Immortals

6 | Diner talk

On the following Monday, there was a new student joining our grade. He had light blonde hair and Light blue eyes, almost grey. He was immediately popular with the girls, but the guys not so much. They didn't like the new competition. Allison had taken to him quite quickly though. He sat with her and Jo now along with Garret, another original member, as I've taken to calling them. So far the only one of whom she's reached out to and rejected her was Ryan. And he only did it because he's aiming to date Penelope and she despises her. Otherwise he probably would have joined too. The only person left was Brooklyn who was in Europe this semester. Like she had been since before freshman year, after that night. Technically she was still on transfer but no one expected her back any time before graduation.

Allison had sought me out during history and had me meet Isaac, the new student she'd been hanging out with. It annoyed me to see her take to him so quickly. He had no idea about her at all. If there's anyone she should be getting close to, it's me.

Whoa, hold up. Intrusive thoughts much? I had to remind myself she was free to hang out with whoever she pleased.

"So he just transferred into Clearhall so I'm showing him around."

"That's great." I managed.

She nodded and pulled him away, and down the hall. It was like she wanted my approval or something. They were whispering and Isaac looked back at me, giving me a once over before they continued. What, was he checking out the competition, because I wasn't after her. Speaking of which, Liana was very pissed about me ditching her on Saturday so to make it up, I'm taking her out Friday. I'm picking her up at 6, and taking her to a nice restaurant and then maybe a walk around a park or something.

When I was walking to lunch, a figure pulled me into the stairwell,  and me being the idiot I am didn't fight back but just followed them into the dark hall.

The lights switched on and I saw Penelope looking a little angry. What the hell?

"Are you actually interested in Liana?"

I was shocked at her question. Surely Liana told her we're going out. Why would she be upset?

"Uh, yeah-" I started but she cut me off.

"Because I don't want you to hurt her. I've watched her pine after you for two years while you obsess about some dead girl. And then when she does get you attention, you ditch her and can't seem to keep away from what do you know it, the dead girl's alive." She spit out.

"Listen, not that it's really your business but I don't like Allison, the only reason I've held an interest for her is the mystery behind her disappearance. But she's here now and it's gone."  I was pushing past the truth but I knew it was what she wanted to hear. Plus I was angry and it felt good to get back at Allison a little even if she couldn't hear it.

"Please, everyone knows the whore faked her death because she wanted the attention."  She scoffed. I balked at her answer. Is that really what people were saying?

"If that's really even her."  She added.

"What?" That part caught my interest.

"She comes back not really remembering her time here, plus she looks very different, some people thinks it's a big cover up."  She shrugged. Penelope was back to looking bored.

"That's a load of bull!"  I said.

"Who knows, Ethan. Just stay away from her if you care about Liana or your reputation at all."  She threatened, going out the door back into the light.

And I thought this was going to be a calm year.

When I left school, I saw Penelope sitting with Caroline and they both stared me down as I made my way to my car. Jesus, you would have thought I'd murdered Liana in front of them or something.

I was almost To my car when someone bumped into me, knocking me
Over completely and spilling the contents of my open backpack, everywhere. I turned back to see Allison sitting next to me, her hand on her head. She was remarkably close to me and the hair she usually kept on the left side of her neck had moved and I could see her scars in full view. How could She have gotten those? They were huge and it would have had to have been a deep cut itself. She looked up but didn't seem surprised to see me at all. She never looked anything less than bored or knowing and it was starting to tick me off.

"Sorry. I'll help pick up your things." She mumbled.

"It's fine. I've got it."  I took the book she'd picked up out of her hand. She sighed and sat up.

"You make everything so difficult."  What? Was she really going to say I'm difficult? I've been nothing but nice to her when she really doesn't deserve it so if anyone is being difficult,
It would be her.

"You know you-" I was gearing up to shout at her when she stuck out her hand with a piece of paper folded inside.

"Put this in your coat and open it when you get home." I slowly grabbed the piece of folded paper and put it in my coat like she asked.

She didn't wait for me to say anything, as in usual Allison fashion and left.

When I got home I was anxious to open the tiny piece of paper but found myself hesitating the more I looked at it. She'd had a weird life and what if this was something about where she'd gone. Did I ever really want to know after all these years? I'd walked around town putting up flyers every march for four years. But I was sitting in my kitchen at the counter and staring at a little piece of paper that I couldn't will myself to look at. I stood up, grabbed a beer out of the fridge and sat back down. The only thing inside the note was an address and a time. 97th west Forner hill, 1:30 am. Oddly specific for a secret meeting in the middle of the night. I felt a little disappointed after all the build up. Why had she wanted no one to see what was inside? I must have been right about someone knowing where she'd been. Also they work or go to our school. It significantly helps with the search I hadn't honestly started. Either way, I went up to my room and packed a bag to get ready for meet up with Allison.