Secrets and Love Don't Mix - Chapter 12

Over the next week or so I barely slept. I tried to avoid Xander and Trent as much as possible. Trenton and I had made up, but I just couldn't look in his eye.

Then there was Alexander.

Every time I did look at him, I couldn't focus. My mind would wander and I would always think of that dream.

My plan was going well until the day at lunch where they both came up to me at the same time.

"Why are you avoiding me?" They spoke simultaneously and then shot death glares at each other.

I swallowed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play coy, Jasmine." Trent all but yelled.

"You're obviously avoiding both of us. But why?" Xander asked.

"I can ask questions myself, thanks." Trent sneered.

Xander glared at him. "I wasn't helping you, I was making a point."

"Make it somewhere else, Rossi. She's my girlfriend, so back off."

"Why don't you back off? She's my friend and I knew her first."

I tried to speak up, "Well, actually -"

"Stay out of it!" They both yelled at me.

I was hurt, but slightly amused at the same time. They had both come here to question me, but now they were too busy yelling at each other.

"Oh yeah," Trent sneered, "You're just all buddy-buddy, aren't you?"

"What are you implying?"

"Oh, no."

"I'm implying the fact that you're in LOVE with my girlfriend!"

People in the cafeteria turned to stare. Some looked amused, but others just looked uncomfortable.

I thought I had seen him blush but couldn't be sure because he went on the defense real quick.

"Look. We're good friends, that all. I'm not threat to the little world that you dictate around her." He held his hands up in a mock surrender.

"Wait... What?"

Trenton gave a dry laugh and leaned on one arm.

"Excuse me?" He raised a brow with a half-amused look on his face. He turned to me.

"Jasmine, do I 'dictate' you?"

I stuttered. "Well, no. I mean sometimes you're a little -"

"See? She's thinking too much about your reaction that she doesn't speak her own mind."

This was getting ridiculous. They were just talking as if I weren't even there.

"Shut. Up. Shut up, both of you. If you're gonna question me, fine. Whatever. But do not yell at each other; especially not in front of everyone." I motioned to the rest of the cafeteria and they nonchalantly turned back to their meals. Giving them a glare for good measure, I turned and walked out.

**********************************************************************

Alexander's POV

We watched her walk off. She was right about us yelling at each other, but Still. He just made me so angry. I had heard them that night he called her stupid. At first, I was not sure who had slapped who, but I figured it out.

I snapped out of my reverie as soon as I felt Trenton rolls his heavy metal wheel over my foot without even looking back. I glared at the back of his head. How long does one guy need a wheelchair before he makes progress?

**********************************************************************

Walking into the courtyard and feeling the drizzle, I looked at the small wooden bridge over the crick. Against the tree right across from there, I first kissed Violet. She talked like she was confused, but that was the only thing that had seemed hesitant. The rain was coming down harder now. I sneezed and looked up when I didn't feel rain fall on my head anymore.

"You're going to catch your death out here." Phillicity was taking rain shelter under a tree.

"Thanks for the advice, 'mom,' but I'm just doing a little thinking."

She shrugged, allowing the rain to fall back on my head by shielding her own.

"Suit yourself."

As she walked past me, she put a hand on my shoulder. "Just tell her. Euphoria wafts off you in waves whenever you see her."

Dumb empathetic, telepathic, telekinetic, and whatever else, talents.

I raised an eyebrow at her. She knew that we disliked having our minds read.

She shrugged again and started walking. "I can get away with a lot that he can't."

Rubbing my nose, considered what she said. Maybe she had a point.

**********************************************************************

Jasmine's POV

"Catch."

The keys landed in my hand. Trenton rolled up and I helped him into Taylor's car. I still felt uneasy about using a dead person's car, but Trenton said it hadn't even been his idea. The Mentors had retrieved the keys and allowed it.

We drove in silence. There was nothing to say to him and he had nothing to say to me; or so I thought.

"Hospital."

"I know where to drive, thanks." I snapped.

"No, no, no. I mean... when I was there. You and Eric are in that Research group because you're both Untalented, right?"

"... Yeah. Why?"

Silence.

"Trenton... Wh-"

"I know it's a lie."

This time I was silent.

"Eric's talented. But I think you already know. I heard him talking when I was in the hospital."

"I told you already. We're normal."

I could feel his glare. "Liar!"

"I don't want to talk about this right now." I pulled into a handicap space. "Your session starts soon."

"It can wait. This won't." He was in my head now. "I have a feeling that you're lying too."

"Get out of my head." I growled. I was angry, but more scared. He knew better than to be in my head.

"No, answer me, Jasmine. Please. I have to know."

"You're out of control. Get. Out. Now."

"No! Answer me!"

I just wanted him out. He was going to get angry and I didn't want to be around an angry telepath. I reached for the door. He grabbed my wrist and I whirled my head around to meet his eyes with my harshest glare, but my face melted right into pure fear when I saw his face. His violet eyes were extremely focused on mine and his usually mischievous look was twisted into a harsh frown.

My shaking made my voice waver. "L-let go." I felt a pang of pain in my head.

"Why don't you ever answer me?!" His grip tightened.

I cried out and his grip loosened. It was my head that out me in pain. My temples were throbbing so hard, I thought I could cry. Holding my head, I opened my eyes and looked at my jeans.

Blood.

Trenton tried to keep up his glare, but I saw his eyes soften. He handed me a tissue to wipe my nose with.

"Jasmine, I -"

I held up a hand and then pressed a button to unlock the doors.

"Get out. Call me when the session's done."

**********************************************************************
Trenton's POV

The receptionist grinned when she saw me.

"Hey. I hear you're making real progress."

I gave her a weak grin. All I could do is screw up with Jasmine. I feel like that accident messed me up even more.

"Where's that little cutie that always comes with... you... Mr. Trenton?"

I was already going down the hall.

**********************************************************************
Jasmine's POV

That night as I lay in bed, I thought about Trenton. He came out with crutches instead of the chair. The car ride had been silent. No attempts at apologies, no reassuring "I love you's," Nothing.

He had gotten upset, lost control, and screwed with my head. Penelope had thought he had hit me when she saw the blood.

When did things go so wrong?

**********************************************************************
Alexander's POV

"All University Residents, please report to the Orientation Hall, as required by Master Mentor."

We had only heard rumors about Master Mentor. That his talent had disfigured him, that he was a tyrant, that he was a government experiment or combining talents.

That he was Santa Clause.

But the real surprise was that we were being called for an assembly. That never happened.

**********************************************************************

We all sat down in the theater style seats. The curtains on the stage were drawn, but they almost seemed like they were moving. Jasmine sat down beside me. I motioned towards my nose and she held a thumb up. The Mentors shushed us.

"Students, Master Mentor could not attend this assembly."

There was jeering.

"Most of you have been attending this school for over a year now. We have decided to take training to the next level."

The school was lax when it came to physical training. In out class, it had just been that one sparring practice and mostly keeping the secret of the class and a few other things.

"Some of you do not cooperate as well as others. This is why we have chosen to give incen... Pardon me, to give encouragement."

"Move into the aisles please."

The Mentor speaking waved his hand and the curtains rose. The stage was covered with people; family and friends were instantly all over the place.

"SANDY!"

**********************************************************************
Jasmine's POV

The stage was full of people whom I assumed to be friends of everyone. I could only scan for a second before I made contact with floor. I heard a wolf-whistle. I blinked and saw the back of Xander's head. Peeking around it, I saw a little girl with her arms around his neck.

Standing up, she was still around his neck while he held her. She couldn't have been more than eight.

She nuzzled his neck. "I missed you so much, Sandy."

"Ava? What are you doing here, kiddo? Is Vinny here?"

She nodded. I just stared at the way he held her in his arms. I could see that he loved her a lot. She lifted up her head and looked at me, blinking.

"Ciao!"

"Uh, ciao." I waved. He set her down and turned to me.

"Oh, this is my little sister, Ava. And here comes... is that Mamma?"

Coming down the aisle way were six people; 2 women and 4 guys. The eldest woman threw her arms around Xander's neck.

"Il mio bambino, I miss you so much." She was curvy, but fit, and very beautiful. Her hair was up in a bun with a purple flower, she wore a lavender sweater and black pants, and a little boy was attached to her leg. Behind her stood a man whose face I could only describe as expecting and disapproval. He had a mustache/goatee combo and thick dark brown (it almost looked black) hair streaked with gray. His arms were crossed and he donned all black with a gray coat. Two of the three people remaining, one guy and one girl, looked older than Xander and the third looked younger by a couple of years. Could this all be family, I wondered.

"Ah, Ciao, Mamma." He pried her arms off and glanced around. "This is Violet."

It made me a little uneasy the way that his family looked at me when he introduced me. All except his Mamma, of course. She seemed not to care what they thought.

"Vee-oh-lay-ta," she said slowly. "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl, but so skinny! You must let me fatten you up!" In the background, I saw the man's eyebrow twitch before he looked away. I could only assume him to be her husband and Xander's dad.

"Um... thank you. It's really nice to meet Xander's mom, finally."

"Oh, no, no, no. I am not his mother. He just call me 'Mamma' though. You can call me the same. 'Mrs. Rossi' make me sound so old." She smiled. The older guy and girl snickered and held out their hands.

"Ciao, Bella. I'm Marko."

The girl rolled her eyes. "And I'm Lunetta. We're Sandy's older brother and sister." She shot a mischievous grin at Xander.

I raised a brow. "Sandy?"

Marko ruffled Xander's hair. "Yep. Little Sandy Oland Junior. Glad I didn't get stuck with the moniker." Someone cleared their throat. I looked at his dad as he held out his hand.

"Alessandro Rossi Senior." He said stoically as he shook my hand.

"It's a pleasure." I said, half sarcastic and half serious. His eyebrow raised, showing her picked up on the sarcasm.

"This is Angel," Mamma said pushing him forward a little, "And this is Vinny," she detached the little boy from her leg.

Angel looked extremely bored. I thought for a moment, and then took the flower from Mama's hair and put it in Angel's hand. Xander caught on quick and we both touched it. The bud opened up and grew slightly and its color brightened. The corner of Angel's mouth raised in a slight smile and I could tell he was at least a little impressed. Approval from him made the headache worth it. I turned towards Vinny and greeted him. He grinned and made a salute.

"How old are you, Vinny?"

He held up his right hand and held up his three centered fingers.
"Three", I thought. "He looks a little big for three."

"Three, huh? You're not a big talker are you?" I asked.

He turned towards Xander with a distressed look on his face and started moving his hands rapidly.

Then it hit me. They were signing. Vinny must've been deaf.

"Oh," I turned to Xander. "Is Vinny...?"

He looked at me, "Hm? Oh, ah, no. Well, he's legally mute, but that's not really the case."

What? I blinked.

"Okay, I'm really bad at explaining this. Uh... he doesn't have the ability to form words because he's Talented. He can talk to animals, rawrs and screeches and all that, but he can't speak with us."

Looking down, I saw Ava hugging my leg.

"Vinny's my twin!" She grinned and I couldn't help but pick her up.

"Is that so?" Looking between them I could see a resemblance is them even closer than Vinny and Angel. Then Xander took her out of my arms.

"I'll take this one. She might be too heavy for you. Mamma makes the canolis heavy."

"Mmm, canolis!"

Before I could say another word, a hand wrapped around my mouth and an arm around my waist, lifting me off my feet. I started struggling.

"Keep quiet and you won't get hurt." A familiar voice said.

I stopped moving and quirked and eyebrow, moving the hand down.

"John?"

"Who else used to attack you on a daily basis?"

He let me down and I nearly knocked him down hugging him. I hadn't seen him in over a year.

"Hey, your cousin is here too, with... someone who said they wanted to visit you." His voice went cold.

"Violet... Haven't seen you forever. Not since your arrest." A smooth voice said slyly.

My eyes went wide and John sighed, nodding his head.

"Damien." I turned around. He was standing beside Andre. "Nice to see you again." I felt like I was going to throw up.

**********************************************************************
Alexander's POV

Watching them, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Dad.

"She has a smile like your mother. She is why you bought the necklace?"

I stiffened.

"Dad, I -"

He held up a hand and reached for his back pocket with the other.

"Save it. I check the balances. You think I don't know love when I see it anymore?" He opened his wallet. "Get her something else, too."

"Dad, you don't need to -" This time my own sneeze cut me off.

"Don't let her go, Alessandro. I want for you, for all of my children, to be happy."

I looked at him. I could see that his brows were furrowed because he was thinking hard. About her.

"Papà, it's not your fault. You know that. She -"

He stopped me with a hug and tight-lipped smile.

"It's okay. Wounds heal eventually. We have to do our part by not letting them get infected with anger and sadness."

**********************************************************************
Trenton's POV

"Dad. Nice to see you again. Marissa, lovely as always."

He clapped me on the shoulder. "I heard about your little driving incident. I just need to chat with your Mentors a bit more, make a few more 'donations,' and I believe that it will be all cleared up."

And then he walked away towards the Mentors. That's the way Dad had always been. Never a sentimental type. Just wanting to know what looks best, what's simplest and if it would cost him money or not.

"Trenty-pie. My son. I've missed you so mu-" I cut her off by holding up a hand to block her hug.

"Marissa, you're BARELY older than me, you're married to my dad, I'm NOT your son, and quit using hugs and kisses as excuses to cop a feel."

Her smile twitched. "You ungrateful little -"

"- Murderer!"

We both turned to look at who was hysterically marching up from behind, screaming like a madman.

"You killed my baby boy!" A woman said as she burst into tears.

She looked familiar, but I didn't know from whe - Oh Lord, Taylor's mother. A big man held me up by the front of my shirt, wrinkling it. Oh crap, even worse. Taylor's dad. I was convinced, I was going to die that instant. He was going to maim me in font of everyone and no one would stop him. He jerked me up so hard that if I had kicked my feet my toes would've barely grazed the floor.

"You killed my son, so why aren't you locked up? Because you're a freak and your dad buys away your problems."

"Bill," Oh thank God, my dad, "Let's handle this like adults. We all know kids make mistakes and -"

"Mistakes?! DUI and manslaughter ISN'T a mistake. It's criminal behavior!" Leave it to a lawyer to make a horrible thing sound even worse. As if that were possible.

"Mr. Larken, I believe we reached an agreement." A Mentor, even better.

Letting go of my shirt, I fell on my butt. That bruised my ego a little bit. Even if I had landed on my feet, it wouldn't have hurt that much. They didn't hurt as much as they used to, but if I told Jasmine that, she wouldn't stay as close. She may have thought I didn't care, but I did. I wanted her to blush like she did when I first smiled at her. I wanted for the looks she gave me to not be under laced with fright. I did honestly feel like I loved her.

"You trying to shove a dollar sign down my wife's throat while she sobs over losing her only child ISN'T reaching an agreement!" He pointed at me. "You. Clean yourself up and get yourself a tie. Cut your hair while you're at it, too. Because we're suing you and by the time we're done with you, you won't even be able to afford a hair band for it."

**********************************************************************
Jasmine's POV

I heard a knock on the door and went to open it. Looking from left to right, I didn't see anyone in the hallway or anything weird. Except the note on the door:

Can we talk? Tomorrow morning at 7? The old geography room.

If this was Trenton's way of apologizing, he was going to need to apologize again for getting me up so early.

**********************************************************************
It was hard to believe that this place had old anything, considering how new it was. Or at least, I thought it was new. I'd have to ask someone when the University was built. As soon as I opened the door a head whipped around to look at me.

"Xander," I breathed.

**********************************************************************
Alexander's POV

She was wearing over sized sweats and a t-shirt. But for some reason, I thought she looked beautiful. Then I realized that I was just staring at her, opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water.

"Oh... hey. Sorry for getting you up so late - I mean early! So early... Um I just remember you carrying part of my family, so I... No, I mean I remembered you holding Ava and I... I just..."

All she did was furrow her eyebrows at me and blink.

"Look, Violet. When I saw you hold Ava and smile at her, it just... it made me really happy for some reason. I got this for you a while ago and... I felt that now, after seeing you and her, it was the perfect time to give it to you."

I held out my hands and opened the small black velvet box. Her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my God," she breathed. "It's my necklace. Oh my God Xander, it's beautiful. Oh my gosh, are those my initials? I love it."

She took it in her hands and just stared at it for a moment. I thought I saw tears for a second. She put it back in my hands and turned around, holding up her ponytail.

"Can you fasten it for me?"

I took a step forward and clipped the hooks together. When she turned back around and asked how it looked, I could only say 'beautiful.' That's when I realized how closely we were standing. I brushed a strand of hair from her face and just let my hand rest on her cheek.

"Alexander."

I inched my face closer to hers. "You can." Inch. "Call me." Inch. "Alessandro."

And then our lips met. I didn't hesitate. And neither did she.

Her fingers tangled in my hair and I pulled her closer with my hands on the small of her back. Kissing her throat and jaw line, I was determined to show her I loved her. I nipped at her lower lip and she opened her mouth. My tongue tangled with hers.

I heard a sound and she pulled back with a startled gasp. Pulling out her phone, Violet groaned.

"What?" I wiped at my mouth.

"Trenton wants to know if I want to grab breakfast." She wiped a hand across her forehead and disappointment seeped into my chest.

"Okay" I quietly spoke, "I guess you'd better go then." I was really starting to hate that guy.

Fiddling with her phone, she popped off the back cover and took out the battery, throwing it to the back of the classroom. She touched my hand and I raised my brows, looking at her.

"No. As far as he knows, I'm still asleep."