Into the Storm

Chapter 1

Max's P.O.V.

Cathy, Gracelynn, Zach, Jean, Shelby were all debating on which ice cream flavor was better at lunch. I definitely would have jumped in and defended Zach with cookie dough, but my mind was on something else.

There was a slight tugging sensation in the back of my brain, and I must've been making a face, because Jean nudged me a little.

"Max? Are you okay?" Jean and I have been together for a year now. Her long brown hair fell in tight natural curls down her back, she was wearing a loose yellow top, which brought out her green and hazel eyes., along with black jeans and her flats. She looked so pretty, sometimes I wonder how I ended up as her boyfriend.

I, on the other hand, had red hair that was cut in a shaggy type of haircut. I had brown eyes, and very bushy eyebrows, and I was pale...very pale. But Jean seemed to overlook that, and went straight to my personality.

"I'm fine, don't worry." I took her hand, and squeezed it gently.

Last year was our eighth grade year, and we were finally freshman at Phoenix Valley High School. I look at my friends and noticed how they've changed.

Puberty hit Zach like a friggin train, he slimmed down a lot, his hair was still it's milk chocolate brown but it was sort of shorter, and a few girls actually started to like him.

Cathy is doing much better after her car accident. She allowed her hair to grow out a little, so it was an inch below her shoulders. Her brown eyes were still soft, and she got her braces off. She was wearing her basketball shirt and a ponytail because of their game today, along with Leolani, but she goes by Leo.

Gracelynn still had her long brown hair and highlights, with those hazel eyes. She was as shy as ever, but she loosened up around Joe.

Shelby was new, but she caught on with everyone pretty quick. She had blue/green eyes, and dirty blonde hair that was down her back, which today was in a long braid down her back. This chick scared me for some reason, I didn't know if it was the fact that she judo flipped Elliot, Cathy's ex boyfriend, or that she can do geometry pretty darn fast.

Leo wasn't sitting with us, instead she ditched lunch to go chill with the librarian, Mrs. Gordan. Leo's hair grew a little, it almost seemed like Indian hair, might be because she was half black, half Native American and European, also she was from Hawaii. She had chocolate brown skin, and dark brown eyes that seemed alert and sharp, yet soft when talking to the group.

Charlie, I tease Leo that he's her boyfriend...then she slaps me, had curly brown hair and light brown eyes. He had olive skin, that turned bright red all whenever he was put on the spot. He also played basketball, along with football. I guess you could say he's sort of a jock, but he can be pretty girly.

Elliot, we haven't seen much of him. Since the whole Cathy thing, he left schools right before the year ended and he backed away from us, especially Shelby.

The bell rang, and everyone stood up to go to their next class. I follow Jean so I can drop her off at science, then attempt to not be late to English, which was on the other side of the freshman wing.

"Max, what was wrong at lunch? You didn't join in on our conversation." Jean looked worried, but I reassured her with a small smile.

"Jean, trust me. I'm gonna be okay." I gave her a hug, and as soon as I made contact, the tugging feeling came back.

"Okay, I trust you. You better go, or else you'll be late again." she smiled and waved goodbye. I wave back and jog to my english class.

I reach the door as soon as the bell rings, relieved, I take my assigned seat next to Leo.

"You're still technically late, you know?" Leo pointed at me with the tip of her pencil. Her hair was in two curly ponytails towards the back of her head. Her shirt read "Lady Phoenix's flame up the court, or die trying." with a basketball on fire headed towards the net. She wore that along with jeans and tennis shoes.

"Shhh!" I put my finger to my mouth as if to tell her to shut up, but she rolled her eyes, and turned her attention to Mr. Beckster.

~

"Mom! I'm home!" I yell as I walk through the door of my family's apartment. A note was on the fridge that read:

Sorry Max, had to run an errand. Dad will be home late, again. Pasta in fridge. Love you~mom

My mom worked at an office building, but today was her day off. My dad is an accountant on the weekdays, coach for the boys baseball team on weekends. Then on Sunday, he was a preacher.

I settle for an apple and go to my room to set my stuff down.

The tugging feeling reoccurs, when I look at my lockscreen to see the picture of Jean and I at the waterpark. I shake it off, and decide to ask my mom when she got home.

Why is it occurring whenever Jean is around?