I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, and took it out to look. It was a message from Lyre. “Hello Xeno. I would like to know if you want to go get some coffee with me.” It took me a second to process what I just read, but I mean sure coffee with a friend? Why not? I respond with “Sure. Give me 5 mins and I’ll meet you at the place we went last time.” I got out of my hammock. I looked at myself in the mirror on the wall. “Are you sure about this, Xeno?” Came a voice from behind me I didn’t recognize. I jumped a little. I turned to see who it was, but saw no one. It’s probably nothing. I teleported out of my room to Jadalyn’s house. Had to let her know I’d be out. Jada was sitting on the couch, telling Nyrus and Jaxson the story of Jason and the Argonauts. Jadalyn looks up at me and scowls. I feel her gaze pierce through me like an arrow. Of course Jade is the one that speaks. “Hey Xeno. What do you want now?” Jaxson jumps up from where he was sitting to hug me. He’s about half my size, only 4 up years old. But technically he was only born like 3 months ago. Rift aging is quite useful. “Uncle Xeno!” Shouts Nyrus as she follows Jaxson. “Hey you two! How’s my favorite kids?” I say as I lift Jaxson up. I start hovering off the ground by about a foot. “Alright, alright. C’mon.” Says Jadalyn from the couch. Nyrus runs back to Jadalyn. “Sorry mom! Xeno is distracting!” Jaxson jumps out of my arms and lands on his feet. “Yeah sorry momma!” I retain my smile as I sit next to Jadalyn. “Just wanted to let you know I’m going out for coffee with Lyre.” “Xeno, I didn’t know you drank coffee.” “Eh, on occasion.” Jadalyn rolls her eyes. She looks at the clock on the wall above the window. “You’ve got 3 hours maximum.” I jump to my feet. “Cool! I’ll be back then.” I disappear. Lyre is already waiting for me, and has two cups of black coffee in front of him. He pushes one toward me as I sit down. “How is Jadalyn?” I was a little surprised by the sudden question. “Fine, I guess. She was telling the kids a story when I left.” “…Are you sure you trust her? That woman is unfit to be a mother.” I feel like I was just punched in the gut. I need to retain my composure, though. I respond calmly, trying not to let my anger show. “I trust her more than anyone else.” “Why?” “Well…” I had to think about that one for a moment. Why do I trust her? “I trust her because…I know how trustworthy she can be, and-“ “Can be. Not is. So I repeat my question. Why?” “Because she treats me like I’m one of her own kids. She’s a better parent to me than my actual ones.” Lyre is unconvinced. “She’s still a monster.” I’m about to snap. “What makes you say that?” “She almost kiIIed her own kids 30 times. If not more. I think she hates you just as much as she hates Grace.” I swear I’m going to destroy this man. “You think. I know. She trusts me.” “How do you know?” “I’ve been in her mind more times than I could wish to count. And she knows that.” After we finished arguing about Jadalyn, I teleport back to my room. Head still swirling, I fly up to my hammock and collapse into it. I bury my face into the pillow as I start crying.
Fun fact! Xeno’s name comes from the Greek word “xénos” and that word means “stranger or foreigner.” Yes this story is canon. If you find any spelling or grammar mistakes, just let it be.
