She Came From the Forest (James and Tera: book 1)

22

Being in school today was no different than another. Classes were the same, teachers were the same, subjects were the same. Nothing was different.

The only difference was that they felt so short when I wished they would last longer.

I felt a hole in my stomach all day. I barely touched anything at lunch, I barely showed any emotion. I was unsure of how to feel. I wanted to feel happy or sad or something, but I felt nothing. Numb.

When the bell rang and we all headed out to the parking lot, I felt lost, like I didn't know the direction to go even though I had been use to the same direction as usual. When I looked beside me, Tera looked just as lost.

You don't just look around your school and just think about a fight that's gonna cost you your time there, especially if that fight could cost you your life. Tera was clung to me a lot today, and she smiled so much and laughed a lot when we hung out with the guys. Deep in her eyes, through the smiling and laughing, there was pain.

"Hey, James..." I heard a girl call me. I looked behind me and saw Brooke walking fast to catch up with us. Tera turned and looked at her with me as well. We stopped walking, hands still together, and waited for her to get to us.

"Brooke?" I asked. "Is something wrong? Did Zane do something again?"

She shook her head and gave a shy smile. "No. Nothing like that. It's just..." She was hesitating. "Is it...alright if I hang out with you guys today?"

I looked at Tera, and she looked back at me with the same expression that showed how confused we both were. I looked back at her. "Well, that's up to Sage, since he's the one whose house we're-"

"It's already a 'yes' for me Jamie." Sage said, coming up behind us and wrapping both arms over Tera and I. "We just needed everyone's approval before we decided."

Terry and Kai both walked up beside us. I looked over at them. "I'm not surprised with you wanting her to join." I told Terry, and then turned to Sage. "But you, that shocks me."

Kai just shrugged. "She wouldn't shut up and quit asking so I had to say yes."

Brooke turned to him with a sad look. "I... I didn't mean to be annoying, I just..." She looked upset.

Sage punched Kai in the arm. "Don't be a jerk. She's welcome to join." He told Kai very harshly.

I laughed and looked at Brooke. "He doesn't mean it. You'll get use to him. He's good, I promise."

Her mood lightened back up. I smiled and nodded. "I don't mind." I turned to Tera. "But EVERYONE in the group has to agree."

She looked at Brooke, but didn't smile. There was something to her stare that was strange. It wasn't threatening, but, it wasn't friendly either. It's as if she were studying her.

Brooke was shaken by the stare. She took a small step back. "Hey, it's okay if you don't want me to." She told Tera.

Tera finally shook her head, but didn't smile. "It's okay with me." She told her.

A little sweat formed on Brooke's forehead. She gave a relived sigh. "Great..." She said with a tiny, fearful smile. "Well, maybe you can tell me where you live and I could meet you there."

Sage raised an eyebrow. "You finally have a car?"

"Well..." she lowered her head. "I walk."

Kai shook his head. "Walking there from here is too far." He stated. "You'll need a ride."

Sage's voice rose. "Aww! You're actually being considerate."

"Shut up. I'm human too, ya know?" Kai said, turning back to Brooke. She smiled nervously at him.