Shifters

Chapter 11

I stepped into the dim warehouse and was greeted by a group of people staring at me. Murmurs rose up through the group, some wondering why I was here, others saying it was about time. Max walked in and closed the door, "I can tell that you all heard about Evelyn's early arrival. I don't want you to ask her any questions about why she had to leave early, that will be my job. Feel free to introduce yourselves to her. Evelyn, I'll be over there to talk to you when your done talking to these nice people." everyone nodded at Max. Even though he wasn't the oldest here, these people certainly did respect him. He dropped my bag at my side then left the group. As he left, he shifted back to his own appearence, "are you alright? You seemed really worried, at least that's what your emotions showed." Gabriel asked. I smiled, "Yeah, I guess I'm fine, I'm just worried about what is going to happen now." Gabriel stepped forward and hugged me, "Come talk to me later, okay?" his voice held saddness and worry, so I nodded my head. As soon as Gabriel had left The rest of the group came forward to introduce themselves to me. There were maybe fifteen people in all, whose names I couldn't remember, even if my life depended on it. But they were all very nice and accepting of me. I figured that since they were shifters too, they knew what it was like to be cast out by others. 

After smiling and talking for a long time, people began to disperse, the newness of me had warn off, which I didn't mind one bit. I was finally free to go. Max was at the far end of the warehouse sitting up high on a stack of boxes, "How on earth did you get up there?" I called up to him. He looked down in surprise, then smiled. His deep blue eyes burned in the dim room, "Easy, it's called climbing." he paused, "and it doesn't hurt that I have super speed, strength, and agility." "Well that would make sense, but why don't you come down here now so we can talk. You did want to talk didn't you?" I asked. He smiled again, then after a series of flips and jumps, landed on his feet in front of me, "Yes, I did want to talk. So tell me, what exactly happened between you and Jade to where she got you to shift?" his eyes searched my face. But I had learned that his eyes always had a curious look to them, no matter what he was talking about. 

"Well, I was about to leave when she walked up and was asking me about Gabriel, but then again who wasn't." I paused as Max looked over in Gabriel's direction with envy, then continued, "and I told her that I needed to go, she of course can't stand when people walk away from her. So she had to voice this fact in a very smug voice. Then I just got really angry and I turned red...quite literally." Max nodded, he was back into buisness mode, even though this afternoon he had showed his sensitive side, "I see. Well this is not an uncommon thing that happens to teenage shifters. It's very easy to get caught up in stupid fighting that eventually results in you shifting, and your friend telling the world. But we will protect you." he smiled at me. This was the second time he assured me that I was no longer in harms way now.  

"why are you always so buisness oriented? Why don't you just cut loose sometimes?" I suddenly asked without even thinking about it. He looked down at me in surprise, "Thats how everyone wants me to be since I'm the leader." his eyes held a touch of saddness. I laughed, "Actually I was just talking to them, and they said that they are surprised that you act the way you do. And they think you should loosen up and actually become part of the gang, not the socially removed leader type." he carefully studied my face, "Are you lying?" I shook my head.  

A truly happy smile shone on his face, "Well, this is great! I think I'll go talk to everyone then." he turned and walked over to the biggest group of people, leaving me by myself. After looking around I decided that I should go talk to Ganriel. I picked my way through the boxes until I saw him, hands in pockets, head tilted to the side, "You actually came, I thought you only nodded your head because you wanted me to leave." "Why would you think that?" I asked him with confussion in my voice, he changed the subject, "He kissed you, didn't he?" his voice was full of anger, "Gabriel, listen, he did that because he thought I looked lonely, no other reason." I tried to reasure him, "You honestly believe that? Couldn't you feel the love he has for you crashing out like a huge wave?" his eyes looked at the ground, betrayal in them.  

I couldn't ignore this. Of course I had felt the love coming from Max. And apparently Gabriel had to. But why did Gabriel care? I was getting a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, "Why does it matter to you Gabriel." his eyes shone with pain, "You should be able to answer that question Evelyn." he paused and grabbed my arms, "I care about you, I hope you know that." I looked up at him, and for the second time today I stood helpless while someone kissed me.