CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
( OUTSIDE )

     CARMEN LAUGHS AT Aurora. The girl had finally gotten to move from the house the next day, watching as Aurora and Jack yelled at each other. But soon enough, Aurora had gotten fed up with his arguing, and shoved him into the pool.

"She has anger issues," Zach chuckles. "We need to get her therapy."

"Says the boy that's jealous of a fictional character," Jonah snorts beside them.

"See?" Carmen grins. "Jonah gets it. She just likes cheese-it's. And Jack happens to like them, too. I understand her viewpoint. He touched her food."

"She bit him again," Jonah sighs as Jack screams from the pool. "When did she get in the pool?"

He leaves the two, his focus on his wild girlfriend. Zach shakes his head next to Carmen, before looking at her. "You're telling me that's normal?"

"I didn't say it was normal," Carmen shrugs, taking a seat on the patio. "I just said I understand. Oh, and I have a question."

"Shoot," He says, sitting down next to her.

"Can I please meet Stanislav Lanevski?" She pickers her bottom lip.

"Who's that?" Zach asks, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"Viktor Krum . . . "

"Why?" He whines, sighing loudly. "Why do you like him so much?"

"He's pretty," Carmen mutters, glancing over at Aurora fighting Jack. "And one of my favorite actors. His accent is perfection."

"He's old though," Zach points out, his eyes not leaving her as Daniel takes a seat beside Carmen. "Way too old for you. Don't you agree, Daniel?"

"Age is just a number," Daniel states, Carmen's face growing delighted at his answer.

"Thanks a lot," Zach mutters sarcastically. "But think about it- who else would you like to meet?"

"Aaron Carpenter," Carmen replies dreamily. "Or Hayes Grier. Either way, I'd be a happy camper."

"You have got to be kidding me," He groans.

"Who the hell is Aaron Carpenter?" Aurora asks, joining the conversation as she sits down in front of them.

Across the yard, Callie tends to Jack's bite mark with Corbyn. Jonah follows suit, taking a seat next to her.

"Hold on, let me find a picture," Carmen says, holding up a finger as she pulls her phone from her pocket.

"You have pictures?" Zach asks incredulously, throwing his hands in the air. "And I thought your obsession with Krum was bad!"

"Oh, he's attractive," Aurora says, looking at Carmen's phone. "How old is he?"

"Are you serious?" Jonah's jaw drops as he stares at his girlfriend.

"What?" She asks defensively. "I was kidding! I'm sure he's too young for me anyway."

"Actually, he's eighteen," Carmen says, looking to Jonah. "Sorry, buddy, you have competition."

"Oh! Have you heard of Daniel Skye?" Aurora asks, taking Carmen's phone. "Hold on, let me find a picture. I think he's your age, Caramel."

"Oh god, not him," Zach pleads. "Aurora, please don't-"

"HOLY COW!"

"I said no!" Zach says in annoyance, snatching the phone. "No more boys for today."

"So at twelve tonight I can look at them again?" Carmen asks.

"Never again will you get your phone back."

---

"You know, I can't stay in the house forever," Carmen says to Zach with a frown. "I need to see the world before I die."

"Yeah, well, you have a long life ahead of you. But I don't think leaving the house is a good idea when Jackson is stalking you like the creeper he is," Zach replies. "I think it's better you stay here with us, especially since you're still hurt."

"And I think it's better if you stop being so protective," Carmen argues with a sigh. "I won't get hurt, I assure you. My arm already feels better."

"And your ribs?"

"I'm not having any trouble out of them, either," She states. "And Jackson won't do anything to me. As far as we know, he could be far away from here again."

"He threatened you," Zach points out. "I don't take that lightly after what he did to you the first time. And I definitely doubt he'd lie when saying he'd get you back."

"And how would that be possible if I have all of you with me?" She raises an eyebrow. "Zach, Aurora beat him up. He doesn't stand a chance anyway."

"I heard my name," Aurora says, sitting down with them as Jonah follows.

"I was just pointing out that there's no reason for Zach to be worried about Jackson. If you could beat him up, I'm sure there isn't a reason for him to be worried."

"Actually, Aurora's stronger than most of us," Daniel says, joining the conversation. "Especially Jack. His arms are as floppy as his noodle hair."

"With all of you with me, I don't think he'd try anything." Carmen says truthfully, pleading Zach with her eyes. "Can you please take me to get ice cream or something? I can't stand being in the house constantly."

"Can I go?" Aurora asks Jonah, her excitement flaring. "Pretty please?"

"How about a pumpkin patch?" Carmen suggests with a smile. "I love pumpkins, and it's almost autumn, even with the warm weather."

"Sounds like a great idea," Jonah chimes. "Zach? You in?"

"If that's what you want," Zach smiles at Carmen. "But you have to stay near me at all times."

"That's acceptable," Carmen nods.

"Objection!" Aurora yells, standing. "I get Caramel too, Heroine. And you don't get to talk back because we all know that I have more muscle than you."

"Daniel, Corbyn, Jack, do you guys want to go, too?"

"I'll call Callie," Jack says, pulling out his phone, and walking out of the room.

"Jack, why are you going into the kitchen?" Aurora asks suspiciously.

Carmen stands, making her way up the stairs to change into some warmer clothes. Zach jumps up immediately, stopping her. "Wait, where are you going?"

"Chill," She chuckles. "I'm going to change into-"

"To call Callie," Jack says, cutting her off.

"No you aren't," Aurora narrows her eyes. "Callie's upstairs taking a nap."

"Well, I-" Jack starts, before sprinting into the kitchen.

"NO! THOSE ARE MINE, JACK! I WON'T HESITATE TO BITE YOU AGAIN!"

"Gosh, what would I do without you guys?" Carmen asks, shaking her head as she continues up the stairs.

_____