won't have any more chances at love. I think maybe Jeremy didn't tell you because he's afraid you want to leave him, but he wants you to stay and be his mate. Maybe he just wants you to make a choice without knowing what it will entail if your true feelings are different from his."

"Why, though, if it would cause us both pain forever?" I question.

I'm staring out into thin air, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. I should have pestered Jeremy more about it, because now I'm left with an even more infuriating question, that Michael can't help me figure out.