Red Moon, White Moon

Chapter 8: Filtiarn

The day had finally arrived. It was time for me to meet under the football bleachers with Xavier and the rest of the outcasts who participated in their monthly event. I was on edge, not only because I wasn't sure how I'd fit in, but it was also the first full moon since I stopped talking to the gang at the shop. I couldn't help but feel worried about them, especially Andie Rae. The last two times out, she'd needed me, and I felt I was letting her down in some way. That line of thinking was crazy, though, since she basically abandoned me at the zoo. Still, there was something that didn't allow me to hang on to that anger; instead, it increasingly changed to fear. Not only for her, but for Lilly and the rest of the gang at the shop. I even paused every now and again and thought about Hayden, but in a different way. It was clear that he could handle himself in those situations, but I always felt he put the mission before people, and it may end up one day killing someone or everyone at the shop.

When the bell rang to end class, I started to walk towards the stadium. It was the end of the football team's season, and, as usual, the mighty Chiefs made the playoffs and were starting practice for their game against Plant High School. As I walked down the one hundred hall of Chamberlain, Mr. Farley emerged from his room with his briefcase and the keys to his car.

"Mr. Maxwell, a word with you please?" he asked.

I made my way over to him, putting my hands in my pockets and letting out a small sigh. He had been overly friendly to me in the last few days and had even stepped in, unleashing the wrath that used to be reserved for me on Jack and his cronies. I never realized how much I enjoyed my rivalry with Mr. Farley until it was gone. Mr. Farley kind of filled that void by being kinder and supportive, but I found it dull at best. I still was expecting things to return to normal with him, but, for now, he was providing the break that the outcasts and I could only dream of. There hadn't been a single attack since we talked.

"Hey, Mr. Farley, what's up?" I said.

"Where are you heading?" he asked.

Looking around to see who was nearby, I mumbled, "I'm heading to the stadium to meet up with a group of friends to participate in their club."

"Ahh, the role-playing club put on by Mr. Green. Well, good for you. They're a smart group of kids—you'll like them very much." He signaled me to walk with him.

We walked towards the stadium, and he asked me if I was having any problems with Jack and his group. When I acknowledged that it has been extremely quiet and thanked him for his help, he patted me on the back and assured me it was the least he could do. We continued to chat about school, grades, my plans for the future, and how I was doing with the Kevin situation. It was nice to have someone to talk with, even if I couldn't tell him everything. Why bother—it wasn't like he would believe me anyway. He would properly have me locked up or something. Approaching the football stadium, I could see Jack and his boys hanging around the gym entrance. They completely ignored us as we passed them by. I shook my head in amazement and smirked. This was actually working—I was free to return to my life, and it was all thanks to Mr. Farley. That just sounded weird to me. When we cleared the gym, I could see Xavier and about three other kids sitting under the stadium waiting for me.

I turned to Mr. Farley and said, "Thanks for the talk, Mr. Farley, it means a lot."

"Any time, Mr. Maxwell," he responded, putting his hand on my shoulder.

He turned around and walked back towards the gym, where Jack and his group bumped into him. They were not paying attention; they were all reading a paper Jack had in his hand. Mr. Farley was not pleased, and I couldn't help but smile as he tore into them for being incompetent athletes. He snatched the piece of paper out of Jack's hand, crumpled it up, and threw it away in the trash can. He continued to yell at them for a few more minutes and then ordered them to run to the locker room. After they were out of sight, Mr. Farley brushed off his shirt and walked away mumbling under his breath, shaking his head, and blushing.