Moonless Night

Chapter 8

  After Evan got all the questions about that night six years ago out of his system, he and I agreed to not talk about it again, as long as it wasn't necessary. I was surprised at first when he asked not to mention it again. He explained to me that the past is the past, he didn't care much for that little bit of my personal history. To be honest, I was relieved he didn't further pursue the issue. Evan didn't so much as comment on my previous display of "abilities" that seemed to have vanished entirely. I was still the same Stella to him. I loved him all the more for that. My beloved big brother whom I share an an unbreakable bond with.

  The weeks flew by again with nothing whatsoever occurring. No more heightened senses from our "link". No more sharing of secret memories or confessions. No more conversations, if you could call them that, with the Kurans. No more abnormal or strange events. Nothing. At all. It actually became so normal I wished for something to happen, anything. And, of course, with my bad luck, I got just that.

  Don't you just hate it when you asked for something good to happen and you get the opposite, but when you ask for something bad to happen, it does, and it ends up biting you on the ass? Well, that's what happened to me.  Of course, I didn't realize that until later.

  On an ordinary day of school, everything was well and boring. I got through all my classes with ease, still in second place annoyingly enough. I wondered how Evan could stand being in third, below me and the Seventh.

  Anyway, the day was boring, nothing new transpired. At the end of school, I assumed that would be that when I remembered one of my teachers had asked me to see them at the end of the day. It was odd of me to forget, but it was even odder who it was that asked me to stay behind.

  I began to head for my homeroom. It was my second period teacher, the indifferent student teacher, Leance Simmons that asked. From what I've heard, the student teacher was really impersonal and stoic. He was popular with the students, male and female, because of his easy to learn lessons and natural charisma. Mr. Simmons is only twenty-three, a genius by far, and incredibly handsome. Many girls would probably kill to have the chance I had. Ignoring the fact the guy showed absolutely no emotion and was almost as antisocial as the Kurans, he was quite the catch. Or so Jesse said.

  I had no interest in Mr. Simmons, though I will admit he's rather attractive. For someone six years older than me at least.

  I peered into the classroom and was surprised to see how dark it was. It was nearly winter already, but for it to get dark so quickly was somewhat disconcerting. The room being empty at the moment wasn't helping. I wasn't the type to be easily frightened, but something was sending serious chills down my spine.

  "Miss Soltaer."

  I jumped at the sound of the voice behind me. Spinning around, I see the aforementioned man watching me with an unreadable expression. I forced my heartbeat to slow as I realized it was racing from fright.

  "Oh," I sighed. "It's just you Mr. Simmons."

  He stared at me for one more second then diverted his eyes. "Let's go in." He said. "I want to get this done before it's to late."

  I glanced down at his hands to see a large stack of papers. Is that what he means? I nodded and walked into the room. I heard him follow and shut the door behind him.

  I flicked on the light. "If you don't mind me asking, why did you ask me to stay behind?"

  Mr. Simmons silently set the papers down on his desk. As he began to sort through them, I wondered if he wouldn't answer, but then he turned to me.

  "I have a request."

  I blinked in surprise. "What would that be?"

  He dropped the sheet of paper he was looking over and came to stand in front of me. "Will you go out with me?"