by Lari Smythe
Chapter 3
The first few days of school—before break—hadn't been bad, more or less just folding back into a similar routine, but since the football picnic things had changed. At first it was subtle, whispers, sideways glances and a wide berth in the hallway and at lunch—places we crossed paths with the freshman. But like I had feared, by the second week it began to spill over into the sophomores and juniors, even some of my senior classmates seemed to doubt our original story. Up until now, I was pretty sure Jason was unaware of what was happening. If I was being honest, this was probably the exact distraction his mom was worried about. Jason and I—arm in arm—pulled up in front of my calculus class.
"See you at lunch," Jason said, brushing back a stray strand of my hair.
"I don't know, I may stay and work on math, some of this stuff is really confusing."
"You don't need help with math. What's going on?" He leaned down and pressed his forehead against mine.
"You know me so well," I whispered.
"I bet he gets her pregnant again," a boy said to the guy next to him as they passed us.
Jason spun around and grabbed the kid by the front of his shirt and yanked him off the floor. "What did you say?" his voice boomed. The kid gasped as Jason slammed him up against the wall.
"I didn't mean nothin' by it, honest," the boy whined. "I'm sorry."
Jason let go and the kid dropped down on wobbly legs. "Don't tell me, tell her." Jason yanked the kid around until he was facing me. Behind him a crowd was gathering, probably expecting a fight. "Sorry," he half whispered.
"I didn't hear you," Jason said, "and it better sound like you mean it or you and me aren't finished." Jason grabbed him by the back of the collar and shoved him toward me.
The kids eyes were welling up with tears when he looked at me. "I'm sorry." He turned toward Jason. "I don't know her name."
"Izzy, my name is Izzy."
He looked back at me. "I really am sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you, I'm just trying to fit in that's all, honest."
Jason let go of him.
"I'm sorry, Izzy, honest. No hard feelings?" He reached for my hand, but I pulled back. Tears were running down his cheeks now.
I leaned forward slightly and whispered. "It's not true, none of it's true."
His expression saddened like he suddenly realized the gravity of what he had been saying. "I really am sorry."
"I know," I whispered back. "Ever think you'd fit in better if you did what you know is right?"
He wiped his eyes just as Jason yanked him away from me. "Don't you have a class to get to?"
"Yeah," the boy stepped back, "It won't happen again, I swear."
"It better not."
"Good luck on Friday's game." He pushed back into the crowd and disappeared. With the drama over, and a fight averted, the crowd dispersed quickly. It was a good thing too, because Mr. Mathews stuck his head out to see what was going on. "Is everything alright?"
"Sure," I said, "one of the freshman was lost."
Mr. Mathews chuckled. "Well that happens this time of year." He looked toward Jason. "You're the new quarterback aren't you Jason—Jason Whitaker."
"Yes, sir."
"I've watched a few of your practices, you look real sharp out there. I wouldn't be surprised to see you play at the next level. Of course you've got to keep your grades up."
"No problem there, sir, work just as hard at my studies." He glanced at me and added, "Just like Izzy."
Mr. Mathews smiled. "Well, if you're half the student Izzy is then you should have your pick of colleges. Well, good luck this weekend, I'm really looking forward to the game." He ducked back into the classroom.
Jason grinned. "I'll see you at lunch."
"Cute." I smirked. "Think you're pretty sly, huh?"
"Nah, I just know you."
"You better get to class, the bell is going to ring."
"Okay, see ya." He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss and then raced down the nearly empty hallway. The bell rang as he rounded the corner, but he should be able to make it to class before it stopped. I took my seat in calculus.
We had a pop quiz first thing, and then went over the problems after everyone was finished. I got 100%, but I'm not sure some of it wasn't luck. Calculus was really hard. Before I knew it the bell rang for lunch. Mr. Mathews reluctantly dismissed class. He didn't like the split class, but realized we had to eat—well at least the rest of the class did.
I waited until everyone was gone and then asked, "Mr. Mathews, about question number four?"
"Ah, that was a tricky one, wasn't it, but you got it correct didn't you?" He shuffled through the quiz papers on his desk until he presumably got to mine.
"Yes, but I kind of guessed."
"Your work is fine, but... tell you what, we'll go over that one again when you get back from lunch."
"Sure, that'd be great." I got up from my desk. "So, I'll see you after lunch."
Jason was waiting at the corner for me and we walked into the lunch room together. I went through the line with him and got an apple juice to keep up appearances. I surprisingly liked the taste, as long as I only had a sip or two. Jason usually finished it for me.
"Hey," Cathy said, as Jason and I got to the table.
"How's it goin'," Alex added.
"Hope you don't mind if I join you," Matt said as he sat down next to Alex.
"Sure," I said hesitantly. This was weird. Despite being seniors, and Jason and Alex being big football stars and all we had maintained our 'outsiders' table from last year. Jason directed me around the table so he could sit next to Matt.
The boys immediately started talking about the upcoming game. Because of where we were sitting, I couldn't really talk to Cathy. She seemed more than a little annoyed.
"You mind?" A familiar voice said.
I looked up and Lisa and one of her friends were standing there with their trays. "Um, sure," I said.
They sat down across from us. Okay, this was really awkward. I glanced toward Jason, but as soon as we made eye contact, he turned away to continue his conversation with Matt and Alex.
I looked over at Lisa.
"You like my new makeup?" she said.
"Uh, sure, you look great." I offered. She'd toned it down considerably from last year—gone was the harsh orange line along her jaw.
"Do you do your eye makeup?" she asked, "it's totally awesome—I mean it's not something I would do, but you can totally pull it off. It's great."
"Thanks." Seriously, something I could pull off but she couldn't?
I glanced over at Cathy and we exchanged a 'what the heck is going on' look. There were no more surprises the rest of lunch, but as we were getting up to head back to class, Dillon and a few of his friends walked by. They ignored Jason and me presumably because of who we were with. I guess looking cool around the senior, popular kids, trumped picking on me. Jason slid his arm around me and we headed for the doors.
"So, what do you think—about lunch?" Jason said.
"Kind of awkward. Wait, did you set that up?"
"Hey, we seniors gotta stick together, right?"
Matt and Lisa had gone on ahead of us, so I stretched up to kiss Jason—just a little peck—nothing to draw attention. In doing so, I wasn't paying attention and Dillon made a reappearance. As my lips touched Jason's, Dillon shot past and knocked the plastic bottle of apple juice out of my hand. Jason lunged at him, but I caught his arm.
"It's what he wants, to get under your skin. Heck, he might even be trying to get you kicked off the football team. You know the rules about fighting. Don't let him get to you like that," I said.
"You're right," Jason huffed, "but if he hurts you—"
I burst out laughing and when Jason realized what he said, he laughed too. "Okay, tiger, I'll see you after school."
"Count on it." Jason headed off toward his class, but as I turned to go toward calculus, someone grabbed my arm. "Oh," I said, turning toward the person,
"Cathy, I didn't see you."
"We need to talk," she said.
"Okay, but class is about to start."
"I know, not now. Are you meeting Jason after school?"
"Sure, the usual place, down by the gym."
"Okay, I'm going to meet Alex too. How about after they go to practice—say the top of the bleachers—you know where we watched the games last year."
"Sure, okay, I'll see you then."
Cathy turned and raced off toward her class and I did the same, slipping into class just before the final bell. As promised, Mr. Mathews went over the problem I'd asked about before lunch.
There was something about the urgency in Cathy's voice that worried me. I knew she still had her sixth sense and that added to my concern. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I couldn't think about it in calculus, or in Latin either for that matter. We had Art last period, but Jason was in our class and whatever it was, she didn't want to discuss it with him around. Mrs. Snyder had given the GT students the freedom to draw whatever we liked while she introduced some new concepts to the Art II students in class. I was just sketching, trying not to draw Jason, and Cathy was more or less doodling which was very unlike her. Jason on the other hand was very engrossed in his drawing.
"The creative God's not looking down on you today?" Mrs. Snyder said, walking up behind Cathy.
"I can't concentrate for some reason," Cathy said. No doubt whatever it was she wanted to talk to me about.
"How about you, Izzy?" Mrs. Snyder said, moving around to my side of the table. "Ah," she exhaled in admiration, "I don't think I will ever get used to the intricacies of your line work. The roses are beautiful. When you're finished, I think that would make a nice addition to your portfolio."
"Thanks."
She slid over to Jason's side of the table. Ah, the forest," she said, straining to see past him as he hovered over his work. "I guess it's getting close to hunting season and boys start—" Mrs. Snyder stopped in midsentence when Jason pulled back from his drawing. Her complexion turned a pasty, ashen color like she was going to get sick. Cathy and I both looked over at Jason's drawing.
"You know," Cathy mumbled.
I gasped. Like one of those visual illusion drawings that play tricks with your eyes, Jason had captured the macabre. They were subtle, lost in the background but when your eyes found them, they were so powerful they jumped off the page. Eyes—familiar eyes—eyes that meant danger—the historian's eyes.
"Well," Mrs. Snyder finally said, "this is something quite different for you, Jason. I must admit the eyes are startling." You could tell the drawing was messing with her vision as she squinted to refocus. "I think evil might be a better description. Very powerful, very powerful indeed." Mrs. Snyder steadied herself and then moved on to one of the other tables.
"Jason?" I asked, "Are you okay?"
He shook off what seemed like some sort of delirium and looked at me. "Not sure where that came from." He crumbled the drawing and tossed it in the waste basket then just sat there with this blank expression that I couldn't read. There was no question he didn't want to talk, I don't think he knew where the image came from. After the final bell, the three of us met Alex by the boys locker room.
"So you guys want to tell me what's going on?" Alex said, obviously picking up on the tension.
No one replied.
"Okay," He turned to Cathy, "Is this about lunch?"
"No, no," Cathy said, "it's a girl thing." She turned to me for confirmation.
"Right." I said. "So we'll see you guys later okay?"
"Okay by me," Alex said.
I took both of Jason's hands and pulled them to my lips and kissed them. "Football Jason, concentrate on football, nothing else."
"Sure, football, that's what's important." His voice had an, 'are you kidding me' tone.
"Promise me, the first game is tomorrow night, the beginning of your senior season."
"Right, okay, sure, football." He still didn't sound convinced.
"I love you." I kissed him.
"I love you, always." With that, he pushed open the door and he and Alex slipped into the chaos of the locker room.
"Come on," Cathy said as soon as the door closed.
I followed her out to our spot at the top of the stadium bleachers. It would be awhile before all the various fall teams started trickling out to the fields.
"Based on your reaction to Jason's drawing," Cathy began, "I'd say you didn't know, but then, how did Jason?"
"You must have done that—maybe subconsciously."
She shook her head. "I don't know, that's never happened before. It doesn't matter though, you know now."
"You mean about the eyes?"
"Yeah, what else?"
Not wanting to get Cathy anymore involved than she already was, I said, "They belong to somebody from the past."
She put her hands on her hips and shot me this incredulous stare. "Seriously, you're going to try to put that over on me? I know he's from the past. I know he's close, and I know he wants to harm you and your family."
"When you say 'you and your family'—"
"Jason's included, but even more importantly, you—he wants you."
I lowered my head realizing the danger Cathy was exposed too. "We can't talk—"
"I know, I know, but why is he focused on you?"
I shook my head. "I don't know. Do you know when, or how?"
"No, but I think there is time, the visions are faint, they lack definition. Clarity will come as the time grows closer."
"Okay, for now, can you just let me know when your vision changes?"
"Sure, I can do that."
"Thank you." I unconsciously put my hand on her arm. She didn't flinch. "I'll never forgive myself for what I did to you."
"Are you kidding? You changed my life—healed me. I never fit in, but now I know why and I'm okay with it. You found my place in the universe."
"Don't you think that's a little heavy."
"Maybe, but it's true."
"Oh look, the football team is out on the practice field," I said to change the subject. "Let's go watch."
We walked down by the fence and not another word about Cathy's vision was spoken.