“Soulmate, Jer! Really?” My voice rose with each word. “When were you going to mention it?”

  JerRic put his arm along the back of the couch. “I thought I would wait until it came up.”

  “Well, it's came up.” I leaned back, arms folded. “A little heads up would have been nice.”

  “Honestly, at first it didn't make sense.” JerRic made a face.

  “I can't wait for this.” I frowned.

  “I know you're new to all of this, but I grew up in it.” His eyes were sincere. “Everyone who is a Storyteller, has a Story related last name. Poveste is the most common, but there are Récits, Dastans, Writes, Pages, and a lot of others. Your last name is Justice. That has nothing to do with a Storyteller.” He paused.

  I nodded.

  “So, when I became a Storyteller... I did what most of us do and Storytold that I would know my soulmate.” He held my gaze.

  I held my breath.

  “And this picture of you appeared in the sand. You looked familiar, so when I saw you at school the next day... I kind of accidentally on purpose bumped into you.” He flashed me a grin. “You were really nice and had a great laugh.” He paused.

  I reminded myself to breathe. I wasn't angry. It was just a lot of information to process at once. I remembered the day well. He was one of the popular kids. I was an art geek. It didn't take me long to notice that he was funny... nice... and kind of thoughtful. He was a little rough here and there, but who wasn't?

  “I didn't know what to do. I figured I'd play it out until you were 17 and see what happened. I didn't want to be a creeper, but I wanted to get to know you too.”

  “Is that why we're in all of the same classes?” I raised my eyebrows.

  “Guilty.” JerRic's expression turned sheepish. “And why we're lab partners.”

  I nodded.

  “I thought, if something went wrong... it wouldn't be a big deal. On the flip side, if you found out that you were a Storyteller, then you would already be used to me. You know?” His hands moved with his words.

  I mulled over his words.

  JerRic reached for my hand. “Look, Annabeth. I really like you. You are absolutely amazing. We've been dating like a day, but I want this to continue.”

  “It sounds like a lot of pressure, Jer.” I could feel his heartbeat through his hand.

  “No pressure here.” JerRic shook his head.

  I stared at him quietly.

  “Right now, I'm happy to call you my girlfriend.” He paused. “Will you still be my girlfriend?”

  I thought about JerRic, and how my life had changed since he came into it. He made life seem less lonely. I didn't dread going to school in the morning like I used to, because he was there with a teasing smile.

  “I guess so.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Kiss on it?” He grinned.

  I chuckled. “I guess so.”

  I leaned forward and so did JerRic. When our lips touched, it was like the entire room hummed with electricity. JerRic's eyes had darkened as he pulled away.

  “I don't want to live without you, Beth.” His eyes were sincere.

  “It has nothing to do with keeping your Storyteller Abilities?” I was curious.

  “Nah, I have an in with Zamfira. She likes me. I'm pretty sure I could keep them either way.” JerRic was nonchalant.

  “Zamfira?” I was surprised at the feeling of intense jealousy that ripped through me.

  “Yeah, my sister-in-law.” JerRic nodded.

  The jealousy faded as quickly as it came. I was in trouble. I already felt like JerRic was mine.

  “You were serious about marrying me, weren't you?” My thoughts flashed back to yesterday.

  “Yeah, very.” He nodded.

  “Jer, no one is going to take you seriously if you keep acting like everything is a joke.” I frowned.

  “I don't care about everyone, just you. Why? Did you want a serious proposal?” JerRic's teasing tone was gone.

  “Jer?” I was horrified.

  “Because I can do serious when it's someone that matters.” JerRic continued.

  My curiosity got the better of me. “Okay, prove it.”

  “Okay, just remember, this was your idea.” JerRic flashed me a mischievous smile.

  “Jer.” I shook my head no. “I never...”

  “Too late.” He reached for his necklace.

  19

  Iwas standing outside. The stars were hard to see, but the moon was beautiful. It had been daylight at my house a few seconds ago. I rubbed my shoulders. It was cold.

  “Would you like my jacket?” JerRic's voice came from behind me.

  I turned around. He was wearing a slick gray suit. He didn't look at all like the guy who sat beside me in chemistry. He was a man who could conquer the world if he had a reason to.

  My legs were getting cold too. I glanced down. I was wearing a navy dress that belonged on a manikin in one of the expensive stores. I would have never picked it out, but it was cute on me. I felt a larger piece of clothing drop around my shoulders.

  “Better?” JerRic stepped back without his suit jacket.

  I nodded. It smelled like him. I turned in a slow circle. I could see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. When I came back to where I stood, JerRic was on one knee with a ring. My hand went to my mouth. His jacket started slipping. I grabbed it before it fell off my shoulders completely.

  “Annabeth, would you do the honor of marrying me? Today? Tomorrow? Whenever?” JerRic didn't budge.

  We were drawing quite a crowd. I don't know what got into me. I must have lost it, because I nodded my head and started crying. JerRic stood up. He put the ring on my hand and spun me in a circle.

  The crowd started clapping. JerRic leaned in and kissed me. I put my arms around his neck. The jacket fell to the ground. This time I didn't care.

  “And that's a real yes?” JerRic whispered.

  I paused for a second as the crowd dispersed. “A real yes, as long as it was a real question.”

  “Oh, it's a very real question.” JerRic nodded. He licked his bottom lip and glanced around. “Come with me.”

  JerRic picked the jacket off the ground and dusted it off. I took it and put my arms through it. It was several sizes too big, but it was perfect. He led me away from the crowds.

  We walked hand in hand down the street. I felt happier than I had ever felt before. For the first time, I peeked at the glimmering ring.

  “Jer, this looks real.” I glanced up at him.

  He leaned closer. “That's because it is real.”

  My eyes about popped out of my head.

  “One of the perks of being a Storyteller.” JerRic smiled.

  “Just one?” I countered.

  JerRic's smile grew several sizes. “Let me show you a few more.”

  “Okay.” I didn't have a clue what he had in mind.

  20

  “Where are we?” I hissed in JerRic's ear, still clutching his arm. It was daylight here.

  “Home.” JerRic had a mischievous smile on his face.

  “And what is that smile for?” I moved my hand in the air, pointed towards his lips. “That smile means you are up to no good.”

  JerRic busted out laughing. “Come on. Let me show you around?”

  I glanced at JerRic. “I feel like there is a catch.”

  “A big one.” JerRic flashed me a smile and walked into an enormous kitchen. It had beautiful white and shades of light blue everywhere. It gave it a soothing, tranquil vibe.

  I was getting hot, so I took off the jacket and put it on the nearest chair. There was a bowl of snacks on the kitchen table. I decided JerRic wouldn't mind, so I took a bag of chips and opened them.

  “Okay, what's the catch?” I put a chip in my mouth.

  I know a lot of girls get upset when they eat in front of guys, but I had been eating lunch with JerRic and Dylan for months. It didn't bother me. I knew he had a ton of cousins, because his family switched between the two tables in the back corner of the lunchroom. It wasn't like I was the only girl that sat with JerRic. Kerris, Taya, Davina, twins Piper and Paizley, Dara, Daya, and Tara did too. His other guy cousins, twins Niko and Nolan, joined us, and so did Dash. They always made me feel like I belonged.

  Tara wanted to teach 1st grade when she grew up. Dash was on the baseball and basketball team. He was the reason our team kept winning. Niko and Nolan had a lot of inside jokes, but I heard they had a black belt once and were All American in Karate. Last year, they went to Ireland for some competition.

  Piper could talk really fast. Paizley did a lot of nodding in those conversations, but when Piper actually let her talk, she was just as fast. Dara and Daya were sisters. Both were insanely sweet. Although Dara did tell Dash off one day. That had to be one of the highlights of the year. In her defense, he deserved it.

  Davina and Taya finished each other’s sentences. They were first cousins. Sometimes we called Davina V. V had a lot of good ideas and Taya found ways to make them happen.

  Kerris was the youngest of JerRic's cousins that sat with us, but she was spicy and funny. Her cousins didn't seem to care that she was slightly younger. They treated her like she was just as important as the rest of them. Looking back now, I was the only outsider that sat with them. JerRic had asked me one day, and I said yes... and never stopped.

  “Random question. Did you ask me to sit with you at lunch because you thought I was your soulmate? I mean, your cousins are all Storytellers too, right?” I popped another chip into my mouth.

  “Yes, and yes.” JerRic smiled. “It took Kerris all of two minutes to decide I must be right. She has good instincts.”

  “Really?” I was surprised that Kerris, of all people, decided I was Jer's soulmate.

  “Even Dash told me just to give it time.” JerRic shrugged.

  “Interesting.” I ate another chip. “So what's the catch, Jer?”

  JerRic leaned on the counter. “This is my house. I live here.”

  “Yeah, I get that.” I rolled my eyes.

  “As in, you would live here with me when we got married and no one else would be living here house.” JerRic continued.

  I started choking.

  JerRic stepped closer in concern. He rubbed his necklace. I stopped choking automatically.

  “Are you okay?” He put a hand around my back.

  I nodded.

  “Let me get you a water bottle.” He went to the refrigerator.

  I took the water bottle from him and took a long drink. I used that time to glance around and take inventory. JerRic was drop dead serious. I put the cap back on the bottle.

  “Now, do you see why I put off the whole soulmate conversation?” JerRic smirked.

  I laughed nervously. “I guess so.” I threw the bag away.

  “Come on.” He took my hand and led me down the hall up the steps and showed me around. There were four spare rooms upstairs and a second Living Room.

  I was speechless.

  “Oh, I got an idea.” JerRic smiled, touched his necklace, and opened the door.

  I wasn't sure how I felt about his ideas right now. He flicked on the light and stepped out of my way. I walked into what I would describe as an artist's Heaven.

  Paints lined the walls on shelves, with tons of paint brushes. There was an art case sitting on the table. A yard stick was lying on the table looking like something from a magazine. I saw a paper cutter, a laminating machine, and paper on display. Several empty canvases hung on an empty wall, waiting to be filled. An art easel was in front of them.

  I walked over to the window. There was a daybed in front of it. An adjustable table was beside of it that tilted. I ran my fingers along the table. I could do a lot with this view and the items in this room.

  “I mean, if you don't like it... we can always change it.” JerRic put his hands on the large wooden table in the center of the room.

  I ran towards him. He stood up, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. He swung me in a circle. When my feet landed on firm ground. I kissed him.

  “So does that mean you like it?” JerRic's tone wasn't his normal self-assured tone that he usually had.

  “Yes, I love it actually.” I turned around. “I could stay in this room for a week and not leave.”

  “Nope.” JerRic flashed me a smile. “No bathroom. You'd have to come out before then.”

  I backhanded him softly and laughed. “Show me the rest of the house, so I will know where to find the bathroom.”

  JerRic laughed. “This way, my lady.” He opened the door and waited for me to walk out. “This is the bathroom.” He grinned.

  I laughed. “I'm all set.”

  “Almost.” He opened the last door and waited for me to enter. “Master bedroom.”

  21

  “Jer.” My eyes were wide.

  “Beth, I’m serious about you. I have been since day one. Honestly, I wouldn’t have said anything at all if Felix had kept his mouth shut a little longer.”

  I nodded.

  “I know you have a lot going on with…well, everything…so it’s whatever… I’m legit in no hurry.” He shook his head no.

  I walked around the room. “I’m surprised.”

  “About?” JerRic smirked.

  “I kind of expected your room to be a disaster.” I teased.

  “Storyteller.” His eyes sparkled. “That, and I knew you were coming.” He chuckled.

  “Aw, now it all makes sense.” I grinned.

  JerRic’s smile matched mine.

  “So let me guess, a married JerRic would be an utter disaster?” I teased.

  JerRic laughed. “No more than usual.” He ran his hands through his hair nervously.

  JerRic wasn't the nervous type. He was usually self-assured and somewhat overbearing if you didn't know how to handle him. I swallowed. I knew how to handle him. When we talked, it was like we fit perfectly in every conversation. I was able to be myself around him, and he seemed to be himself.

  I walked over to him. “Don’t get me wrong Jer, I really like you.”

  JerRic nodded. “I sense a but going on.”

  “But…” His necklace caught my eye. I saw writing on it and reached for it.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He shook his head no.

  “I don’t like being told no.” I raised my eyebrows and touched the coin hanging around his neck.

  A flash lit up the room. JerRic and I were no longer standing in his house. We were standing in the middle of a dirt street. A child ran past us, trying to catch a goat.

  22

  “Hey, don’t look at me like that.” JerRic put his hands out. “I told you that you wouldn’t want to do that… not that you couldn’t.” He made a face.

  “Where are we?” My eyes narrowed.

  “This is Angeline.”

  “Why does that name sound familiar?” I tapped my chin.

  “Because Angeline was the first Storyteller… the reason the village is named Angeline.” JerRic explained.

  “Wait, we're on the Quest? The one year one?” My mouth fell open.

  “Not yet.” JerRic scanned the area. “And as long as you...”

  I took off walking towards the cutest fountain I had ever seen. There was a statue in the middle of it.

  “Yeah, you probably don't want to do that...” JerRic stomped after me.

  I sat down on the fountain’s edge and dipped my hand into the water. It felt cool against my skin. JerRic's silhouette was blocking out the sun. I put my hand over my eyes to shield them enough to see JerRic.

  “So the deal about Angeline is that we leave the moment we arrive, no matter how long we're here.” JerRic was talking really fast.

  “Why are you talking so fast?” I frowned.

  “Welcome to the grand old village of Angeline.” A man came up to us.

  I shifted in my seat until I could see him. He was in a brown tunic. A rope was tied around his waist. He was a portly fellow.

  “I am the Good Friar. Your Quest begins now.” The man turned and started walking away from us.

  The strange thing was that I felt a pull to stand up. The next thing I knew, I was walking across the threshold to a little chapel. I felt something covering my legs. I was standing in a white dress. It was a wedding dress. I didn't have time to digest the information as I was being pulled down the aisle.

  23

  “We are here today to unite JerRic and Annabeth in holy matrimony.” The Good Friar began.

  Matrimony. I mouthed the word at JerRic. He nodded, but neither of us could talk.

  “Do you JerRic take...?” The Good Friar began.

  “I do.” JerRic vowed.

  Great, it was my turn. I closed my eyes. I felt like I had two choices: one was to agree and the other was to walk away.

  “Do you Annabeth take...?” The Good Friar continued.

  I opened my eyes. JerRic's eyes were curious. He didn't know what I was going to say. That made two of us.

  My mind turned into a movie screen, replaying moments of JerRic and me over the last year. I couldn't imagine a life without JerRic. Despite the Poveste Justice Switch, he had been my anchor through it all. It was nice to know he had my back, no matter what.

  “I do.” I bit my lower lip.

  A large smile grew on JerRic's lips. I couldn't help smiling too. It was all going to be okay.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” The Good Friar announced.

  JerRic stepped closer to me. His eyes searched mine, and we shared a quick kiss. JerRic took my hand in his.

  “Mr. & Mrs. Write!” The Good Friar walked away.

  The crowd started clapping and cheering as JerRic and I walked out of the chapel. Our clothes immediately went back to what we had been wearing before the ceremony.

  “Hey.” JerRic had a slight blush on his cheeks.

  I bit my lower lip.

  “Yeah, so let's get out of here.” JerRic reached for his necklace and we were standing outside of a little cottage.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8