Chapter 25. Jealousy starts to sizzle.

"What?" Lake bolted upright in his seat. "When? Where is sh—"

He quietened down, listening to the explanation given over the phone and nodding every now and then. Storm and Celia exchanged looks over the table as their mom came in from the kitchen.

Just as Lake ended the call, Storm voiced his question. "Dude what was that about who was it?"

Lake took a second to soak in everyone's curious expressions before saying, "It was Adana."

"And?"

"She was in an accident." Lake takes off his reading glasses to massage the bridge of his nose while reeling from the new information. "She only called to let us know that's why she won't be in school for this week or until everything is resolved."

Celia clicked her tongue in her mouth and shook her head. "I saw the news this earlier this morning but didn't know you guys knew the girl involved. It wasn't a pretty sight. Can't imagine how she must feel."

Sara stood from her chair and came to stand behind Lake and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know you both feel strongly for this girl but if you're going to see her,  take a piece of my apple pie to her and try not to stress her more than necessary."

Lake and Storm nodded in unison and finished their breakfast, both trying not to rush it. They had to reject their mother's offer of Apple pie promising to send her sentiments Adana. Not wasting any more time, they both threw on decent clothes and followed the instructions given over the phone.

After twenty minutes of careful follow of directions, they find themselves in front of a large iron wrought gate. Lake affirmed the number on the pillars beside the gate to be correct and pressed the button right below the number.

"You're sure this is the right address?" Storm tried to see behind the line of trees planted a few feet after the gate, vertically as if trying to hide whatever laid beyond. "This just seems kin—"

"I hear something." Lake placed a hand on Storm's forearm to still his movements. The muffled clicking grew louder before a man, wrapped in an apron and sporting sunglasses, came to unlock the gates.

"Welcome boys." He said while unlocking the gate, his back turned to them. "Mrs. Briggs has been expecting you."

Lake thanked him and they both followed behind him, down a paved path in between what seemed to be a healthy and blooming garden before entering the enormous double doors. Unlike their home, which was equipped with modern modems, this place overflowed with antique designs and ornaments creating a imaginary step back in time.

"I'm actually the cook but Adam, the gatekeeper fell ill the other day so I'm helping out with what he does." The man said maybe trying to make them comfortable with small talk. "Here we are,  the living room."

The boys looked around registering every detail of the bright room with windows,  the full length of the walls and flower pots in every corner of the room. Though ancient-looking, a huge flat screen television welcomed them from the front of the room. "The boys and Mrs. Briggs will be with you shortly."

"Thanks." Storm muttered and made to sit on one of the plump single couches just as the sound of idle conversation floated from the door on the left of the room. Leilani entered first, blinked and turned back to exclaim to the person behind her.

Adana emerged from the door and smiled at them. "You made it."

"Of course we did." Storm stood and walked to stand beside her, his eyes scanning every inch of her body. "How are you holding up?"

"Still shaken but I'm ready to answer questions." Her eyes also scanned his simple outfit and neatly styled hair. "I just wanted you to know where I am so you don't worry yourself to death when I don't answer your calls."

Storm sighed and offered an unsure smile as his eyes scanned her face again. "You're beautiful as always." He said low enough for only her to hear. Her cheeks tinted as she hid a smile and turned away from him to look at Lake who seemed to be watching them, obvious confusion on his face.

"Lake, thank you for coming." She offered a platonic smile. It wasn't the same one she had given to Storm. Her eyes held a silent gleam when she had smiled at him but looking at her now,  she offered a friendly smile. What exactly was going on between them?

He schooled his features and stood to walk up to her and held both her hands. "I really hope you're fine."

"I will be once all this is over." She gently withdrew her hands from his hold, trying to not make it awkward. "I'm really glad you both could make it."

"What about your mom?" Lake stuffed his hands in his pockets, his heart silently throbbing at her rejection. He was sure that if it had been Storm that held her,  she wouldn't have rejected. But it was him and she rejected.

Adana hugged herself, rubbing her arms. "I don't know how she's doing yet and I won't know until I visit the hospital again."

"Not looking forward to it then." Leilani moved to stand on her other side. "Which is fine by me."

Lake turned his back to them and took slow but sure steps to the couch where he sat down staring at the lifeless television. This wasn't the right time for his feelings to rear it's ugly head but he couldn't help himself as he stole dark glances at Storm and Adana. Every smile, gesture,  touch and even change in the tone of their voices when talking each other became magnified to him as if under a microscope.

"We have guests?" A new voice asked from the same door Adana and Leilani entered from. "Male guests."

"Why certainly brother." Another voice, more phony with with a forced accent. "They've come for our baby sister."

Diego was the first to crack and enter a laughing fit, followed closely by Lucas. Everyone's attention were drawn to them as they sat beside Leilani who looked like she would pass out.

"Who are they?" Diego nodded to the twins.

"My..." Adana trailed off. "... Friends from school."

They did that silent bro greeting where they raised their chins to each other. Leilani seemed to shrink in her seat when Diego leaned back and placed his left hand on the back of the couch. "So what are we doing?"

"Actually I vote we watch a movie." Storm rubbed his palms together, a expectant smile on his face. "Do you guys have Netflix?"

"Yeah, just follow us to the movie room." Lucas didn't wait to register their slightly awed expressions before turning and walking out of the room.

Leilani was first to follow, straightening her clothes and fluffing her hair. Then Diego stood and helped Adana up while Storm walked on her other side. Lake was last to leave the living room and enter the dark home theater.

Bean bags were closer to the huge tarpaulin hung before the room and cosy couches behind those, six in total; three on each row. They watched in silence and anticipation as Diego and Lucas set the projector up.

"So what are we watching?" Lucas asked, scrolling through his numerous movie options. "Nothing too sinister because some of us have seen enough to last us a lifetime." He dashed Adana a wink.

Leilani jumped a little in her bean bag. "Ooh, let's watch, 'I Feel Pretty!'."

"Pass." Storm groaned from beside Adana on a couch. "We want some action."

"But it has action scenes." Leilani crossed her arms. "Lucas just told us to keep it light and a little comedy won't hurt."

Storm sighed, "Fine."

They proceeded to watch the movie. Not long into the movie, Adana's phone rang and she picked absentmindedly. There was a beeping in the background.

"Hello?" The beeping continued,  slow but rhythmic. "Hello?!"

"Come to the hospital, now!"

She gasped and covered her mouth with one hand, a slither of cold liquid pushed her heart to her feet. Only one person could talk to her in that tone.

No,  it can't be. The dark theater room grew dimmer as the phone slipped from her suddenly lose fingers and she swayed in her seat.

"Adana?" The feeling of arms holding unto her hands felt faint as the image before her blanked out. "Adana!"