Inhumans

Chapter 2

Alicia's POV

          I waited by the flagpole where my parents always picked me up. I had my hood on and my books to my chest. 

“Alicia!” I heard Jay's voice. 

I turned to look at him, earning a few glares from the preppy girls. Jay ran over to me. 

“I found another one!” Jay lowered his voice but spoke with excitement. 

“Where are they?” I asked looking around. 

“She had to get on the bus. But she's this hot blonde girl with green eyes.” Jay smiled. 

My heart sank to my stomach like a stone. Hot? I heard the familiar honk of my mom's car. I glanced over my shoulder. 

“I'll text you later.” Jay said as I turned to walk away. 

I gave him a small wave as I entered the passenger side. I closed the door and put on my seatbelt. 

“Who's that?” Mom asked. 

“No one…” I said as I watched Jay disappear in the distance. 

______________________________

I lay on my bed in my tank top and shorts. I had already finished my homework and now I was reading a book. My phone went off. I picked it up and looked at the screen. 

Jay: I'm going to look for the girl again tomorrow so you could meet her. I think her name was Julie. 
Me: okay sounds good
Jay: are you okay?
Me: yeah why?
Jay: you seem off
Me: this is how I always am. I'm shy…
Jay: ok. I'll look for Julie tomorrow and show her to you. 
Me: okay goodnight
Jay: goodnight

I sighed as I stared at the picture he set as his contact picture. He had a huge smile on his face while his two fingers were held up in a peace sign. I felt my eyes get watery. This is why I kept to myself, so I wouldn't get hurt. I put my phone to charge on my nightstand and put my book beside it. I lay on my side and stared at the wall as tears flowed out of my eyes.  I closed my eyes and let sleep take me. 

______________________________

I walked into school with my usual hood up and books to my chest. I considered faking being sick so I wouldn't have to see Jay, but I decided against it. I'd have to face him and meet Julie sooner or later. Sure enough, Jay was walking next to a blonde. He had a huge smile on his face as he talked. The blonde kept laughing. She looked like one of the cheerleaders. Jay caught sight of me and grabbed the blonde's wrist as he led her to me. 

“Julie this is Alicia.” Jay introduced. 

I smiled slightly and nodded. 

“No way! You?” Julie laughed slightly. “I've seen you around. How are you?”

I nodded slightly. 

“That's right, you're the shy girl.” Julie pointed at me. “Have you been to one of my games?” 

So she was a jock? I shook my head. 

“I play soccer here. I thought I've seen you there before.” Julie furrowed her eyebrows. 

“Maybe it was in a class.” Jay said.

“That's right! I have you for Biology. I can help you with that if you need it.” Julie winked. 

I stared at her, not knowing what to say. She was very friendly. 

Julie pointed at herself. “Shapeshifter.” She mouthed. 

A shapeshifter? I've always wanted to meet one. I smiled. 

“Exciting, huh?” Julie laughed. “Here let me put my number in your phone.” 

I handed her my phone. She put in her name and number. I looked at it. It was spelled Juli without the 'e’. 

“My parents wanted me to be extra different.” Juli shook her head and rolled her eyes. 

I sent her a quick text. 

“So Jay said you were like the leader.” She spoke lowly.

“Leader?” I looked at Jay in confusion. 

“You came up with the idea.” Jay shrugged. 

“Right but how can i-” I started. 

The bell rang. 

“We better get to class. See you later? Maybe for lunch?” Juli waved and walked off. 

Jay watched her until she vanished into the crowd. We both headed to math. I sat in my usual corner and Jay sat in front of me. The preppy girls stared at him the whole class. I see why Jay likes Juli better. She's nice, friendly, and sporty. I'm just a shy, nerdy mess. I sighed slightly as I took notes. 

          Class went by fast and we were on our way to lunch. Jay was texting, I'm sure he was texting Juli. He didn't even glance up as we weaved through the lunch crowd. 

“Alicia! Jay!” I turned my head as Juli called out to us. 

She pushed past a few people to get to us in the line. Nobody minded her skipping. She started talking to us in a low voice. 

“I have reason to believe my neighbors have powers.” She nearly mumbled. 

“Yeah?” Jay looked at her. “Maybe we should go over and check it out.” He glanced at me.

I was glad he considered bringing me along. “We can tell our parents we're going to study.” 

Juli smiled. We grabbed our lunch and sat at an empty table. A few of Julie's soccer buddies joined us. Juli focused her attention on them while Jay and I sat in silence. Jay kept looking at Juli in admiration. I stared down at my sandwich as I chewed. I can't believe I thought I had a chance with Jay. I glanced up at him briefly, meeting his gaze. I quickly looked back at my sandwich. He didn't ask, probably assumed I was being quiet because of the strangers at the table, which was partially true. The soccer girls were rowdy, almost as bad as the football players. Juli was sitting next to me and every few minutes she'd lean away from her teammate and onto me. I looked up at Jay. He met my gaze. I took out my phone and sent him a text. 

Me: I'm about to put a force field on
Jay: you have force fields??

I looked up and met his gaze. I forgot to show him my force fields. Guess I'll show him after school. I gave him a nod. He shook his head but smiled. 

_______________________________
So Alicia also has the power of creating forcefields while our friend Juli is an animal shapeshifter ;)

Hope you're all enjoying this story!