Chapter 9

�I can�t believe you got the teacher to let you bring her with us.� Aong shook his head at them. �How did you do it?�

Rye plopped another item to chew on in his mouth, �That�s weird. They would never let a stranger into our bus like that.�

�I don�t know. They just looked at her and it�s like instant attraction or something.� Dan tried to explain. �I practically had to drag Matika away from them before they reached out to grope her.�

�Our teachers are like that?� Aong asks as he follows Dan and Matika to the bus along with Rye. �That�s weird though. I thought teachers are to be better role models than that.�

Dan walks down the bus towards the back and stops to see a group of guys on the last seat in the back of the bus. �Over there Matika.� He points to a seat to the right. She sat where Dan had told her to sit and watched as a group of guys rushed Dan and one sat next to her giving her funny smiles. �She�s�� He felt another rush and found himself seated next to Jay. �Jay, not now, I got to get back to Matika.�

�She�s got Rod, who cares, I don�t think she cares.� Jay retorted grabbing hold of his arms.

He pried her hands off of him and looks to see where the loud laughter was coming from. Aong walks by and sees Dan and pulls him out of the seat, �What did you do?�

�How should I know?� Dan asked back Rod and his boys are over there with Matika.

Rye popped his gum and walked over to Dan and Aong. �Why is Matika over there being punked around by those guys?�

�Huh?�

�They�re picking and pulling at her like she�s some animal.� Rye points over his shoulders.

Dan got through Rye and Aong and walks over to where Matika was. One of the boys had her shades off and the other was pulling her hood up and down off her head. �Come on Matika.� He was afraid she�d change color in front of them then and there.

�Where do you think you�re going?� Rod stops Matika from getting up. He felt her hands and lets them quickly drop. She grabs her sunglasses and placed them over her eyes before she opened them. But Dan sees the red streaks in her hair poking from the hoody. �What the hell?� Rod looks down at his hands like they were burnt he blew on them to cool them down.

Matika walked over him to Dan and looks at Rod, he winced seeing her look over to him.

�What just happened?� Dan asked as Matika walks over to Aong and Rye. �I don�t know,� Matika said moving out of the way seeing a group of guys running to the front of the bus.

Rye pops and chews his gum loudly and frowns at Aong, �you do know that when those guys find out you�re weaker than a mouse they�d come back and whoop your ass, right?�

�I know, but how will they find out?� Aong smiles and laughs.

�What did you do to them?� Dan asked as he and Matika headed to the very last seat on the bus and Aong and Rye sitting in front of them.

�He bullied those guys out of their seat.� Rye replies and rolls down the bus window.

�Your ass is going to get hurt when they find out you�re not a real bad ass, just big for nothing.� Dan reminds and watched Matika close her eyes looking a little pale. �She�s probably never been in a car before.�

�Mmmm�� Matika rolls to her sides.

Dan heard the sunglasses falling of her face and landing on the bus floor. �Matika, careful�� HE turned her around in her seat. �� no�� He saw her honey streaks were now green as well as her eyes that were half way rolled up. �Matika!� Dan tried shaking her to wake up. He looks out of the window to see that they were already back in the city. �We�re almost there, hang on.� He urged seeing how sick she was.

�Rye!� Aong grunts seeing Dan�s worried face. �What�s wrong with him?�

Rye snaps his gum, �I don�t know. Why don�t you turn around and ask him?�

�Because I don�t want to be nosy.� Aong replies.

�I wouldn�t have been able to guess that.� Rye rolls his eyes at his friend and turns around to poke his head over the head rest. �Aong wants to know why you�re looking worried.�

�Why did you use my name?� Aong freaked.

�Shut up Aong.� Rye hisses.

Dan only stared out the window impatiently. �Nothing, I just want to be home. Where it�s safer.�

Rye agreed with Dan unsure of what �safe� was meaning to him. He looks to see Matika resting her head on Dan�s lap. �why does she have her green scarf over her face?�

�What?� Dan asked peering down to see she had her wings, now green covering her face. �I guess she�s asleep.�

�Take that off her face. She won�t be able to breathe.� Rye suggested.

Dan lies, �No, don�t. She�s probably resting better that way.� He took a quick peek back down at her before making Rye turn around in his seat.

Aong lets out a large burp as he stretched himself out once her steps off the bus.

Jay and Kitty makes a disgusted face at him, �that�s really attractive.�

�Thanks.� Aong laughs and waits for Dan and Matika to get off of the bus. �What�s taking them so long?�

Jay stood impatiently tapping her toes on the ground. �That girl�s such an act.�

�What?� Aong asked stepping up to Jay.

�She meant Matika is putting up an act like she�s weak.� Rye explains.

Aong rolls up his sleeves. �Go to the back and get your bags!� He hollers scaring them off to the side of the bus to pick up their bags.

Chapter 10

�Rye�� Dan said as he helped Matika on the first step down. �Could you go and bring my car around? I wonder if it�s still in one piece here at the school parking lot.�

He looks up seeing Matika practically being walked out by Dan. �Sure�� He reaches up for Dan�s keys. �Is she all right?�

�I thought I�d take her to my dad�� Dan stops before he says too much. �Where�s Aong?�

�He went to get out bags with the girls.�

Dan frowns as he and Matika stepped on the ground. �Girls?�

�Don�t ask.� Rye laughs and ran towards the parking lot. Matika adjusted her the hood of the sweater and pulled her glasses down. �What are those things?!� She lifts her head and glances around full of curiosity. She stares at the flags blowing in the breeze a top of the school building. �I could do that.� She smiles to herself.

Dan pats her arms, �Not now. Put your wings back under the sweater.�

�But it�s hot!� Matika whines.

He saw her eyes were now a soft green than earlier before. �She must be doing better.� He thought. �Put those glasses back on for now.�

�Why?� Matika pouts. �I can�t see anything with them. They hide all the pretty colors and make them dark and ugly��

�Dan!� Jay squeals. �Could you give us a ride home?� She starts running up to him.

Matika sticks her tongue out at Dan. �They look better with glasses on my face. Dark and ugly matches them. Evil mean girls.� Matika says wearing the shades and hiding behind Dan. He turns around seeing Matika looking up at the flags waving. She waved back to the flags.

Dan turns back around just as Jay came up to him and Rye pulling his car up as well. �Where�s Aong?�

�I shoved him down�� Kitty quickly covers her mouth. �I meant he�s uh��

Aong threw the bag down into the trunk and slams it loud. �You think it doesn�t hurt when I fall do you?� Aong sniffles. �Well here�s a little knowledge for your pea size brains added together.� He wipes the tears from his eyes. �IT HURTS!�

�You�re such a baby.� Jay notes out loud.

Rye got out of the car to see what was wrong with Aong. �You two know already that Aong is big for nothing. He wouldn�t even hurt a fly.�

�That�s right, it�ll only come back to you in the next afterlife.� Aong chimes in along with his sniffles.

Dan stood there laughing until the group of guys Aong had bullied out of their seats tapped Aong�s and Rye�s shoulders. �Crap!� He quickly grabs Matika�s hands and drags her to the car.

�Hey!� Jay yelled at one of the boys, �you stepped on my sweater! Do you know how much it costs me?�

�Who cares!� One of the boy screams.

Kitty taps the boy�s shoulder, �look here you! This sweater means a lot to us. They�re new, and they are expensive. VERY EXPENSIVE! Unless you cough up the money to buy us the new one, you�re going to have to dust the dirt off our sweaters!�

�And why should I?�

�They�re dirt from your muddy shoes!� Jay snaps and thrusts the sweater at him, �Clean it or be ready for hell!�

�Matika, don�t.� Dan said keeping her hands off of the window button. He looks at Rye as he drove and Aong breathing heavily in the front passenger side next to Rye as he drove. �How does it feel to have your ass almost whooped?�

�If Jay hadn�t yelled at him like she usually does to us, we wouldn�t have gotten out of there alive.�

Rye points his fingers over at Aong. �Correction. You wouldn�t but the rest of us has nothing to do with it.�

Dan saw Matika looking a little green. �Are you okay?�

�Mmmm�� Matika only mumbles back as her shades came off her face again.

This time Dan saw her eyes completely rolled back with a green glow as an outline of her eyes. �Matika��

�Can�t breathe�� Matika manages to gasp out.

�The window.� Dan said as he clumsily felt around for the window button. �Rye, roll down the back windows for me real quick.�

He did as Dan told him. �What�s wrong?�

Dan saw the little green strands in her hair turning a darker shade of green. �No! �No!� he screams in his head.

Rye looks into the rear view mirrors seeing Dan was hovering over Matika intently. �There�s a lot of traffic on the freeway.� He kept his eyes on Dan still. He was unable to see Matika�s condition.

�Take the in routes then.� Dan said as he continued to tap Matika�s face lightly. He pulled a few strands of her green hair down to the side of her face and watched as it turns a darker shade of green. He looks out the window seeing a glass factory and looks back down at Matika once he thought it was going to get darker he noticed it getting lighter. �Huh?� He looks out the window again, this time they passed a plant nursery. For the few minutes they were passing the nursery, Matika was her usual honey shade. And again when he thought nothing more would happen to her, he was wrong. She went back to her shade of green.

�We�re here.� Rye announced as Dan�s gate opens.

Aong watch as Dan jumps out of the car and straight into the house. He turns around seeing Matika asleep. �Hey Rye, she looks like you when she�s sleeping.

�No, that�s because I usually borrow those glasses from Dan, and that sweater she has on is mine that Dan borrowed a while back from whenever.�

�You mean last week?� Aong reminded. �Or a few days before we started on our trip?�

Chapter 11

�Mom.� Dan said kindly as she follows him to the living room. �Please, could you listen to me for just a moment?�

Mr. Danuwong looks up from the newspaper he was reading. �Why are you panicking Dan?�

�Dad, you�re a doctor right?� Dan asked.

�Mr. Danuwong frowns, �Of course I am. What makes you doubt that I am?�

�No, dad.� Dan pleads as he tries to tell them of Matika and hoping he will help her and not send her away as some freak of nature. �There�s this girl.�

�OH! A girl from your class?� Mrs. Danuwong beams. �That Jay girl, correct? She always calls for you. Wondering where you are and such.�

Dan frowns, �I can�t stand her mom.�

Mrs. Danuwong frowns back at Dan, �Good, neither do I.� She took her son�s hands. �Who is she then?�

�It�s not like that mom.� Dan insists. �She�s �different.�

�I�m afraid you both will just send her packing.� Dan sighs.

Mr. Danuwong looks up to Mrs. Danuwong, �what did you do? Get her pregnant?�

�You were only gone a week dear. She can�t be pregnant.� Mrs. Danuwong adds.

�She�s not pregnant�� Dan throws his hands up, �she�s sick. Really sick, and I am afraid to take her to a doctor.�

The three tunes their ears to one of their maids shrieking. �What�s going on?� Mrs. Danuwong feared the worst and ran out towards the servant who was screaming her head off with Mr. Danuwong at her heels.

Dan quickly runs out to find Matika and his friends. �Aong?�

�Yea�

Dan looks around the car and his driveway and even knelt down to look under his car. �Where�s Rye and Matika?�

�Well�.� Song smiles sheepishly.

�I can�t believe Dan ditched you for that hussy girl.� Kitty groans. �And Rye, he seems to be paying too much attention to that girl Dan has with him.�

Jay slaps Kitty�s hands. �You think I'm stupid and didn�t noticed that?� She stalks into her house after waving her driver away. �I would�ve brought my own car. But who knew she�d be coming back with us. I wanted to ask Dan for a ride home.� Jay threw her jacket down as Kitty jumped into the couch next to it. �I want to see who she is and where she will be staying at.�

Kitty shrugs, �I don�t know. I kind of want to rest first.�

�Then rest.� Jay yells angrily. �I�ll go by myself.�

�Jay! Wait up!� Kitty wails as she follows Jay to her car.

�Where are we going?�

�Dan�s� Jay glares at the rear view mirror. �I have a feeling he took her there.�

Kitty quickly puts on her seat belt in fear of Jay�s reckless driving and asks, �wait, how did you know where Dan lives?�

�4-1-1.� Jay said nodding to her cell phone.

�How did you let Matika run off and alone like that?� Dan ass Aong as they ran to where the servant was screaming from earlier.

Aong held onto his waist. �Because, I got tired of running. So I let Rye go after her alone!�

�Where were they screaming from?� Dan says scratching his head.

�What�s you mom doing?� Aong stops Dan.

Mrs. Danuwong laughs as she towel dries Matika�s hair. �There. All done.� She stared at Matika�s honey colored streaks then her eyes. �How� odd?�

�Mom!� Dan yells and goes over to his mother�s side. �Uh��

�Next time, try the swimming pool rather than the pond.�

Matika frowns, �what�s a swimming pool?�

�OH! She�s so cute and adorable!� Mrs. Danuwong pinches Matika�s cheeks.

Matika picks her own hands up and pinches Mrs. Danuwong in return. Dan pulls Matika�s hands away from his mom�s face. �Sorry mom. She�s been like this since the car ride back.� Dan made an agitated face at Matika. She also made the same face back at him.

�So she�s your girlfriend huh?� Mr. Danuwong chuckles. �What? And this whole time I thought you had someone sick for me to see.� He looks Matika up and down, �she seems fine to me, unless she stays in those drenched clothes she�s in now.� He frowns, �aren�t those your pants Dan?... and Rye�s sweater?�

Dan scratches his head. �I thought she was sick.� He releases Matika�s other hand. �Or at least I think I did?� Matika laughs at Dan and also scratches his head along with him. �Matika stop!�

�What is she, crazy?� The servant asked.

�That�s rude Jane.� Rye says to the servant. �Go back inside.�

Jane looks around and reluctantly went back inside. �Her eyes� and her hair��She trips over a rock and Matika helps her up. �Thank youuuuuuu�� Jane freaks seeing pink eyes in front of her. �AHHHH!� She ran the rest of the way back inside.

�What�s wrong with her?� Aong asked.

Dan quickly pulls the hood over Matika�s head. �Better get her inside to change before she gets sick.� He drags her in and saw her pink eyes. �Can�t you control it?�

�Control what?� Matika asks.

�Your eyes and hair keeps changing colors. �Dan sighs as he pulls his closet door open. �It scares people. And I think you just scared off my servant Jane.�

�What�s �it�?� Matika asked again.

�It, as in your hair and eyes.�

Matika pulls her wings out from under the sweater. �What about these? They change colors too. She waved her wings around in front of Dan�s face.

�Matika.� Dan grimaced. �Don�t do that.�

�Do what?� Matika was confused. �I thought you liked them?�

�Dan saw her eyes turning yellow as well as her hair. �Not again.�

�Again what?�

He pulls her hair a little to show her the strands changing colors. �Here.� Dan hands her his clothes. �Put these on and I�ll meet you downstairs.� Matika stares at the clothes in her arms. �Weird humans.�

Aong and Rye sat in the living room with the awkward silence. Dan checked his watch every few minutes. �Mr. and Mrs. Danuwong went back to what they were doing earlier. Mrs. Danuwong was decorating the flowers in the vase and Mr. Danuwong went back to reading his newspaper. Aong and Rye jumps up hearing the doorbell.

�I�m going to check up on Matika. I don�t see why it�s taking her so long to change.� Dan suggested and quickly went upstairs.

Jay rushed in and jumps right to conclusion, �Where�s that tramp and Dan?�

�I beg your pardon?� Mrs. Danuwong asks. �We don�t speak that poorly in this house. Now is you could please excuse me. I�ll be somewhere working on my vase.�

Kitty watched in horror seeing how angry Mrs. Danuwong was looking over to her. �Is that Dan�s mom?� she asked Rye in barely a whisper.

�Yea.� Aong smiles. �Nice isn�t she?�

Kitty shrugs and follows Jay further into the living room.

�So?� Jay stares angrily over to Aong. �Where are they?�

Kitty smiles and jumps right onto the couch between Aong and Rye. She clung to Rye�s arms tightly making sure he doesn�t leave her side.

Rye tried to pry Kitty�s arms off as he answered Jay�s questions. �They�re upstairs.�

�In the day time?� Jay yelled out the top of her lungs. Mr. Danuwong adjusted his reading glasses and looks over to Jay and puts his fingers to his lips to hush her up. Jay turns to see Mr. Danuwong reading his newspaper carelessly. �Aren�t you going to stop him?� She howls out at him and waited a bit before pulling his paper away from his face. �Aren�t you mad at their behavior?�

Rye finally pulls Kitty off of him and got up from the couch. �What are they doing that�s inappropriate?�

Mr. Danuwong straightens out his newspaper and placed his glasses back on, �I trust my son will make the right decision and being the gentlemen that my wife and I personal raised him to be.� He chuckles, �he�s bound to be honest to his mother and I seeing that he made the right choice in not going with you.�

Aong claps his hands together hearing the right words coming out of Mr. Danuwong�s mouth. While Jay shot Mr. Danuwong one of those mad stares she�s been known for.

Chapter 12

Dan knocks on the door and waited to hear Matika�s voice. �That�s weird.� He knocks again. �Matika?� He waited a little more before walking into the room. �Where are you?� He noticed the wet clothes on the floor of his room and picks it up. �I should�ve explained the hamper in the bathroom.� He laughs as he opens the bathroom door wider. Matika was looking at herself in the mirror and making faces at her own reflection. �There�s a bigger mirror in my room over their near the door.� He threw his clothes into the hamper and heard a crunch. He looks at Matika turning pink. He kept his eyes on her and picks up the wet clothes. There under the clothes were something similar to a snake skin. Dan drops the wetclothes onto the bathroom floor and picks up the skin. Matika bit the bottom of her lips nervously as Dan examines it.

�They�re going to crumble easily.�

Dan frowns as he finally straightened it out somewhat. �Holes�� It only took him a few seconds to realize it was her wings. �Why are they so dry� and not so silky anymore?� He places the wings down gently. �And why aren�t they on you?�

�Came off.� Matika simply replies.

He turns Matika around and lifts up the back of his shirt that she was wearing. �No signs of the wings ever being there.� Matika began to hum a song as Dancontinued to examine her. He noticed her looking at herself in the mirror and twirling her hairaround on her fingers, they were back to being honey colored. �You need to put your hair up.� Dan grabs the bandana and ties it over Matika�s head. �You�re going to need a haircut.� He looks her up and down in his clothes, �and your own outfits to wear�.� Matika giggles and stares innocently into his eyes. �� as much as I love your mood changing eyes, you�re going to need to wear contacts.� He laughs and looks her up and down one more time. �Oh look, a mini-girlie version of me.� He inhales deeply and looks down at his fingers. There were something catching the attention of his eyes. That something was something shimmering every time he wiggles his fingers. Dan looks at Matika who went back to looking at herself in the mirror to her dried up wings. �� crumble easily.�

Matika follows Dan back out to his bedroom and sat on his bed as he dug around in his closet. �What are you looking for?�

�My old jars.� Dan grunts as he dumps out coins from his jar and went back into the bathroom. Matika sat on the bed and watched from there to see Dan in the bathroom doorway. Dan crumbles the wing into the jar and shuts it. The jar looks like there were glitters in them. Matika watched as Dan placed it onto his nightstand.

�Ooooh.� Matika awes seeing the sunlight from the windows shown through the jar leaving a shimmer effect on the walls bouncing lights around like they were ballroom dancing. �Pretty��

�Let�s go downstairs now.� Dan said pulling Matika�s hands and leading her downstairs. He listened as Matika hummed another song as they descended the stairs.

Jay threw the couch pillows on the ground and stormed over to Dan�s side shaking Matika loose from Dan�s hold. Matika stared at Dan and Jay before Aong calls for her to sit with him on the couch. Kitty flares her nose and quickly got off the couch. �I should sit with you more often.� Aong whispers loudly to Matika. Rye went back to sitting back down with Matika between him and Aong.

�Rye!� Kitty hissed.

�What are you doing with her?� Jay demanded to know.

Matika stares at Jay as she threw her little tantrum. Mrs. Danuwong walks in seeing Jay clinging onto her son. �Dear, come on out to the garden with me. I�ll show you around.�

�Really?� Jay smiles happily letting go of Dan�s hand.

Mrs. Danuwong shook her head. �Not you silly girl.� She raised her hands up to motion Matika over to her, �Come.� She smiles gently. �Dinner would be served in an hour.� Mrs. Danuwong looks over to Aong and Rye as she took Matika�s hands. �Why don�t you boys wash up? You�ll be staying the night again right?�

Chapter 13

�Yes ma�am!� Aong salutes and licks his lips. �I love free food!�

Matika laughs at Aong and lets Mrs. Danuwong lead her out to the garden.

�I�ll show you guys to your room.� Dan said going towards the stairs. Aong got up with his bags and askes, �why are we not sleeping in your room?�

�Because last time you kick Dan and me off the bed!� Rye hisses, �and while you slept peacefully, Dan and I slept in agonizing pain, from the floor, and from when we hit the floor!�

�Why didn�t you wake me up then?�

�If it was that easy Aong, I would�ve.� Dan said as he gave Aong a little shove against the wall. �We tried, but your blubbering behind wouldn�t wake up!�

Rye chips in, �Yea man, I kicked, we pushed, we pulled. Wet willies even.� He shrugs, �but like the same way as you being wide awake, you were useless.�

Jay and Kitty looks at one another then both looks over to Mr. Danuwong, he smirks at the two and went back to reading his newspaper. �ARGH!� The two growls and storms towards the stairs.

�What are you two doing?� Mrs. Danuwong asked coming through the front door with Matika by her side. �Well?� Mrs. Danuwong asks seeing Jay and Kitty try to inch closer up the stairways.

�we wanted to go to the bathroom.� Jay lies.

With her hands Mrs. Danuwong points around the stairways. �There�s one to the side of the kitchen for guests purposes.� She nods her head, �I�m sure you noticed it there.�

Kitty stutters, �we thought someone was using it.�

Matika watches as Jay and Kitty struggles from embarrassment with Mrs. Danuwong and looks upstairs.

�Why don�t you check again?� Mrs. Danuwong asks. �By now someone have already flushed the toilet and washed their hands already and walking out of the bathroom.�

�We don�t need to go now.� Jay explains.

�How do you know Kitty doesn�t want to go?� Mrs. Danuwong inquires. �Telekinesis?� Kitty stammers without an answer.

Smiling wider Matika sees Dan, Aong and Rye coming back from upstairs. She ran up to them and drags Dan downstairs and out of the house.

�Wah?� Jay blinks pointing to where Aong and Rye were on the stairways. �How come she could run up and down the stairs without any hassle from you?� She stomps her foot angrily at Mrs. Danuwong before taking off to find Dan. �Get back here Dan!�

Rye and Aong tried to stifle their laughter. Kitty grins, �yea, Jay is a sweet person.�

�What are you blind?� Mrs. Danuwong spat out. �I was referring to Matika.� She crosses her arms ,�who in their right mind would think that your friend Jay is a sweet person?�

Rye and Aong this time they couldn�t control their laughter. So the guys laughs and took off to find Dan and Matika. Kitty nervously walks around Mrs. Danuwong to avoid crying and rushes out the door. Mr. and Mrs., Danuwong exchanged a few silly smiles and went back to doing what they were doing before.

�Who do you think you are?� Jay yells at Matika as she drags Dan into the garden.

�I don�t have to think who I am.� Matika turns to look at Jay. �I know exactly who I am. Matika.�

Jay shuddered feeling a gust of wind blowing through her hair. She freaked seeing that the was only blowing through her and not Dan or Matika. �Hey! Stop it!� Jay stood still like she was frozen. The wind had stopped blowing like she had demanded. �You�re a curse!� Jay pointed directly at Matika�s face. �You�re a death magnet to us all!�

Quickly Matika�s angelic smile changed to an angry straight face. Jay shielded her eyes from the bright ray of the sun. Dan was watching Matika as everything honey colored was now a bright yet deep color red. Before Jay could open her eyes to see the transformed Matika she changed instantly to normal upon hearing Kitty yelling for Jay.

As fast as everything was for Jay she opened her eyes to perfect weather. The sun wasn�t bright and the winds were calm. Only birds were heard chirping now. Kitty came running up to Jay�s side looking at the frightened Jay. �What happened?�

�I don�t know�� Jay looks up at the sun and to Matika then Dan. �Was it me, or was the sun extremely blinding to us all?�

�What are you talking about?� Dan plays stupid. �Maybe you were staring up at the sun directly without knowing it?�

Jay rubs her eyes, �yea� maybe I was.�

Dan took Matika�s hands and led her away from the group. �You�re going to have to stop changing colors like that.�

�I don�t.� Matika sighs.

Releasing her hands Dan ran his hands through his hair as he thinks. �What do you mean you don�t?�

�I don�t know how to control it.� Matika simply retorts.

Dan turns to see Matika picking at a flower petal. �You can�t control it?!� He began pacing around in small circles. �How am I suppose to take you places?�

�To find mommy!?� She practically leaps into Dan�s arms. �To find my mommy?�

Dan turns away from her, �yea� to find her.�

She sensed a little sadness from him, �what�s wrong?�

�Matika�� Dan was stopped short of his sentence.

�Dinner sir, is served.� A servant came by to say.

He dismissed the servant and looks up to Matika. �let�s go. They�re all probably waiting for us right now.� He felt her resistance and nudged her along. She stopped again and this time reaches out for her hands. �Try not to let Jay anger you.�

�Like that�s easy.� Matika rolls her eyes at him. �I should just shut my ear holes.�

�Could you really do that?� Dan asked as he walks her to the doorway. �Cause that would really be nice you know.�

She pulls her hands away from Dan and pouts. �No, I can�t do that.� Frowning as he let�s out a laugh at her, Matika crosses her arms at him, �and what�s so funny?�

�Never heard you joke around like that before.� Dan observes and uncrosses her arms, �quit being a baby and go have dinner.�

�What about my mommy?�

Dan swallows his guilt down his throat and smiles, �we could do that tomorrow.�

�Really?�

�Yea, really.� Dan reassures avoiding her eyes. Matika smiles and skips into the house with Dan following close behind.

Jay turns herself away from the windows and turns towards the dining room. �Why is he always reaching out for her hands?� She watched as Matika stared at everyone eating while Matika sat still as if she was observing something. �Aren�t you hungry?�

Shifting her gaze directly to Jay, Matika frowns, �what are you all using to eat your food with?�

�Oh dear.� Escapes from Mrs. Danuwong�s lips as Jay and Kitty snickers to themselves.

�HM?� Matika panics. �What? Did I do something wrong again?� She turns to yank on Dan�s sleeves. �Matika say or do something to make everyone quiet like that?�

Placing his fork and spoon down, Dan tries not to stare at her. �It�s fine, you didn�t do or say anything wrong. It�s all my fault I should�ve known.�

�Known? Know what?� She continues to ask.

Uncontrollably Jay laughs her head off. �You�re so stupid. Country girls are all the same.�

�Yea.� Kitty chimes in. �Only here for the money and fun. But never do they realize of their own stupidity.�

�Can�t even tell what a fork or a spoon looks like.� Jay continues to laugh it off.

Dan took a hold of Matika�s hands under the table and felt how warm they were. �Excuse us a moment.� He got up with Matika and walks out of the dining room towards the den.

Rye watched as Dan left with Matika then looks over to Jay and Kitty. �How do you two live in a high society with such a cruel attitude towards others?� He shook his head and wipes his hands before getting up and excusing himself. �And in front of Mr. and Mrs. Danuwong too.�

�Wait!� Kitty squeaks then going after Rye as Jay ignores Rye�s words and continues to eat her dinner.

Mr. Danuwong shrugs to Mrs. Danuwong and excuses himself to his study room. Mrs. Danuwong smiles seeing Aong still chowing down on his food as well as everyone one else�s dish. �My husband has some left on his plate.�

�Great!� Aong says through his mouthful and reaches out for Mr. Danuwong�s plate. �Hey� Where did Dan and Rye disappear to?� It was like Aong doesn�t seem to know or see anything once his stomach was talking.

�That�s mine Aong.� Jay shrieks. �I'm not finished yet.�

Mrs. Danuwong hands Aong her plate. �take mine sweetie.�

Dan releases Matika�s hands the minute they got into the den. He watches as her streaks from the tip up to the roots turning red. Finally Matika opens her eyes. They were red. �That�s a good looks for you.�

Matika shifts her burning red eyes to him. �I tried. It�s the best I could do.�

�What do you mean?�

�I can�t control any of my feelings.� Matika spits out. �I never got to learn anything before my village was ransacked.�

Placing his arms around her Dan felt her body was heating up. �You aren�t walking around in public like that.�

�Why not?!� Matika�s fuel in rage burned more. Dan quickly lets her go and felt his arms beating. �So I can�t see me mom?�

Rolling up his sleeved Dan sees red marks on him. He knows why now that Rod had let go of Matika on the bus. She burned him from her anger. �Not like that I'm not letting you.�

"You cant stop me!�

�I know I cant.� Dan says as the pain finally kicks in.

As fast as her turning red Matika instantly went back to honey. �What�s wrong?� She pulled his arms out to her eyes. �Did I do that?� Dan shook his hands away from Matika. �I'm sorry.� Matika began to weep. Instantly turning yellow. �I didn�t mean to.� She sniffles reaching out for Dan again.

This time Dan allows her to touch him. He wrapped his arms around Matika as she pulls his arms around her in an embrace. �It�s okay, don�t worry.� He felt her body cooling. �Huh?� He thought and opens his eyes feeling a little breeze. The windows weren�t open he noticed. Dan looks down at Matika as he pulls away from her. She was crying. �Are you all right? Why are you crying?�

�I�m evil.� Matika sobs, �I am a curse.�

�You�re not a curse.� Dan laughs and noticed his arms no longer stung from the pain. �What�?�

Matika wipes her nose and looks at Dan. �Mat at Matika?�

Dan watches as Aong enters the room and burst out crying. �Aong? Why are you crying?

�I don�t know.� Aong began blowing his knows on his shirt. �Why is Matika crying?�

�Matika.� Dan remembers her bring yellow. He saw Matika was back to normal. �When did she�?� He shook his head. �Oh well.�

�Good night.� Mr. Danuwong kisses his wife before heading upstairs.

Mrs. Danuwong kept her eyes on Jay and Kitty. �Shouldn�t you girls be going now?�

�where is she sleeping?� Jay demanded to know.

Mrs. Danuwong shrugs. �Wherever Dan wants her to.�

�Rye. Are you going to be in his room?� Kitty questions.

He shook his head. �No, Aong and I are in our own room.� He also adds, �I guess Dan planned it all out already.�

Dan stifles his laughter as Aong jokes, �new girl in his life, he forgets about his pals.�

Matika listened to everyone scare Jay to jealousy but has no clue what they meant. �Weird humans.�

�What did you expect?� Jay smirks. �It�s normal. What about you? I still consider you as a freak.�

Kitty scratches her head, �why did you have to say �human� anyway?�

�What?� Matika also scratches her head. �Did you want me to say people? Beings?�

Dan places his hands over her mouth, �time to go to bed. I'm tired.�

�Don�t worry.� Mrs. Danuwong nods to Jay and Kitty. �I�ll personally see these two girls out.�

�But�� Jay protested as Dan, Aong, Rye and Matika walked towards the stairways.

Mrs. Danuwong crosses her arms. �I am tired not ladies.� She paused to let Jay and Kitty get off the couch. �I'm sure your parents are worried and waiting for you girls.�

�What about Matika?� Jay angrily mentions. �make her leave too.�

Mrs. Danuwong frowns, �but she�s a guest of Dan�s, I can�t�

Aong and Rye stares at Dan as Matika went into his room. �Is she�? Are you�?� Aong racks his little brain for the right words to say.

�Shut up Aong. It�s none of your business.� Rye slaps Aong�s head.

�Here you go sir.� A servant came to hand Dan an extra blanket and pillows. Dan thanks the maid and turns back to his friends. �No, Aong, I will be sleeping on the floor.� Dan answered.

Again Aong questions him, "why not just give her a separate room?�

�Don�t you see how jumpy and unease she is?� Rye points out. �Besides, Dan is the only one she seems to trust most.�

�Oh�� Aong nods his head.

Walking into his room Dan saw a spiral of shimmering lights dancing on his wall. �No Nee for the lights on.� He laughs seeing Matika keeping herself entertained by playing with the jar of her confetti wings. �Sleepy?�

�What are you doing with those?� Matika asks pointing to the blanket and pillow in his hands. She looks down at the bed. �Isn�t this your place?�

�Yea,� Dan shrugs, �I don�t mind, you could sleep there. I�ll sleep on the floor.� Matika fluffed the pillow then threw it on the ground where Dan was setting up his place to rest. �Not now Matika. I'm tired. I need to sleep.�

Matika points to the pillow. �Then sleep.�

�This one is yours, you sleep on it.� Dan said throwing the pillow back down to her. �And good night.� Dan sighs and pulls the blanket over his head.

Matika placed the pillow back where it belongs and goes over to the windows. �North star�� She looks over to where Dan was at and opens the window and climbs out it.

�Khun Dan sir!� Jane came running up the stairs. �Khun Dan!�

Rye got up and opens the door. �What�s going on Jane?�

�Miss Matika.� Jane pants. �She�s on the roof top! I think she�s jumping off!�

�What?� Rye panics and ran to Aong�s room. �Aong! Wake your fat ass up!� His friend only rolls over in bed and snored even louder than before. �Great. Useless.� Rye mutters and runs out of the room.

Dan heard the knock on his door and asked who it was. �What?� He screams hearing Jane from the other side of the door and felt a cold breeze. �Then window.� She shook his head and yelled to Jane. �I�m going out the window!�

�Huh?� Jane cried and ran to his parent�s room to tell them of the news.

Looking down Dan saw how small Rye was on ground level. �Careful Dan!� Rye hollers and orders a servant to grab a long ladder.

�Matika.� Dan cooed trying to get her to come to him. �Come on, it�s cold, and slippery up here. You could slip and fall.�

She shook her head, �north star.. my mommy�� She begins to sob.

�Oh no�� Dan thought.

Rye looks up to see Dan trying to get Matika to go to him as a servant returns with a ladder. �That�s too short! Go grab another one!�

The servant turns around and almost smacks Rye in the head if he hadn�t duck down. Jane runs up to Rye�s side and bit on her fingers nervously, �Is she down yet? Is she down yet?�

Aong rubs his eyes as he walks out into the hallway. �I'm trying to sleep. Who�s yelling?� He closed his eyes and walks towards the steps.

�Is he sleep walking?� Mr. Danuwong asks.

Mrs. Danuwong sighs and led the sleep walking Aong down the stairs with Mr. Danuwong.

Rye squats down as the servant returned a few more times again with not the right ladder. He gave up and just watch Dan with Matika and kept repeating to the servant grab a different ladder. �How many ladders does this house have?� He shook his head and looks up at Dan.

�Where did they go?� Rye asks and notices the window was shut. �Back inside.� He rushed and knocked the servant carrying the ladder down. �Put it away. We don�t need it anymore.�

�Ah�� The servant shook his head and turns around. �Was it at least the right one this time?�

Rye scratches his head, �it looks to be the same one each time.�

�Oh..� The servant looks at the ladder. �Is it?�

Rye shrugs, �it could be possible.�

Mrs. Danuwong fans herself with her hands as her husband led the sleep walking Aong out of the house. �Where are you going Rye?�

�Upstairs.� Rye pants, �They back inside now.�

�Oh dear.� Mrs. Danuwong looks over to her husband, �let�s turn Aong around to walk the right way now.�

Mr. Danuwong let�s go of Aong and spun him towards the doorway.

Dan heard the knock on his door. �Matika, stop the glitter thing from shining!�

�Why?� Matika sobs as she bounced the spiral of lights around, �it makes me happy.�

�But I won�t be happy if they come in seeing this.� Dan points to the light. �For humans, it�s not normal.�

Matika�s hair turned red. �Sorry for not being human enough.�

�Go inside the bathroom then.� Dan orders as Matika stomps away to the bathroom.

.::..::[::[ to be continued ]::]::.::.

 << Chapters 6 - 8       The Sweetest Days Main       Home       Chapters 13-?? >>