1
Hugging my knees to my chest, rocking back and forth on my mattress, I awaited the first rays of the sun to peek up from above the horizon. The moon shone dully just above the mountains, scattered stars patterning the night sky. 2
An eerie silence filled the halls, seeming to almost echo off the stone walls as it reverberated in my scattered thoughts. The images had awoken me as they did often; having no real meaning, just showing me things that could be, that would be, and that would never be. In all reality, I was only supposed to be able to see glimpses of what would happen in the near future, but I knew it was more than that. 3
Just before I'd woken, screaming, I'd seen a black and white image of my parents' faces. I knew, for a fact, that my father had died long before I was born, and in denial that she would have to take care of another besides herself, my mother had overdosed. She didn't want me, and saw no other way of ridding herself of me. 4
Adoption hadn't been an option, she knew I would've wanted to meet her one day. She couldn't just leave me on some door step like the stork, she knew they'd find her someday. She saw no other options. Obviously, I did not know if this was, indeed, true, but from what I'd been told about my mother, it was rather impossible not to believe the things I was told. 5
I wasn't even quite sure who the man was in the image, I'd never seen a photo of my father before, and so I couldn't possibly know what he looked like. But this, I knew it was him. I saw them, on their wedding day, the image faded and torn. 6
The black and white images, the faded ones, I assumed were from the past. There was no other explanation for the things I saw; my house which I didn't remember, the small black room in which my mother took with her her bottle of pills, someone who I remembered vaguely as my grandfather, though he'd passed away before I was born.7
Shivering in the morning chill, I hugged my knees tighter to my chest; though I knew it would be easier if I slipped underneath my covers, I knew that the warmth would likely drag me once again into unconsciousness and the nightmares would continue. I was thankful for these... images, usually, but I knew the luxury of knowing came at a high price. 8
There, staring out the wide pane glass window, another image from my dreams plucked at my interest. It hadn't been a very clear image, fuzzy and uncertain, but it was there. I remembered the outline of the figure walking away, the crop of light brown hair ruffling in the breeze, the irritated way in which the figure seemed to walk.9
A voice had entered then, calling the figure by name, a male I recalled now, seeming anxious. 10
"Gabriel," the voice called, and he turned.11
Once again I was perplexed, marveling almost, at the boy's eyes. As the image focused on the boy, the color was clear. A bright orange flame burned behind each of his irises, anger clear in the set of his sharp jaw. He didn't speak, and abruptly turned on his heels and left, bringing the image with him.12
Opening my eyes, I noticed the sun had begun creeping over the mountains, the first few rays casting shadows in the room. Checking the clock on my nightstand, it read five forty-five am. I was surprised no one had come knocking to check and see if I wasn't being strangled by and intruder or something along those lines. I supposed they were all used to my screams by now; they had been happening more and more frequently lately. 13
I tried not to dwell on that fact as I slipped off my pajamas and pulled on my jeans, searching for a shirt in my closet. Once I was dressed, I headed into the hall and into the bathroom. Brushing my hair, staring into the mirror I again was mezmorized by the boy's eyes. No one I knew had eyes so... intense. They were beautiful, intriguing. 14
Even mine, with their violet hues, were nothing compared to the boy's. I wondered, suddenly, why I had dreamt about him at all. I had never seen this boy before, never heard his name, never heard anyone speak of anyone like him. Did that mean we would soon meet? A thrill of fear surged through me as I imagined staring into his brilliant eyes, though his voice was muffled in my imagination, never having heard it before. 15
Though I was usually very talented at guessing things, not regarding my 'talent', but him I could not guess. I found myself gazing, unseeingly into the mirror before me, captivated by those orange eyes....16
"Elena?" the voice abruptly pulled me from my reverie, shattering the image before my eyes. 17
I was suddenly aware of someone standing behind me, staring into the mirror and at my face. Her dark, almost black, eyes were searching, shifting around my face as she looked for what was wrong with me. The suspicious set of her mouth, the awaiting look in her eyes as they rested on the hand that still gripped the brush that I held in mid-air. 18
Spinning around, I let the brush and my hand fall to my side, placing the other arm against the door frame. 19
"Yes?"20
I was tired of having her watching me, though her concern was meant well, like she was waiting for my mental breakdown or a psychotic episode. Neither of those would ever happen to me, as far as I was concerned, and it wasn't me she should be pointing her finger at. 21
After all, I wasn't the one that was going around poking her nose in everyones' buisness where it definately did not belong. Additionally, I wasn't the one staring at the others like they belonged in the pschyciatric ward; or better, dropping subtle hints that they should share whatever it was that was on their mind because the nosy person — once again — couldn't keep her nose out of my buisness.22
In my irritation, my eyes narrowed at her answer.23
"Is something wrong, Elena?"24
I turned my back on her to rummage through my drawer, searching for my make-up bag. Once I'd found it, I plopped it onto the counter and unzipped the clear case.25
"No, nothing is wrong." I answered, annoyed, while I began to apply mascara. "Why do you ask?"26
To my surprise, she didn't immediately reply to my obvious lie — though I was getting better at hiding things from her, when Dedric wasn't around, anyway. Instead, she chewed on her bottom lip for a moment, hesitating in the doorway. I could practically hear the gears turning in her thoughts as she contemplated ways of getting me to talk. 27
"I was just wondering, because you seemed... distracted, that's all." she shot me a quick smile when I glanced up at her in the mirror. I smiled softly back, not wanting to leave her in a bad mood for the entire day.28
Finishing, I shoved my bag back in the drawer and proceeded to brush my teeth. Celina waited patiently, her teeth glistening brightly against her alabaster skin. Once I'd finished, I decided to let her in on my latest gatherings of the "future". Because I'd realized that maybe this strange boy from my dreams would be a new student, perhaps, an addition to our drastically small student body population. 29
That would reassure her for the day, at least.30
I motioned for her to follow as I entered my room to find my school bag, shoving my things into it and grabbing my wallet, shoving that in too. She impatiently batted her eyelashes while she waited, knowing that it was for her ears alone.31
"I'm not entirely sure if I'm correct in interpreting this," I began in a whisper as I dug through my closet for shoes. "But last night I saw... someone."32
Her dark eyes narrowed in confusion, "someone? As in who?"33
"All I know is that I've never seen him before, and no one has ever spoken about him before, so I'm completely guessing here. But, I think there's going to be a new student at our school today." I finished, my ears listening for anyone who might be eavesdropping.34
Her eyes were alight with excitement; our school was so depressingly small, any addition was a cause for celebration. She clapped her small hands, jumping up and down with joy.35
"Seriously?" she whispered, her tone full of supressed excitement. "What does he look like?"36
Again, all I could remember was the eyes. The amazing, orange eyes. And so, my next answer, "I'm... not completely sure," was entirely true. 37
Her face fell the tiniest bit, but she regained the excitement as we exited into the main hall. She was jabbering on about how we were going to have a pop quiz in History today, and that she knew she was going to fail because she had completely forgotten to take notes on Mr. McAdam's last lecture. Her never ending chatter made responding easy, with an occasional nod or a shake of the head. 38
The other three were already waiting for us by the front doors, seemingly irritated at our slow pace this monday morning. Of course, Alexander couldn't stay angry with Celina for longer than about five seconds, and so when we reached the others, he quickly put his arms around her waist to hug her. 39
His black hair contrasted oddly with her blonde hair; ebony and ivory, dark and light. Evalyn and Dedric were already holding hands, heading out the doors towards his car. Her long, inky hair blew back like a cloak behind her as the wind tore through the parking area. The way their fingers intertwined, how Dedric opened the passenger door for her and closed it behind her, the way he stared at her as he started the car.... It left me grimacing in want. 40
Looking behind me at the large letters that sat against the snow covered roof, I read them for the millionth time: ST. MARCELLUS'S ORPHANAGE. The house of the unwanted, the unneeded, and the left behind. Though it might just as well say: ST. MARCELLUS'S HOUSE OF THE ABNORMALLY 'GIFTED'. When I had arrived, Celina and Dedric were already here. Evalyn and Alexander showed up shortly after. We were all small children, the same age, and therefore grew up together, at the same school. It was obvious, from the time we were toddlers, that Dedric showed a preference for Evalyn, and Alexander for Celina. 41
I was always the third wheel, where ever we went, whatever we did. They all clearly pointed out they wanted us all to go together, third wheel and all, but I wasn't always sure they completely felt that way. Most times I felt in the way. 42
I didn't mind being alone, of course not, but there were times that I wished I'd found someone. My other half. Like Celina and Evalyn did in Alexander and Dedric. Somtimes, I wished there were someone I could hold hands with, share my fears, my secrets without a thought of worry that they might be told to the rest of the world. 43
The others were concerned, I'd over heard pleanty of conversations before, that I was alone too often, that I needed someone else to cope with the severity of my... talent. They knew, though, that he would have to be like us and not like them. 44
Shaking my head, I realized I was sitting in my car with one hand raised halfway to the ignition, key in hand. I quickly started the car, turning the heat on full blast, only now noticing how freezing I was. I drove behind the others, fighting tears the whole way there. 45
"Earth to Elena," Alexander chuckled, waving his hand in front of my face. 46
My eyes focused on his pale face, his cropped black hair still glistening with snow crystals from the hazardous walk into the building. His silver eyes weren't searching the way Celina's had been; though she'd known something wasn't right. Blinking a few times, I cracked a smile at my unawareness this morning.47
"W-what? Sorry, Alex did you say something?"48
He chuckled again, staring at me meaningfully his eyes concentrated. The memory of his previous words grew stronger, as did the irritation in his face when I didn't reply and so he'd asked a second time... and a third. I blushed, embarrassed.49
I didn't have time to answer, however, because Mrs. Garver called my name for roll. "Berwick, Elena?"50
"Here," I responded dully.51
Before Alexander could ask again for my opinion on what to get Celina for her birthday, something caught my attention. A figure walking through the door wearing a chesnut leather coat. I only caught a slight glimpse of his eyes, but it was enough. My mouth fell open in surprise, and my eyes very nearly popped out of my head. 52
His hair wasn't as light as I thought it was; actually, it wasn't light at all. The dark brown locks were much similar in tint to my own, though his hair was cut short. He said a quick few words to Mrs. Garver and she snapped at him to wait until she'd finished. 53
He kept his eyes on her podium, not facing the rest of the class, until she had read off the last name, Hannah Wilson. She returned her eyes to the boy, but seemed unperturbed by their strange color. She ought to be used to that by now, I thought smugly. 54
"Name," she demanded in her charming shrill tone.55
"Gabriel Evans," he answered, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his lips.56
"Class," she called, her glasses slipping to the tip of her nose as she added his name to the roll sheet. "It seems we have a new student." With one glistening red-fingernailed hand she turned Gabriel to face the class. A few small, stifled gasps rang around the room as their eyes fell upon his. "Now, now, quiet!"57
The gasps stopped almost immediately as Mrs. Garver raised a graying eyebrow. "Sit," she had no choice but to point to the one empty chair in the classroom — by me. 58
He pulled the chair out noiselessly, and sat fluidly, as far away from me as was possible. My eyebrows pulled together in confusion as I turned my head towards the strange boy. I was immediately drawn to his brilliant eyes, though his gaze was not so friendly. He stared down at my face with a concentrated, slightly frustrated look on his face. 59
"Hello," I said conversationally after his intense gaze had become awkward.60
His concentration deepened, which suddenly turned into horror. His blazing eyes widened in silent terror, and his hands turned to fists. It took me a moment to gather the courage to continue my little one-sided conversation.61
"I'm Elena."62
Then, his eyes flashed to my face, the fear completely gone from their fiery depths. Had I just imagined it? No, I was sure that it had been there. A glorious smile lit up his pale features, his teeth glistening in the dull flourescent light. I was momentarily stunned into silence by his glorious face as his smile caught my breath and sent sharp, mysterious twinges in my stomach. 63
I was vaguely aware of Alex staring at the back of my head, trying desperately to make me forget the person I was practically gawking at. I could feel his gaze boring into the back of my skull, seeing right through, towards the strangely dashing boy at my right. I'd always thought his glare was something to be feared, but now as I recalled Gabriel's, Alex's might've been nothing more than a grimace. 64
The look on Gabriel's face seethed with hatred mixed horror as he seemed almost unaware of the absolutely terrifying look on his face. He seemed now eager for me to forget, the brilliant smile lighting up his face seemed almost as unearthly as his eyes. 65
"Gabriel," he nodded, amusement glowing in his eyes at the shock on my face as he spoke. His voice flowed perfectly, articulately from his pale lips, each word like a single note in a perfectly composed piece of music. "Though I suppose you already knew that,"66
He chuckled then, and I was forced to stare into his eyes like an idiot. The laughter rang through my ears and tangled my thoughts as I tried to say something at least moderately coherent. But as I opened my mouth to speak, the only sound that escaped my lips was a hysterical giggle. 67
I snapped my mouth shut, the blood rushing to my cheeks. Surprisingly, Gabriel was still staring down at me, his eyes full of wonder. A spark of horror danced across them for half a second before he could conceal it behind the amusement that no doubtedly came from my idiotic squeal. 68
Just then the bell sang its shrill tone, snapping me out of my trance. My eyes focused away from his, and I was able to form a coherent end to our short conversation. 69
"It was nice meeting you," I said finally, looking up to met his eyes again. But he disappeared before I finished my sentence. Gathering my things into my bag, a voice broke through my annoyance. 70
"Well he's... strange," Alex commented, his tone a tad bit smug.71
Turning my head, I narrowed my eyes, glaring at him. I could tell he was pleased with the fact that Gabriel hadn't stayed around to chat with me. I straightened with a huff, and stalked out of the room with Alex trailing at my heels.72
Heading straight for my locker, I shoved my things into the small rectangular space, running over what had just happened in my head. What was that look in his eyes? Had I caused his horror? I shivered as I remembered his glare, and slammed the metal door shut. It locked into the frame and I turned on my heels, towards my Trigonometry class in deep frustration. 73
At least I would be alone to my thoughts. I shoved the door open, shuffling quickly to an open seat in the back row. I hadn't realized Mr. Faller had already started today's lesson. He gave me a disapproving look as I settled into my seat and heaved my book on the table. Flipping to the page Mr. Faller had written on the board, I half-tried to concentrate on what he was saying.74
A voice froze my hand in mid-page turn, "What a coincidence." 75
Why? I screamed to myself, fighting the urge to get up and move seats.76
I waited until I had found the correct page, and after I'd ripped a piece of blank paper from my notebook before I allowed myself to acknowledge he'd spoken to me. I began writing my name at the top of my paper before I began.77
My eyes slid to his face, still so glorious even in the dull light shining through the slits in the blinds. I swallowed hard before I spoke, "It's a small school." 78
And it was. In the front office it said: Meadow Lakes High Student Body Population: 569. Conisdering the entire town's population was 6,656; it was a pretty good number. I hadn't realized, until now, that he chuckled. And I hadn't noticed, until now, that when he laughed his eyes seemed to almost shimmer. Even in the dark, they sparkled with amusement, leaving me speechless.79
"I suppose it isn't that uncommon to have more than a single class with someone, then." he allowed, laughing quietly again. His laughter was like deep bass bells.80
"Or three, or four, or five." I continued, "We only have twenty teachers." 81
"Hmmm," his eyes focused on the board, and the problem Mr. Faller was showing us. His eyebrows puckered over his eyes, and he cocked his head to the side. I found myself staring again. It was hard not to, when every face he made was something knew for me to watch, to wonder...82
Ugh! I tore my gaze away from his perplexed expression long enough to realize that Mr. Faller seemed to be staring at me expectantly. Uh-oh, what had I missed now? The entire class had turned around in their seats to stare at me now; some with amused expressions, others with sarcastic ones. 83
“Yes, Mr. Faller?”84
“I'm glad to see that you've rejoined our class, Elena. Now, if you could refrain from daydreaming long enough, perhaps you could tell us the answer to number twenty-three?” He wasn't joking, though quiet snickers rang around the classroom. 85
I blushed scarlet, my eyes quickly darting to my book, searching for the equation. Panicking, I stared at the jumble of numbers and letters that didn't even remotely make sense in my mind. When I heard a familiar chuckle on my left, my eyes snapped to his face — glaring. Before I could speak, his words surprised me when his chuckle stopped abruptly.86
“Eighty-one over seven,” he murmured turning his head towards my face.87
My eyebrows furrowed together in confusion while I stared at him blankly. It was clear I didn't know what he meant.88
“The answer, Elena.” He explained, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.89
I flushed again, turning away — embarrassed.90
“Eighty-one over seven?” I answered; it sounded more like a question than when Gabriel had said it.91
Surprise crossed Mr. Faller's face before he spoke again. “That is correct; it seems you have been listening, then.”92
Grinning sheepishly, I nodded, hiding my eyes from his gaze for the remainder of the hour. I doodled aimlessly on the cover of my notebook, trying not to fidget whenever Gabriel made so much as a sigh next to me. Repressing the urge to look at him again — I refused even a slight glance — was one of the hardest things I'd ever done. He was so... interesting it was hard to find other things to think about besides what he was thinking about.93
I could hear the scratching of his pencil on paper, but I didn't peek to see if he was doing his assignment or doodling like I was. I had no interest in math today, not that it was different from any other day. The class was quiet after his lesson was completed, all of them scratching the answers onto their papers, often checking back and forth between pages to see if they'd done them right.94
It was so maddeningly silent, that I nearly jumped out of my seat in surprise when I heard my name. The voice shouldn't have been so familiar, but I knew exactly whom it was the second he began to speak.95
“Elena?”96
My heart stuttered, and began to thrum in my chest. “Yes?” 97
I risked a glance in his direction and found him staring at me, his eyes blazing with intensity. My gaze was caught in his, and I was forced to look at him while he struggled with whatever he wanted to say. The orange in his eyes had intensified so brightly they burned a deep, fiery yellow. I had to remind myself to breathe. The corners of his mouth were turned down in a frustrated frown; like he didn't know how to say what he wanted to ask me. 98
“Yes?” I asked again, turning in my seat so I was completely facing him. 99
Then, destroying every chance I had at learning something more about this strange, mysterious boy was shattered by the shrill ring of the bell.100
“Nevermind,” he muttered. He stood, and hesitated, almost as if he were waiting for me, too, but he left the room without so much as a backwards glance. 101
I left the room much like I had before, stalking my way to my locker and shoving my things inside. Why did he have to be so intriguing? Why couldn't he speak to me like a normal person? Whenever he did chose to speak to me, it was always one word questions or answers...always leaving me hanging...102
Why did this matter? Afterall, he was just someone new, there wasn't anything special that should drive me towards him the way I seemed to be. Then again, with those eyes, I knew he was special. But why couldn't he act normal like the rest of us did? Did he think he was too good for normal? I didn't believe that. I began muttering to myself as I trudged down the hall towards history.103
I didn't realize, until it was too late, that I'd ran right into the chestnut leather coat in front of me. Stumbling backward, my eyes wide with surprise, I squeaked in shock when Gabriel's arm swung out as he turned around, knocking my books out of my hands. They tumbled to the ground, spilling over the dark floor in a contrastingly white color. I wasn't sure what to do, I was left staring blankly at his infuriated expression while he fumed.104
He seemed to finally notice my agonizingly embarrassed expression, because he took a deep breath, and the anger in his eyes dimmed to a light irritation. He bent down and gathered my things so quickly, it was almost impossible to believe he'd actually moved. I didn't realize he was holding them out to me until he cleared his throat, and shoved his hand closer.105
Grabbing them out of his hand, I looked away from his stare, flushing again. 106
“Sorry,” I muttered. “I didn't mean to run into you like that. I guess I wasn't watching where I was going.”107
Gabriel chuckled, completely disguising the annoyance — there was that flash of terror again — with amusement. “No harm done,” though he clenched his hands into fists as another flash of horror sparked in his eyes. “I... overreacted. You caught me by surprise.”108
I'd never realized how articulately he spoke; how the words seemed to roll of his tongue one after the other, like the perfect of accents. Though, I did detect something behind his elegant tone, I wasn't sure what it was. When I didn't respond, he gazed over at the overly large history book in my hands. His brows furrowed for a moment.109
“Where are you going?”110
“History,” I sighed.111
“Well now, that's a coincidence.” He grinned slyly and amended quickly, “Though not according to you, apparently.”112
Another class? This boy was going to drive me insane.113
Still, I chuckled, and led the way towards the end of the hall.114
Once safely seated — again in the back, with the rest of the seats already occupied, forcing Gabriel to sit next to me yet again — I focused my attention on Mr. McAdams and his lecture on the Ming Dynasty, taking careful notes that would surely distract me from the one sitting next to me. Evalyn sat in the front row, as always, but kept sneaking glances in my direction with wide eyes. Her gaze darted between myself and Gabriel, as if trying to prove a point or ask a question; I wasn't sure which. 115
Alex sat in the row behind Evalyn, eyeing me curiously, growing more and more irritated as he stared at Gabriel. I gave him a warning look when I glanced over and found Gabriel returning Alex's stare; though his was marginally more intimidating. Angrily, I wrote harder on my paper, tearing holes in three places while I continued to take notes. My pencil lead broke four times, and it was reduced to a stub by the time Mr. McAdams's lecture had concluded.116
Mr. McAdams allowed us to talk amongst ourselves for the remainder of the hour, rewarding us for our behavior today. That would've pleased me on any other day, except for today. I didn't want to speak with Gabriel; I didn't want to be lost in his bottomless eyes, feeling like I couldn't look away. It left me feeling oddly helpless; like there was nothing I could do to stop him if he wished to take me somewhere. Like I would give in to anything he wanted as soon as he asked.117
I didn't like that feeling.118
So, I was grateful when the boy sitting next to me tapped me on the shoulder. “Hmmm?” I asked, turning to look at him.119
“Evalyn wants your attention.” he murmured quietly, his eyes returning to the thick book that was opened in front of him.120
“Uh, thanks.” My eyes slid to Evalyn's awaiting expression, waiting for the bombardment of questions. Her eyes flitted from my face to Gabriel's.121
I risked a glance in his direction and found him staring at me, the horrified look having returned to his eyes. His gaze was unfocused, and his mouth was hanging open a fraction of an amount. His brows were crumpled against each other, and his hands — which were balled into fists — were quivering. I looked away quickly before I asked him if something was wrong.122
Before she could begin her flow of questions, the bell rang, and this time I was out of my seat before Gabriel. I watched as his hand half outstretched towards me before it curled into a fist again and dropped onto his knee. I began towards the door, listening for his approach. The only thing I heard was his voice.123
“Damn,” he cursed in a whisper, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. 124
I whirled around. “Did you say something?”125
His eyes flashed to my face, and abruptly the horror had disappeared. “No, sorry. Just talking to myself again,” he chuckled and turned down the hall. 126
As I opened my locker, I noticed Gabriel's was just down the hall from mine. As I turned to shove my history book inside, I noticed something shiny glinting inside his locker. It sat atop a pile of old books, looking something like a cell phone. I watched as he snatched it from the books, flipping it open and pressing a single button. He then held it up to his ear, seeming to grow more impatient as it rang. 127
Abruptly, he began chattering lowly, his lips moving so quickly I knew no one around him would be able to make out his words. His eyebrows pulled together, and he placed his other hand on his ear, as if he couldn't hear what the other person was saying. I could just barely make out what he was mumbling from across the hall; I strained my ears to listen.128
“... That's the problem, I don't think she suspects anything,” his voice dropped lower when his eyes flashed to mine. I grinned guiltily, and looked away. Shoving my head into my locker, I listened harder, trying to hear his muffled words. 129
“No! I think it was a false alarm, honestly.” There was a pause while the person on the other end responded. “Tell him I don't detect any danger. Well except for one...” another pause as he allowed a reply “Never! I couldn't do that, you know that. Besides, I enjoy it here.” I could hear a muffled objection coming from the earpiece of his phone. “I understand your point, but —” he stopped suddenly, possibly having been interrupted. 130
The bell rang then, and I slammed the door to my locker, hesitating in the hall near my class. 131
“I've got to go,” he huffed, snapping the phone closed with a sharp twist of his fingers. 132
Confused, and a bit nervous, I stepped into my next class before I was late.133
Thankfully, Gabriel was not in this class and I was free to my thoughts. Just as it happens, Celina found the last open seat when she nearly ran through the door as Mrs. Ramirez began her talk of Spanish sentence structures. The words were bubbling from Celina's lips before she even sat down. 134
So much for quiet time.135
She'd already began her first sentence by the time I tuned in, reluctantly. “...Alex was telling me about that boy you saw in your dream last night. Gabriel, right? Wow, that's an interesting name.... Anyway, he said that Gabriel just stares at you with the weirdest look in his eyes. Like he is afraid to talk to you, but when he does the look disappears. Strange, huh?” 136
She didn't even give me a chance to speak before she continued.137
“Of course, you've probably noticed that already, haven't you? Let me tell you, he's certainly attractive, so that's a distraction from whatever Alex says he sees in his eyes. He's always been protective of you, though, so that's not really a surprise. Speaking of eyes, did you see Gabriel's? Wow. And I though yours were something. But his, they're just... wow. Do you think that means that he's like us? Special, I mean. Talented.”138
“I'm not really sure, Celina. But maybe. That —” I muttered.139
“That could mean that maybe we're not the only ones... like us, you know? He's only one, but still.... It had to come from somewhere, didn't it?”140
Thankfully, Mrs. Ramirez called on Celina then, asking her how to pronounce a word she'd written out on the board. As always, Celina said the word perfectly and was thanked for her participation. She beamed, momentarily forgetting her obsession with my new... friend? Could I call him that? No, that wasn't right. Acquaintance fit the situation better. I kept silent throughout the hour, paying strict attention to the specific parts of speech Mrs. Ramirez was going over for our quiz tomorrow.141
I could feel Dedric's eyes on my face as I stared forward, refusing to meet his gaze. Twice I gave in, and searched the room until I found his chocolate brown hair turned in my direction; his vibrant cobalt eyes searching as well. I scowled, insulted that they were so apposed to me having a new... acquaintance. Not that we had many friends outside our little circle, but he wasn't like them. At least I didn't think so. He was like us. And that was acceptable, right? 142
My scowl deepened as I realized that if they didn't... approve of him, of me talking to him, they would likely do something about it. Celina was right about one thing, though; Alex had always been protective of me. Not like he was with Celina, but more like sibling protection. Which, all things considered, is what we were. All five of us. I sighed, noticing that Celina had been oddly quiet as well. Had she moved seats? Of course not; her seat was the only one available. I risked a glance in her direction, and found her, also frowning, her eyes on the board.143
This lighted curiosity in me, but I kept quiet, not wanting to wreck the sweet silence. I slid down in my chair, relaxing, and let my thoughts drift. 144
I wasn't sure how I ended up at my locker again. I shook my head against the daze that threatened to overcome me again. I felt oddly tired now; like I'd entered some state of suspended animation where no thoughts came or went. I'd intended to think about my situation, but since I hadn't had had the chance I was still at an impasse. So the questions pounded furiously in my head while I shoved my things in my locker, mentally cursing Celina to the fiery pits of Hades for her curiosity.145
Reluctantly, I made my way to the cafeteria where I found Celina, along with the others, waiting at our usual table, for me. I wasn't hungry — due to expecting the bombardment of questions I was sure to have unleashed on me the second I sat down. No doubt Alex and Celina had told the others everything they knew — and suspected — about Gabriel. I contemplated sitting at a different table — maybe even leaving the cafeteria altogether — but I knew I'd have to hear the questions some time. Better sooner than later, I supposed. 146
As I headed towards our table, I couldn't help but scan the seats for him. I wondered if he would be with a group of people — he had to have met someone to eat lunch with. Other than me, of course — but I found him alone. He was seated at the table farthest from mine at the other end of the cafeteria; staring at a piece of paper held in his hands. He didn't have food, or he'd already finished it, but everyone seemed to purposely avoid that table, going out of their way to make a wide arch around its single occupant.147
I grimaced; shouldn't they all be used to us by now? I remembered the strange, frightened looks when they first saw the eyes — mine in particular — and how no one spoke to us, or even acknowledged our existence for that entire first year...148
Not that it was much different now, three years later, but someone occasionally spoke to me in the halls, asked me a question or gave me an answer. We were odd. The ones with the strange eyes, the ones who frequently disappeared or were absent for extended periods of time. We were all intelligent, athletic, and beautiful. We were different. Though some had just begun to overlook our quirks, seeing us as people rather than what they assumed before, there were others whom still loathed us for some unfathomable reason. 149
Gabriel was just a new something to gawk at; another one to loathe, another freak like us. But as I stared, frozen in place, I realized he didn't seem... to care. I realized he didn't want to “fit in”, that he didn't care if the students here liked him or not. It didn't seem to bother him. He ignored the stares, the whispers, the comments like they were nothing. He didn't even seem to notice how everyone obviously wanted to stay out of his way. 150
I felt a sudden pang of jealousy; I wished I could've been like him, uninterested in being liked or accepted because now I knew we would never be. A wave of embarrassment washed over me as his eyes snapped up from his paper, flashing directly to my face. He smirked when I ambled away, surprised, and dropped his eyes back to the paper. I thought I heard him chuckle as I tripped over a backpack lying in the aisle, but when I looked back, his mouth was set in a firm line — all supposed traces of humor gone. 151
Plopping down in my chair, I realized after a few minutes of silence, that my irritated expression must be what was keeping their questions to themselves. Alex looked up at me from his burger three times, his eyes guarded. Evalyn glanced in my direction twice; each time after Dedric grunted lowly under his breath. Celina avoided my gaze altogether; quietly picking apart her sandwich.152
Were they waiting for someone to ask first?153
Though the cafeteria was obnoxiously loud with chatter of useless things, the space around our table was unnervingly silent. Finally it was too much; I was going to scream if someone didn't speak 154
soon.155
“Go ahead,” I finally allowed, sighing. “Ask me whatever you have on your minds. I won't be offended, I promise.”156
All four eyes seemed to move to my face simultaneously; all their faces seemed surprised I'd spoken. It had gone from maddeningly quiet to embarrassingly awkward with my few words. I waited, feeling the urge to stand and leave the cafeteria, for them to say something. Anything. 157
To my surprise, it was Alex who spoke first. “We've been talking, and...” he paused, glancing at the other three. I nodded for him to continue.158
“Gabriel's a freak,” Dedric finished his sentence, his auburn eyes flashing to Gabriel's table and back to my face.159
I made a face, but before I could object, Evalyn added her comment. “What Dedric is trying to say is that... we don't think it's... safe for you to be around him.”160
My eyebrows pulled together. I wasn't sure if I was surprised or insulted. Didn't they trust my judgment? “What are you talking about?” I fumed. “It's his first day! How can you assume he's so dangerous without any proof?”161
“Celina is proof enough,” Alex huffed, his eyes narrowing.162
I turned to her. “You seemed pretty excited about it this morning,” I muttered quietly.163
Her eyes grew wide. “You didn't tell me he was insane!” her voice dropped lower than mine had.164
“Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me you knew he was coming? And you only told Celina?” Alex shouted, causing a few stray students to look, alarmed, in our direction. “I saw what he did in the hall! How he looked like he wanted to... to kill you after you knocked into him. And I saw how he was looking at you in English this morning. What if Celina had ran into him? Do you think he would've let it slide like he did with you? She could've gotten hurt!” The vein in his neck began to pulse as his temper rose.165
“You would've reacted the same way, Alexander. I surprised him, is all.”166
He seemed to angry to speak. 167
“I got a bad... feeling from him, I guess.” Celina intervened. “And Alex said Gabriel didn't respond when he tried to make him forget you...” She trailed off, realizing she'd said too much. 168
“You tried to make him forget me?” I was shouting now, too. I could feel Gabriel's eyes on my back; as well as the remaining students in the cafeteria. We never fought like this. “Are you so determined to keep me isolated and alone that you would stoop to something like that?”169
It was Evalyn who spoke this time. “Elena, we aren't trying to —”170
“Maybe that would be best,” Dedric commented, interrupting Evalyn. 171
All I could do was stare at him in shock. He sighed, knowing he'd insulted me.172
“What I'm saying is that we're all... accustomed to you. We know you've got it harder than all of us. Bringing another in would just make it harder for you.” His voice was softer now, apologetic.173
“Harder for me? Or harder for you?” I contradicted, “Do you think someone would be okay with Celina knowing practically everything about them as soon as she touched them? And you're worried about what I do?”174
“We were only thinking of you,” Alex commented now, having calmed down some.175
I stood, not wanting to yell anymore. 176
“I see now. I know I've always been the loner, the third wheel. You've all found your other half in each other. I don't have that.” Pushing the chair under the table, Celina and Evalyn opened their mouths to object, but I continued anyway. “Do what you will to stop me, but Gabriel is nice and I will continue speaking to him until I choose otherwise.”177
With that, I stalked off, leaving them angry and annoyed behind me. 178
I wasn't sure what my plan had been; I would have to speak to them again sometime. Though when I trudged out of the cafeteria, towards the doors, I felt oddly guilty for what I'd said. I had always trusted their judgment on anything, no matter what it was. How was this any different? I knew the answer to my question, though, even before I thought it. 179
It was different because this time I didn't feel like I needed their opinion; I didn't feel like their comments would suffice for the intense dilemma I was battling inside my head. And it was true; their comments didn't help. But was it because I didn't want them to? It had been so long since we'd crossed another who was... like us. The last time we hadn't even met them; we'd been too late and they were already dead. But the evidence had been clear; no doubt someone like us. I never thought there were others our age. I'd always assumed we were the last. Now that I knew, I didn't want that hope to fade. I could almost taste the sweet security of someone that I could talk to; someone who wouldn't judge, or comment or care. 180
I may not have Celina's ability; but I could sense something in him. And it was drawing me closer and closer...almost like a gravitational pull.181
A smile pulled up the corners of my mouth as I shoved open the door, allowing the gust of arctic wind to hit me in the face, clearing my thoughts momentarily, and allowing me to greet a solemn Gabriel with a smile.182
“Hello,” his voice sent a wave of satisfaction crashing through my body, and I sunk into a gleeful happiness from which I didn't want to return.183184
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Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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sweet story
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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WOW scary.....
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i love it. it caught my attention really well i hope you write more.
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Very well written, It caught my attention very quickly well done
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Wow what an exciting story. It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to find out what happens next. It has a vampire taste to it.
I liked the way you introduced your main character Elena in par 12 I noticed you said (being strangled by and introder) instead of (an)
The beginning was well paced and as I've mentioned kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read more.
I liked the way you introduced your main characters, they are well developed and I would say realistic.
A well developed plot it kept me there and wanting to read the rest. It is easy to read I liked your use of imagy. It might be an idea if you let us know what Elena looks like.
A great story and hope to read the rest of your novel.
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