The Many Faces of Tully

Jace only studies the video a little bit. He’s really impressed that I just have to think of something while I’m like that and I’ll just morph. He wonders if it will happen every time, or if sometimes I just won’t be able to form a coherent thought. I’m hoping it’s the former.

It’s been another two weeks since then and I am getting ready in the morning. I don’t like looking at my reflection because I’m still really pretty. My lips are soft, smooth and pink and I have a dimple that stands out, even when I’m not smiling. My nose is small and cute and my eyes are mix matched. One is brown, one is dark blue. My hair is thick, dark brown, wavy and it falls to the middle of my back. I’m around 5’6” and everything about my body screams delicate. I hate it.

I walk into the kitchen and Jace is there like always. He’s wearing a black V-neck and his dark blue jeans. He’s leaning forwards so I can see the small of his back and the hem of his boxers. I wonder why guys’ boxers are always showing, but I realize I don’t mind Jace’s showing. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

“Good morning, Tully.” He smiles up at me.

“Morning.” I smile back at him. I love his smile. I love how it lights up his entire face and shows off his perfectly straight white teeth. I did ask him once and he hasn’t had braces. He says he thinks it’s his powers fault, because everything about him is in perfect condition. I have to admit that I agree with that.

He’s fit, but I never see him work out. In fact he’s normally in front of his laptop all day unless he’s helping someone with their powers. He always smells clean and he’s never sick. He told me that he’s never had acne and he’s never had the chicken pox. I can’t help but envy his power sometimes.

“What’s on the agenda for today?” I ask him after I sit down with my coffee and cereal. He still wrinkles his nose whenever my cereal spills on the table and I toss it back in my bowl. I asked him why it bugged him so much and he said that I didn’t know when the last time the table has been wiped down so I don’t know what kind of germs were on it. Of course he would be a germ-o-phobe since he is all healthy.

“Actually, it’s your turn to go shopping,” he says, nodding to the list on the fridge.

We all had our chores. We all had to do the dishes, sweep, mop, buy groceries, etc. The worst is cleaning the bathrooms. Boys are so nasty, and I refuse to let any of them in my room to clean my bathroom. I need some privacy here. I mean, living with a bunch of men isn’t as horrible as it sounds, it has its perks, but it definitely has its downfalls. You only get the shopping chore if you are over twenty-one and have a license. I do like the shopping chore because I can actually feel like a normal girl for an hour or two. A normal girl shopping to feed herself and fourteen other guys that is.

“Awesome.” I smile at him.

“Mind if I go with you?” he asks me suddenly. I freeze with my spoon halfway to my mouth. “I’ve been itching to get out lately. They haven’t needed my help at the restaurant in a while so I haven’t gotten much normal human interaction.”

“Uh, sure.” I gain control of myself. I don’t know why, but spending alone time with Jace outside of here makes me feel nervous. Maybe he’ll see me differently when we’re not surrounded by thirteen other guys with powers. Maybe he won’t feel so familiar to me on the outside? I don’t know, it just gives me the butterflies.

“Thanks.” He smiles hugely at me. “When do you normally go?”

“I normally leave here around eleven.” I leave then so I can go out to lunch too. The more time away, the better. I mean, I always can’t wait to get back so I can see Jace again, but I do really enjoy being out in the open. Besides, it’s in the beginning of August and the weather is just going to keep on getting cooler.

“All right, I’ll meet you by the elevator then. Are we going to be taking your car?” he asks me eagerly.

I laugh. They all love my car. They’re always asking to take it shopping when they have to go. Jace, who owns the rusty beetle that I parked next to the first day, is particularly envious of my car.

“She’s not your guys’ chauffeur!” I laugh at him. “Besides, I like your bug. She has character,” I tease him.

“One, it’s not a she, it’s a car and two, my car might have character but yours has a radio and AC.”

“Fine, we can take Sophie.” I sigh.

“You’ve named it?” he says, exasperated.

“Yes, and I think you should name yours Juniper, or Bernadette.” I smile.

“I’m not naming my car. It’s a car,” he argues.

“Isn’t that what guys do? Don’t guys normally love their cars and name them and everything?” I’m laughing.

“No. Those are the weird ones. Like you apparently.” He’s shaking his head.

We spend the rest of the morning arguing over cars and what makes us weird. When Nash gets to breakfast we double team Jace. Nash agrees with me that you should name your cars. It was a great morning.