Revelations (The Revelations Series Book 1) (19 page)

Arlene nodded. “I know, I already tried. I had to settle for his clothes size so I could pick him up a few things.”

“Where is he anyway?” Jenna asked looking around.

“He said something about taking a hike into the woods to find a safe place so you two could train.”

Jenna stood up and put her glass in the sink. “Do I have time to take a shower before we have to leave?”

“Yes, I have some paperwork I can work on until you’re ready. Take your time, I have all day.”

Jenna hurried upstairs, showered and dressed then went back downstairs just as Arlene was finishing her paperwork. “Ready?” Arlene asked as she walked out of the office that was located in a small room off the kitchen.

“Yes. Where are we going? When we got here I didn’t see any clothing shops.”

“There’s a mini mall on the other side of town.”

“Mini mall?” Jenna asked.

Arlene smiled. “We just call it the mini mall. What you saw on Main Street was basically what businesses were here when the mall was built. The mini mall is a bunch of shops, mostly clothing, a Supermarket and a teenage hangout called Charlie’s. Maybe Dylan can take you there sometime?”

“Maybe,” Jenna mumbled hesitantly as they walked out the front door.

“You don’t seem too thrilled about that. Do you not like Dylan?” Arlene asked as they climbed in her car.

“No, I do. It’s just that I’m not sure if I want to get involved with all the drama between Sandra and him,” Jenna replied as she buckled her seatbelt.

Arlene started the car and drove down the long driveway. “He’s really sorry about that. He feels bad for what happened; he was hoping you would have a good time.” Arlene glanced at Jenna; a smile appeared on her lips. But on the bright side, all his friends said they liked Alex and you.”

“I liked them too. They seem like a fun group of kids.”

“I’m glad you made some friends, Jenna. Maybe now things will get easier for you.”

A smile found its way onto Jenna’s face through a mask of uncertainty. Sure, she had made some friends, but she would never be able to tell them the truth about who she really was. She looked out the window as her thoughts drifted to Dylan and his warm country-boy smile.

The mini mall was exactly how Arlene described it. It consisted of three clothing shops, a few discount stores, a thrift shop, a shoe store, the Supermarket and the teenage hangout Arlene told her about. They checked out all the clothing shops with Arlene insisting she get clothes in each one. She kept saying that a girl could never have enough outfits. She made her try on everything to make sure it fit correctly, and even insisted she get at least four pairs of shoes. When she tried to object, Arlene refused to listen.

“I just need to make a stop and get some printer paper before we head back home,” Arlene told her as they finished their shopping and headed for the car.

“Where do we go for that?” Jenna asked.

“Joanne’s, it’s a stationary store on Main Street. It won’t take long. You can look around to see if there’s anything else you need while we’re there.”

Jenna smiled; she did need to get some more lip-gloss. It had been awhile since she had worn any makeup at all, and she used the last of what she had last night. It was about time she started to feel better about herself, and as her mom always said the better you look, the better you feel.

“Hi, Arlene,” one of the customers said as they walked in the door of the store.

“Hi, Carrie,” Arlene replied. “What have you been up to?”

“Nothing much, I’m just picking up a few things” Her eyes turned toward Jenna, “And, who may this be?” she asked as she looked Jenna over.

“Carrie, this is my niece, Jenna. She and her brother, Alex, will be staying with me while their parents are away.”

“Hi, Jenna, it’s nice to meet you,” Carrie said.

“Nice to meet you too,” Jenna replied, then turned towards Arlene. “I’m going to look around while you catch up with your friend.

“Okay,” Arlene said. “Could you grab me some printer paper from aisle ten please.”

“Sure,” Jenna replied then turned and walked away. The last thing she wanted was to stand around and listen to Arlene and Carrie talking. She grabbed a basket as she passed the register then headed for the makeup section in the back of the store. She was trying to decide what color lip-gloss to get when she noticed a girl in the next aisle staring at her.

“Is that her?” she heard the girl whisper.

“Yes, that’s the witch he’s dating now. I don’t think any amount of makeup will help her.”

Jenna paused. She knew that voice and it belonged to someone she hoped to avoid. As the girl turned around, she knew she was right. It was Sandra.

Both girls giggled as Sandra threw Jenna a nasty glare.
Bitch,
she mouthed.

Jenna knew if she continued to let Sandra taunt her it would never end. She had to do something. “You know, Sandra, I’m really glad I had to leave last night. When Dylan dropped me back home he stayed and took me for a ride on his quad to his favorite spot in the woods. I guess I don’t have to tell you what a great kisser he is, do I?” Jenna knew she shouldn’t lie, but she couldn’t help it. Sandra’s mouth dropped the moment she told her she kissed Dylan. It was priceless. Hatred blazed in Sandra’s eyes as she grabbed her girlfriend’s arm and hurried out of the store.

Good riddance,
Jenna thought an expression of satisfaction showing in her eyes. Maybe now Sandra would get the point that she wasn’t going to put up with her crap and back off. She returned her attention to the makeup and decided on two different color lip-glosses, then grabbed some cover up, blush, eye shadow and mascara. Happy with her selection she located aisle ten and grabbed the printer paper Arlene asked her to get then headed back up front.

“Did you find everything you needed?” Arlene asked as she joined her again.

“Yes, and I got what you needed too.”

“Good, then we better get going. I still have a few things to do around the house before it gets dark,” Arlene said taking the basket from her. “It was nice to see you again, Carrie. We should get together sometime for a night out.”

“I’ll give you call next week,” Carrie told her then walked away to finish her own shopping.

“So, I saw Sandra leaving the store and she didn’t look happy. Did you have anything to do with that?” Arlene asked as they headed for the register.

“No, I didn’t even see her,” Jenna replied. She didn’t want to get Arlene involved in what was going on. She had enough things to worry about, like the fact that she was now a mother of two very special teenage kids. She would handle things with Sandra on her own.

“Listen, Jenna, I know I’m not your mom but I want you to know you can come to me with anything.”

“Thanks, but you don’t have to worry about the Sandra situation. I promise if it gets out of hand I’ll let you know.” Jenna knew she probably added fuel to the fire by telling Sandra she had kissed Dylan. But, if this town was going to be a fresh start for her then she was determined to not let anyone push her around. It was important she learn how to harness all her abilities safely and keep them under control especially around people like Sandra.

WHEN
they got home, Alex told her Dylan had stopped by to check on her again. She had every intention of finding him to assure him she was okay and to let him know what she had told Sandra, but she never got the chance. Arlene asked her to help with dinner and by the time it was finished and everything was cleaned up it was dark and she was sure Dylan had left for the night.

“I’ll be in my room if you need me,” Jenna told Arlene as they finished cleaning the kitchen. Before she headed up stairs, she scanned the living room bookshelves for a good book, finally deciding on a mystery book whose cover intrigued her.

“Hey, Jenna, wait up,” Alex called as he came out of the kitchen.

Jenna stopped and waited for him.

“Did you have time to talk to Dylan yet?” Alex asked as he joined her on the stairs and they walked up them together.

“No, I figured I’d find him tomorrow. Why?”

“He just seemed worried about you, that’s all.”

“I know. That’s what Arlene said.”

“Well, don’t forget to find him in the morning.

“What does it matter to you? I thought you didn’t want me to get involved with anyone. You said it would distract me.”

“It will. That’s why you need to make sure he knows nothing will ever happen between you two.

“Alex, I just met the boy two days ago.”

“I know. I just don’t want you to think it would be okay to date him. He seems like a nice kid, and I’m sure you know that they’ll go after the people you’re closest to first.”

Jenna glared at Alex. “You think I don’t know that, but that doesn’t matter because I have no interest in dating him. Right now, my main focus is on training and finding whoever killed my mom. I don’t have time for anything else. Not to mention the drama that will erupt with Sandra. Think about what she did last night, and that was only when she thought I was dating Dylan. Can you imagine what would happen if I really did start to date him.”

Alex grinned. “Come on, Jenna, we both know she’s no match for you.”

They reached the top of the stairs and Jenna watched Alex as he walked away from her and went into his room. Had he really just suggested she use her abilities to get back at Sandra again? He couldn’t be serious. He had just yelled at her the other day for using them to turn off the TV. Now he wanted her to use them for revenge. Although she had to admit she could think of a few ways to get back at that stuck up witch using them, it wasn’t something she was willing to do.

She went into her own room, climbed on her bed and got comfortable. She lay back on her pillow and opened the book just as there was a tapping on her window. She got out of bed and slowly made her way to her window. She pulled the curtain aside to see Dylan smiling standing below in the driveway.

She found it hard not to return his smile as she opened her window, sat on the seat and rested her elbows on the windowsill.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Meet me out front,” Dylan quietly called up to her. “I have a surprise for you.”

Jenna’s heart skipped a beat; she couldn’t believe this was really happening. “What kind of surprise?” she asked.

Dylan smiled, and shook his head. “The whole purpose of a surprise is to not know what it is until you see it. But I promise you’ll love it.”

Jenna couldn’t imagine what Dylan could possibly want to show her, but she couldn’t resist. “Okay, I’ll be right there.” She hurried to her bedroom door and cracked it open to make sure no one was in the hall. Seeing it was clear, she quickly slipped out making sure to shut her door quietly behind her. She then tiptoed down the stairs and made her way to the front door. Her heart dropped when she grasped the handle and the floor creaked behind her.

“Damn,” she muttered as she turned around to see Arlene standing there.

“Are you going out?” Arlene asked her.

Jenna paused not sure what to say. She had never been good at coming up with excuses. “I forgot something in the car; I’m just going to get it,” she said quickly.

“Okay.” A smile formed on Arlene’s lips, “And, Jenna, tell Dylan I said hi.”

Jenna’s face split into a wide grin. “How did you know?”

“For starters you’re a teenage girl sneaking out at night, so I figured it must be a boy. And since Dylan is the only boy you know besides Alex I’m betting my money it’s Dylan.”

“I promise I won’t be long. I’ll just see what he wants and be right back in.”

“Jenna, don’t worry. I trust Dylan, and you can too. Go have fun. I’m sure he has something special planned to have you sneaking out like this.”

“Thanks, Arlene.”

“You’re welcome. Now go.” Arlene gestured toward the door. “Don’t keep him waiting. I’ll cover for you if Alex realizes you’re gone.”

Jenna smiled then turned and opened the door to see Dylan waiting for her on the steps.

“So, where’s my surprise?” she asked as she closed the door behind her.

Dylan laughed. “Impatient aren’t you.”