chapter NINE
The sun from her big picture window wakes Kallos up. After what happened last night, Kallos forgot to close the blinds. Since she is waking up almost an hour early, she decides to get up and take a shower. Now that there are two new people in the house, she wants to be the first one in the shower. Kallos grabs her fuzzy black robe with light pink hearts on it and walks to the bathroom. When she goes to open the door, she finds it locked. “Crap,” there goes her plan. She slumps down across from the bathroom.
Kallos isn't sitting there long before the door opens, and Ian is standing in the doorway. The sight of him takes her breath away. A dark blue towel is wrapped around his waist, and his gorgeous black hair is still wet and messy from the shower. She can't take her eyes off of his bare body. His abdomen looks like it was sculpted from stone, and she badly wanted to reach out to run her finger tips down each well-defined muscle. When she finally looks up at his face, he is smiling. Kallos can feel the heat rushing up her face. As she quickly looks down, she notices his sculpted body, which makes her blush even more. He starts to chuckle.
“Good morning, Kallos,” Ian says sounding pleased. She decides that looking at his feet is the best thing she can do.
“Good morning, Ian. Did you save any hot water for me?” Kallos is flustered from being caught staring at his perfect abs, her quickly turning crimson cheeks show her deep embarrassment.
“I’m sorry Ian,” Kallos apologizes as she stands up. “I slept deeply for the first night in a long time, but woke up too soon. What about you and Sean?” She rises up on her toes so that they are almost eye-to-eye.
“We slept great, just woke up fifteen minutes ago. Sean was going to take a shower next, but I’ll let him know that you are.” Ian looks down at Kallos and gives her a full smile.
“That would be great. I can come and get him when I’m done.” She can feel her mouth getting dry just by him looking at her. She looks down, forgetting that Ian is only wearing a towel. She really needs to get into the bathroom and stop embarrassing herself. She looks down to hide her blushing. She tries to walk past him, but he holds onto her arm.
“Kallos, never hide your face from me. I love it when you blush.” He gently lifts her chin so that she is looking him in the eye. He smiles and brushes his fingertips along her cheeks. Then he pulls her into him and kisses her. Kallos wraps her arms around his neck in order to get as close as possible to him. Feeling her knees starting to give out on her, he tightens his hold on her, which only pulls her tighter to his body. Pulling away Kallos places her trembling hand on his chest feeling his warmth… “That was a great way to wake me up.” Kallos looks up from his chest, and smiles.
“Go take your shower.” Ian's bright, beautiful, baby-blue eyes stare down at Kallos. He kisses the top of her head and pushes her towards the bathroom.
****
As Ian walks into his and Sean's bedroom, he can still feel Kallos' happiness, and by the look on Sean's face, he can, too. Ian can tell that this necklace is going to cause problems. He doesn't want to feel it every time Sean is with her. He walks over and grabs his clothes.
“What took you so long? I've been waiting,” Sean says as he is heading to the door.
“You have to wait; Kallos is taking her shower,” Ian says, and Sean turns to face him.
“You know I can join her. We will save water and help the environment.” Ian isn't in the mood to hear his brother's smart mouth. The darkness inside of him is trying to take over, and it wants to pound Sean. Ian takes a deep, long breath and cools himself down. He can't have Kallos and her family seeing his dark side. Ian knows that Kallos has seen his eyes change, but she doesn't know what he and Sean have inside them.
“Watch it, brother!” Ian doesn't want anyone talking about Kallos like that.
“Dude, I am joking. You know I wouldn’t treat her like the rest; she’s different. She deserves so much more.” Ian nods in agreement. “We need to be nice to each other for her. She is the only one that matters,” Sean pauses. Ian can see his brother's eyes change. “When you were with her, I could feel everything,” Sean whispers. That is something Ian doesn't know if he can handle. With this necklace, he knew the moment she woke up this morning. When she was nervous, he felt it.
“Well, I'm going to go downstairs. She’ll be done soon.” Ian walks out of the room.
****
Kallos walks into the steamy light blue bathroom and shuts the door. She takes a deep breath to steady herself. What would have happened if her parents saw her kissing a boy who was wearing only a towel? Her dad would flip.
Kallos doesn't want to take long, so she quickly washes her hair and seems to rub her body raw in a rush. She doesn't want to be the reason why everyone else has to take a cold shower. She gets out, wraps her hair into a towel, and puts on her robe. She opens the door and heads to the boys’ room. Kallos knocks once, and Sean opens the door. He smiles and she smiles back.
“Good morning, Babe,” Sean says as he leans in and kisses her cheek. He is inches from Kallos' face; she feels her insides turn gooey. Catching herself as she is staring at his beautiful blue eyes she slowly moves them to his full mouth. She feels like she’s just swallowed glass as she realizes her heart is probably in her throat from her excitement. She hears someone behind her clear their throat, Sean looks up from her face and the color drains completely from his face. Their playfulness is short lived when Sean clears his throat and says “Good morning, Sir. She turns around slowly and smiles innocently at him.
“Good morning.” That’s all her dad says as his glare almost burns a hole into Sean. Kallos wanted to laugh but held it in.
“Dad, I was just letting Sean know that I was done with the shower. That’s all.” He spares Kallos a glace and turns his gaze back to Sean.
“Well, I think he knows now. Don’t you, Sean?” Her dad glares. Sean just nods. If her dad is mad about a kiss on the cheek, how would he act if he saw Ian and her earlier?
“Okay, Dad, I’m going to get ready now. Please be nice,” she says before she turns away and walks to her room.
Since Kallos already made her dad mad this morning, she decides that she better wear something he would agree with. She grabs her long sleeved black shirt that say’s Angel across the chest in light blue rhinestones. It is one of her favorite shirts and is last year’s birthday present from her best friend Breanna. She always wore her faded blue jeans with that shirt. Kallos loves how they are tight on her legs and flared out at her ankles. Her long, dark brown hair is starting to curl, and decides to leave it. She puts on little make up and gives herself one last look.
Kallos' mom calls for them to eat. She walks downstairs and into the kitchen; she can see Ian, and her dad sitting at the table and the only spot open is next to her dad. She rolls her eyes and sits next to him. Kallos' mom brings her plate of bacon and eggs; she directs her attention to her food in front of her as she realizes she is suddenly famished. She looks across the table and smiles at the boys.
“Mr. Dean?” Kallos looks back up at Ian and so does her dad. “Sean and I were wondering if we could walk to school. It’s not supposed to be cold, and we aren’t supposed to get rain today; I checked.”
Sean walks into the kitchen, when his eyes meet hers he winks. He walks over to Kallos’s mother and whispers something to her for only her to hear, she laughs and shakes her head; she turns around to sit at the table. Kallos smiles at seeing Sean carrying two plates of food to the table. He gently sits one in front of her mother, and then sits next to her. He looks up and smiles at Kallos, and she returns one.
“That should be fine.” Kallos’ mom says as she looks up from her food and her dad gives her Mom the look. “James, it will take them less than ten minutes to walk to school.” She glares back at him, and Kallos has to hide her smile.
Fifteen minutes later, they are walking the door and heading to school. Kallos is in between the boys. Every once in a while, one of their hands brushed against hers, and she would feel her birthmark tingle. Kallos used to be afraid of that feeling and thought it meant something bad, but this isn’t a bad feeling. This was a connection with someone. Suddenly, Kallos went from the girl that never had a boyfriend to a girl that may have two.
“What’s that face for?” Sean asks her; Kallos looks at him, but she doesn’t want to tell them. “You’re still freaked that you have two soul mates. You know that you don’t have to be with both of us.” He pulls on her arm to get her to look at him. Sean and Kallos stop and so does Ian.
“Or either of us. Just because we’re soul mates, we don’t have to be together.” Ian says which made her look at him. She already knew that being with both of them isn’t an option, but she can't imagine not being with one of them. Her heart doesn’t know if it wants a bad boy or a good boy. She knows that is something she needs to figure out later, and by herself. She reaches out and grabs each of their hands.
Holding their hands, Kallos feels safe and knows that for now everything is all right. Ian looks down at their connected hands and smiles. Then, he turns that beautiful face and wonderful smile toward her. It makes her instantly smile. She looks at Sean, and he has a similar expression.
“I told you guys that I needed time and I do. It doesn’t mean that I don’t feel what we all are feeling. You guys have to understand that I have no clue what I’m doing. I have never had a boyfriend and never had these feelings. Now, I may have two boyfriends. You really have to be patient with me,” Kallos says and looks both of them in the eyes. They both nod and smile.
They continue walking to school, and they are still holding hands. Kallos really loves being next to both of them. A car honks next to them; stopping dead in her tracks as she looks up she sees her dad’s car. The boys must have known because they quickly let go of her hands, and she can see her dad nod. As he drives past, she and the boys let out the breath they were all holding.
“Your dad scares the crap out of me,” Sean says, and Kallos bursts out laughing. Sean is her bad boy. She thought nothing could scare him, but she guesses everyone is afraid of something. “I thought he was going to rip my head off this morning. At least I was the one wearing clothes,” he teases and looks at Ian. Ian just laughs. Thinking about Ian fresh out of the shower and just wearing a towel makes Kallos’ face burn.
“I’m sure he would have killed me, but he didn’t see. From now on, we’ll text in the morning if we need each other. We can’t afford not to be with you, Kallos,” Ian states. That was true; she needed to be by at least one of them all the time. Ian bent down to whisper in her ear, “But that kiss this morning was amazing!” Kallos looks straight ahead because she is getting tired of trying to hide her blushing. She can see the school and sighs with relief. As they walk up to the door, Sean and Ian reach to open the door at the same time. She chuckles and walks in. When she gets to her locker, she notices that the nice girl whose locker was on her left isn’t there anymore. Sean is to her left and Ian is next to him. Kallos slams her locker shut and walks towards her first class. Of course, both of the boys catch up to her. Sean pulls her into a janitor’s closet and Ian shuts the door.
“Why are you mad?” Sean asks as he rubs his necklace. “And don’t tell me you aren’t; I can feel it. It’s like your anger is burning my skin.” This must be the connection that Ares was talking about. They would know her feelings, know all about them.
“I don’t like not knowing what’s going on,” she says. Kallos knows that she sounds ridiculous. It doesn't change the facts that they kept the locker change from her.
“Kallos, is this about the lockers? The only reason we changed lockers is because all of our classes are closer to this side of the school. Plus we need to be with you,” Ian says and moves closer to Sean and her. “We won’t ever keep anything from you that are important. I promise you that,” he says as he takes her hand.
“I also promise not to keep anything from you,” Sean adds and takes her other hand. Just like that, her anger vanishes as if it just melted away. She understands why they need to be with her; they proved it last night.
“I’m sorry; I really don’t know why I freaked out like that.” Kallos has never reacted like this before. Maybe it's because she has never had feelings for someone before. She feels both of them tighten their hold on her hands.
“Kallos, we should get to class. You will see Sean in your next class, and if your dad already talked to Mr. Nelson, he’ll sit next to you.” Ian opens the door and glances out. He nods, as she feels Sean push her out of the door. There are some kids still in the hallway, but they are all hurrying to class and aren’t taking notice of them. Sean brings Kallos’ hand to his mouth and gently kisses it. Ian is pulling her away.
“Come on; we’re going to be late.”
Kallos is giggling when they enter the classroom. As soon as Ian and Kallos walk in the door, the shrill bell rings. She hopes that Sean made it on time. She and Ian hurry to the last two desks. Karissa is staring in awe at Ian. Kallos now knows why Karissa doesn't like her. Karissa has a thing for one of her soul mates.
“Hey, Ian, I called you last night, and it went to your voice mail,” Karissa gives him an enormous smile.
“Yeah, Sean and I are staying at Kallos’ house.” Kallos is the only one that sees the anger on her face.
“Oh, both of you?” she asks, and he gives her a nod. Maybe he did know her feelings.
Today, they have free time, unless they had homework, and Kallos needs time to herself. Since she doesn't see that happening in the near future, she is going to take this time to think. She opens her textbook to make it look like she is studying. Her thinking is interrupted when she starts to feel the pain.
This time it feels like it is rising up from her toes and into her chest. Once again, it gets hard for her to breathe. Suddenly, she feels a warm hand touch her back. Her sharp pain slowly goes back to a dull aching pain. Kallos turns around, and the look on Ian's face scares her. The bell takes her by surprise, and she jumps half way out of her seat. Ian is still sitting and pain is clearly written all over his face. Is it like this every time they take her pain away from her?
“Ian, are you okay?” His eyes are on her, but he doesn’t say anything. He puts his hand on his chest and takes a deep, long breath. When he releases it, he lets out a groan. “Ian?” Kallos tries to put her hand on him and he cringes. He is shaking his head and putting his hand up to stop her.
“Don’t touch me. Not now, Kallos.” He sounds like he is out of breath and is just starting to get it back. She hears footsteps behind her and knows its Sean. She doesn't turn to face him.
“What’s going on?” Sean asks as he looks between Ian and Kallos. “It’s getting worse; isn’t it?” Ian doesn’t respond; he nods in response.
“Wait, this isn’t the first time is it? It’s every time!” Kallos can feel her anger rising. Not more than an hour ago, they promised that they wouldn't keep things from her. It looks like they are.
“We didn’t want to worry you,” Sean says as he helps Ian up. Kallos glares at them. “Let’s walk toward our next class.” Ian only needs help for a few steps, and then pushes him away.
****
Sean and Ian watch Kallos rush away. They know that they made her mad; they can feel it. Her anger starts to burn them.
“We should have told her how we were feeling,” Sean says and looks at his brother. He isn't just hurting from taking Kallos' pain; his other half is coming forward. Sean remembers how it would show itself to him when he was hurting and when he was mad.
“Why, so she can tell us to stop!” Ian glares into the area where Kallos just stood. “You know how much the change hurts. Do you really want to put her through that?”
“Of course not!” Sean raises his voice then really takes a close look at his brother. Maybe this is too much for him. “You know, I can take care of her tonight; I think you need to talk to Mom.” Ian's glaring, now midnight-colored eyes at Sean.
“You just want to be alone with her. Guess what? That isn't happening.” With each word, Ian’s eyes grow darker.
“Okay! Well, have you talked to Mom yet?” Sean starts to walk to the door, and he knows that Ian is following. Sean knows that if Ian doesn't talk to their mom, he will.
“No, and you don't need to tell her anything. I'm fine,” Ian fires back. Sean glances at Ian, and the darkness is starting to fade. “You know I don't chase girls; they chase me. I think Kallos needs to see that,” it’s Ian’s voice, but this isn’t Ian. Ian has always been so nice and caring. Maybe the darkness is going to stick with him.
“Wow! Ian, what are you planning on doing?” Ian doesn't say anything, he just walks away. Sean knows this isn't going to end well.