~Chapter 20~

I closed the door behind me just as the front door swung open and a streak of gold shot through it. It flew around the room a few times then dive bombed into me, knocking me to the floor. As I was sprawled across the floor I glanced down to see China sitting happily on my chest. He was wearing some cat ears and his nails were painted red. Looks like he's had a good time.

"China?!" Phoebe stepped through the door and noticed me lying on the floor with China. "Oh your back already Astria." She said walking over to ne and picking China up.

"Ugh yeah, thanks." I said standing up again.

"Fancy seeing you here already Astria." Said Dena walking in. I grimaced.

"Come with me." I grabbed her shoulder and pulled her into the laundry room. "Right. What do you want?!"

"Hmmm? Oh yeah! I want to take everyone out on a hunt...without you." She leaned on the washing machine.

"What?! But you've never been in charge before!"

"Well what a shame. Guess I'll just have to tell everyone about your little expedition today." She reached for the door handle.

"Wait fine! You can take everyone out on a hunt just don't say anything and be careful, okay?"

"Looks like we have a deal."

The door opened and Nymph walked in carrying a washing basket. She noticed us and stopped.

"Umm, am I interrupting something?"

"No not at all. I just thought I saw a poisonous spider in here and needed Dena's help. That's all." I said reassuringly but Nymphs' face went chalk white.

"Sp-spider?! Where!" She stuttered gripping tightly on the basket.

"It's right next to your foot." Said Dena's messaging on her phone.

"Ahhhh!" Screamed Nymph and threw the basket into the air before rushing out of the room and towards her bedroom.

"Dena!" I said angrily turning towards her.

"Lol." She said not looking up from her phone. And to think I just agreed to let her take everyone out on a hunt.

This sucked. Dena had announced that she would be leading tonight because I had 'homework' to do. I glanced at my clock which said 21:36 and then back at my laptop screen. I always made sure we were home before 9 so we wouldn't be sleepy in the morning for school. But it appears Dena had a change of plans. This was hopeless! I closed my laptop as the front door swung open and everyone came trampling in and there was a lot of yelling.

"But she's still out there! We should be looking for her." Said Phoebes voice.

"Relax I'm sure she can find her way home. That is if the wolves dont eat her first. Said Dena.

I walked into the living room to confront Dena and figure what had happened while I was away.

"Astria!" Squealed Amanda rushing over to me and giving me a hug. "Please be our leader again! Dena was awful. First she made us cut down all the trees so she wouldn't have to step over the foliage. Then we were attacked by worgs and she told us to beat them up without using our powers. And THEN when Nymph got scared and ran off Dena said not to bother about her and just go home!!! It was awful!" Amanda was nearly crying at this point. I removed her from where she had slipped down to my knees and stared at Dena.

"You left Nymph on her own. In the dark!" I yelled angrily. "I'm going to go find her!" I said when Dena didn't respond. I walked over to the door and as I was about to open it someone else owned it first from the other side.

"Hello?" A good looking silver haired boy was stood outside holding a shaking Nymph in his arms. When she saw me she leaped out of his arms and onto me. Then burst out crying.

"Oh Astria I've missed you so much!" She wailed.

"Found her wandering 'round in the forest on her own." The boy explained. I looked up at him and immediately recognised him as the boy who Nymph sat next to during swimming.

"If it hadn't been for Ash then I don't know what would have happened to me." Sniffled Nymph looking at Ash with glossy eyes.

I looked at the two of them and then reached for the door.

"Well thank you very much for finding her now get lost. We don't need any men around here." I said coldly and closed the door on him.

"...wow. You've reached an all new low Astria." Said Vivian.

"That guy was holding Nymph in his arms! Just imagine what could have happened to her if he had decided not to bring her back here. She could have been..." I shivered at the thought.

"But if it weren't for Asha then I don't know what would have happened to me." I looked down, horrified by the pet name Nymph had given this boy she'd only just met. The glazed look in her eyes said it all. She'd fallen for a boy!