Shadow Rings

Chapter 6

The weeks have gone by in a flash. Nothing much has happened. I surprisingly have not had any nightmares, not since that day in the nurse's office. Which I have not had to visit again, I watch where I am going now, so I don't run into another door. At school it has been, I'm not sure if I would call it weird or strangely quiet, but that is what it is. Zane is still cocky as ever and hits on me daily but I only see him as a friend and nothing more. And I know he only does it to get a reaction out of me now. It is quite hilarious with some of the things he comes up with.

The Gregor brothers have not been staring at me. Not like the first day that is. I have not got the chance to use Zanders' phone number yet, sadly. Lily didn't have a problem with me being late like I was. All she asked is if I had a good time and if I made any friends. I found out that Zander is my gym, mythology and my archery instructor. I am the only one in archery, which I found weird but exciting at the same time. It is like I am just another student to them. I mean it's a good thing, since they are my teachers after all, but I can't help but feel a little disappointed and I have no clue why. But so on, I am actually not too bad at archery. We have not done much in class but I would say I am doing really well for a beginner.

There is a school dance coming up soon in just a couple more weeks. I am super excited about it. It is a masquerade ball dance, with masks and everything. I am going shopping with Klaire soon. Thought she didn't like me right? Well turns out she just thought I was trying to get with Zane, to gain social status, and apparently in this town their family name is basically high social status. When she found out I had absolutely no interest in Zane that way at all, and that I had no clue that they were even famous in this town, we became close friends. It is amazing what we have in common together.

Right now I am enjoying the nice weather while I can. What I wouldn't do to go hiking though. Hiking is so calming. I  wonder  if Zane would go. Almost as soon as I thought that the phone rang down stairs. Weird I thought, but I shrugged it off.

"Micahla!! It's for you!! It's one of your friends from school!" Lily called from the bottom of the stairs.

"Be right down!" I hollered back at her. I got up  and took the phone from her when I got downstairs and mouthed thank you at her. She wiggled her eyebrows at me. My guess its Zane on the phone.

"Hello, if you are looking for a good time please hang up and try your call again another time." Lily laughed loudly at my greeting and shook her head.

A gruff laugh came over the phone. "That is too bad, maybe I can change your mind?"

I gasped, that wasn't Zane like I thought it was. "Heh...ummm...you are not who I thought you were. I'm sorry about that. Who are you?"

"Well as far as Lily knows, I am your classmate. But you can call me Zeus. Or Mr. Gregor if you perfer.." He laughed a little bit at the end.

"Why are you calling me?" I asked in disbelief, heading into another room so Lily couldn't hear.

"Well I was going hiking today and for some strange reason, I had a feeling if I should ask you if you wanted to go. I know its weird but I always follow my gut."

"I actually would love to go. Hiking is one of my favorite past times. When should I be ready?"

"Can you be ready in 10 minutes?"

"Of course! But meet me around the corner so my ma doesn't see who is behind the wheel."

"I could, or you can just walk over to my house. I live three houses down from you."

"Wait really???? Which way?"

He rattled off his address. "Alright, be there soon." I hung up after that. I couldn't believe he called me. It is weird but so right. If you know what I mean. It just felt so natural for him to call and ask that I didn't hesitate to say yes.

After hanging up the phone I got dressed. I kept thinking that this is so weird this isn't right. But at the same time I am thinking it is just hiking there is nothing wrong with that. Why am I so nervous then? I splashed some water on my face to try to calm down.

Making my way downstairs again I bumped into Lily. "Hey honey.. are you going somewhere?" She looked me up and down.

"Yeah, the one on the phone was Zeus. He invited me to go hiking with him today." Smiling I tried not to blush. I made sure she seen the hiking boots in my hand and my bookbag on my shoulder. I know she trusts me but I wanted to make sure she knew I was telling the truth.

"He's one of your friends you met at school? Just a friend right?" She asked raising her eyebrow at me.

"Yeppers, only a friend and that's it. I promise. He said that his brother was going also I believe." Looking at my watch I realized it's almost been ten minutes. "I got to go. I said I'd be ready in ten minutes, and that time is almost up. Love you, see you later." I called hollering over my shoulder.

"Have fun!! Love you." I heard back. I made my way down the street. The house is the biggest one on our block. It looks almost mansion like with the white pillars in front. Taking a deep breath I rang the doorbell. Not sure if I should run or wait. I wiped my palms on my pants. Getting impatient I rang the doorbell again.

"I'm coming!! I'm coming!!!" I heard from inside and footsteps walking to the door. It swung open and there stood Zander in nothing but shorts and let me tell you my mouth was hung open.
"Oh... aaa..hiya Micahla...what are you doing here?" He snapped me out of staring at his chest. When I looked up I realized he had a smirk on his face.

"Um...aaaaa... your brother invited me to go hiking.." looking down trying not to stare again.

"He did?" He asked looking confused.

"Ahem... yes I did." Coming into view from the hallway behind his brother. "It was a gut instinct" Giving him a know look. He looked at me and noticed my boots. "Are you ready?"

"Yep I sure am. " smiling holding up my hiking boots.

"Alright let's go then."giving me a small smile and leading me to the garage.