Katie and I ran as long as we could. I was the first to slow down, panting heavily as I laughed. “I think we’re far enough away.”

Katie was giggling between gasps and squealing as she tugged on my arm. “That was so amazing!”

I smiled. “I take it you enjoyed yourself?”

“Yes! Thank you so much for going with me.” 

“Ryder looked like he was having a good time too.” I gave her a big grin. 

She let out another high-pitched noise and wiggled her balled fists in excitement. “Every time he looks at me, I get tingly all over. Just having him put his arm around me is just so…” She let out yet another, slightly, quieter squeal. “Leave it to Jessie to cause a scene and ruin it.”

I laughed. We walked for a bit, Katie skipping blissfully along the way. I hummed with Hunter’s energy and the smell of him on my skin. I wasn’t as outwardly giddy as Katie, but the afterglow was definitely something. 

“Is it always like this?” she asked.

“Is what always like this?” 

“When someone likes you?” She was staring up at the sky as we walked, smiling at whatever was replaying in her head. 

“Maybe,” I said quietly. I contemplated the question as we walked. I didn’t really know the answer. The whole soul stealing thing made it difficult to want to be around people. I certainly didn’t want to date them. My attraction to Hunter was baffling on several fronts. I held myself, rubbing my upper arms. The heat from running was seeping away and I was beginning to feel the chill without my sweater. I grimaced, realizing I had left it on the ground, thanks to Hunter distracting me. I really liked that one, too. 

Katie let out a happy sigh. “I think if Ryder ever kisses me, I might explode. I could die happy right on the spot.”

I shook my head at her. “Okay, okay, it’s just a kiss. Let’s not get carried away.”

“Aren’t you just dying to know what it’s like to kiss Hunter?” she asked, grinning. 

I felt the heat rush to my face. I had assumed she was so enthralled with Ryder at the party that she hadn’t noticed my interactions with Hunter. How awkward. “No. He’s an insufferable flirt,” I said. Besides, something about Hunter made me want to wrap him around me like a blanket. Based on that, I had a pretty good idea of what kissing him would be like. Keeping a nice, safe, distance was a much better plan.

Katie didn’t look like she believed me. “Sure,” she replied, but she didn’t push the topic any further. 

As we stopped outside her house, I could see my living room lights flicker. Benny knew we were home and was likely chomping at the bit to hear how the night went. I was eager to release some of my energy for him, too. Having been around all those people tonight had me overflowing, which probably contributed heavily to my reaction to Hunter. At least, that’s what I was going to tell myself. Self-denial, me? Absolutely not. 

I helped Katie into her window. 

“Come in for a second.” She beckoned me. 

I crawled in after her as quietly as I could. She was digging around some papers on her desk. “Got it!” She held up a dark drawing. As she did, her bedroom door slammed open.

“What the hell is going on in here?” A large man with dark, disheveled hair stood in the doorway. He held onto the handle as if it was the only thing keeping him upright. I could smell the alcohol on him from my spot below the window. My guess was this was Katie’s stepdad.

“Dad, I’m sorry, uhm,” Katie stammered. The fear coming off her was so strong it almost drowned out the smell of the man. 

“Did you ask to have someone over?” he shouted. 

While Katie stammered for an answer, I walked calmly toward him. “Sir, I’m sorry. My name’s Sen.” I reached out to shake his hand.

He looked down at me suspiciously, but took my hand gently, as if he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do with it. As our skin touched, I pulled his anger out of him, willing him to be calmer. Anger was my least favorite emotion and I swallowed my grimace. He blinked a few times then shook his head, pulling his hand back slowly. “It’s getting late, you should be going home,” he growled. Not nearly as angry as when he burst into the room, but still annoyed. 

“Yes, sir. We just lost track of time, I was about to be on my way.”  I smiled brightly at him. 

He nodded, swaying a little on his feet. “Katie, you have ten minutes, then you need to see your friend out.” He stumbled off. Katie and I both watched him disappear up the stairs. 

She shut the door quietly, letting out a gasp, “Oh my God. He’s going to be so mad in the morning.” 

I shook my head. “He’s not going to remember this tomorrow.”

“Do you have mind control powers too?” she asked hopefully.

“I wish,” I laughed. “He’s so drunk, there’s no way he’s retaining the last few minutes. Not with that amount of alcohol in his system and me draining all that anger out of him. He’s going to sleep the hang-over off something fierce.” 

Katie smiled. 

“I better go just in case, though.” I started toward the window again. 

“Wait,” Katie called, then handed me the paper she had dug out. “Here, I made this for you.” It was a beautiful charcoal sketch of a cafe. The front of the building was distressed brick, sitting on the corner of a cobblestone street. Small round tables and chairs sat empty on the street out front. It was beautifully drawn, the charcoal giving the image and ethereal feel. 

“What’s this?” I asked as I admired it.

“I looked up your name. I wanted to know what it meant.” She shrugged shyly. “This is a coffee shop in Senlis, France. I want you to have it.”

“I love it. This is incredible, Katie.” I looked up at her, hoping she could tell my sincerity. 

She beamed proudly at me. I handed it to her so I could crawl out of the window without crinkling the paper. After she passed the gift back to me, I wished her a goodnight. Carefully cradling my new treasure in my arms, I crossed the street. Katie had been one surprise after the other tonight. Even though she was younger than me, she was the first friend I’d made since I had my locker assigned next to Vincent’s in high school. And the first friend I didn’t have to hide anything from.