I awoke later to find myself in the back of the Denali with the doors open and a slight breeze blowing in. I blinked a few times to focus my vision and found myself looking into a pair of hazel eyes surrounded by bright red hair. "Kris! Guys, she's awake!" Holly exclaimed.

I groaned as the loud volume vibrated my eardrums. "Inside voice, sweetheart," I muttered.

"Oh my God; are you okay Kristin?" I heard Kirstie ask.

"You nearly gave us all a heart attack girl!" Davis said.

"I know Bassman over here is sexy, but jeez! Girls fainting over him is new!"

There were some laughs at Mitch's comment, and I turned my head into Holly's stomach to hide my blush. The truth was, I had fainted over Avi, but not for the reasons they were thinking. Professor?

Dear one, are you all right?

I believe so. I am conscious, at least. I'm so confused though, Professor. What is going on?

I think it would be best for you to return home, and we will discuss today's events then.

I agree. I will be home shortly, then.

Before you depart from your new friends, I believe it would be wise to gather their contact information. You will be needing it in the future.

His statement added to my confusion, but I simply pushed it aside. "Kristin, what happened?" Lauren asked, talking over the others.

I thought for a minute on how to correctly answer the question without giving anything away. "I was talking to Avi, and suddenly I felt really faint and just blacked out. It was weird. I was feeling fine before, when I was walking with Kirstie. I have no idea what happened, and it's bothering me," I admitted.

"Wait, someone needs to mark this momentous occasion. Kristin Windsor doesn't know something!" Davis hollered. I heard what sounded like someone hitting something, and Davis exclaimed, "Ouch!" I assumed someone had hit him, and I really hoped it was Mikayla. She had a mean swing after playing softball for so many years.

I turned my face back to look at Holly, and she gasped softly. "Kristin, your eyes..."

I concentrated for a minute, and she let out a sigh. I did not need my new companions to see my intense purple eyes. They would ask questions that I would not be able to answer.

"Well, now that Boss is awake, can we get something to eat?" Leon whined.

I tried to pull myself up but instantly regretted it. My vision swam, and I would have fallen back into Holly's lap if two warm hands hadn't grabbed the top of my arms. "Whoa there; take it slow," a voice as smooth and warm as honey said.

Sparks flew, and I had an intense urge to check and see if there actually were sparks emitting from the places Avi and I were touching. The sensation was almost overwhelming. I wanted to ask him if he could feel it as well. Instead, I found myself gazing into deep green eyes. I had always laughed at the point in a book when a girl became lost in a guy's eyes. The descriptions always seemed completely inane to me, but now I realized it could truly happen. Everything else faded away, and if he hadn't pulled away from me when he was sure I was stable, I could have looked at Avi's eyes all afternoon.

Holly poked my back to bring me back to the present, and I slowly shook my head, partly to clear it and partly to test if my vision would once again blur. When it didn't, I slid forward in the seat so I could step out of the Denali. Avi was standing there, hands held out to help me. I smiled shyly at him and placed both of my hands in his. The gesture felt...normal, domestic, and absolutely right.

"Don't rush it, Kris," Lauren ordered.

I quickly sent a glare her way. "I have no desire to faint again, thank you very much Ms. Langston."

The others laughed, and I carefully stepped onto the pavement. I grasped Avi's hands tightly in my own, and he responded by making his hold firmer. I didn't sway nor did my vision blur, but I had to take a moment to center myself. I had a hard time comprehending that I was indeed upright and could support myself.

"As long as you don't feel yourself starting to faint again or having an intense headache, I don't think you'll need a doctor," Kevin told me.

I smiled gratefully at him and loosened my hold on Avi. He felt the loss of pressure and slowly dropped his arms, keeping his gaze on me to make sure I would be fine. "Well, Leon, I think your wish will come true. I'm sure eating would help alleviate the slight drowsiness I'm feeling."

Mikayla stepped up. "I'll drive, if you want. You can chose where we eat, since you're the injured party here."

I rolled my eyes. "Enough with the porcelain doll treatment, guys. I'll be fine." I met Avi's eyes. "I'm sorry for fainting on you, Mr. Kaplan. But thank you for helping me."

He blushed slightly and shook his head, his dark curls bouncing underneath his beanie. "It was no problem, Kristin." He looked back to his friends. "I'm actually kind of hungry myself. Guys, do you want to go eat with Kristin and her friends?"

They all agreed, and we arranged to meet at the local Mexican restaurant. Mikayla jumped into the driver's seat, and I was shuffled into the back between Davis and Leon. Leon offered his shoulder, and I gladly laid my head on it. I was exhausted, though I would not admit it aloud, and it took entirely too much energy to concentrate. Plus, I was having a strange sensation, almost as if I needed to be somewhere because someone important was there. We are going to eat, Professor.

Very good. Your signature is weak, dear one. I know it may all be very confusing and even frightening right now, but I assure you that everything is fine. All shall be explained when you finish your outing, but do not rush it. Enjoy being with your new family.

I bolted up and immediately regretted it. I groaned, bending over so my forehead was on my knees. "Kristin?" Davis asked, alarmed.

I felt hands on my back, rubbing lightly, and I breathed deeply in and out to try and alleviate the extreme pressure in my head. "That headache Kevin was talking about is happening, and it's hurting like a bitch," I stated dryly.

"Should we take you to the doctor?" Lauren asked.

"No, you know what the Professor has said. Kristin can't ever go to the hospital. Her blood would bring unwanted attention," Holly responded.

"I'll be fine," I muttered, mainly to myself.

"We're here," Mikayla spoke.

"Will you be all right?" Leon questioned.

I slowly leaned back into an upright position and opened my eyes. The sun seemed extremely bright, and I knew the reason was because the green color had faded and was replaced by my normal purple irises. "Holly, will you look in the glove box and pass me my Ray Bans?" She did as I asked, and I slid them on. "You all need to try and act as normal as possible. I may have flairs every now and then, because I am currently low on energy and may not be able to control all of my Talents. But I want you to play those things off as well as possible. Please? These people, they're part of Pentatonix, the group we listened to earlier, and in some way and for some reason, they are very important to me."

There was silence before Leon nodded and opened the car door. We all exited, and I was pulled into a warm hug by Kirstie. "Oh, Kristin, I hope you're okay. Maybe I shouldn't have let you carry all of those bags."

I returned the embrace, breathing in her lavender and sunshine scent. "Kirstin Maldonado, I am perfectly capable of handling a few bags, and I will be completely fine after I have some calories in me."

"Here, here!" Scott cheered, coming up to give me a one-armed hug once I had pulled out of Kirstie's arms.

Mitch latched onto one of my arms and tugged me to the restaurant. "Mommy has been craving something spicy all day, and I will not let these slow pokes keep me from my desires."

I chuckled at Mitch but followed him to the door. I reached for the handle, but a hand appeared and pulled the door open before I could. "Allow me," the deep voice said, and I trailed my eyes up the large hand to the muscular arm and landed on the handsome smile on Avi's face.

"Thank you, Dragon," I said before I could stop myself. I blushed and looked down, moving into the building with the giggles and chuckles of the others behind me.

Love you all, my darlings.