Chapter 8

Zai put whatever I asked for in the basket, I made sure to get everything I needed for breakfast tomorrow and dinner, mostly small things we were low on or that were close to expiring. While we were standing in line Zai said,

"What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?" I pondered for a second then decided to admit,

"I've never had ice cream before." Zai gasped dramatically and I couldn't help but laugh at his behavior

"Never? That's weird...hmm.." He was oddly quiet after that. He paid for the food and once we were outside and alone he snapped his fingers there was a loud CLAP and in an instant, all the groceries disappeared.

"Where did the food go??" I asked, worriedly

"I took them home, let's go, you have to try ice cream at least once in your life!" Zai then took my hand and led me to an Ice cream shop. Everything inside was colorful and cheerful. Zai stands out because he doesn't look cheerful even though really he is. He told me to sit and wait for him and when he came over to me he had a tray of 30 different cups with an icy desert in them. It reminded me of snow... "I told them to make a sample of everything they have, go on try." He put his elbows on the table then rested his chin in his palms, watching me. I tasted the plain white one first and I felt blown away, it was so sweet and creamy. I couldn't imagine something so ordinary-looking could have such flavor! I then went to the next ones, trying each one by one, I deduced that I liked all the flavors but my favorite was clear. I pointed to the one I liked best, "Cotton candy? It suits you... have you tried cotton candy before?" He inquired. I shook my head bashfully, "Then we have to try that next." Zai stated, once again flashing me his perfect teeth. That's when I noticed he also had a mole at the corner of his right eye. Things like moles of hyperpigmentation are extremely rare for infaniyans. It must be a family trait since Rai has 3. Zai bought a gallon of the ice cream I picked then hooked our arms again and led me home. "I'm glad we decided to walk." He noted,

"Wait... you have a car?!" I asked.

"Yeah... we have 4." Then what did I do all this walking for?! Flying would be an issue right now since I'm not ready for an interrogation but driving would have made things so much easier, "I liked walking with you." Zai stated I could feel my cheeks tingle. This reminds me of when I would walk with Smoke... that's right! Smoke... did he assume I'm dead? Stupid Snowe, you should focus on getting home! I can't let myself get caught up here... "Hey... are you and Rai... dating?" It seems weird for him to ask me that now,

"No... I'm just lost and he's helping me out." Zai frowned.

"I see." I guess he doesn't like that answer... was he hoping we were together? "That's unusual... Rai has never brought anyone to our house." Our house... so Zai must live here too,

"My circumstances are just unusual," I argued. "I don't even think he likes me in that way!" I added this for emphasis.

"I've known Rai for years, so I know he likes you." Zai's words shocked me. RJ has always had a gruff tone towards me but... he did give me my own room and possessions... "Well, it's not like it matters," Zai stated then he ruffled my hair,

"Aye! What are you doing?!" I yelled angrily,

"I'm lightening the mood!" Zai replied smiling brightly as usual then he rushed ahead to our home that was now in view.

The downstairs area was empty when I came inside, the groceries were all put away, and in the freezer was the ice cream Zai got me, I ate it right away.

Tonight's dinner was leftover curry.

The next day I made eggs bacon and waffles, the day after that I made fruit crepes and after that parfaits. I looked up recipes and tried making eggs benedict. It took me 3 tries to get it right only to discover that Rai didn't like runny eggs. He stared at the runny yoke and said simply,

"Ew." Then he pushed the plate away and ate toast.

Zai would invite me on walks every afternoon and ask me about trivial things, like my childhood, my favorite subject in school, and foods that I've tried or want to try. It was peaceful talking to him. RJ was usually quiet but on occasion, he'd ask me how I was doing or joke around with Zai. I wish he could be that comfortable talking to me. A month passed, RJ didn't bring up the subject of me moving, and I started to grow comfortable. One day as I was coming downstairs to make breakfast I caught Zai waiting at the foot of the stairs, he put his finger to his lips, gesturing me to stay quiet, then offered his hand to me. After I took his offering he led me outside, a few yards away from the house, close to where I first appeared.

"The night sky looks different here." He pointed out while sitting in the grass. I looked up and noticed it for the first time. The suns are always bright on Infaniya, never darker than sunset hours here, so I've never seen so many stars,

"You're right," I replied, entranced by the view.

"I thought you wouldn't have seen it yet. You never come out when the sun isn't up" I nodded and sat beside him, hugging my knees.

"Thank you for showing me." Zai laid on his back.

"Do you always get up this early?" He asked, turning his head towards me,

"Well... I have to look up recipes and do some prepping, I want breakfast to be ready when you guys wake up."

"You... don't have to cook for us," Zai stated, hearing him say that makes me sad for some reason.

"Do you not like the food?"

"I... love it, I feel so special because you go out of your way for me. I just... want you to know you're not obligated. We don't expect anything from you." His words touched me... they don't expect anything? Then why are they being so nice?

"Well.. sometimes I do want to sleep in... maybe I'll do that tomorrow," I replied,

"If you do...I'll cook for you, so don't worry." I felt like I could cry, not because I was upset but because I felt so happy, I can't remember the last time someone made me a meal. I lived off instant food and takeout until I taught myself how to cook. "Why can't you go back to your home?" He interrogated, asking me a heavy question for the first time,

"I... was pronounced dead, things are complicated and I can't go back legally... I'm not strong enough to fly there." I finally told him, and he sat up and squinted at me...

"Legally?... What... are you and Infaniyan?" I gasped,

"Aren't you?" I assumed Zai and his brother were both the same as me, but then Zai extended black feathery wings and said,

"I'm an Afarion." His wings were so large they enveloped both of us. I've been living with the enemy this whole time?! They definitely won't let me back into Infaniya now! "Don't worry... I'm a bastard who was banished from my planet... So I have no reason to hurt you." I felt myself relax a little then Zai smiled and looked ahead saying "Look the sun is rising!" I looked in the same direction as him and saw that the sky had begun changing colors and the stars were starting to fade.

"It's beautiful!" I muttered to myself, Zai rested his hand against mine. I thought it was on purpose but he was still looking at the sunrise, so maybe it was just a mistake. Even if he is an Afarion, it would be foolish of me to become wary of him after all this time. It's been a month and they've both done nothing but show me kindness and consideration.

We entered the house together after watching for a few more minutes and Zai showed me where the aprons were, "I didn't know we had aprons." I commented,

"I just got them yesterday." He responded casually. That explains why one is so obviously girly. He put a Black one on and smiled at me, "I want to help, what are your orders, chef?" I should be used to it but it's still hard for me to handle his smile. I gave him instructions and he followed them well. Together that day, we made eggs with blueberry waffles.

2 days later I received an email from IIC saying

"Regarding your request for identification, it appears that Snowe's body was never found. If you are indeed who you claim please come to our office any weekday between 8 AM and 10 PM, Thank you." Under that, the address was listed... I can go home! I...

"What are you looking at?" Zai asked since I was using my laptop in the living room. I closed the laptop and replied,

"It's nothing." Zai sat beside me,

"You're lucky...." He began... is that a threat? Why am I so cynical? "Raijian can't lie... He was chosen by fire but in order to ascend his powers more quickly he had to sacrifice something, a right we are all born with and he chose to give up lying. If he lies his body with start destroying itself from the inside out." My eyes widened, that's awful... "You don't have to tell me anything... but I just think you're lucky."

"What about you?" I asked, we were talking about RJ but my mind was just filled with questions about Zai. He met my eyes and then took off his jacket, showing me his arms for the first time, both covered in patterns of lightning,

"I was chosen by lightning... I..." He started to say more but then he paused, "Have you ever heard the poem of the Chosen Ones?" He looked away from me and put his clothes back in place.

"I haven't," I answered.

"There was a great storm. There was the air that moved the clouds, the clouds that brought the rain, and the lightning that came with the clouds. That lightning came down loud, scorching the earth and giving birth to the fire which released the smoke that filled the air. That's the 7 Affinities that choose a master; Air, Cloud, Water, Lightning, Fire, Smoke, and Sound. That is me and my 6 brothers... we all had to give up something for power."

"Do you... not want me to know what you gave up?" I asked. He laughed.

"It's just... if you want to have a secret, I should have one too." He then grinned widely at me and I pouted. I was curious.

"Can you lie?" I asked.

"Sure can! I lie all the time." He stated cheerfully then he walked away from me while whistling a tune... I guess they gave up different things, if he gave up lying he could never make a statement like that. I reopened my laptop... Do I even want to go back? Nothing good is waiting for me there except... maybe Smoke... wait that poem was about Smoke too, I guess the Afarions have their own set of Chosen ones. Now that I think about it, Smoke can choose anyone to be with there's no way he's waiting for the girl he only kissed a few times who then disappeared for a century... there's not even a 1% chance.