VALENTINE'S DAY
"Happy Singles Awareness Day!" Byron says sarcastically to Jael.
"Happy Singles Awareness Day to you too B," she laughs back.
Jael's friends had come by her house per her request. She wanted to let them in on her plans for Damien and check in on them.
"How is school going for you guys?" She asked.
"I've already got a paper I'm behind on. Was supposed to be due the other day," Kostas says groaning into his hands.
"Man, how are you behind already? School just started last month. You still on Christmas break brain?" Lucia asks him, slapping him on the arm.
"I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Well, get it together! There is no room for falling behind in grad school."
"I'm kind of enjoying my classes so far. Too many papers if you ask me, but what else do you expect from Psychology," Byron tells them.
"Same. I'm enjoying my classes so far. We'll have a few projects, but only one major paper. My teacher admitted that she doesn't like grading physical papers, so she doesn't give us much written homework. A lot of analysis stuff though," Lucia says, "What about you? How has it been not having to wake up at the asscrack of dawn to go to classes?"
"It's honestly been troublesome and a little boring. I mean, not waking up for classes is great, but you guys are always at school or doing schoolwork. I mean I am beyond proud of ya'll, but I miss having classes with you guys or seeing you on campus. Don't get me wrong though, I thoroughly enjoy not having school, but it is a pain in my fuckin' ass to see Damien more often now. Davin isn't so bad, but it's still a reminder that we aren't together and that I can't kiss him."
"I'm sure it is. One broke your heart and the other is psycho," Byron says.
"We've got your back Jay," Kostas says smiling at her.
"How often do you actually see them?" Lucia asks Jael.
"Very often. Damien still doesn't know that I'm onto him, so he's always talking to me. Still has the audacity to flirt with me on occasion too. And I still have to go on reaping missions he sends me on. I've been talking to Davin though."
"You guys made up??" Kostas asks sounding slightly disappointed.
"You mean have I forgiven him and we are back to being boyfriend and girlfriend? No. I have however, accepted that he had no intentions of hurting me and that he really does love me, but no, I don't plan on running back into his arms anytime soon."
"Good. Stand your ground," Byron says putting his fist in the air, making them laugh, "Have you actually thought about what you're going to do about your job?"
"What about my job?"
"Like, how are you supposed to still be working for Damien Mori when he finds out you're on to him?"
"Oh, trust, I plan on completely taking care of him. As in, he will be retiring from his position at Mori Industries. Or at least, that's what the employees will think and what the news will say. Once I confront him with the fact that there was no contract to begin with, I won't be bonded to him, and I most definitely won't be his "queen". However, until I'm ready to go into my actual career, I can still work under Davin or Daisy at Mori Industries. I would much rather Daisy though.
And as far as the reaping thing goes, I can still do it, but I'll have to be bonded again to one of the others. Once I take care of Damien and do what I plan on doing, my reaper half will be no more and I'll be a half dead Light, but if I can attempt what I need to with Damien, I could make myself whole again. However, I kind of like being a reaper. I'm used to it and it has become a part of me."
"I can't wait for you to take that punk ass down. I never liked him," Kostas says matterfactly.
"That is something that I want to talk to you guys about, but let's talk about something a little lighter for the time being."
"Ok, like what?" Lucia asks.
"Well, what's everyone doing for Valentine's Day?" Jael asks after getting up and going to her kitchen to get a cup of water for her parched throat.
"Bruce has plans to take me out tonight. And who knows, he may get lucky" Lucia says slyly.
"I plan on watching Hallmark movies, eating chocolate and wallowing in my singleness," Byron says.
"Seriously?" Kostas questions
"Hell no! I'm a badass bitch, I'm finna celebrate my singleness by going to the movies and taking myself out to eat!"
They all laugh at Byron's goofiness but admire the fact that he likes being single.
"What about you Jay? We know you're not taken anymore, but that doesn't mean you have to sit around at home all day," he says.
"I will probably workout and watch a movie at home after I get back from talking to my family. I plan on telling them finally what has been going on," she says from the kitchen.
"Wait, are you being serious? You're going to spill the metaphorical beans?"
"What he said! Girl, you really plan on telling your family? How much?" Lucia asks in shock.
"If I can, everything. My parents have got to know something about my ancestors and them being Lights. I mean at the most they have to have heard stories about them. I'm just hoping they won't think I'm crazy and not believe me. I could really use their support. And I think they have a right to know finally that their daughter and sibling is half dead."
"They are really gonna flip when they hear that. Do you want me to come with you when you talk to them?" Kostas asks.
"They really will. I've been trying to mentally prepare myself for that. But what do you mean come with me? Are you and Sophia not doing anything today? You guys doing something tomorrow?" Jael asks walking out of the kitchen taking a long needed drink from her cup.
"Uh, actually no. I finally broke up with Sophia."
"What?!" Jael yells simultaneously spitting the water that had previously been in her mouth, out.
"BITCH YOU LYIN'!" Lucia yells.
"Bruh, foreal??" Byron says last.
Kostas just stares at his friends before looking away and nodding, rubbing a hand through his hair.
"What happened? When? How?" Lucia questions, throwing as many his way as she can.
"It was early last month. A few days after New Year's Day."
"But you guys were together on New Year's Day, right? After you left us?"
"Yeah we were together briefly. After I left from here, I went to go spend time with her before meeting up with my family. Later in the night she went out with a group of her friends to some places downtown. She ended up sleeping with some random guy she met that night at some party she was at. Apparently, she had tried to contact that André guy, but he wasn't trying to fool around with her after we paid him a visit that day. So, she found herself someone else to mess with. I guess she didn't think I would find out."
"How did you even find out?" Jael asked.
"One of her friends who I've known for a long time told me. She said she tried to stop her, but you know Sophia."
"Apparently not."
"Yeah, I guess I didn't either. I was really trying to work things out with her after that first time, but she was making it so difficult. It was time for me to let go of a relationship that was already sinking."
"Wow, man. So, you've been single a month and none of us knew?" Byron says still in disbelief, "I can't believe it, but we're all single except Lucia. Never thought I'd see the day."
"Shut up B!" Lucia exclaims, throwing one of the decorative couch pillows at her brother.
The friends let out a much-needed laugh and Jael sits back down, this time next to Kostas, and rubs his back.
"Well, I for one am glad you got rid of that hussy. I'm not even about to front like I'm sorry ya'll broke up. That girl was asking for a "tape" on why I wanted to beat her ass. I mean, I'm sorry for you, but definitely not for her. She was about to have me 13 Reasons Why her."
"Yeah, that hoe can get all the "tapes". She better just hope we don't run up on her again for mistreating our homeboy," Lucia says.
"Guys I appreciate the fact that ya'll are my ride or dies, but I'm an adult. I handled it and I would like to move on from it. Moving on to my original question though, Jael, do you want me to come with you to talk to your family?"
"Yeah, actually that would be nice, thanks for wanting to be my moral support Kos."
"Now that, that is settled, what's this you have to tell us about this Damien plan?" Lucia asks.
"Ah, yes. Settle in folks. It's time for you to hear about Operation: Down with the White Knight."
Jael was glad that Kostas convinced her to let him tag along with her to her parent's house. She almost backed out of going through with it, but he was there to push her forward.
"You got this. I'll be right next to you the entire time," he had said.
'Right next to you the entire time'. Exactly where he has been their whole friendship.
Jael had asked her family to all be at the house so that she could speak to them before they all went out to do different things for Valentine's Day. Her parents were planning a little getaway, Ezra was taking his girlfriend out, and Genesis was headed to a party.
"Hey there baby girl! Happy Valentine's Day!" Jael's dad greeted her when he opened the door, "Oh, Kostas, son, I didn't know you were coming by too."
"Hey Mr. Carter, you know I go everywhere with your daughter."
The three of them walk to the kitchen where everyone else is. Her mom in the middle of frosting marble cupcakes, and her siblings playfully arguing about something.
"Ah! My little babies are here!" Her mom says referring to Jael and Kostas.
"Hey mom. Happy Valentine's Day. Hey Gen and Ez."
"Hey sis. Kostas, my guy! What are you doing here? You and Jay bring us all together to tell us that you're finally starting to date?" Ezra laughs before Gen punches his shoulder.
Kostas blushes and scratches the back of his head, "Nah, man, it's nothing like that."
"I wouldn't be opposed to that. You're already like family. Probably the only boy I would approve of dating my daughter. Right baby?" Jael's father says looking at her mother.
"Jael D'Amore. It's cute!" Her mom says like she's already envisioning grandkids.
"Guys stop! That's not why I'm here!" Jael cries, becoming increasingly embarrassed.
"Oh, calm down baby girl, we were just teasing you two. So, what's going on that you needed to gather all of us here?" Her dad says grabbing his cup of sweet tea off the island counter.
"I need to ask you and mom a question and show all of you something that I have been keeping to myself for a while now. So, can all of you move over to the table so we can all be seated?"
Jael's family looks at her blankly but does as she request and moves over to the kitchen table. Jael takes a deep breath and looks over at Kostas who gives her a reassuring smile and nods his head.
"Mom, dad, do you guys know anything about our ancestors? More specifically, mom's ancestors?"
"You're gonna have to be a little more specific sweetie," her mom says.
"I mean far back in the line. You had family that were hunted down and killed? And I don't just mean our lineage that were slaves. I mean the family that were special and were hunted down for the things that made them special."
Ezra looks at Jael like she's crazy and Gen looks at her with her head cocked in confusion.
"What do you mean by "things that made them special"?" Ez asks.
"Like they had special abilities. They could do multiple things that are usually seen in comic books."
"Are you asking mom if she had family that were part of the Justice League or the X-Men?" He laughs.
"Girl, are you feeling ok? You been doin' a little heavy smokin' on that good, good?" Gen asks laughing too.
However, Jael's mother looks down while her father heavily sighs and rubs her back.
"Are you referring to the family that were called Lumieres, or Lights?"
"So you do know!" Jael exclaims.
"Yes. Of course, I do. It was a very grim tale my mother and grandmother would tell that has been passed down."
"But mom, it's not a tale. It's all true."
"Wait, how do you even know about any of this? I never told you or your siblings. In fact, the only one I've told is your father. I never wanted you guys to have nightmares about that stuff as kids. And what do you mean it's all true?"
"Family, what I'm about to tell you guys stays here in this house. Mom, those stories about our Light ancestors are true. I am the next born Light. I have special abilities."
Jael closes her eyes for a moment and thinks of happy thoughts. Then she suddenly switches and thinks of sad thoughts. He body begins to shimmer a low glow and she hears her mother start to cry.
She opens her eyes and looks at her family.
"What the fuck?!" Ezra confusedly exclaims.
"Ezra William Carter! Don't you ever use that kind of language in my house boy," their dad says.
"Jael! You were glowing! And I felt really happy and then sad. Did you do that?!" Gen asks perplexed as well.
Jael nods and rubs her sister's hand.
"That's not the only thing I can do. I have all the other Light abilities too. And to stun you guys even more, I uh," Jael says coming to a stop. She can't seem to find the words to tell her family that she is half dead. That she is a reaper and works for Death. In reality, who could ever find the right words to tell their family that.
She suddenly hears Kostas' thoughts in her head; forgetting that he was even in the room with her. He tells her to stay calm and take all the time she needed. To breathe, and then start when she was ready. One foot in front of the other.
"GuysI'mhalfdeadandI'mareaperandwasmadeintoonebyDamienMori."
"What?" They all say together.
"Um, I said that I'm half dead and I am a reaper and was made into one by Damien Mori."
"WHAT?!" They say together again.
Jael proceeds to give her family the same talk she gave her friends when she first told them. She told them about the Mori family and her siblings' accident those few years ago, and she demonstrated to them her reaper abilities. They gasped and awed when she told them about what she did as a reaper, and her mother and sister cried when she told them how she died. She also told them about what Damien was trying to do and what she planned on doing about it. In the midst of telling them about Damien, she regretfully had to tell them Davin's involvement too.
"That little bastard was sitting at a table with us!" Ez says.
"What he said!" Gen says too.
Their dad doesn't even bother to correct her brother about his offensive language.
"Davin isn't actually the problem here. He is the one who informed Jael what was going on. Trust me, that doesn't get him off the hook, but at least he is trying to make up for his involvement in all of this. He's been trying to help her strengthen her abilities and come up with a plan to take Damien down before he can get a hold of Jael's abilities and essence," Kostas tells Jael's family.
At first her family was too stunned to say much of anything, but in strides they began asking more and more questions that Jael tried her best to answer. She tried to reassure her family that she had a plan and for them not to try and do anything against Damien because it would make things worse. Jael didn't want her family getting involved or hurt. She couldn't live with herself if they did.
One thing was for sure though. She was glad that her family knew the truth finally. She could now talk to them freely about her abilities and their ancestors and what was going on. They surprisingly took all of the news a lot better than she originally thought. And as she looked over at her best friend and watched him try to explain things to her family, she was once again reminded of how glad she was that he was there.