After my short conversation with Jane, Haven and her parents arrived. Haven ran and jumped into a hug, which I thought was a little too expressive.

  “Are you okay? I saw the newspaper.” Haven asked. Her parents followed behind her, and shared a similar expression of worry.

  “I’m fine, more importantly how have you been?” I tried my best to change the conversation. We were becoming too close, but I also couldn’t say that was a bad thing.

  “I'm doing just fine.” Haven replied with a puff of air.

  “But she was lonely without you.” Haven’s Mother tested the waters. While it could just be an innocent tease toward her daughter, there was also the chance of her trying to test me somehow.

  “Why are you saying something like that?” Haven replied with a blush. Anyone would be embarrassed by their parents saying something weird.

  Before I could try to plan a response Rachael showed up out of nowhere. She also gave me a huge hug, but avoided pressing my back.

  “What happened to you?” Rachael asked in a non expressive voice.

  “Didn’t you see the newspaper?” I responded calmly.

  “I did, but… why?” Rachael responded hesitantly.

  “Because there was something important I had to get.” I responded cryptically. I didn’t want to lie to them, our relationship might break apart if I did. However, telling them the truth might make the exact opposite happen.

  “Well actually…” Jane started. I nearly forgot the fact that Jane pushed herself to make it so I could not hide anything. However Jane did not continue.

  “Actually, what?” All four of the people here were intensely curious about the answer.

  “I won’t tell… Yet.” Jane replied mischievously.

  Both Haven and Rachael groaned, they didn’t like such a thing being hidden from them.

  Soon after Katy Hoover arrived. She did not hug me, and instead gave a light tap on my arm.

  “You must be fine now…” She said in an annoying tone.

  “Yes, I am much better now.” I responded to her hidden question. Katy nodded and began to look me up and down.

  “Aren’t you cold?” She asked.

  “No, I'm fine.” I responded. My body was slightly cold, but it was good for my back.

  Katy sat next to Jane, and started to talk. She occasionally took glances at me, and it seemed like she understood what happened to my jacket.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  I wondered who else was coming, the four girls I had met before were here, would I meet the fifth, Tracy Jackson.

  “Who else is coming?” I asked Jane.

  “Just a few people.” Jane grinned.

  That second I heard the sound of someone walking from behind. In response I turned and saw Kaede in a thick jacket.

  Our eyes met for a second, and she began to look more nervous.

  “Greetings.” Kaede said stiffly.

  “Hello.” Jane replied.

  Kaede walked over to me and said, “I hope you are doing well.” She then gave a little bow and walked away from me.

  I was confused, Kaede seemed overly stiff and formal. It wasn’t like her.

  Before I came up with a response, the final participant of our meeting arrived.

  “Nice to meet you, I am Tracy Jackson, I am curious about this person, Azure. You said that she pulled all of you together.” A beautiful voice sounded from behind me.

  “She?” I asked while turning around.

  Tracy had an appearance matching her voice, stunning blonde hair, and a stylish outfit.

  However, the second our eyes met her earnest expression turned sour.

  “A-a-a man?” She asked. Her face was scowled and she showed no end to her disgust. Her eyes stared at me with an all too familiar expression.

  “What are you doing here, this is no place for a man.” She said while pointing away.

  “Wait, Tracy, that is Azure.” Jane cut in, sensing danger.

  “But he is a man, how could he be involved in our matters?” She replied to Jane while looking at me with contempt. It was obvious that she hated men, and considering what she went through…

  I decided to try to meet her halfway even if it would end in failure.

  “Hello, my name is Azure, it’s okay if you do not trust me, but let's try not to cause any problems.” I said with no negative emotion toward her. Trust was not something that should be given lightly.

  “I don’t believe you understand, you are the problem here. Your genes are dirty, you have no place here.” She said smugly.

  “Don’t insult my mother.” I said cruelly. One of the few things that majorly got on my nerves. It was my turn to stare at her.

  “Don’t speak about Azure that way. He has stood up for me countless times, without him all of us would be lost.” Jane said desperately. However, Jane was left unheard by Tracy, because Tracy had fallen to her knees.

  I realized what my glare was doing from the frightened look on her face. I immediately softened up, she was still one of the girls.

  I checked her with my ability, and sure enough just like the others.

  {I was raped.}

  A fire came back to my heart, however I was more in control now.

  I went down on my knees, and offered my hand.

  “I'm sorry, I… didn’t want to scare you.” I stared right at her eyes with no ill will, only a pure feeling.

  Tracy seemed shocked, and then scared again, and finally she swatted my hand away and stood herself.

  “Men are horrible, why do you let such a dog accompany you?” Tracy went back to her prior confident tone.

  “Don’t insult Azure, he has been through more with us than you.” Haven said immediately. Then all four girls and Kaede came to my defense.

  Tracy was being overwhelmed by their voices. She was blamed, insulted, and hated by the voices. Even though Kaede’s and Jane’s words were on the lighter side they were more for the pile.

  Tracy looked scared again, then she bowed her head, she acted like she lost something important.

  I stepped in front of her.

  “Please stop for now, I have a good place where we can calm down.” Their voices stopped immediately, and they looked at me weirdly.

  “Hmmph, men should know when to stay out of the way.” Tracy responded.