Shifted

Chapter 10

The next few days Jackson avoided me during school.  Every time I went to talk to him, he'd turn and walk away before I got the chance.  I found myself watching him from a distance a lot. During lunch I would sit with Liz and the rest of the group, but my mind would be across the cafeteria with Jackson and his crew. I could tell that he was uncomfortable too. He was more brooding than usual. His girlfriend Sadie looked unhappy, and I wondered if she knew what had happened the night of the full moon.

I visited the library almost every day after school. Margie helped me pull books from my family's personal library, pointing out the ones that she remembered seeing my father reading most often. The more I explored, the more I found. Behind the staircase there was another door with the same Celtic knot engraved in the wood as the entrance to the private library.  The door was locked, but I was able to pick the lock using a hair pin I borrowed from Margie, a talent I owe to Amy and her shenanigans.  Inside I found a small room lined with shelves with labeled jars of dried herbs and plants.  There were books filled with descriptions of each of the herbs in the room.

Being in the library felt right. It was one of the few things that made me feel connected to my dad. I thought about mentioning the place to my mom, but something held me back. For some reason I didn't think she'd like that I was looking into what happened to my father. Part of me wanted to go back to the house, but another part of me wasn't ready to see the place again. I decided that for now I would just keep reading.

By Friday, we were all buzzing with excitement.  We were all talking at the lunch table about the upcoming concert.  While the others chattered away, I once again found my attention drifting across the room.  I noticed today, rather than avoiding looking at me, Jackson was staring directly at me.  Our eyes met, and we sat silently watching each other from across the hall.  Suddenly the excitement I'd been feeling for the concert was gone.  Memories of the other night washed over me, and I felt as if something was pulling me to him.  It took my breath away.  Even though we were on opposite sides of the room, as our eyes met, I felt as if he were right there in front of me.  I could tell he felt it too.  He slammed his fist down on the table, startling all of his friends.  The spell was broken as he stood up and walked hastily out of the room. 

I couldn't help it.  I gave some lame excuse and got up from my table, and followed him out of the cafeteria.  I walked down the halls of the school, looking for him.  Finally I turned a corner and saw him standing with his head pressed against a locker.  I slowly walked toward him.  He didn't move.  I could tell he was upset, so I slowly reached out a hand and gently placed it on his back.  He turned to look me in the eye.  I had to look up at him because of our close proximity and our difference in height. 

"You can't go to that concert tonight," he said in a low tone.  Surprised, I took a step back.

"Wait, what?  How did you even know I was-" I stopped when I remembered his super hearing.  "Why don't you want me to go?"

"It's not safe," he said in an authoritative voice.  "They still haven't caught the person who killed that girl in the woods.  Who's to say he won't strike again?"

I rolled my eyes at him.  "I think I can handle myself.  Not to mention I'll be with a group.  Besides what do you care anyways?"

He slammed his fist into the lockers, denting the metal and causing me to jump.  I was suddenly very aware of how much bigger than me he was.  "I can't help it.  I need you to be safe.  I'm not going to let you go to that concert."

I started getting angry.  "Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"Dammit, Casper.  Don't make me say it.  I know you feel it too.  I can smell your attraction to me.  It's all over your chemosignals."