"Thank you," she said to the heavens.
A soft breeze moved across her skin; a breeze nothing else would have felt. It was meant only for her. She smiled again, feeling the familiar sense of Heaven that the wind carried with it.
Remembering the crows, she looked back in the direction of the gym. The crows, and Lucas, were gone.
The flutters in her stomach disappeared with them.
Chapter Five
Gabrielle ~ Fast Friends
Gabrielle made it through her first four classes without much of a problem although she noticed, as soon as she walked through the doors of the school, that the other students seemed to stare at her.
A lot.
Every class she entered, she had the feeling all eyes were on her. She found herself wanting to disappear—just poof and be gone. She wondered if their attention was just because people recognized her as a new face in school or if she wasn't doing a good job looking and acting like one of them.
If she could have stepped outside of herself to see what the others saw, she would have understood it was her face that drew all the attention and the way she carried herself so gracefully. There were pretty girls in the school, but none with Gabrielle's striking, exotic looks. She had let her hair down and the dark, loose waves fell almost the entire length of her back. It was cut in long layers, the shortest just above her jaw line. Her large eyes, mostly green, were edged in a slight bluish hue. And her olive skin was so smooth she almost didn't look real.
Not knowing this, Gabrielle found herself looking forward to the lunch break, which would begin in moments. She also wanted fifth period to hurry up so she could see Lucas again and wondered if he was wishing for the same thing.
I shouldn't be thinking about him at all!
Staring at the clock hanging on the wall just above the door, she watched the seconds hand spin around the face, urging it to move faster. Finally, she heard the bell, then the immediate sounds of books closing, backpacks being filled, and voices freed to speak once more.
Springing into motion so fast she looked as though she moved before the bell even started, Gabrielle made her way to the door. Just as she was about to pull the door open so she could flee to momentary freedom, she heard a female voice with a fairly strong southern accent call for her.
"Gabrielle! Hey, wait up!"
Gabrielle turned and saw a tall blonde flashing a broad, friendly smile.
"Hi! I'm Nonie Daniels. Did I get your name right? I heard Mr. Friedman say it when he was checking attendance."
"Hi, and yes, you got my name right," Gabrielle said to the bubbly girl.
"Are you going to the cafeteria for lunch?" Nonie asked as they fell in step and entered the crowded hall. Students were going so many directions Gabrielle wondered how they made any progress.
"Is there another option?"
"Absolutely! Juniors and seniors can leave campus and eat anywhere. As long as we're back on time, of course! I was going to meet my brother and a friend at the mall across the street to get pizza. If you want to come along, you can."
Gabrielle studied Nonie for a moment. She was someone the other students would certainly consider pretty, though in a natural way. She wore little makeup. Her hair was long and thick with a slight wave, and her skin had the healthy glow of summer. The effect was stunning against the amber shade of her eyes.
"Unless you already have plans,” Nonie continued.
As much as Gabrielle wanted to take a break from all the human interaction and attention from the morning, she had a hard time saying no. Nonie's chipper demeanor immediately put Gabrielle at ease.
"No, I don't have plans. I'd like to go. It's nice of you to ask."
"Great!" Nonie said while adding a hop to her step. "I think you'd be much happier than if you stayed here. If I were you, I'd be getting pretty tired of all the eyes boring through me." Nonie scanned the students. "Has everyone been staring at you like this all day? I noticed it in class, but now that we're out here, I can see their boredom in World History wasn't the reason."
Gabrielle sighed and looked around at the sea of teenagers, their faces gawking back at her, then looked at Nonie and smiled.
"Yeah, I guess they're just curious about the new girl."
Nonie laughed as they began to descend the wide staircase. "That, and possibly that you have to be the most beautiful person to have ever walked through the doors of this school. Maybe any school for that matter. Seriously . . . I can hardly stop looking at you myself, and I'm an only attracted to boys kinda girl. You’re going to be beating guys off with a stick all year long. I'd be jealous, but I don't think that would be fun for more than a couple of weeks." Nonie stopped at the bottom of the stairs, forcing the stream of students behind her to part and move around her like a rock in a river. Several students protested, but most just went around.
Like they are happy to make her life easier by letting her do as she wants.
Nonie just kept talking, kept smiling—seemingly unaware of her effect on others. People were still perplexing. She didn't understand why some were perceived as more worthy or what made one a leader and another a follower.
"You want to ride with me? My car’s parked in the side lot, or you can just meet me there."
Gabrielle found she liked Nonie. She had always liked people who didn't beat around the bush. The direct approach was a characteristic she appreciated.
It makes my job easier.
"Yeah, I'll ride with you. Thanks. Not just for the ride . . . thanks for being so nice."
Nonie's smile grew. Gabrielle guessed she was someone who wouldn't often be caught without one.
"Well, come on then! If we don't get out of here soon, we won't have time to eat. And, by the way, you don't need to thank me. I have to admit . . . I'm curious, too!" With that, she pushed open the doors and began to jog slowly toward a bright green VW Bug convertible, top down, gleaming in the sunlight.
Gabrielle caught up to Nonie, her laughter reaching her new friend before she did.
"If I had to pick any car in this parking lot that would be yours, this would definitely be it! It absolutely screams Nonie's car, and I've only known you for about five minutes." Gabrielle slid into the passenger seat, and Nonie started the engine. The sound of Bob Marley's One Love was in mid-chorus as she put the car in reverse and then pulled out of the school lot.
They were stepping into the mall when Gabrielle saw Lucas. He was far ahead of them, and she could only see his back, but she knew it was him. Even blindfolded, she would have known. She could feel him. His energy seemed to stretch out to meet hers like it was seeking her out to pull them together.
She must have had a strange expression on her face because Nonie looked at her with curiosity.
"Gabrielle . . . are you okay? You look kinda' funny."
"I'm sorry, I'm fine. Just thinking about something." Gabrielle tried to stay focused on Nonie. It was hard to not turn her attention back to Lucas—where she felt pulled to look. When she did, he was gone.
As they walked through the mall toward the food court, Gabrielle noticed Nonie didn't get caught up in all the clothes and shoes they were passing in the windows. She never even brought up anything that had to do with fashion. That was surprising since it seemed to be one of the main topics of conversation for girls, second only to hot boys, that she had overheard since arriving here. Gabrielle was glad, though. She knew she wouldn't be good at that kind of talk.
I can barely do my hair.
Instead, Nonie told her about the book she was reading—Stardust by Neil Gaiman—who she went on to explain was the most amazing author and insisted that she needed to read another book by him, American Gods. She asked if Gabrielle read much before launching into the hiking and camping trips she'd been on over the summer. Then, she talked a lot about music and art, mentioning her and her brother's weekly touch football games that started in late September.
Gabrielle laughed to herself as Nonie covered more topics than sh
e thought was humanly possible in such a short time, but somehow, she managed to do so and still breathe.
"Would you like to play on our team? It should be a lot of fun, and you could get to know some really cool people,” Nonie said as they turned the corner to the food court.
The merging smells of food—Italian, Chinese, burgers and fries, fresh baked bread from the sub shop—made Gabrielle's mouth water.
"I should be able to." Gabrielle was genuinely interested but had to focus harder to stay involved with what Nonie was saying as her attention was pulled away by food.
"The more the merrier!" Nonie chirped. "I know the guys are going to love that I invited you. The girls . . . maybe not so much, but only because they're going to be intimidated by you."
"By me! Good grief, why on Earth would they be intimidated by me?" Gabrielle tried to laugh convincingly. "I've never played football. They'll all be way better than I am."
I wonder if I'll be any good at human sports? Acting like I'm human, that is.
Playing ball and running around for fun weren't exactly things her kind did in their spare time. Really, they didn't ever have spare time. There was always something to be done. Even here on Earth, Gabrielle still had her job. Luckily, time worked a little differently for her.
Nonie laughed, and her smile was absolutely contagious. Though if she were straight-faced, Gabrielle thought she'd smile back at her just from sheer enjoyment of how strong her accent became when she got animated.
"Gabrielle, you don't have any idea how gorgeous you are, do you?"
Before Gabrielle could answer, a tall, blond male ran up behind them, grabbed Nonie in a big bear hug, and kissed her on the cheek before he sat her down.
"Ugh! Nate! Did you have to slobber all over me? Gabrielle, could you grab me a stack of napkins? Like, ten!" Gabrielle could tell she was kidding. She was already chasing the guy. When they made it back around, they were laughing and breathing hard.
Nonie playfully slapped him on the back of the head. And, though he may have wanted to retaliate, he looked up at Gabrielle and immediately stopped.
"Wow!" He paused a moment. A smile played on one side of his lips as he stared at Gabrielle. "Who's your friend, Nee?"
"Oh jeez!" Nonie rolled her eyes. "Heeere we go." She got a light thump on the head in return from the guy. "Nate, Gabrielle. Gabrielle, Nate, my annoying, but loveable, brother. Twin brother, actually." Nonie smiled and pushed her brother toward the line for pizza. "Let's get our food before my brother starts drooling over you and I lose my appetite."
Nate and Nonie did look similar. His hair was darker, more like honey than Nonie's wheat color. Their eyes were the same shade of amber, though, and his smile seemed to come just as easily.
Gabrielle fell in step with Nonie and Nate, feeling Nate's eyes on her, then stopped abruptly.
It's him . . .
She looked up and saw Lucas walking toward them. The flutters in her stomach woke again, and a smile spread across both of their faces as their eyes met.
Chapter Six
Gabrielle ~ A Human Date
Lucas took forever to reach them.
At least, it seemed that way to Gabrielle. She liked his confident gait and the way he carried himself, tall and proud—his athletic body all muscles and broad shoulders. She wanted to know what it would feel like to have his arms wrap around her and hold her tightly.
If he did, I don't know if I'd ever want him to let me go.
Gabrielle scoffed to herself. Even if her daydream ever became a reality somehow, he'd have to let her go, one day.
Forever.
She let the dismal intrusion be pushed aside by more pleasant thoughts because, finally, he was there. Standing in front of her—so close.
So very close.
He smelled wonderful, earthy and sweet; she had an almost irresistible urge to move toward his neck and inhale deeply.
Stop! It!
"Hey, Lucas," Nonie greeted him cheerfully. "Lucas, this is Gabrielle. Gabrielle, this is—"
"We've met," Lucas interrupted.
Gabrielle may have thought it was rude if she hadn't been distracted by the silkiness of his voice. It reminded her a little of her own kind.
Nonie seemed a bit taken aback. Gabrielle could see her in her periphery as she shifted her weight. After several seconds, she finally spoke.
"When did ya'll meet?" Nonie asked.
"Just this morning. I tried to maim him with my car door in the parking lot," Gabrielle laughed slightly. "Then he tried to molest me, and—"
"I tried to molest you!" Lucas's smile grew and his eyes widened "That's not the way I recall things! You got the attempt on my life correct, but the other was more like me being your champion, as I believe I rescued you from a very ungraceful face-plant."
"Always the 'he said she said,'" Gabrielle kidded, finally dropping her gaze from his as she felt warmth burning her cheeks.
I hope I get used to this soon. Really. I can't believe I can't keep my cool with humans. Well, at least this human.
"Okay, you two," Nonie said, "you can decide who wins the battle of the sexes later. Can we get our food, please? Time's-a-wastin' and my stomach's-a-rumblin!'"
Lunch went by without any more uncomfortable moments. Nonie and Nate bantered back and forth, at times including a jab at Lucas. Gabrielle mostly listened to the other three, enjoying the closeness they shared, wishing she knew what it must feel like to have such ease with others. When she asked how long they'd known each other, they told her they'd grown up together. They'd lived across the street from each other since they were a few months old.
The doors holding back their memories seemed to open as they proceeded to go into 'remember whens', breaking into spontaneous laughter over their adventures. All too soon, lunch ended, and they were walking from their cars, heading back toward school.
Nonie and Nate cheerfully waved and took off in opposite directions.
Gabrielle and Lucas didn't notice, but Nate turned to look back in their direction as he opened the door to the building, then paused. A scowl formed between his brows, his focus directly on Gabrielle as if he wanted to go back to her and say, or do, something. If she had been close enough, she would have noticed how the air chilled around him and maybe the faint odor, present only for a moment. After a few more seconds, he disappeared into the mass of other students.
Now, it was just Gabrielle and Lucas. They made their way to class also but much more slowly than everyone else.
"So," Lucas said, "do you think you'll be able to make the football game? I know it's a month away, and it might be too early for you to know for sure, but I'd really like it if you did."
Nonie told Lucas and Nate that she had invited her but not that Gabrielle had said yes.
"If you need me to, I can pick you up,” Lucas continued. "That way you don't have to worry about finding it. Maybe we can get something to eat before we meet up with the others . . . if you want to?" Lucas trailed off at the end.
Her stomach did a little flip. She was pretty sure he'd just asked her on a date.
A human date.
She figured it would help her research.
"I'd like that very much," Gabrielle answered, a little too enthusiastically. Lucas smiled, and Gabrielle worried she was too obvious.
She needed to be careful. Again, she reminded herself that nothing good could come of it if she got too close or if she let him get too close to her. But this was a chance to experience a side of human emotions she had only glimpsed from a distance, to understand how this kind of attraction influenced people. She was sure she could handle it, and that these emotions that seemed to pull her to Lucas were only because of her human body.
This is actually perfect. It's what I'm here for, after all.
The rest of the walk to class was quiet, a few glances and smiles shared between them. Along the way, Lucas got quite a few 'hey mans' with approving, as well as envious, looks from other guys. Some of the girls woul
d see him and act as though they were going to say hi, glance at Gabrielle, take a long look, and pass by. The final bell rang as they entered the room.
"By the hair on our chinny-chin-chins,” Lucas said with a smirk and then stopped to glance around the room. "There aren't two seats together. Guess you're on your own."
"I think I'll be okay," Gabrielle said with a flirty side-ways glance and wink. She was a little shocked at herself; flirting was coming very easily. She made her way to an empty seat in the front of the class so she wouldn't have to see the other students frequently glancing back at her.
She was very aware that she could still feel Lucas.
I can't sense anyone else and know for certain it's them like I can with Lucas. Why?
It was very unusual. She was used to being able to pick up on her brethren, even those who had fallen. And, once she met them, she could always recognize them when they were near.
Gabrielle was no closer to an explanation when class ended. Lucas waited at her desk while she organized her things, and they left the room together. Gabrielle found herself sneaking glances at him when he wasn't looking as they made their way into the hall.
She didn't want to admit that something seemed off to her about him. She felt sure she was supposed to help him, and at the very least, she knew she was supposed to meet him.
So, what does this mean?
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Gabby," Lucas said as they were about to go separate ways for their next class. "Unless you plan a second attempt on my life in the parking lot after school." A hint of his crooked smile returned.
"Very funny," she responded with a smile on her face and in her tone.
He was about to say something else, but a slender and very attractive girl, her hair almost as long and dark as Gabrielle's, cut between them to greet Lucas with a big hug. The girl hung on a little too long, and Gabrielle suddenly felt something that made her more uncomfortable than anything she'd felt in this body, so far.
Gabrielle wanted the girl to get off Lucas and was more than willing to take care of that physically if needed. She wasn't sure, but she thought this feeling was probably jealousy. And she now understood why it made people less than reasonable. She wanted to smack the smile off this girl's face and turn her flirty cooing into sobs of pain. The urge was hard to resist. It would do nothing but make her look like some crazed, jealous teenager. But that was pretty much what she was in this body. Only she was The Angel of Karma, and that made her a crazed, jealous teenager capable of causing this girl a ton of problems.
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