Thunder and Blood

5

Scott

Kira and I walk to first period, sitting beside each other as the rest of the kids file in. She talking to me, but I'm not listening. I'm worried about Stiles. My mind can't focus on anything else. My bestfriend is missing and I can't do anything about it.

All of a sudden, I'm snapped out of my reverie. I feel as though someone had hit me in the gut, but no one is near me. I turn towards the door just as a boy walks in, I immediately know something about him is off. He smells like... nothing. Mortals usually smell like whatever they ate last, or the deodorant that they're wearing. But him...

He's tall, well at least taller than me, with tan skin and black hair - a single grey streak standing out against the other strands. He isn't scowling or making a face, he's relaxed yet his neutral expression is intimidating, almost like he's brooding. If I'm being honest, he looks sort of familiar. He's wearing a dark blue sweatshirt and faded jeans, a binder tucked under his arm. He takes the last seat open, right behind me.

A tingle goes down my spine.

I don't like this guy. He looks too old for grade 12, and when he walked by, I could see old scars on his collarbone that he failed to cover with his sweater.

"Alright class, today we have a new student." Coach walks in, sitting on the desk. "Everyone say hi to Peter Johnson." When people turn to look at the new boy, he doesn't shrink back into his chair, as most would. His eyes quickly study each face, and then his gaze comes to mine.

For the first time, I am the one to break the eye contact. His stare is cold, not mean, but like he knows he could end a mortal in a few seconds.

"Alright everyone. Today we'll be going outside."

"But coach," a kid speaks up, "it's math class."

"We can do math outside." He snaps, the kid tries to speak up again but coach cuts him off. "We'll measure some tree angles, okay? Happy? Good. Now go to the change rooms and get into you P.E. stuff, you're going to be running today cupcakes."

A few people groan in displeasure, but no one argues. We all know not to argue with coach, no one ever wins that battle.

The boys walk to the boys change room, Peter Johnson trails along. Coach hands him a pair of shorts and a shirt to change into,but he hesitates. "Well? What are you waiting for? Get in there!" Coach yells.

Isaac walks up to me, pointing at the new kid. "Sketchy, huh?"

"Definitely." I watch as Peter Johnson set his uniform down on the bench. "I don't like him."

Isaac shakes his head. "Me neither." He continues to stare at Peter. "Do you recognize him?"

I nod. "Yeah. I've seen his picture somewhere."

"Cover me." Isaac says, patting my shoulder, and before I can stop him, he is walking over to the new kid. I place my hand over my mouth as I watch this unfold.

"It's Peter, right?" Isaac asks, getting the kid's attention, holding out his hand. "I'm Isaac, do I know you from somewhere?"

Peter shakes his hand, giving Isaac a small smile. "I doubt it, I just moved from New York."

"New York, huh? I've been there once, it's pretty busy."

"Yeah." Peter looks back at coach, I know he's just changing the subject. "Is he always like that?"

"Who? Coach?" Isaac follows his gaze. "Pretty much, don't take it personal though. He's like that to all the kids."

"I used to know someone like him, but he was shorter and like of looked like a goat.' Peter says, and Isaac chuckles as he bends down to pick up Peter's gym shirt from the bench, tossing it to him.

"Well it was nice to meet you Peter Johnson, but I'll leave you to get dressed before coach starts to yell. Believe me, it's not a pretty sight." Isaac begins to walk back over, his face unreadable.

"And?" I ask.

"He seem like a nice kid, Scott, I wouldn't worry."

"Did you smell him?"

"Not really, I kinda have a stuffy nose right now, I think it's the flu but-"

"Isaac. He doesn't smell like anything." I say. "His scent is as bland as water."