Selena's expression changed in an instant, her eyes glazing over as she became slightly twitchy. Jonah's eyes widened in alarm as he realized that something was wrong.
"Gunn, get her inside!" Jonah exclaimed, his voice low and urgent.
Gunn quickly moved to Selena's side, wrapping a supportive arm around her waist. "Hey, let's get you out of here, okay?" he said softly, guiding her towards the club room door.
Claire watched with concern, her eyes darting between Selena and Jonah. "A vision?" she asked, her voice low to keep the secret from the outsiders.
Jonah's face was grim. "A seizure or a vision. Get her inside and lay her down. Hit the recorder. Now."
Gunn supported the tiny and slender Selena, who gasped as her knees buckled. Her eyes had taken on a far-off, glazed look, and her voice was low and hypnotic.
"A tsunami...tomorrow...July 17th, 2006," she whispered, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Indonesia...Java...8.0 magnitude...millions dead...many more injured...widespread destruction...the planet will shudder…divert US UB12467 and UB13489 nuclear submarines.. nuclear payload detonation.."
As Selena spoke, her words painted a vivid picture of devastation and chaos. Gunn's eyes widened in alarm, and Claire's face went pale. Jonah's grip on Claire's hand tightened, his eyes fixed intently on his sister. He made a call.
Gunn swept Selena up in his arms as she gasped, her slender body arching backward. Her skin broke out in goosebumps, and Gunn's eyes widened as he felt her lithe form tremble against him. For a moment, her body seemed to writhe in his arms, and Gunn's gaze was drawn to the peaks of her breasts, which hardened beneath her top.
As a 17-year-old boy, Gunn couldn't help but feel a surge of attraction. But he quickly reminded himself that this was Selena, his best friend's sister - the same girl who had been the source of tension among their friends. It seemed like nobody could ever truly have her, and yet, she had the power to choose anyone she wanted, reducing them to devoted followers.
As Selena delivered her prophecy. Her body reacted involuntarily, and she let out a soft groan as her vision abated. "So much loss, so much pollution. - Ahhhn..."
Selena was mortified. She knew that her prophecies often caught her off guard, dropping her defenses and revealing her deepest desires. And now, it seemed like her hormone-driven brain was seeking out information about her subconscious desires at the most inopportune times and finding information on future changeable paths to love trysts with her brother's friends.
To cover up her embarrassment, Selena hastily explained, "Oh, that just hurt my back - it was a hell of a cramp."
Gunn's eyes lingered on Selena's face, his expression a mix of curiosity and enthrallment. He had heard the unmistakable groan, and he knew that Selena's explanation about a cramp didn't quite add up. But he didn't push the issue, instead helping Selena to her feet and making sure she was steady.
"Hey, are you okay?" Gunn asked, his voice low and gentle.
Selena nodded, her face still flushed. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little...crampy." Her vision flickered between the present and the future. It was embarrassing. Selena panted.
Gunn smirked but said nothing. He knew Selena well enough to recognize when she was hiding something. But he also knew that she wouldn't appreciate him prying into her business. Instead, Gunn changed the subject, asking Selena about the prophecy she had just delivered. "Hey, what was that all about? A tsunami?"
Selena nodded, her expression turning serious. "Yeah. It's going to hit Indonesia tomorrow. Hopefully, Indonesia won't become an irradiated toxic wasteland. Two small nuclear reactors and an arsenal. Bush is such a gunsexual."
Selena rolled her eyes at Gunn's flirtatious jab. "You're a little Gunn Sexual," he had said, his voice low and teasing. Michael and Jakob shot him warning glares, but Selena just chuckled and shook her head.
Liam, on the other hand, looked like he had been punched in the gut. He stumbled over to a nearby chair and collapsed into it, his face flushed. Selena's writhing and little moan had set his imagination racing, and he couldn't bear to stand up right now.
Gunn raised an eyebrow at Liam's reaction, a smirk playing on his lips. "Dude, you okay?" he asked, trying to stifle a laugh.
Liam just waved a hand at him, still looking dazed. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just...just give me a minute."
"Hey Babe, can you take Sel to change?" Jonah asked. His friends were fucking humiliating themselves. Claire nodded in understanding as Jonah asked her to help Selena find a change of clothes. Selena's top was still damp, and Jonah wanted to have a serious discussion with the others without any distractions.
As Claire led Selena upstairs, she reassured her, "Don't worry, we'll get you cleaned up and comfortable. Jonah's taking care of things, and we can relax by the pool later."
Selena agreed, and as she walked upstairs, her hips swayed slightly, causing Liam to stare after her, his eyes wide with admiration. Michael quickly slipped into the bathroom, trying to compose himself.
Claire couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Jonah as she watched Selena slip into her black bikini. Selena's confidence and lack of self-consciousness were admirable, but Claire knew that her friend's stunning physique would only add fuel to the fire of Jonah's friends' desires. Her body was perfect and the subject of envy.
Selena was the same in the locker room as she was outside of it, confident. She would just strip off and change without a second thought. Her adoptive Mom was a former exotic dancer, so maybe that's where her confidence came from. Claire envied her body. It was athletic, and she could not lie; she was attracted to the perfectly sculpted body. She had seen her defend herself against assassins and even sparred with her.
Selena was on magazine covers, diets composed to 'get the look' she effortlessly kept, Selena could eat and had to eat a lot. She lived on dextrose candies.
As Selena struck a pose in front of the mirror, Claire's eyes widened in mock horror. "Selena, you're going to give Jonah a headache, those assholes downstairs are the worst" she exclaimed, tossing her friend a sundress and sandals. "For the love of all things good, please put this on!" Claire could not help staring.
"Those are my assholes." Selena laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement, but she obliged Claire's request, slipping into the sundress. The flowy fabric hugged her curves in all the right places. Even in a dress, Selena looked undeniably beautiful, and Claire couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
"So, are Jennifer and the girls going to meet us there?" Selena asked. It was both Liam and Jakob's birthday. The girls had a crush on them.
"Yeah, they have been getting ready all day for this. I cannot believe they have the house to themselves." Claire said. A party like this for people like them was unheard of; they would get to act like normal people and drink.
They came downstairs, and the atmosphere was much less tense and relaxed. "Why don't you drive Selena to the Reinholds', and I will go with the guys. We will take Gunn's Range Rover back. We still have to talk more." Jonah said. He kissed Claire on the cheek. "Thank you," he whispered into her ear.
"Sounds good. See you there." Selena answered with a nod, smiling slightly as she grabbed her bag and headed towards the door. Claire fell into step beside her, and together, they walked out to the car. The warm sunshine and fresh air were a welcome relief after the tense atmosphere earlier.
As they drove away from the house, Claire turned to Selena with a curious expression. "Selena, can I ask you something?"
Selena nodded, settling into the passenger seat. "What's up, Claire?"
Claire smiled mischievously. "You seem to have a certain...chemistry with all of the guys. Gunn, Liam, Jakob, and Michael - they're all clearly into you. And I have to wonder, do you have feelings for one of them too?"
Selena's gaze drifted out the window, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Honestly, Claire? I do. You know, I've had a vision of being with any of them. I can see a future with any of them."
Claire's eyes widened in surprise, but she laughed and nodded sympathetically. "I can see why. They're all great guys. But, Selena, you know that you can date, right?"
"It will be fine, they'll figure it out. I'm not ready", Selena said with a reassuring smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "We're part of a unique group, Claire - families with the ability to see the future accurately and work together to prevent the end of the world. That's a heavy responsibility, but it's also a privilege to be part of something so much bigger than ourselves. I have to focus on learning and getting humanity to a golden timeline. I have no time for dating."
Selena's gaze turned introspective, her voice taking on a softer tone. "And you know, Claire, I trust the people around me. I trust that they'll do the right thing, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard."
Her eyes locked onto Claire's, filled with warmth and appreciation. "You're one of those people, Claire. My vassal, my best friend...you'd never betray me. And I know that's not always easy. But grandmother assures me you won't, and I don't want to 'see' through you. I see everything on fast-forward, and I don't forget it," Selena shuddered.