Generation 8 - Chapter 28

Fatima had tried to plan a dinner for the three of them at the local restaurant to explain to Wind why she was taking a break from school. Cherish wanted to be on the other side of town when Fatima dropped that news. She knew her friend wanted her there for support, but considering how herself and GG were getting along at the moment she left Fatima on her own.

Going dancing with her boyfriend was much more fun! She told Daric all about Fatima's wish to be on The One and how she was, at that very minute, telling her mother about it.

"That Fatima must be awfully brave to be telling Ms. Wind that she's leaving college to go on a reality show! I almost wish we were there!"

Cherish was very glad they weren't! She imagined a raging Wind trying to override any such thing. She loved her GG and knew her to be a wise and loving fairy. But that didn't mean she didn't expect those under her care to do as they were told. As she and Daric rocked back and forth to the slow music she thought again about GG's new state of agitation. Was is because Fatima was a 'grown up' now? No, her behavior started changing before the graduation. Was she having an affair with Ephriam? The fact that that thought even popped into her head was shocking. That and it didn't seem likely at all. Wind maintained a negative attitude about all vampires. They were to be avoided at all costs and were evil in human form. She only seemed to be tolerant toward Ephriam because of how long they'd been in each other's lives and something about Great-great-great grandfather Wilson vouching for his goodness...... Then again, that would be the perfect cover for a secret romance.

She tried to shake those thoughts out of her head and soon found other things to focus on. Like the warm, soft lips of her Daric. He was her knight in earth stained overalls. She felt at peace with the world when she was with him. Like time stopped just for them.

Later, while Daric was in the men's room she texted Fatima to see if she was still getting yelled at or not.

 F-   Not anymore. I think she ran out of steam.

C-   Do u think its possible she had an affair with Ephriam? Could        he be the secret bf?

F-   Ha! No way! U know how she feels about vamps

C-   yeah, but what if thats y shs being 

     Weird? or its a cvoerup

F-   Nah. I cant c it. I dont think vamps 

     can be as bad as she says, do u?

C-   dunno

     hes coming back. gotta go

F-   k. cya

As much as she wanted to spend every second of her free time with Daric, she knew she'd have to go home and face the fallout of her family. It was later than usual when Daric's fixed up old truck rattled up to her house. All the lights were on. Grumbling about what was ahead of her she refused Daric's offer to walk her to the door. She kissed him chastely on the cheek before climbing out and tried not to drag her feet going in.

She was not the least bit surprised when Wind called her into the office to join the conversation with Fatima the second she opened the door. She saw a look of resignation on her dear friends face and tried to give an encouraging smile. Wind didn't turn when she entered the room.

"You knew?"

"yes."

She knew Wind was already coming to terms with things. She was staring thoughtfully at her most recent sketch. If she had been hoping to force info or alliance out of Cherish she would have been staring her down with cold blue eyes.

"Fine"

Cherish and Fatima stared at each other in wide eyed surprise. 

Wind turned to Fatima and pulled her daughter close.

"I only want good things for you. I know my ideas are often different from your ideas in that regard. I'll just have to trust that I taught you to make wise choices...."


Cherish slipped out of the room to let them have their heart to heart. It had been an eventful day and she was ready for bed. Fatima would be leaving very early in the morning to make it back to school before her afternoon classes. Cherish made a mental note to call her after dinner to see how she was doing. 

Looks like she'll be watching The One on TV again after all.