Forlot - Books 1-3 {Completed}

Chapter Six

"Why, Shade Shawn, you must be the other new kid," Paul introduced. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Shade nodded. "I am eager to go to school for the first time," he admitted.

"First time? You have been at school before. Right?"

"Actually, no. However, there is a very good reason."

Alright. Let us hear it - Shade.

I crossed my arms and glared at the new boy. Something about him made me feel a bit uncomfortable. I know that you should not judge people on their outward appearances, but remembering that did not make the funny feeling in my stomach go away.

"You see, my family and I move a lot, and there is little to no time in enrolling me in a school," Shade explained.

"That is sad," Maxine stated. "How often do you move? A month? Two months?"

He let out a sigh. "Every two weeks."

As soon as he said that, everybody on the bus erupted.

"Dang!"

"Whoa!"

"Oh my gosh!"

"No wonder!"

Paul narrowed his eyebrows. "Enough!" he exclaimed angrily. "Keep that up, and I will let your teachers know that you desire to watch The Texti Movie."

Our faces flushed.

"No! Please!" a girl shouted.

"Anything but that!" a boy that was sitting in the seat behind me, Damian, and Maxine added. "I would rather do homework! And that includes math!"

"It is rated U for unwatchable!" Nell protested.

I could feel my hands quivering. I despise The Texti Movie, and so did all of the people who lived in Forlot.

And I mean every person.

The Texti Movie was so bad that the leaders in Forlot banned its existence from being shown in the town ever again, along with the shows Titans All the Way! and Bring It Down Now. The leaders openly stated that they did this because they did not want any kids to turn stupid and unfortunate.

Last year, however, they passed a new law, saying that The Texti Movie could only be shown to children and teenagers if the adults are punishing them for bad behavior.

This is why I believe that Forlot has the best well-behaved kids.

"Then settle down or else," Paul ordered. He looked at me, and then back at the others. "I certainly do not want nice boys and girls to get punished for no reason."

When everyone was calm and silent, so silent that you could hear a pin drop, the bus driver turned back to Shade. "Sorry about that, Shade. They freak out whenever I threaten them with The Texti Movie."

"That is okay," Shade reassured him. "I have not seen that movie. I have heard about it though. And the reviews on it. And they are not pretty." He took a deep breath. "Now where was I? Oh, yeah! Every two weeks, my family and I move to another town."

"...why?" Nell questioned.

He shrugged in response. "Beats me. They will not tell me."

"It must be hard for you," Maxine said. "Moving around a ton."

The boy slowly nodded. "Yes, it is. But this time, things will be different."

"How so?" Damian asked.

"Because I am here to stay. My folks like - no, really like...no, love! - this town, and we are going to be staying for a long time." He glanced at me and smirked. "A very long time. Possibly forever."

Paul flashed him a smile. "Well, that is great, Shade," he complimented. "I do hope that you stay at least for a while and make some new friends."

"Oh, I will." Shade patted my shoulder and winked at Maxine. "I will." He walked down the aisle to the back of the bus.

"He is cute," Maxine commented, giggling softly.

Cute? Cute was far from what Shade was. And what about me? I am cute!

I shivered and covered my shoulder, the one that Shade patted, with my hand. I had a bad feeling with this guy.

A very bad feeling.

As the bus started driving off, I heard a faint voice.

Saying my name.

Calling for me.

"Nigel...Nigel..."