Elements: The Powers Within (Book 5)

Of Course, YOU (Chapter 12)

"Gotta look good but like, not too good either," Urana advises. "Don't wanna go over the top the first time."

"What would you know? You've never been in a relationship?" Owen raises an eyebrow.

"Neither have you," Urana's eyes then widen. "I beat you in knowing more about romance! Yes! And watch, I'm gonna be in a relationship before you! I'm gonna beat you there too!"

"You are not going to beat me," Owen takes in the challenge. "If anything, I'm gonna beat you."

"Look what you started," Brenton shakes his head.

"What? I didn't start that," Sasha points at Owen and Urana bickering. "They did that to themselves."

"Ah, young love," Red walks by them. Owen and Urana throw Red a glare and he laughs. "Jeez, chill you two!"

"They can't take a joke," Scott points out. "It's hilarious."

"Well, it seems like it time for us to go," Ku looks at the time then gets up. "Come along now crazy lot! Homework and school await!"

"Eww," the teens groan in annoyance.

"How nice," Hiro laughs too, his dimples showing. "Only my oka-san would be that excited to get the younger ones to do homework. She always used to do it with me, never missed a day of homework."

"Your mom sounds like me," Ku laughs too. "Well, we will see you all next weekend!"

"Till next weekend! Love you!" Quill head butts with Ku.

"Love you all too," Amy and Ku wave.

"Bye!" The teens call out as they leave. Red watches them leave, the vision coming back to him and he just couldn't shake it off.

Sensei'll be okay, Red sighs. "So Hiro, what do you like to eat?" Red questions.

"Well," Hiro puts a finger on his chin, deep in thought. "I love anything with fruit really."

"Ah, I've got the dish for you," Red grins. "It's Sensei's favorite since he loves anything with fruit too."

"Maybe Ava is right..." Scott whispers to himself. "But it can't be possible...it's not. There's no way he just randomly showed up."

"Whatcha plotting bro?" Quill questions, twirling her hair in her fingers.

"Nothing," Scott pushes up his frames. "Nothing at all."

Quill doesn't look convinced as she raises an eyebrow. Scott shrugs and she sighs before continuing with whatever she's doing.

---

Normally, Sasha never feels nervous. But today, boy did she feel nervous. Lunch time was coming quicker than she wants it to.

Urana digs through Sasha's clothes and pulls out ripped at the knees skinny jeans and a black and white striped shirt.

"You got any cardigans?" Urana asks.

"Yeah! I know where you're going with this!" Sasha jumps off her bed and opens her closet door and pulls out a black cardigan with three-quarter sleeves. "And I've got some cute black boots!" She takes them out.

"You need some accessories," Ava pulls out a black bow clip and a golden-colored necklace and bracelets. "Here! You'll look super cute with this!"

"Thanks! You guys are life savers!" Sasha smiles, hugging them. She gathers the items and runs out of her room.

"Jeez, what would she do without us?" Urana shakes her head. "I kinda like doing this too. Maybe you should go on a date too Ava."

"She would be perfectly fine," Ava answers. "This type of thing is up her alley anyway. Wait. Excuse me? Me on a date?"

"You've got that right," Urana agrees. "And why not? I bet all the jocks want to date you."

"Oh please," Ava scoffs. "Dating is for people who can commit."

"I'm sure you can."

"Yeah, but I don't want to."

--

Sasha steps into the small cafe and bakery that Lucy owns. The familiar rainbow-haired woman is busy selling sweets and coffee to people. Her wife is also helping out with the millions of orders.

Sasha looks around and sees Cari waving her over. Cari is wearing tight jeans that are matched with knee-high black boots. She has a white, off the shoulders, sweater that looks a bit big for her.

Cari's hair is in braids that she pushes back to run her eyes over Sasha. Who could feel her gaze as she sits down.

"Hi Cari, you look nice," Sasha smiles. Golden hoops are on Cari's ears that dangle as Cari moves her head around. "You haven't been waiting long right?"

"Thanks, so do you, and no," Cari touches Sasha's boot with her own and winks. "So do you want to order something now?"

Hmm, I can't tell anything yet, Sasha muses as she looks over at the counter. Then again, beyond what I already know, nothing'll change in a day.

"Well they're kinda busy, I guess we can wait a bit," Sasha could see the visible stress etched onto Lucy's face but the smile still there as her wife places a kiss on her cheek.

"Okay," Cari crosses one leg over another and rests one elbow on the table to rest her cheek on her hand. "I've gotta say though, I didn't expect you to say yes."

"Haha," Sasha laughs. I didn't expect to myself, she adds silently in her head. "It couldn't hurt, right?"

"You're right, it couldn't," Cari agrees with a slight nod of her head. "Since it's me you're dating after all."

"And I've gotta say that I'm surprised you asked. I'm sure everyone thinks I'm a player," Sasha pushes back a stray strand of black hair as she laughs at Cari's comment.

"You've just got a flirty personality," Cari grins. "Besides, you're hot and a dope person. A great catch. Figured I'd steal you away before someone else did. Make you mine before someone else got any bright ideas."

"Thanks," Sasha says. Her brain already making side notes about Cari based on what she knows. Although Sasha is part of the popular group, she didn't really know much about each of the members. She didn't pay much attention to Cari's comment. Or at least didn't think much of it.

Cari is a complete mystery and Sasha knows the group does questionable things.

High school isn't just for subjects, it's for learning how to identify who people really are. To tell a trap from an open door.

Luckily, Sasha is an expert at this subject.

Cari puts a hand on Sasha's. A smile plays on her lips. "I'm sure you want to know everything about me. So lemme start from the beginning..."

And Sasha walks right into it.