Appointed by J. F. Jenkins Page B

it?”
    â€œMaybe. I still can’t believe that’s five months away.”
    â€œDo you feel ready?”
    â€œNot quite, but almost. I need to tackle being eighteen first, and then I can focus on graduation.”
    In March the twins would officially be adults, and that was the part that Anj was having a hard time wrapping his head around. Eighteen would mean complete control of his life would be his. He was excited to get out into the world on his own, even if it was a scary thought. There’d never been a moment in his life when he’d been completely on his own, and now one was fast approaching. I might not have to be alone though…
    Anj bit his lip, his mind running over the words Jewl had told him not too long ago. “Do you think it’s delusional to know you’re with the person you want for forever, at a young age?”
    â€œNo, I mean, when you know, you know, right?” Zes ran a hand over his lower lip, a classic sign that he wanted to say something else but wasn’t sure if he should. “Why do you ask?”
    â€œJewl brought it up. She thinks it might be, so I’m trying to figure out what that means exactly.”
    â€œGirls are cryptic and weird. She’s obviously thinking about it too. Maybe she’s scared. But again, why do you ask? Are you thinking about, you know, proposing or something?”
    I already have the ring. “Something along those lines. I thought I’d ask for your expert opinion.”
    Zes shrugged. “You love her, right? If you think she’s it, then ask her. If there’s a doubt in your mind, then don’t. Kind of like with everything else in life, all of those other leaps you can take…”
    â€œRight, of course.” He frowned a little, wondering if Zes was alluding to something. His words were a bit cryptic, which meant he was keeping a secret. Zes was a horrible liar. Do I dare pry? Not tonight. Just in case it’s something bad; I don’t want to spoil a good evening.
    â€œYou don’t need to rush it, anyway. I mean, you just got back together, like three days ago? Don’t pressure yourself so much.”
    Easier said than done. “You’re right. Merry Christmas. Should probably go see our women, huh? Before they start getting too chatty.”
    Zes coughed and shifted in his chair. “Uh huh!” He paused. “Just let me add one more thing. I think the same things about Chey that you do about Jewl, so don’t feel like you’re weird or anything.” He clapped Anj on the shoulder gently. “I’ll send Jewl this way, how’s that? Thank you again for the necklace. Merry Christmas.”
    â€œThank you,” Anj said, grateful for so many things his brother did for him. “I’ll get breakfast in the morning, since I didn’t today.”
    â€œDeal. See you then.”
    Anj turned off his spell and relaxed in his chair, reacquainting himself with the darkness. He heard his brother leave, some muffled voices as he went to collect the girls, and then several footsteps walking about in the house quietly. While Zes and Cheyenne went downstairs, Jewl came to join Anj on the patio. She trailed her hand over his shoulders, announcing her presence silently. He reached out to wrap his arms around her waist and pulled her to sit in his lap.
    â€œThere was no almost-homicide, right? I know you aren’t exactly Cheyenne’s number one fan,” he said before kissing Jewl’s cheek.
    â€œWe’re friends now.” She rested her head on his shoulder, cuddling in close.
    Coming from Jewl, that was saying a lot. The girl didn’t have friends. In fact, she made it a point to not make any. Outside of the twins, she tried to keep her close social circle limited. There were a lot of girls who followed her around and tried to be her “bestest friend ever,” but that was mostly because they wanted to get close to him. After all,