Rise of the Fallen 1 - My Soul to Keep Page 12

  We headed for the mall entrance. "Yeah, right. You can't bring Jeremy to a dance and call him your date," my sister said.

  "I'm not. I'm going with Jessie." I almost ran into the back of my sister and her "friend". To say they stopped short would be an understatement. I almost heard their tennis shoes squeak to a stop on the tarmac. "What?"

  "You need to stay away from her, Connor," Shannon said levelly. She almost sounded concerned. I tilted my head as I looked at her.

  "It figures only a blind girl would go with you."

  I balled my fists and turned on my sister. Shannon did the same. She beat me to the punch, so to speak.

  "Apologize right now!" I could hear the venom in Shannon's voice and I actually felt worried for the brat.

  "Relax! I was kidding. Jessie is nice. Too nice for the likes of him," she said by way of apology. Shannon seemed to shimmer for a moment as she calmed herself. Caelyn blinked twice and shook her head.

  I ignored both of them, walked around them, and into the warmth of the mall. I heard the door open behind me and heard Caelyn whisper, "Do you like my brother?"

  "Don't be silly, Cae. It bothers me when people use the less fortunate as the brunt of a joke."

  "What's a brunt?"

  I laughed and got in line at the pretzel shop.

  I ordered two for myself and asked my sister and Shannon if they wanted anything. Shannon said yes. My sister looked at me funny. I paid and handed Shannon hers. She devoured them faster than I did. I guess she didn't have to worry about excessive carbohydrates either. We both finished and licked our fingers and laughed at my sister's disgusted look. When she thought we weren't looking, I caught her pinching herself. No, little sister. You haven't fallen into an alternate universe.

  "You guys ready to go?" I wanted this to be over in the worst way.

  "Almost. I just need to pick up a few things while we're here. Come on, Connor, I'd like your opinion if you don't mind," Shannon said musically. Too musically. Something was wrong.

  "Uh, sure?"

  She smiled and grabbed my hand and pulled. Caelyn looked like she wanted to throw up. I know I did.

  We started heading toward the west entrance. I rarely came down this end of the mall. The bookstores, the pretzel shop, and the Game Stop were all on the other end of the mall where we came in. The only thing down here was some of the higher end department stores and…

  My stomach started to churn. "Where are we going?"

  "It's a surprise! I just need the finishing touches for my costume. I'd really like your opinion."

  Please, God, no. Please, please, please, please.

  Sure enough, Angelique's Closet loomed on the horizon. I thought about faking a stomach illness. Or a broken leg. Or a ruptured spleen, a whale sighting, or a rabid pterodactyl attack. My mouth wouldn't work and my legs refused to stop working. By the time we reached the entrance, my stomach felt like I wouldn't need to fake an illness. Maybe Clarisse isn't working.

  No such luck. She looked up from the counter as the three of us entered the store.

  "Help me," I mouthed. She started laughing.

  "Well if it isn't Connor, his brat sister, and the wicked witch of the west. Are you three off to see the wizard?"

  The store manager spun on her heel and stared at Clarisse. "Miss Awl, that kind of behavior is unaccep–"

  Clarisse stared at her for a moment. The store manager stopped what she was saying and started folding tiny bits of cloth I assumed were underwear. Jedi mind tricks.

  "What do you want, Shanria?"

  "It's Shannon, Claire. What I want is some lingerie to go underneath my costume for the dance."

  Claire stepped out from behind the counter and went over to one of the drawers closest to the register. "I have just the thing." Without looking, she reached in and pulled out a set of ruffled, atrocious looking granny panties. Actually, I don't even think my grandmother would have worn them. Too conservative.

  "I hope these will be to your liking…"

  "Har har har. Very funny, Clarisse…I mean, Claire."

  I glanced over at my sister and she had a dull look on her face. I guess they didn't want the human in on this exchange. That was fine by me. "Ladies, are we almost done? I really need to get home."

  "Don't be rude, Connor," Shannon snapped. "You broke bread with me, now you must be my friend."

  "You what?" Clarisse didn't sound too happy.

  "What do you mean I broke bread with you? What the hell does that mean?"

  "What did you do, Connor?" Clarisse rounded on me.

  "Nothing! We got to the mall, I had some pretzels and we came here."

  Clarisse looked at Shannon for an explanation.

  "It's simple. I was at his house with his sister. He asked me to share bread with him. We ventured forth to the mall where he willingly shared a meal of bread with me. It's done. We're allies."

  "Huh?" I looked from Shannon to Clarisse and back again.

  Clarisse sighed. "You bought her a pretzel didn't you?"

  "Well, yeah, but what does that have to do with anything? I was kidding when I asked them to the mall. I didn't expect them to say yes."

  "It has everything to do with everything. You fought. You drew first blood. Now, because you offered to break bread with her, that means you respect her enough to forgive her. You also have pledged your allegiance to her! You consider yourself to be allies! Connor you are a moron."

  "Well how the hell was I supposed to know? You never tell me anything until it's too late!"

  "You're right. It is my fault. I'm sorry."

  Shannon and I stared at her waiting for the punch-line. It didn't come. "What did you say?"

  "I said it was my fault and that I'm sorry. I've been doing that a lot lately with you. Don't worry. We just have to wait until you piss her off enough to attack you. Then the treaty you just made will be null and void."

  "Oh, goody. Is that all…"

  Chapter 19

  I walked into a nightmare. Not literally, but close. It was two days before Halloween. By some miracle, Halloween ended up being on a Saturday this year. The dance was tomorrow night. Friday night. Everyone should be happy and excited. Instead everybody seemed to be shuffling through the halls like zombies. Nobody smiled. Nobody talked. Something was very wrong.

  I shrugged and went straight for my locker. Jeremy was at his grabbing his trig book. "Hey, Jeremy."

  "Hi, Connor."

  "Dude, you too? What the hell is going on?"

  He turned toward me and gave me a shocked look. "Where have you been? Don't tell me you didn't hear…"

  "Hear what?"

  "Dude, you may want to sit down. Where were you last night?"

  "I went to the mall, ran home, and did homework and played video games. Why?"

  "Holy cow. How the hell do you tell someone something like this? Last night there was an accident…"

  "What kind of accident?" I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I quickly looked around for Jessie. Before Jeremy could continue I saw her father's Escalade pull up to the curb. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw her door open and her slender foot step out onto the curb. At least it wasn't Jessie. "What happened?"

  "You know Stacy Wolf and Kristina Rutherford? You should, they're in your homeroom."

  I nodded. Of course I knew them. We'd been going to school together for the past three years. They were very nice. "Yeah, are they okay?"

  "No. They're not. They walked home from the library last night and…and…"

  "And what?"

  "Something attacked them. Some sort of wild animal. They didn't stand a chance. Dude, I heard from some kids who found them…Their necks…their bodies…"

  "Are they going to be okay?" I already knew the answer.

  "They're dead. There was blood everywhere. Animal control is looking for a bear. That's what they think did it. It's the only thing they can think of that could almost completely chew a head off."

  Last
night's pretzels started to rise up and escape. "Jeremy…"

  "I know. Everybody is severely about to lose it. To lose somebody to a car accident is one thing. To have two of your friends eaten…"

  "What are you two talking about? The girls they found last night?"

  We both turned and saw Jessie standing behind us. "Yeah."

  "I knew them both. A little. I feel horrible."

  "Everybody does. They're supposed to be bringing grief counselors in to talk to everybody who knew them."

  I just couldn't believe it. What were the odds of a bear wandering around, hungry enough to attack two kids in town? I hoped they caught it soon. "That really sucks. Are they going to have a service?"

  "Tomorrow. We're going to have a candle light vigil before the dance."

  "They're not going to cancel it?" I was shocked.

  "No, they said it would help with the healing process. I think it's going to suck."

  I looked over at Jessie and she seemed to agree with Jeremy. "Maybe they're right. It would help to remember the good times." I said it, but it's just because I didn't want to give up dancing with Jessie.

  "You're probably right," she said and gave me a smile.

  Thank God.

  * * *

  I guess Coach Cobb didn't want another dodge ball debacle. He actually brought us out to the field for PE. I didn't see any footballs or baseball bats so maybe he was pissed off enough to just make us run.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, for the past ten years our Track and Field program has had nothing but losses. We are the shame of the tri-county area. Today, for class, we're having open tryouts. Of course by open, I mean that you are required to try out. If you show any hint of talent, congratulations. You're on the team."

  There was a collective moan from the entire class. I wanted to be on the track team like I wanted to date Clarisse. Not at all. I looked around at everybody in their gym shorts and T-shirts. The jocks seemed to be shrugging and saying, "What the heck."

  The other ninety percent of the class looked like they'd just received next of kin notifications.

  "Line up! We're going to start with sprints."

  Coach cob walked to the other end of the short track. He grabbed the stopwatch on its string around his neck and yelled for Brian Anderson to start off. Brian was a god amongst jocks. His last name also started with the letter A. I wondered if we were going in alphabetical order or ability order.

  He took his place at the mark and the coach shouted, "Go!" Brian took off like the wind. He ran by Coach Cobb who thumbed the watch in his hand and smiled. I guess he made the team.

  "Adrian Zelesky, you're up." I turned and saw another of the jock set stroll up to the mark. I guessed we weren't going in alphabetical order.

  The ten athletes in the class went and earned smiles from the coach. I guess he had his team. He called me next. I fully expected to be third to last. I looked up at the coach and gave him a look. "Come on, son. Let's see what you got."

  I sighed and took my stance at the mark. As soon as he said, "Go," My body surged forward. I kept forgetting my body could do things I didn't expect to be able to do. Panic struck. The last thing I wanted to do was be stuck running track for the rest of my days in High School. I willed myself to slow down. Still, I didn't want to look like I wasn't trying. "Hey, why is Connor jogging," would be bad. It might piss the coach off, too. That never ended well. I skirted the line between trying and not trying. I figured that would be good enough. As I passed Coach Cobb, he looked at the watch with disbelief in his eyes.

  I guess I went too slowly. He must not have bought it. Crap. I wondered what my punishment would be. Pushups or sit-ups, either way it would suck.

  I turned in a circle and jogged back over to the coach to accept my fate. "Sorry, coach," I said and waited for the endless tirade of how I would never make anything of myself if I didn't try.

  "You've been holding out on me, son. Congratulations. You beat Brian by a full second. You're on the team."

  Crap.

  "First practice is Monday after school. Bring your running shoes."

  I nodded and headed over to the group that had already tried out. Again they looked at me like they wanted to kill me. Right at that second, I actually thought about letting them.

  * * *

  The bell finally rang. The occupants of Mr. McBride's chemistry class let out a collective sigh of relief. One more day of school, the dance, and then the weekend. More importantly, Halloween weekend. Everybody says how Halloween is for little kids. That is so untrue. Show me a High School kid who doesn't like free candy and I'll show you a diabetic.

  I stood up and stretched. I looked over at Jessie. There were three students at every lab table. This was the one class I didn't get to sit with her. She ended up with Jeremy and Beth, one of the vampire twins. I kept a close eye on her, but she acted like a normal High School girl when she wasn’t trying to bite my face off. I grabbed my books and walked over to their table.

  "Hi, Connor," Beth greeted me with a smile. I shivered when I saw her fangs. I blinked twice and if I concentrated, I could see her human-seeming.

  "Hi, Beth," I said and started helping Jessie gather all of her things. "You ready, Jess?"

  "When you are. Thanks, sweetie." I blushed and tried not to do a little happy dance that she called me sweetie.

  The rest of the class heard her and let out a, "Ooooh." So much for the happy dance.

  We exited the class and hit our lockers. Most of us had combination locks, but being blind, Jessie used a keyed one. She pulled the key out from inside her shirt and felt around for her locker.

  "Two to the left, Jess," I said to help.

  She smiled and the jealousy I had been feeling toward her key, dissipated.

  "Do you have any plans tonight?"

  "I'm sure I could clear my hectic schedule. What did you have in mind?" I leaned in close to hear her.

  "Well I was thinking we could go back to your house. We do have that horrendous chemistry paper due."

  "What chemistry paper?" I started to panic.

  "Exactly," she said.

  I chuckled as she grabbed some things out of her locker, shut the door, and locked it. She had a truly devious mind and I enjoyed every minute spent with her. When I wasn't making an ass out of myself.

  "Come on, we'll see if we can catch a ride with my dad."

  "Want to walk instead?" I really didn't want to get into a car with Mr. James.

  "Oh, quit being a baby. He likes you! He just doesn't know it yet.

  Chapter 20

  Uncomfortable silence filled the inside of the Escalade like…well an uncomfortable silence. There's nothing quite like it. I sat next to Jessie in the back seat. I'd purposely sat on the passenger's side so he wouldn't be staring at me in the rear view mirror the entire ride. He moved it.

  I could feel his eyes boring into me like twin titanium drill bits. I did the only thing I could think of. I stared at Jessie. I kept a dumb smile plastered on my face until he started asking questions. Mr. James was a man who wouldn't be ignored.

  "So, are your parents home, Connor?"

  "They should be shortly, sir."

  "Will you have them call me when they get there? Just to make sure?"

  "Of course, sir."

  "Just call me when you're done, I'll come pick Jessie up."

  "If you'd like, I'm sure my parents wouldn’t mind bringing her home, sir."

  "If you're sure. That would be great. I have some work to do tonight. Thank you, Conrad."

  "Connor, Daddy."

  "Close enough," I said with a small chuckle.

  He pulled the Suburban over to the side of the road in front of my house. I made to open the door but it wouldn't budge.

  "Oh, sorry. I have the child locks on," Mr. James said sweetly from the front seat.

  I looked at Jessie and she had a strange look on her face. I shrugged and waited for Mr. James to get out, walk around, and open the door from the outsi
de. He might have done it to aggravate me but in the end he ended up looking like a chauffeur.

  I stepped out of the car and held out my hand to Jessie. She wasn't expecting it and almost slid into it. I reached down and touched her hand. Her unusual look turned into a smile. I loved the feeling of her skin against mine. I loved it a lot. Whole bunches.

  "Thanks, Connor."

  "Anytime, Jess. Come on. Let's go get that report done." I turned and totally ignored Mr. James. I refused to even look at him. If he wanted to be childish, I would play his game. He would be sorry when he found out just how childish I could be.

  "Bye, Daddy," she called over her shoulder.

  I finally started breathing again once we were inside and I had my back against the front door. "That was fun."

  "I'm starting to think you're right."

  "About what?"

  "My father doesn't like you."

  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry or cringe. If she only knew…

  "You want something to drink, Jess?"

  "Do you have Coke?"

  "No, my parents are Pepsi people. I hate the crap. They compensate by buying me Mountain Dew. They think it has less caffeine than coke. Don't tell 'em."

  "I won't. Pepsi's fine."

  I gasped. "I'm sorry, Jess, but I'm going to have to break up with you now."

  "I didn't realize we were seeing each other…"

  I stopped halfway to the kitchen. I'm such an ass. I just assumed. I turned and walked back to where I'd left her standing in the middle of the living room. I gently took her hand and led her over to the couch. The orange and red nightmare couch. Jess was lucky she couldn't see. She probably would have dumped me if she saw our furniture.

  I leaned in and whispered the word, "Sit." I held her hand as she slowly lowered herself on the couch. I knelt down in front of her and gently pushed my way in between her knees. If she'd been wearing a skirt, I wouldn't have tried it. Jeans were a different story. She smiled when she felt me getting closer. When I got too close, she smiled even bigger and grabbed my waist with her knees.

  "That's close enough, Mr. Sullivan."

  I smiled and grabbed her hand in both of mine. "Jessica James, would you do the honor of going out with me? Would you be my girlfriend?"