The Misfits

Cassidy

Cassidy and Gemma waited for the bus and Cass threw the ball for Harley to return while they waited. When the bus arrived, Cass threw the ball and said, “Go home,” to Harley.

Her hand was slimed with the dog’s saliva, and she was going to wipe it off but she didn’t. They got on the bus and while Beryl was there, she surprisingly didn’t try anything. She was probably in too much trouble as it was. Cass knew she would probably instigate something, but as she waked by Beryl, she grabbed the seat as she passed, wiping her hand on it.

If Beryl sat back, she’d get dog spit all on her back and hair. As they walked back, Jessie moved back a seat so Cassidy could sit with Robbie.

“Hey,” she said, sitting down.

“OH MY GOD! What the hell??” Beryl shrieked.

Cass snickered as Robbie looked at her questioningly. She looked at him, giving him an innocent look and said, “What?”

He took her hand. “What did you do?”

“Me? Would I do something?”

“Yes,” he said, smiling.

“I just shared my dog’s gift with her.”

“My hair! It’s in my HAIR!” Beryl cried.

The bus driver ignored her and started driving.

Beryl looked back over the seat and Cass quickly looked at Robbie.

“Doh, she’s gonna get you, girl,” Gem said from behind her.

“Like I’m afraid of her. I’ve faced Hugo…” She stopped, realizing that Robbie was looking at her.

“Who’s Hugo?”

“Bad guy, doesn’t matter,” she said quickly.

Changing subjects, she told him they were going shopping after school, so she wouldn’t be on the bus. Jaden was going to give her and Gemma a ride home.

They discussed what the boy might need to bring the next day, and what there was to do, along with the addition of Jaden’s cousins.

Robbie didn’t mind and didn’t think Jessie would either. It was turning into a real party. There would be ten people – eleven if they counted Cass’s mom.

They arrived at school and Cass watched Beryl hobble off the bus, looking back, glaring at her.

Cassidy smiled sweetly.

Beryl left and the rest followed, splitting up to go to their lockers.

Cass opened her locker and took out her backpack and the locker slammed shut. The crutch was still on the locker door.

Cass considered flicking her other crutch out but didn’t.

“You know, your trash, swamp girl.”

Cass was in too good a mood to let this bother her.

“You’re right Beryl, I am. I’ve even got a scar. More than one actually, but you wouldn’t know about that. You’re too conceited to worry about anyone else, or what they’ve been through. But you know what? In the end, the world works out the way it should. I’m with Robbie and you… you don’t matter to anyone but yourself.”

Beryl was turning colors in apoplexy. “Listen you slut, the only reason why you are with Robbie is because I turned him down. You’re nothing but a pity date. No one who looks like you could get a real date.”

“Wait, now I’m confused. If I can’t get a real date, how am I a slut? I’m still a virgin, so yay for me, but it’s by choice. Since you brought it up however, have you noticed that you go through boyfriends like people go through toilet paper? Is that because you won’t give it up, or because once you do, the guys dump you because, let’s face it, no one really wants to do more than test drive the used car. Too many miles.”

By this time, Cass thought that Beryl might be about to stroke out, she was so red. Her mouth was opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Cass didn’t want to ruin her good mood, or to hurt Beryl, but the girl didn’t know when to quit.

Beryl put the tip of her crutch on Cass’s shoulder and pushed her back into the locker.

Cass could have easily prevented it, or even pushed or thrown the girl back but she didn’t. She hadn’t been hurt yet.

“Don’t’ try me, scar face,” Beryl threatened.

Cass grabbed the crutch end, and using a touch of her power, pulled it off her like it was nothing. “Or what, Beryl, or what? You want to fight? Okay, name the time and place. Otherwise, shut the hell up and leave me alone. And while you’re at it, stop bullying other girls too. If not, I’ll find a way to make your life a living hell. I hear there are sex videos out there of you and like, half the football team. I think I heard mention of a train. What’s that all about? Did you have sex on a choo-choo?”

By this time, Beryl was effectively vibrating with anger. The five-minute warning bell rang, and Cass simply dropped the crutch and walked away.

At lunch, she met Jaden Gemma, and Robbie at the table that they had pretty much taken over outside. Cass had grabbed some pizza, a bag of chips, and a soda before coming to the table, and when she sat down, Robbie said, “I heard about what went down before class. I’ve heard rumors about some videos if you really want me to ask around. I’m sure someone had one and would be willing to share.”

Cass looked at him wide eyed. “I was just messing with her. You don’t really mean to tell me that I’m right, do you?”

“I heard some of the guys on the team talking about a party. They were pretty graphic,” Robbie said.

“Have you…” Cass started.

“No. There are many ways you could go with that question, and the answer to all of them is… NO. I – I liked someone else, remember?”

Robbie took Cass’s hand.

“Robbie, could you get a copy of the video?” Gemma asked.

Everyone looked at her in surprise.

“Okay perv’s, get your minds out of the gutter. I admit I don’t like Beryl or her cheer-losers, but I don’t see her doing something like that. She’s too high and mighty,” Gemma explained.

“Um, yeah, I guess. I mean, I’ll try,” Robbie said.

“So, all set for tonight?” Jaden asked. “We’ll go shopping, then pick up the psycho twins, then head to your place.”

“They’re twins?” Robbie asked.

“No,” Jaden said shaking her head. “And they aren’t truly psycho, but sometimes they make me what to go psycho.”

“I know the feeling. They should get along with Myra,” Gem said.

Cass picked at her lunch, bothered by what happened earlier and the point Gemma brought up.

Robbie prodded her to eat more, while Gemma managed to eat most of her chips.

The bell rang and everyone went to class. Cass barely paid attention and school was over before she knew it. They managed to miss Beryl by going to Jaden’s VW bus. Robbie tagged along and gave Cass a hug and the three girls left for Cass’s house to pick Myra up, along with Gwynne Gray’s credit card to pay for it all.

Jaden had directions, but Cass rode in front, so she pointed the way. Once they got to the turn off, Cass had Jaden stop, opening the back door.

“What’s she doing?” Jaden asked Gemma.

“Picking up strays,” Gemma replied.

Cass whistled and Harley came running, ball in mouth. He got to the van and paused, looking at Cass before dropping the ball.

“Not today,” she said, scratching his ears and picking up the ball. “Inside,” she said, pointing to the van.

He hopped in and Cass closed the door.

“Stray?” Jaden asked when Cass got back in.

Cass looked at Gem, and replied, “No. He’s mine. She’s just jealous like his previous owner, that he picked me over them.”

Jaden continued and Cass pointed out the direction to the house at the split. They pulled up to the house and Gemma opened the door, letting Harley out, then following, closing the door.

She left Cass and Jaden there. Jaden reached for the door and Cass put a hand on her arm. “I’ve told you before that my stepsister is a little… different. I just don’t want you to freak out. If it’s too much, just pull me aside and tell me and you can leave. Just don’t make a scene. It will crush her.”

Jaden looked at her for a moment before replying. “Cassidy, I’m different too. No matter how different she is, I wouldn’t want to hurt her. I know how it feels, firsthand.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you would. I just worry about her.”

“I think you are a very caring person. One sister has a condition, another is black in the south. You accepted them and love them, and you accepted me without question. So, I know you care. That makes me care. So why don’t we go in so I can meet her?”

Cassidy gave her arm a squeeze before letting go. “Let’s go,” she said, and they both got out of the van. They walked into the house and Cass’s mom was waiting inside, in the living room.

Cass introduced her mom to Jaden.

“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Gray. Cass has told me a lot about you.”

“She’s told me all about you as well. Make yourself at home while you’re here. Cass will give you a tour. Let any of us know if you need anything.”

“I will, thank you.”

To Cass, her mom said, “Here’s the card and some spending money for drinks or snacks or whatever. Try not to be too late, I’ll keep dinner warm for the seven of us.”

“We won’t be too late but go ahead and eat if you want mom. You don’t have to wait for us,” Cass told her.

“I know, but I like eating with you.”

“Well, your choice then. If you get hungry, eat without us. Where’s Myra?”

“Out on the back dock, throwing the ball for Harley.”

Cass took Jaden’s hand. “Let’s go,” she said, leading her through the living room and dining room, out the back sliding door.

Myra was standing at the edge of the deck, waiting for Harley to being the ball back to her. Her hair was loose and hung to her mid-back and she was wearing a plain light purple dress that was just past her knees. Cass noticed she had on white tights as well.

“Myra,” Cassidy called.

Harley brought back the ball and Myra said, “Last one,” scratched his ears, and threw the ball.

She turned around and slowly walked towards Cass and Jaden.

“Interesting,” said Jaden quietly.

Myra wasn’t usually shy, she was more of a defiant type, but today, she wasn’t quite looking up at eye level.

“Myra, this is Jaden. Jaden, Myra,” Cass said to introduce them.

“Well, aren’t you a cutie,” Jaden said, reaching out and pushing some of Myra’s fine hair back behind her ear. She put that hand on Myra’s cheek and tipped the girl’s head up, so they looked into each other’s eyes. “Your skin is so soft,” she said, rubbing her thumb across Myra’s cheek.

The majority of Myra’s skin was normal looking, but her neck and some of her shoulders and her hands and feet had the look of alligator skin, but essentially felt normal.

“May I?” Jaden asked, indicating the girl’s neck.

“Um, sure,” Myra answered.

Jaden ran her hand down Myra’s jaw to her neck, running her hand lightly over the skin. “Well, this should be easy enough to fix up so no one even notices. At least at the prom. If I had stuff I could do it now, but your beautiful hair should cover most of it.”

Myra looked up at Jaden wide-eyed, who looked her directly in the eyes. Myra blinked – her inhuman lids, not the normal ones.

Jaden let out a little gasp.

Myra started to take a step back, but Jaden took Myra’s slim wrist. “Wait. I’m sorry, you just surprised me. Your sister told me you were different, but she didn’t give me any details. Any other surprises? Just so I don’t be rude,” she said.

“Besides my eyes, just…” she said, holding up her hand, spreading her fingers. “Same with my toes.”

“So you have syndactyly?” Jaden wove fingers between Myra’s and pushed lightly. The webbing gave some, but not enough to hold hands like a couple would.

“Well, gloves are out, so we’ll figure out something else while we shop. Ready?”

“Wait,” Myra said. “You’re not… afraid? Creeped out?”

“Nope. It’s cool. If you only knew what others had. So, you’re different. So am I. You just can’t see mine right now. But even if you’re different, I don’t care. People try to do body modifications to be more like you. So why should I be afraid of you? You’re a beautiful young lady, not some evil monster. Are you?”

Myra shook her head no.

“Okay, so let’s go!”

Harley came back and laid on the deck, dropping the ball between his paws.

Jaden turned and walked back inside, and Myra looked at Cass. “She for real?”

“Seems so,” Cass said. “Ready?”

Myra nodded and Cass took her hand and they walked inside.

Jaden and Gemma were waiting for them, so they left to the stores. They had several dress shops they planned to stop at, each looking at what the store had to offer, trying on what they liked.

Gemma found a dress she couldn’t live without at the second store. It was red and had sequins, making it sparkle. The dress had short sleeves that went to just above mid arm, the hemline to mid thigh and a neckline that showed just enough cleavage to be tasteful but not overboard.

At least to her.

At the next shop, Cass found a silver dress with full length sleeves that went to her ankles. The dress was split up one side to mid-thigh, was backless and the front was scooped, showing off the top of her chest.

Their next stop was the mall and the various shops within. They all decided to stop first at Starbucks, where they each ordered a different drink and some muffins to share.

They went off to the next shop, where Myra and Jaden tried on various dresses, not finding anything that talked to them. Moving on to the next store, they passed by a store that sold vintage clothing and Jaden stopped.

“Wait,” she said, pulling Myra to a stop. “I have an idea.”

The four girls went inside, and Cass and Gem just browsed, while Myra followed Jaden.

“Oh wow,” Jaden said, pulling out a dress. The bodice and skirt were white, with small pink flowers on the material.

Added to this was a fine lace, that made up full sleeves, with overhanging cuffs, and a high neckline that went to mid throat.

The skirt went down three-quarters of the thigh, and had an inch of long scalloped lace edging, so it ended just above the knee.

Jaden handed it to Myra. “Here, go try this on.”

Myra went into the dressing room, changed and came out a few minutes later.

“Wow,” Gemma said, returning with Cass. “That so fits you.”

Cass nodded in agreement. “It’s perfect.”

To Cass’s surprise, Myra’s dress cost more than either of the two new dresses, but she knew her mom wouldn’t mind, especially after seeing Myra’s glow.

After exiting the store, Gemma said, “Next?”

Jaden still needs something, and we all need shoes,” Cass said.

Jaden shook her head. “I’ve got everything. I did my shopping earlier. I just came to help and to be with friends. You two go find shoes. Myra and I will go get the rest of what we need for her and we’ll meet you at the food court in say, ninety minutes?”

While Cass trusted Jaden, she wasn’t totally comfortable with this. The Facility could still be out there, and Myra was at risk.

“Hang on a sec,” Cass said, pulling Myra aside and walking away a few feet. Cass made a pretense of handing her some money, but said, “I’m not sure about this. I like Jaden, but I still don’t trust the Facility. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I’ll be okay,” Myra said. “I can take care of myself. I did for a long time, remember?”

Cass sighed. “I know sweety, but I couldn’t live with myself knowing I put you in danger. Just be careful please.”

“I will,” Myra said, giving her a hug, squeezing to remind Cass of her real strength.

Cass kissed her on top of the head. “Be safe,” she said, before letting go.

“You too. Remember what happened to you in the mall…”

Cass had to laugh. “Yeah, maybe I should be the one who needs to be worried,” she said as they walked back over to Gemma and Jaden.

“Alright, see you in a bit,” Cass said to the two, and watched them walk off.

Gemma said, “You’re worried.”

“Yeah, I still don’t trust the Facility. But Myra reminded me that in that mall, we were at risk, not her.”

Gemma laughed at this too. “Girl’s too smart for her own good.”

“Yeah, let’s go shop.”

----------

Myra walked off with Jaden, thoughtful of Cass’s warning and knowing she had just met Jaden. “Where to?” she asked.

“First stop, shoes. Those two will head straight for high heels. You need something a little more… mellow. Flats or wedges, so a different store,” Jaden said, leading Myra away.

They went to a regular shoe store and looked around, finding a simple pair of two-inch wedges, that would give Myra a little height, but be comfortable and easy to walk in.

Jaden bought a pair of Uggs and paid for Myra’s shoes.

“I’ll pay you back,” Myra said, realizing she didn’t have more than the cash that Cass had given her.

Jaden shrugged. “Don’t sweat it,” was all she said.

Next stop was the cosmetics store where Jaden bought a few things, trying different colors against Myra’s pale skin.

“The foundation should cover your… condition, and not rub off on the lace of your dress. The mascara, blush, and lipstick, well, those will just give you the edge you need. Really with your complexion, just a touch of color is all you need to make you super gorgeous.”

Myra looked at her like she was crazy. “This is costing too much,” Myra protested.

“Nonsense. If you only get to go to prom once, then do it right.”

Jaden picked up a few more things, which Myra wasn’t sure which of them it was for. They left that store and Jaden led Myra to a quiet alcove to get out of the traffic.

Myra kind of tensed up, wondering why.

Quietly, Jaden asked, “I have a question, and don’t want anyone else to hear. And don’t get upset. I’ll explain. How long can you go without blinking… your special eyelids, I mean.”

This caught Myra off guard. “I – I don’t know. Like you, it just happens.”

“Are you willing to try something? People – normal people, no offence – use contacts to change their eyes. Even the color. They come in non-prescription, so it’s really just cosmetic, like the make-up. But I’m not sure they will stay in place with your… extra blink.”

Myra shrugged. “We can try.”

“Okay,” Jaden said, pulling Myra off to an optical store.

Jaden showed Myra the selection they had, which was pretty large. The store kept the Halloween ones in stock all year long, so they ranged from all eye colors to special ones like all white, yellow, red, the nuclear and toxic symbols, smiley faces, and tons more.

“Well?” Jaden asked. She expected Myra to go with blue or green perhaps, but Myra like the light violet ones.

After making sure that was her choice, Jaden picked up some contact solution and eye drops. She explained to Myra, “If your uniqueness comes from distant relatives, then it’s to keep your eyes clean and wet. So maybe the liquid tears will keep them happy. Every so often, put in a drop. We’ll see.”

“But if not, you’re spending all that money for nothing,” Myra protested again.

Jaden put a hand on her shoulder. “If it will make you happy, and it works, them it’s money well spent. If not, at least we tried. Now, last stop.”

Jaden had led Myra to the Victoria Secrets store. Myra looked around and blushed.

“I think I’m too young for this stuff,” she said in a whisper.

“Nonsense. It’s a special night and you can let yourself feel special.”

“But no one’s going to see it.”

“You will. You’ll know you have it on. It feels good to have on, and it’s pretty. And I’m guessing Cass will see it,” Jaden said with a grin, watching Myra blush again.

Sizing Mya up, she pulled the girl to the petite section. “Browse. See if you like anything, keeping in mind your dress is white. So, no dark colors. I’ll be right back.”

Myra watched Jaden walk around a bit looking for something, which she seemed to finally find.

She looked around at the underclothes, some of them no more than bits of lace. Myra found a bra that was a pale blue, with a small fringe of white lace that was cute. It had white trim and was modest without being overly revealing or old fashion.

They were matching, panties below, that were small, but not to the extent of the thong next to it. She selected those in her size and Jaden returned with a package and some other article of clothing.

“Found something I see. Now let’s go try it on.”

They threaded their way to the dressing room and Myra went in, leaving the door open for Jaden. She pulled off her dress and, in the mirror, saw Jaden standing outside still.

Myra turned, holding her dress, clad only in a plain white bra and panties. “Well? Come in and close the door,” Myra said to her.

Jaden looked around, then stepped inside, closing the door.

Myra reached behind her to undo her bra and Jaden stopped her. “Listen,” Jaden said, putting her hands on Myra’s bare shoulders, unconcerned of the look. She moved her thumbs up and down in a soothing motion. “You’ve been very open about your… differences. I know that Cassidy had told you I’m different too, but even she doesn’t know how much. It’s not really an issue to see you like this,” she said, indicating her current state of undress, “but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for you to be naked alone with me. Others might not understand.”

“Cass said you were a boy some days, and a girl others. Is it because you’re really a boy?”

Jaden smiled and pulled up her shirt to reveal a red bra under her baggy shirt.

“Okay, you have boobs, do why is it an issue to see mine?” Myra asked, adding, “Not that they are much.”

“Because like you, I’m different,” Jaden said, leaning into Myra to whisper something. Myra’s eyes widened.

“Both? Can I see?”

“I think you’re a bit too young. There’s always the internet if you’re really that curious. And in a few years, when you’re old enough, you can ask again if you really care at that point.”

“I’m small but I’m fourteen… I think,” Myra said pouting. “I don’t care if you see me naked.”

“But Cass might. Or Gemma. I don’t think your mom would, at the very least. So, you change and I’ll come back in with the last part, okay?”

“Okay,” Myra said reluctantly.

Jaden stepped back out while Myra changed. The girl opened the door, now dressed in the new bra and panties.

Jaden came back in, and Myra asked, “Do they look okay?”

Jaden turned her to the full-length mirror, looking over her shoulder. “The real question is, do you like it? They are for you, so you have to like them. I think they look very cute on you. And you’d have the boys drooling over you, but none better see this. Not yet. Your sisters would kill them.”

“You don’t know how right you are,” Myra mumbled. “I like it.”

“Good. Now the last thing, Jaden said, taking a stocking out of the package and sitting down. She bunched it up and said, “Gimme your right foot.”

Myra held up her foot and Jaden slid the stocking up her leg. It was a simple white, and went to right above Myra’s mid-thigh. It did the job of hiding the difference in her ankle and knee, without being too dramatic.

“It’s kind of like thigh-high nylons,” Myra said. “But it will sag or fall when I walk.”

Jaden knew this already, seeing the girl’s skinny legs. “Too right. That’s what this is for,” she said holding up the item.

“Why not just wear tights?” Myra asked.

“Are you glad you are wearing tights when you have to pee?”

Myra shook her head. “I always hold it too long, then have to race to pull everything down.”

“Exactly. With this, all you have is panties. Watch.”

Jaden had her step into the garter belt and pulled it up around the girl’s small hips. Then she clipped the four ends to the stocking. “There, now it won’t fall down, and no tights.

“But I’d have to unhook it all to pull my panties down,” Myra said, causing Jaden to laugh.

“No. Normally you’d put the garter belt and stockings on first, then your panties go on over, so you just pull them down like normal.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Looks like everything fits, so you can change back,” Jaden said undoing the clasps on the garter and slipping the stocking off, putting it back in the package.

Myra wriggled out of the belt and handed it to Jaden.

Jaden saw that Myra liked what she had on. “You wanna keep those on?” Jaden asked with a smile.

Myra nodded.

Jaden pulled off the tags and said, “Put your dress back on, and don’t forget to grab your other under clothes.”

Jaden stepped back out and picked out a few other tasteful things in Myra’s side and a few things in her cousin’s size so she wouldn’t feel left out.

Myra came back out of the dressing room with her old things wadded up in her hand. “Ready?” Myra asked.

“Actually, you wouldn’t happen to know your sister’s sizes, would you?” Jaden asked.

“Sure,” Myra replied.

“Good,” Jaden said with a smile. “Today, everyone gets to feel special at prom.”

The two picked out things in Cass and Gemma’s sizes, and Myra wouldn’t let Jaden go without buying something for herself as well.

They went to the cash register and the girl there rang them up. Myra gasped at the total, telling Jaden to forget it all.

Jaden simply handed over a credit card and told her to calm down.

Paying, then pulling Myra out of the store, Jaden stopped outside.

“You spent almost three hundred dollars on us in there,” Mya objected.

“And I bought you more than what you have on. I bought my cousin something too, just so she would have something new to enjoy. Myra don’t worry about it. I’ve got money. Why do you think I bought all that stuff for you? I like you. I want you to like you. Even if that means making changes. But I think that really, you don’t care what other people think of you, and to be honest, I hope you don’t change. But I know people can be mean, and sometimes it’s better, and easier, to just fit in. That’s why I dress like I do.

“Most people don’t know if I’m a boy or a girl. You’ve seen I have boobs. You’re one of a few who know what my secret truly is – why I sometimes feel like a boy or girl. This is my way of getting by to make it easier. I don’t really care what other people think. If they don’t like me, then that’s their problem. I try not to let them make it mine. But I won’t lie. Sometimes it does get to me.

“So, if I can spend my money to make my friends feel good about themselves, why not?”

Myra said nothing and hugged the other girl.

It’s time to head back, or your sisters might get worried,” Jaden said.

As they walked back to the food court, Jaden spotted a kiosk that sold jewelry and pulled Myra over to it. She looked at Myra, pushing back her hair and frowned.

“Your ears aren’t pierced,” she said to Myra.

“I was never able to get it done,” Myra told her.

Jaden looked over the sterling silver jewelry and started picking things.

Myra just stood and watched, not knowing what was going on.

Jaden paid for everything, and Myra saw the total was over a hundred dollars, and just shook her head. Jaden kept a few things out of the bag and went to Myra. “Okay, first, in case you don’t want your ears pierced, I got this,” she said, holding up a little object. It looked like a panda bear on one side.

“An ear cuff,” she said, and put it around the edge of Myra’s ear, pressing it until it was snug but not tight. “There. Cute. Hold up your hair.”

Myra set the bags she was carrying down and pulled up her hair. Jaden put a delicate chain around Myra’s neck. At the end was a little charm.

Myra picked it up off her chest to look at it. It was a small alligator.

“That’s okay, isn’t it?” Jaden asked. “I got the feeling you would be fond of them.”

Myra nodded, speechless.

Jaden picked up the girl’s wrist and put a small bracelet around it. It too had a charm on it.

Myra looked and saw it was half a heart that had Friend etched into it.

Jaden held up another, and her own wrist.

Myra put it on the girl’s wrist through watery eyes.

No one had been this nice to her since Cassidy. And maybe Cassidy’s mom. Gemma was her friend, but she wasn’t always nice to her.

Jaden wiped the tears from Myra’s cheeks. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked.

Myra shook her head. “No. It’s happy tears.”

“Good. We’re not quite done. If you want to get your ears pierced, we’ll do that too. It’ll only take a few minutes, and I’ll face the wrath of your sisters for that. Up to you.”

Myra slowly nodded.

“Okay, lets go,” Jaden said, heading for a real jewrley shop that offered piercings. Jaden found one, arranged for everything and Myra got her ears pierced in less than five minutes.

The girl winced but that was it. Myra looked into the mirror, looking at her throbbing, newly pierced ears, and the panda cuff.

“Come on, before the cops come looking for us,” Jaden said.

They walked outside and Jaden asked, “When’s your birthday?”

“Huh? Oh, I don’t know.”

Jaden stopped, looking at her. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Nevermind. Do you celebrate a birthday?”

“Yeah, November 15th,” Myra said. “Okay, well, that’s an early birthday present. Be careful, those are real diamonds.”’

It was Myra’s turn to look at her. “W – What?”

“You heard me. Those are real diamond studs. So don’t lose them. And don’t worry about the cost.”

Jaden walked off, pulling Myra along. When they got to the food court, they looked for Cass and Gemma, but didn’t see them.

“Where have you been? You’re late. Do you know how worried I’ve been?” Cassidy said from behind them.

They turned around, seeing Cass and Gem looming over them, although both girls were shorter than Jaden by a couple of inches.

“I’m fine Cass, don’t be angry,” Myra said.

“It’s my fault,” Jaden told Cass. “I took her to… um, damn, I guess I should have asked first. I just figured she was old enough to decide. I’m sorry if I over stepped.”

Cass had to pause, trying to figure out what Jaden was talking about. Myra stepped in front of Jaden and pulled her hair back, showing Cass her ears.

Cass looked at Myra, first not comprehending, but the she saw the ear cuff, which drew her attention to the earrings in her lobes. She reached out, but stopped just short of touching Myra’s ear, knowing it would be sore.

“Why… why didn’t you tell me you wanted to get your ears pierced?”

Myra just shrugged.

“You look so pretty,” Cass said, almost forgetting that she was upset.

“Let’s grab drinks really quick and sit, then we can go. But I’ve got something for you guys,” Jaden said.

Gemma still looked angry, but Cass gave in, seeing how happy Myra seemed. She nodded and everyone started walking off.

Cass caught Myra’s arm, holding her back a few steps. Myra looked concerned until Cass took her hand and began to walk. “Everything okay?” she asked Myra.

“Fine. Don’t be mad. It was my fault we were late.”

“I’m not mad. I was worried. I don’t want you disappearing on me.”

“I won’t.”

They sat at a table, Cass still holding onto Myra’s hand.

Jaden and Gemma came back, each holding out a drink to another girl. They sat down and Jaden went though bags, pulling out bracelets that matched.

Myra held up her wrist, showing them one that matched theirs, then Jaden did the same. Each had the same half heart with Friend inscribed on it.

“We all have one,” Myra said.

Cass had Myra put hers on her wrist, and then Gemma did the same.

“More treats later,” Jaden said.

“We best get going,” Cass said, not wanting to be too late for dinner. They still had to pick up Jaden’s cousins.

They walked back to the van carrying the bags and put them all in the back, then piled into the van. Jaden drove away from town, into a more rural area, where the homes spread out further and further.

She pulled into a drive that wound through the trees that arched over the road as it meandered forward. They finally came to a large gate across the road.

Jaden pushed a button on the van’s dashboard and the gate retracted to one side.

Cass looked at Jaden, wondering who Jaden really was.

Jaden glanced sideways and just said, “Later.”

The road was mostly straight from where they were, and Cass could see a large house – no, mansion – about half a mile away. As Jaden continued, Cass saw the road went in a circle in front of the house, around a large fountain.

As Jaden pulled around to the far side of the house, two teens were waiting outside. The girl was about Cass’s size, and had medium length, dark red hair. The boy had short, carroty-red hair and was a few inches shorter than his sister.

The girl opened the door to the van, and put two bags into it before they got in. “All set back there?” Jaden called.

“Yes,” the girl answered.

Jaden hit the gas and started back down the drive. She pushed the button and the gate slid back and Jaden never slowed down.

They drove back the way they came, past the mall and out back towards Cass’s house. When they got to the turn off, Jaden turned left onto the track that led to the house.

“Why isn’t this road paved?” she asked.

“I think it was to keep the place more rustic,” Cass answered. “My mom and dad liked nature. That’s why there’s so much exposed wood in the house.”

Jaden veered right, towards the house at the Y-junction and parked in front of the house. The van doors started opening and Harley started barking in greeting.

He went around to Jaden, Gemma, Myra, and Cass, sniffing at those he knew. Then he went to the new girl and pushed into her leg.

“Hey, back off,” she said, pushing his head away.

Harley got the message and went to the new boy. He pushed at his leg, causing the boy to lose his balance and fall backwards, landing on his butt.

“Harley!” Cass said. “What did you do?”

“Bad dog,” the new boy said, angry.

Myra came over, taking the boy by the arm, pulling him up. He almost didn’t help get himself up.

“Sorry about that. He’s a good dog and was just happy to meet new people,” Myra said to the boy.

“You’re strong,” he said, using one hand to touch the hand that was still on his arm, moving it up her arm to her shoulder, then up to her cheek.

“Hey, what gives?” Myra asked.

“Oh, um, I’m really sorry,” he said, not removing his fingers, only his hand. “Didn’t Jaden tell you guys that I was blind?”

“Oh. Nuh-uh,” Myra replied.

’Do you mind?” he asked.

“Um, no?” She wasn’t really sure what he was asking, but… Using his fingers, the boy felt around Myra’s face like he was mapping features.

“I bet you’re pretty. What’s your name?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Myra. I’m small for my age, but I’m fourteen.”

“I’m Alex and I’m fourteen as well. Somewhere around here is my sister Wanda.”

“I’m right here,” Wanda said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Sorry,” Jaden said. “Let’s take everything in and we’ll do introductions there. I believe dinner is waiting.”

“I’ll show you the way,” Myra said, taking Alex’s hand.

Cass and the other girls carried in the bags from shopping while Wanda took in Alex’s bag as well as her own. Cass had them set everything down in the living room for the time being and called out to her mom. “We’re back!”

“Good, dinner is ready,” Gwynne said coming into the living room from the kitchen.

Jaden made introductions and Alex shook hands with everyone, not exploring faces like he did with Myra. Once introductions were over, Cass led everyone to the dining room, while Gemma helped with the food.

Cass smiled when she saw Myra sit Alex next to her, with Wanda on the other side, letting Jaden sit across from them.

Gwynn’s seat was at the head of the table, with Cass and Gemma on either side. Myra was next to Cass, and Jaden next to Gemma.

The food was brought in: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and biscuits.

Wanda put things on her plate, and then swapped plates with Alex, telling him where things were, in times. Chicken at six; potatoes at nine; corn at three; and biscuit at twelve. His drink was at one o’clock.

Ms. Gray chatted with the kids as they ate, asking about the day’s shopping, school and about where Wanda and Alex were from.

They were on vacation, visiting from Indiana. A town called French Lick. Alex would start high school in August and Wanda would be a sophomore.

Everyone ate their fill, commenting on the quality of the food. When they finished, everyone helped carry the dishes into the kitchen except for Alex, who offered but Wanda told him to stay put.

Ms. Gray told them she would clean up, but all the kids refused and helped clean up, and in no time they were done.

Now that dinner was over, Ms. Gray excused herself claiming she had work to catch up on, but Cass figured it was just to give them privacy. Her mom was like that.

Jaden suggested returning to the living room so she could get some things passed out. She stopped Myra.

“You’ve seen it all. Do you think you could maybe show Alex around?”

“I’m standing right here, and I’m blind, not deaf,” he said.

“It’s just that it’s girl stuff,” Jaden said.

“And I repeat, I’m blind. I can’t see it, so I’m not going to be embarrassed, or embarrass anyone else.”

“It’s not you, kiddo. You know that.”

“I’ll take care of him,” Wendy said, walking up.

“No, you’ll go to the living room. Myra is perfectly capable of showing him around, especially since you have no idea of the layout of the house. He’ll be okay Wanda.”

Wanda looked at Myra, who returned the stare. “Fine,” Wanda said in a huff and walked off.

“Please Myra? I’ll put your stuff in a bag for you.”

“Yeah, sure,” she said, shrugging.

Jaden thanked her and walked off.

“Okay, so how do we do this?” Myra asked.

“If I need to get around alone, I need a mental map of sorts. So start, say, at the front door and lead me around, telling me what each place is, and describe what’s in it, or things I need to watch out for.”

He reached out, putting a hand on her shoulder. The hand was warm, Myra noticed, on her bare shoulder.

She led him back to the front door, then back, going in a loop, showing him each room, describing it and the things in it, along with any potential hazards.

From the door and foyer, she led him past the living room, the game room, the spiral staircase, the TV, the dining room, the kitchen, her mom’s office, the bathroom, the staircase, and her mom’s room before getting back to the foyer again.

“That’s it,” Myra said.

“No it isn’t, There were two sets of stairs, so there’s a second story,” he said.

“Oh. Okay,” she said, leading him to the stairs.

“Hang on,” Alex said, running his hand around her shoulder to her side, then down to her hip, causing a tingle through her body.

“Um…” was all she said.

“I might be taller, but my arms aren’t that long. You start up the stairs, I’d have to be pressed up against you to basically keep my hand there,” he explained.

“Oh,” she said, thinking that was a very reasonable explanation. On that she didn’t seem to mind one bit.

She started up slowly, allowing Alex to get used to the steps. At the top, he moved his hand back to her shoulder in the same manor, but in reverse, causing the same tingle.

Walking up the hall, she showed him Gemma’s door, on the right, then the bathroom, then Cass’s door on the right, then at the same point, their study room on the right, and her door on the left.

She told him the spiral staircase was in front of them. It went up to the attic, which was just storage, and back down between the game room and TV room.

“Show me your room,” he said.

Myra hesitated. Her room was clean. She wasn’t a clean freak by any means, but she didn’t care for messy. It wasn’t like he could see if she had left something out that could embarrass her.

Opening the door, she led Alex in. It was pretty plain as far as rooms go. Myra didn’t really want to ask for too much, so she left it mostly like Ms. Gray had it when she came.

It was plain white, with a bed and a dresser, a desk that held her computer and doubled as a study desk when she didn’t feel like going to the other room, and a bookcase that was filled with books of all kinds. A couple of shelves held knickknacks she had collected over time.

She described all of this to Alex, thinking how boring her room seemed once she was done. They had sat down at the end of her bed as she was describing it all.

Downstairs, Jaden had handed out all of the new lingerie to all three girls. She set aside all they had bought for Myra into separate bags for her.

Gemma was kind of suspicious that Jaden had bought her underclothes, but found the sizes were correct and thanked her.

Cass hadn’t expected anything like that and suspected Jaden had a secret she just hadn’t shared. One that wasn’t a danger, just something Jaden didn’t share.

Wanda on the other hand looked put out that her cousin had bought something that personal, but Cass thought she saw a gleam in the girl’s eyes.

Myra had several bags when Jaden was done sorting and handing stuff out.

“This goes to Myra,” Jaden said. “Come on, we’ll put it in her room,” Cass told her, picking up a bag that held her dress. She led Jaden to the spiral stairs and up, and both girls stopped at the open door.

Myra saw them and jumped up, like she had just been caught doing something she shouldn’t have been.

Cass raised an eyebrow and said, “Here is your stuff. Whatever it all is. Did you finish your tour already?”

“I… yeah,” Myra managed. It wasn’t often that Cass saw the girl mostly speechless. Or totally speechless.

“It’s probably nice outside, did you take him to the porch and show him the hot tub? Or the dock?”

“Oh… No.”

“Well, you’ll be out there tomorrow, so he should know his way around, yeah?”

“Um, yeah. Okay.” She took Alex’s hand, pulling him up.

“Whoah,” he said.

Myra realized she had ahold of his hand and put it on her shoulder quickly.

Jaden and Cass parted as Myra led Alex to the spiral stairs and slowed before going down. Once they were out of sight the two girls laughed.

“I think Myra liked him,” Cass said.

“Well, if anyone can be blind to her differences, it would be him. Not that I don’t think it would matter even if he could see. He’s a good boy. Has a big heart, kind of like you and Myra,” Jaden said.

“So, time to relax. Wanna go check out the hot tub?”

“Um, sure.”

Cass led Jaden to Gemma’s room and knocked. Gemma opened the door, one hand holding her phone.

“Hot tub?” Cass asked.

Gemma shook her head, pointing at the phone.

“Okay, we’ll be there if you need us.”

Gemma nodded and closed her door.

Myra led Alex down to the living room and out the sliding glass door to the covered patio. All of the screens were down, enclosing the space to try to keep it somewhat bug free, which was pretty impossible considering they bordered on a swamp.

Myra described the patio, and led Alex around the picnic table, the hot tub and the outdoor, open shower. She told him ho many chairs there were, although they moved around, so their current positions could change.

That done, she led him to the door to the outside, and onto the uncovered portion of the patio. “There’s a table and chairs to the right, about ten to twelve feet,” she told him.

Myra explained that, going straight, out the door, there was a wooden walk that led to the dock, but off the each side was dirt, grass and swamp plants, which start to take over after several yards, except for a few paths they used to get around.

Alex was able to identify when the walk became the dock, although nothing physically changed.

Myra was impressed by that. They reached the end of the dock and although it was cooling down, it was still warm, and Myra suggested sitting and putting their feet in the water.

Alex agreed and pulled off his shoes and socks and Myra helped him pull up his pant legs enough so they wouldn’t get wet.

She slipped off her shoes and hiked up her dress some, and they put their feet into the water.

They sat there, feet in the water, listening to the sounds of the swamp around them. Myra was used to it, and identified the sounds she could, putting names to the animals and insects when she could.

She admitted that she was still learning all that was around. A low rumble sounded from the water a ways a way and Alex asked what that was.

“Gator,” Myra said, causing Alex to yank his feet up.

“Really?”

“Really, but relax,” she said, putting a hand on his leg, lowering it back down. “They avoid me and seem to know when I’m around,” she told him.

He turned his head towards her, his unseeing eyes shining in the darkness. He wasn’t aware of how dark it was, or the fact that Myra could see just fine in the darkness.

“You say confusing things sometimes,” he told her.

“Sorry,” she said quietly.

“Don’t be sorry,” he said, putting his hand out to put it on her leg, but she had pulled her dress up some to keep it dry and his hand touched her bare thigh, he pulled it back quickly.

“Sorry,” he said.

She pulled her dress down some, said, “I’m wearing a dress and pulled it up some so it wouldn’t get wet,” while taking his hand and putting it back on her now covered leg.

“I know we just met and all, but can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer,” Alex said.

“Um, sure.”

“You keep referring to you being different. How are you different?”

Myra was quiet for a while before answering. “I’m not quite like other people. I was born… different,” Myra said being vague.

“I gathered that by the things you’ve said. What I’m asking is how exactly.”

Myra looked at him, torn. Normally she didn’t care how people reacted to her. If they had a problem with how she looked, that was their problem. But Alex was different. She didn’t want him to be afraid of her.

As if sensing her inner conflict, he said, “You went to the mall. Whatever it is isn’t going to make people go running and screaming. So whatever it is can’t be that bad. And I ask because I can’t see what others can. So, I’m always at a disadvantage. But the advantage I do have is that I judge people by how they act and what they say. So even if you tell me you’re like, horribly scarred, I know that you’ve been nothing to nice to me, and even my sister, even when she was acting overprotective.

“You were patient and showed me the whole house, plus outside, making sure I know what I needed to know, and not just the highlights that I might need. That shows that you’re not just doing this for Jaden or your sister. The person I see is kind, caring and friendly. So it’s something you think will make me suddenly not like you, which I don’t really think is going to happen.

“So, tell me. I’m not going to change my mind. And I’ll keep bugging you until you come clean. Or… I ask my sister to describe you. That might not be too flattering or exact, seeing how she seems to think of you as a rival or something.”

Myra sighed.

“Dog,” Alex said, “I hope.”

Myra hadn’t noticed the sound of Harley’s nails on the boards until he had mentioned it. Harley came up to them, and laid down, putting his head between them.

“Hey Harley,” she said, rubbing the dog’s head. Connected with the dog, she began. “Well, to start, I’m short.”

“Not that short, and not abnormally,” Alex countered.

“Fine. I’m probably abnormally pale,” Myra said.

“I’m a red head. I’ve been told that I’m quite pale as well. It’s probably only abnormal if you’re an albino. Are you?”

“No, although I might have traits. I’m pale and my hair is thin and white blond,” she told him.

Alex raised his hand, finding her arm and went up it to her shoulder, where he found her hair. He ran his fingers through it. “It’s not that thin. It’s just fine. You have plenty of hair. Another excuse.”

“Some… some of my skin is different,” she said, trying again. She took his hand from her shoulder and put it on her neck. His touch was light and he raised his hand, using his fingers to feel and trace up and down, back and forth.

Myra shivered from the light caressing.

“Sorry,” he said, pulling away.

“’S okay. It just… tickled.”

“You say that it’s different. It’s smooth and soft. There might be some difference, but it’s so faint, I almost can’t tell,” he said.

“You can see it better I guess,” Myra replied.

Alex chuckled. “No, I can’t.”

“No, I meant – ”

“I know what you meant. It was a joke, relax. So, this skin condition is not bad like psoriasis or acne. It’s mostly cosmetic. That’s not an issue for me. Is that it?”

“No,” she said barely above a whisper. She took his hand, spread her other hand’s fingers and put his fingers between hers.

Once again he was gentle, feeling the thin webbing between her fingers. He felt up her hand a little, and she lifted her leg out of the water, setting it heel first on the dock. Still holding his hand, she put his hand on her foot. His fingers slid up her wet foot, feeling her toes, and carefully felt the webbing between them.

This sent chills up her spine.

Finished feeling her toes, he slid his hand up her foot and ankle, lightly tracing up to her shin.

“The skin on your hands and feet are like your neck,” he said.

“Knees and elbows too,” she added.

“So, you’re worried I won’t like you because you have syndactylism?”

“Huh?” she asked.

“Because you have webbed fingers and toes,” he explained.

“No. I know what that means, but how do you?”

“I read a lot.”

“So, you’re not freaked out?”

“No, why should I be? It’s a genetic condition. Uncommon but not unheard of. If you really wanted, there’s surgery to remove it, but there’s no harm in it.”

“It helps me swim better,” she admitted.

“I bet. You’d be a born swimmer. So that’s your big secret? You’ve got a wonky set of genes, nothing more.”

“One last thing. It’s my eyes. They aren’t… well, human.”

“Oh? So, are they big black alien eyes? Red demon eyes? Super big anime eyes? Pure white zombie eyes?” he asked all at once.

“You sure are creative for not being able to see,” she replied.

“I wasn’t always blind. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I lost my eyesight,” he informed her. “So?”

“They are kind of… animal like. My pupils aren’t round. Do you remember what alligator eyes look like?”

“I think so.”

“Well, it’s more like that. I even have an inner eyelid. So, I’m kind of a… freak.” She raised her other foot and put her head on her knees, crying.

Alex reached out, found her back and rubbed it until the crying subsided.

She sat up a little and in between sniffling, she said, “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. You’re not a freak. You might be different, but that’s it. But with the way people act these days, you’re more human than most people,” he told her, putting his arm across her back and pulling her into him. He hugged her and held her until her sniffles stopped.

Softly he said, “To me, it’s more important to see what’s on the inside than the outside. The outside is usually a lie. My sister is a good example. While she’s always been pretty, she tries to act tough and uncaring. But really, she’s vary caring. She just like to be hurt, so she pushes people away before they can hurt her. Her outside is dark, but inside is bright.

“I think you might be that way too, but for some reason, you decided to let down your walls for me, right?”

“Maybe,” Myra hedged.

“Let me guess, Jaden had something to do with that. I have a feeling you know Jaden’s secret.”

“Maybe,” she said again.

“It’s okay. Wanda and I grew up with Jaden. We both know. Most of the family knows. And most of the family treats Jaden bad. Jaden’s parents are really nice people, and Wanda and I never cared. Being only a few years apart, each of us grew up with things in common with Jaden, so we got along well.

“Jaden’s another person, who if given a choice, will show you the caring person within.”

“Yeah. She spent several hundred dollars today, just because she could, I think.”

“She had the means to be generous, and she will if you mean something to her. She won’t try to buy friendship, although she could if she wants, but most people won’t even find out how stinking rich she is, unless she wants them to. And she’ll only want them to once she’s made up her mind about what kind of person they truly are. I guess she’d decided that you three are worthy. And that’s enough for me.

Alex still had his arms around Myra, who had put her head on his shoulder. Using his outside hand, he slid it up her arm, shoulder, and neck, to her face, putting his hand on her cheek. He used his thumb to rub under her eye.

“Good, you stopped crying,” he said. His thumb moved, touching the side of her nose, and both thumb and hand turned a bit until he touched the corner of her mouth.

Myra looked up at him and watched as he slowly bent and put his lips on hers. It was light, brief kiss and Alex didn’t do anything else than hold her as the sounds of nature continued on around them.

----------

Jaden found Wanda in the game room, playing one of the console games. “You okay?” Jaden asked.

“Fine,” Wanda replied, not taking her eyes from the screen.

“Want to join Cassidy and I in the hot tub?”

“They have a hot tub?”

“Yeah. Get changed and come with.”

“But…” Wanda hesitated. “Alex.”

“Alex will be fine. Myra’s looking after him. You can trust her. Cassidy as well. With anything,” Jaden said, emphasizing the last part.

“You know something?” Wanda asked.

Jaden shook her head. “More of a strong feeling. Cassidy is special, I think. Myra is more obvious. Possibly Gemma too, but she’s somewhat distant, so it’s not as strong. You don’t have to do anything, just friendly advice,” Jaden told Wanda.

“Decide. The hot tub is outside, through the dining room.”

Cass had changed and started up the hot tub while waiting for more people. She got in and sat back, with a jet to her back, looking out into the night through the screens.

Cass heard an occasional whisper of talk, so she knew Myra and Alex were still out there. Cass had no worries about their safety. Anything that hunted at night would either keep far away from Myra, or if it wasn’t smart enough to be afraid of an apex predator, then it was no match for the unsuspectingly small girl.

The sliding glass door opened and closed, and Cass looked over her and caught her breath. Jaden was walking towards her, wearing a bikini top and girl shorts. Her shorter hair was pulled back into a nub of a ponytail, and Cass had trouble picturing her as anything other than a girl.

“Okay, who are you and what did you do with my friend?” Cass said.

Jaden laughed. “Considering this is what I have to work with tomorrow, I have a pretty strong feeling tomorrow is going to be a feminine day.”

“Um, yeah. I wasn’t expecting this,” she said, waiving a hand at the slim girl and curvy figure standing before her. “You wear larger clothes that hide any hint of what’s underneath. How do you accomplish this in PE?”

“I have a permanent doctor’s note. It’s a medical condition. The schools are aware and don’t fight it.”

Cassidy cocked her head, tying to figure it out. “Tell me you’re not going to die on me,” Cass said, seriously.

Jaden laughed, and got into the hot tub, sitting beside Cass. “We’re friends, right?” she asked.

“Of course.”

“And if we had secrets, and trusted each other, we’d tell each other, right?”

“Yes,” Cass said cautiously.

“I’m trusting you not to go around spreading this,” she said, and leaned into Cass, whispering something in her ear.

Cass didn’t move, but said, “You what?”

Jaden lightly kissed Cass’s cheek and said, “And now you know why some days I feel swapped. So I just hide it all to make things easier to exist. Does it freak you out?”

“Yes. No. I’m just trying to picture…”

“Naughty things?” Jaden said with a grin.

“What? No. No. Well, kind of,” Cass said, slyly.

The sliding glass door opened and closed again, and the girls watched Wanda walk towards them.

Wanda was five-five, fit and curvy, like her cousin.

“Well my beautiful ginger cousin decided to join us. Come on in, the water is perfect,” Jaden said.

Wanda slid into the water, sitting across from the other two girls.

“So how do you like it here so far?” Cass asked Wanda.

“It’s warmer than I’m used to, but otherwise it’s nice here.”

“Is this your first time in Georgia?”

“Yeah. I visited Jaden when she lived in South Carolina. What was the island called Jaden? Daufunkie?”

“Daufuskie,” Jaden corrected. “A small island not far from Savannah and Hilton head.”

“It was small but cozy. Water and woods. I just wish I could get to travel with her,” Wanda said.

“Travel, huh? Anyplace exotic?” Cass asked.

“Ha! All over the world,” Wanda said, and Cass saw Jaden roll her eyes.

“That’s an exaggeration. I’ve been to a few places.”

“A few? The Caribbean, French Polynesia, Japan, Malaysia. A trek to the Azores. Barbados. Hawaii.”

“Easy there sparky. You’re going to give Cassidy the wrong impression. Or scare her,” Jaden said.

Wanda changed the subject and the three talked for a while about random things. School, boys, fantasy vacations, career choices, and so on.

Myra and Alex wandered in, and Cass noticed Myra’s arm around Alex’s, like two teens out for a moonlight stroll, rather than a girl leading a blind boy around.

Harley followed then in and went over to his dog bed by the sliding glass door.

Myra’s legs had a shine to them, and Alex’s pant legs were still up, so Cass knew they had been in the water, probably on the dock since neither was dirty.

“Want to join us?” Cass asked, adding, “In the hot tub,” for Alex’s benefit.

“Alex is tired, so I’m going to help him get the bed ready. I’ll pull out the one for Wanda as too, then I’m going upstairs,” Myra said.

“Thanks,” Wanda said, surprised.

“I’ll be up in a while, munchkin,” Cass said.

“Okay.”

Myra led Alex inside, and into the living room, where she pulled out the folding beds in the two couches, for Alex and Wanda.

“You remember where everything is? Bathroom, kitchen if you get thirsty or hungry?”

“Yes, even how to get to your room,” he teased, and she smacked him lightly.

“Okay, good night,” she said and hugged him before leaving to her own room.

Alex got his clothes and went to the bathroom to change.

Wanda worried about her brother and excused herself, wrapping a towel that Cass had brought out for them around her. She went inside and met Alex coming back from the bathroom.

She didn’t say anything, watching him walk without his cane, with no hesitation.

“You might as well stop lurking,” he said to her. “I can smell the water, and from the timing, it has to be Wanda.”

He continued into the living room, set his clothes down, and got into bed. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” his sister said to him.

“You worry too much. Myra’s a good person. I like her.”

“Jaden too.

“See. So, it’s all good,” Alex said. “Give her a chance. You’ll like her too.”

“Fine. I need a shower,” Wanda said, getting clothes out, along with the new things Jaden had bought for her , since no one was around to see. She left Alex to go shower.

Jaden and Cass got out of the hot tub and dried off. Cass shut everything down and they went inside. Jaden checked on Alex, who was already asleep, and she heard the shower that had to have been Wanda.

She picked up her things and followed Cass upstairs to their study room that had a day bed in it. Cass showed her the bathroom and left her to shower.

She had to point out her room along the way, so if Jaden needed anything, she could ask.

Cass left her room to shower, and Jaden went back downstairs, opening the bathroom door.

“Wanda?”

“Yeah?” the girl replied from the shower.

“If you need me, I’m upstairs. Use the spiral stairs and it’s the first door on the left.”

“Okay, good night.”

Good night sparky.” Jaden closed the door and returned to the bathroom for her own shower.

Cass got out of the shower, drying off and dressing in pajamas. She went into her room and sat down in front of her computer. Looking at the email from Lyle, she wondered if Myra had any luck finding out more about it.

Someone knocked on the door and Cass told them to come in. Myra came in, wearing a long nightgown.

“Just the person I wanted to see,” she said, pointing at the email. “Were you able to get anymore information from it?”

“It was bounced off several other anonymous servers to try to hide where it came from. It ended with an IP address in South Carolina. It’s in the middle of Switzerland, so it could be a server, a secondary, or the facility. I don’t have a way to tell. Google maps just shows a building. Nondescript, a few stories, kinda rundown.”

Cass said, “Switzerland? I thought it was here in the US.”

Myra laughed. “It is. Switzerland, South Carolina.” She shrugged, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You did as much as you could, thank you.”

“No problem.”

“So, what’s up?”

“I came to show you,” Myra said, pulling the nightgown off.

Cass chuckled. “What are you wearing?”

Myra stood in her new bra and panties, garter belt and stockings. Myra frowned. “It’s new.”

“I can see that.”

“It’s for my prom dress. The garter belt and stockings at least. The other stuff is like yours, just to have.”

“Why not wear tights?”

“So I can do this,” she said, starting to pull her underwear down.

“Stop! I get it. I see you naked enough as it is. Your idea?”

“Jaden,” Myra said.

“Very thoughtful of her.”

“Yeah, and she bought me more girly underthings, some shoes, make-up, contacts and jewelry.”

“Did she? I hope you thanked her for all of that.”

“I did.”

“Good. Contacts? You don’t need glasses.”

“It’s not to see. They are like those color contacts. To make my eyes look normal. I picked violet.”

Cass tried to imagine Myra with violet eyes but had trouble. Myra was Myra. She didn’t need to change in Cass’s eyes, but she knew Jaden was trying to make her feel at ease while at the prom.

“You’ll look beautiful. You already do, but you’ll look even more beautiful,” Cass told her.

Myra came over and hugged Cassidy. “Thank you for this.”

Arms still around each other, Cass moved back some. “What’s this? A necklace too?”

“Jaden bought it.”

“And a little alligator too.”

Myra nodded. This made Cass nervous.

What did Jaden know. Was she a plant from the Facility?

Cassidy didn’t think so, but she decided to keep a closer eye on all of them.

“And how was your walk?”

Myra blushed. “Good.”

“Just good? Why are you bright red?”

Myra giggled.

“Spill munchkin.”

“Alex kissed me,” she said, giddy.

Cass looked at Myra, who was serious and happy. She hadn’t seen this side of the girl who was usually so serious. Cass was still suspicious of Jaden, Wanda and Alex, but also felt that small ball in her stomach slowly starting to unwind.

Myra was slowly shedding her animal side and embracing her human side.

“Sleeping here tonight?” Cass asked, but Myra shook her head.

She wanted to be in her room just incase Alex decided to visit. Myra put her nightgown back on and left for her own room, running into Jaden in the hall.

Myra didn’t say anything, just hugged her before heading off to her own room.

Jaden wasn’t always able to pick up things from people, but tonight, both happy and content were easy to pick up from the girl. Jaden walked back to the room and went to bed.

Wanda finished her shower and got dressed, thinking about her talk with Jaden.

Cassidy and Myra did seem honestly nice, and Alex trusted the girl, so that said a lot. While there was nothing special about Alex, he had this sixth sense about people. It was probably more along the lines of his use of voice instead of body language. The things people say and the tones and inflections probably told him a lot that a sighted person doesn’t pick up on since they only listen about half the time.

All Alex had to rely on was his hearing. And touch. Which was like his hearing – perfected to another level, but couldn’t really be used to judge people.

He gave killer massages though, she thought.

She walked back to the living room where Alex was still in bed, asleep. After checking on him again, she laid down and went to sleep.