#taissa smith

I return my looking over the water. A bumblebee was lazily buzzing next to a lavender plant, and I think of Dahl.

“Did you know that lavender is edible?” I offer.

“Sounds pretty gross.” Gabriel laughs.

“Super good for you though.” I say. “Good for the immune system, and calming the nerves... i’m sure it’s not delicious but it will keep you alive.”

“Really? Lavender?” Gabriel asks. “What else is edible? In the forests I mean.”

“Heaps of things! My Dad knows all of them. Herbs, leaves, even some mosses that grow on tree trunks, some bugs...” I start listing them off. I notice Taissa is looking at me, but I can’t discern her expression. “You could make a whole meal! There’s enough of the land to keep you going for ages... I’d miss chocolate though...” 

“So theoretically, someone could get lost in these woods and survive?” Gabriel asks, a little feverishly. I’m amused that he’s so interested in the subject, but Taissa seems a little uncomfortable. 

“Theoretically, sure.” I say. 

“Gabriel...” Taissa says, very gently. 

“What?” he snaps. “The detective said that it was most likely that he would have starved to death. But maybe he didn’t. Maybe he’s okay.” 

It clicks into place now. Gabriel’s missing cousin. 

“He’d have to know what to look for, Gabe.” Taissa almost whispers. 

“He’s smart.” 

“I know, but-”

“Do you want him to be dead?” he says, quite factually. 

“Of course I don’t, Gabe. I’m just trying to be realistic.” Taissa said calmly, but sternly. They’re being civil, but there is heat under their words. They’ve argued about this before. I can feel tears in my eyes. I didn’t mean to start a fight between Taissa and Gabriel. 

“What’s up, Precious?” Gabriel asks, noticing my sadness. 

“I didn’t meant to bring it up.” I say. “I was being insensitive. I should have thought about your cousin before I said anything-” 

“I’m sorry, i’ll stop.” Gabriel says. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. Shall we start walking home?”

As we walk home, I can’t help but try and think about where Johnny might be. I know that Gabriel and Taissa are thinking the same. 

We walked for a short amount of time, before we plopped ourselves down under the shade of a large pine tree. I lay back, propped up on my elbows, and stared lazily at the fish jumping out of the water. The summers here were beautiful. Taissa and Gabriel sat close together. After a moment, I realised they were waiting for me. 

“Well?” Taissa prompted. “Tell us everything!” 

“About what?” I ask. 

“Jean! We saw you guys hugging, that seems nice! What were you talking about?” 

“Isn’t that more of Jean’s business?” I ask playfully. Taissa rolls her eyes, and Gabriel smirks at her. 

“But I just want to knoooow...” Taissa whines. “Is she okay? Are you guys friends?”

“Of course we’re friends.” I say. “And yes, she’s okay.” Or at least she will be.”

“One more questions, then i’ll stop.” Taissa says. “Why didn’t she want to hang out with us? Doesn’t she like me?” 

“I think she’s just shy.” I say. “Of course she likes you, Taissa.” 

“You’re impossible not to like.” Gabriel adds, reassuring his girlfriend.

Gabriel walks further away from us. I am trying not to listen in on his phone call, but I can make out the words ‘Pa, please, i’m with my friends...’ 

“Must be his Dad.” Taissa sighs, and gets off my bed. I stand with her. “He’ll probably need to go home soon...” 

“Why?” I ask.

“I’ll tell you later.” Taissa whispers. “All good, Gabe?” 

“Yeah, i’m gonna have to go, though.” he says, sadly. “Mom, you know. Sorry guys, I was really looking forward to hanging out.” 

“That’s okay, Gabriel.” I say. “Another time?” 

“Absolutely.” he says. I try to step back to give him and Taissa a moment of privacy, but she doesn’t seem to mind giving him a peck on the cheek in front of me. He turns, and gives me a hug, then leaves. 

As I predicted, Ychelle and Dahl were posed cosily in the living room. The usual furrow in Ychelle’s brow that means she’s worrying about something is missing, but Dahl looks as laidback as ever. He winks at my friends and I when we walk in the room. 

“Hi Mom, Dad.” I say. “This is Taissa, and Gabriel. They’re my new friends.” I beam. “We’re just going to do some study upstairs. Is that okay?” 

“Absolutely!” Ychelle says. “Gabriel, Taissa, welcome to our home.” 

“If you kids need anything, just give us a bell.” Dahl says jauntily, tightening his arm around Ychelle. 

“Thanks, guys.” I smile at them. “My room is upstairs.”

“We were jut about to go and have a study session.” Taissa said. “You’re welcome to join us! My house is just a little small.” 

“You guys are welcome to come over to my place to study.” I offer. Taissa and Gabriel exchange a dark look. “What?” 

“I don’t want to offend you, but your house has always sorta given me the creeps.” Taissa says. 

“It’s not haunted, is it?” Gabriel asks. 

“Of course it’s not haunted!” I laugh. “It just needed a little bit of TLC is all. My Dad fixed the garden right up.” 

“Alright, i’m down.” Gabriel agrees. “Don’t be a wuss, Taissa.” 

Taissa scoffed, and they eventually decide to settle on coming back to my place. For a second I worry that Dahl will be floating around with his wings out, but then I realise that Ychelle has probably seen us coming. 

“It was soooo awesome meeting you today. I know we’re going to be great friends!” Taissa leans in to hug me, and I am pleased. “See you tomorrow, precious!” 

“See you, Taissa. Bye, Gabriel!”I say cheerfully at my two new friends. Taissa’s hand falls into Gabriel’s, and they go to leave together.

“See you, oh, hey, have you chosen your elective yet?” Gabriel asks, turning back.

“Elective?” I inquire.

“It’s a subject that you can choose. The school offers psychology, art, music, physical education and a whole bunch of other extra credit classes like english and science, so you can choose from those.” Taissa lists them off. 

“Do music!” Gabriel whispered loudly at me, and Taissa scoffs. 

“If you want to waste a couple of hours a week! Psychology is the one that will get you somewhere. Anyway, it’s up to you, precious, but we have elective subjects for a few hours on week, starting on Wednesday.” Taissa says.

“Awesome, i’ll get thinking.” Precious said. “See you tomorrow!”

“That was super nice of you at lunchtime.” Taissa murmured to Precious. “Like, we all feel bad for Jean, but we never say anything. Did she say very much?”

“Not much.” Precious said. The images that she saw when she touched Jean popped into her head. “I’m worried about her though.” 

“Maybe she’s just quiet? She’s kinda always been that way. She probably prefers hanging around by herself. Don’t let it get you down.” Taissa said with a cheerful smile.  

“Yeah.” Precious said. 

“15 more minutes, guys. Remember, you’ll be presenting these essays in front of the class next week, so be sure to include all the information you want to share about yourself.” Mr. Egan called out. 

Precious felt a lump in her throat. An entire essay, about herself? And presenting? She’d have to ask for some help from her parents on what to say.

I hear friends talking and laughing, bringing up tales and memories of their summer holidays. Both Gin and Taissa are loud talkers, they drown out the rest of the conversation. I turn to the girl sitting next to me. She has light, strawberry blonde hair, and blue eyes. She looks shy. This must be Garrett’s sister. 

“Hi, i’m Precious!” I say enthusiastically. This could be a chance to make another friend!

“I’m Jean,” Jean says reluctantly. She doesn’t reach my eyes, but scratches a pattern into the wooden table. 

“How was your Summer?” I ask politely. 

“Good,” Jean replies. She looks away, and doesn’t carry on the conversation. I frown slightly, out of worry. Did I do something wrong? Jean doesn’t talk to me for the rest of homeroom. 

Out of curiosity, I look for Jean’s aura, but all I see is a black fog surrounding her. From what I know, black is not good.  What is going on with this girl?

“Right, class!” Mr. Egan calls out. “To the Geo room!”