“I saw them, but I just couldn’t fall asleep. Not sure why,” I lied, avoiding eye contact with her as much as I could.
“Do you think they will be here today?” she asked.
I wasn’t really paying attention to what she was saying so the question baffled me. “Who?”
Slapping my shoulder and then slamming the locker door closed, Amy looked at me like I had just grown two heads. “The boys and their sister. I heard there were three teenagers: two boys and a girl. Do you think they will show up to school on their first day in town?” she asked, again.
“I doubt it,” I stated, as I turned to head to our first class of the day. “I wouldn’t think so,” I finished.
“You are acting weird today,” Amy said, as she hurried to follow next to me.
“No, I’m not,” I lied. I knew I was acting weird. But, there was no way I was about to tell Amy what I thought I saw. She would think I was truly insane.
We reached the end of the narrow hallway and walked into our classroom just in time. I fell into the seat closest to the window and stared out at the water. A slight drizzle filled the gray air and I could just feel the cool air flowing in. It was mid-September and the temperatures were starting to drop cooler each day.
Large, evergreen trees filled the hills and mountains just beyond the waterline. It was truly breathtaking and gave me the perfect scene to look at while my teacher drowned on about numbers and statistics. Math was my least favorite subject and I hated this class most of all. Thankfully, it was in the morning and I could get it out of the way first. The rest of the day went well.
“Hey, isn’t that the new kid?” Bethany Bellamy asked, as she leaned across the aisle to get a better view.
Bethany and I were not friends. To be honest, we were the farthest thing from friendly. She was the head cheerleader and looked down on me like I was scum.
I glanced out the window, my interest suddenly piqued. Standing just outside the parking lot, was the strange boy who I saw last night. He grabbed his backpack from the back of his showpiece of a car, and then slammed his car door closed with a little too much force. He wore a black leather jacket, dark jeans, and a scowl on his face. His jaw was sharp and his large eyes seemed to be eyeing the school like it was some deplorable building.
“Hanson, did you hear me?” she asked again, this time nudging my arm.
“It’s Henley,” I corrected her with a snap.
We had only gone to school together since pre-school. How she couldn’t remember my name was beyond me. Not considering, Bethany and her friends hung out at Tweets Cafe, where I worked. They had seen me every day for practically every day of our lives.
“Whatever. Henley, is that the new guy in our grade?” she asked again.
“I have no idea,” I stated flatly. I watched the guy as he stood, jamming his fists into his pockets. He seemed unsure about the school, unsure about everything.
“Didn’t they move into that old house across from yours?” she asked.
I looked behind me to see a very stunned Amy watching the exchange in front of her.
“Yes, but I haven’t met them,” I added. I guess news really does travel fast around here.
These people hadn’t even been in town twenty-four hours, and already people knew more about them than they should.
We all sat there, watching the new guy pace the sidewalk outside of the school parking lot. His pace was fast and his stance was defensive, like he was waiting for an attack. I became nervous just watching him.
Without warning, he stopped walking and turned to face the school. As soon as his eyes landed on mine, I felt an intense fire grow deep within my belly. Amy, Bethany, and myself all jumped, nearly screaming and falling onto one another from the sheer surprise of having him catch us.
Looking more agitated than before, he scowled and then looked down as he made his way through the parking lot.
“Well, that was weird. Maybe I will check out the older brother,” Bethany suggested, before she turned back in her seat, completely forgetting about our conversation. As Mrs. Fallon began the lesson, I couldn’t help but wonder what was so wrong with me that this new boy-- who still remained nameless, was so angered by my presence.
****
By the time fourth period English rolled around, I had almost forgotten about Cohen’s strange entrance to school...almost.
The thought of trying to get to know Cohen was never going to happen. My teacher, Miss Lee, was a young teacher who had lived in Edison her entire life. Her mother had also been an English teacher and her dad was the former principal of the school. She was my favorite teacher and I prayed to everything that she would never leave Edison. Most young girls like Miss Lee eventually marry and got out of Edison as fast as they could, setting their sights on the larger, more exciting cities like Seattle and Tacoma.
As we all settled in our seats, I spotted Cohen slip into the class. He looked nervous, like he was trying to go unnoticed.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you all did your assigned reading last night. Today, we will have our discussion seminar,” she announced.
I heard several people moan and groan around me, but I, instead, perked up. This was my favorite part of our class. We would get an assigned reading and then would spend the entire class having discussions and debates about topics related to the text.
I look around to see that several students are quickly opening the novel, The Outsiders, and trying to read as much as they can before the discussion starts.
To be honest, I had read the novel at least five times. The Outsiders was one of my favorite books and I was excited about the discussion.
Miss Lee jumped into her introduction presentation with a few slides of the book cover, the author, and images from the ’50s.
Clapping her hands, she gained our attention. “Ok, everyone. Let’s begin our discussion with the idea of Ponyboy and his brothers growing up alone,” Miss Lee began.
I looked around and noticed that no one else raised their hands to begin. Like always, I was the first to dive into the conversation.
“I can begin,” I said.
Bethany rolled her eyes at me, but out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Cohen smile. It rattled me and I almost forgot what I was doing.
“Ok, what do you want to say?” Miss Lee asked, staring at me.
Shaking my head, I stopped daydreaming and came back to the present.
“I think the Ponyboy and his brothers have created their own community, in spite of what others thought about them. They were looked at as different or bad, but they were just misunderstood,” I answer.
“Interesting,” Miss Lee perks up. “Care to elaborate?”
I contemplate my response. I see a few students take this opportunity to take out their phones and text or check social media.
“Well, they lost their parents. They were poor and so people in their town looked down on that-- even though it wasn’t their fault they had nothing and parents that died. It seems like no one else wants them, but they choose to form their own type of community. As outcasts, they could become angry at their situation, but instead, they grow from it,” I answer.
“I like that,” Miss Lee claps. “Anyone else care to jump in. Who agrees or disagrees with Henley’s statement?” she asks.
Silence.
Suddenly, Cohen raises his hand and every head in the class turns to stare at him.
“Great, Cohen. I am always excited to see a new person willing to share,” Miss Lee states, glaring at the other students.
Cohen sits up in his seat and looks at me as he begins. “I agree with what Henley is saying. The Curtis brothers could be angry with their situation. They are orphans. Darry could be angry that he had to take on the role of parent to his brothers. He has to live a life of seclusion; working and taking care of house and family. His future is affected by this, but he seems to stay positive,” Cohen states.
Miss Lee nods and smiles, seemingly proud of what he said.
“Henley, care to add to Cohen’s interpretation?”
“Well, I agree too. I can sort of relate to the idea of being excluded from society,” I begin, as Bethany rolls her eyes at my statement. “The brothers also seem to adopt their friends into their family. They become their own community and protect one another. People don’t understand them, but they progress anyway,”
“Bethany, I haven’t heard from you yet. Care to elaborate or comment on what Henley just said?” Miss Lee asks, turning her attention to Bethany.
Bethany is clearly annoyed and puts her phone down. “I mean, Ponyboy and his brothers were outcasts because they were in a gang. Weren’t they called greasy too, like they were dirty? They fought and caused trouble. If you ask me, it was their own fault that they were excluded from society,” Bethany states.
Her response makes me want to gag. She clearly hadn’t read the story. It would make sense that someone like her wouldn’t find any empathy for Ponyboy.
Turning to Bethany, Cohen speaks up again. “If I might add, The Curtis brothers along with Johnny and Sodapop were never given a chance to fit in. They were deemed Greasers, not Greasy, by the Socs, who in their own right, were a gang, too. Their birth status as poor kids from a poor area, set them up for failure. It wasn’t their fault that they were different, but they were still mistreated for it. The fighting was because they had to defend themselves.”
I couldn’t be certain, but it seemed as though Cohen was angry. I heard the sharpness in his voice as he spoke. It was almost like he could relate to being different and having people, not like him. But that almost seemed absurd. Cohen was gorgeous, I couldn’t imagine anyone not liking him or shunning him.
“Whatever,” Bethany mused.
A spark of energy runs up my spine as I realize Cohen has just put Bethany in her place.
Before anyone else can jump in, the bell rings and class is dismissed. I don’t miss the knowing smile Miss Lee gives to me and Cohen on our way out the door.
“Nice job, Cohen,” Miss Lee adds.
“Thank you. I guess, I feel like I can relate to Ponyboy in a sense,” Cohen says, and then he turns the corner and slips down the hall.
Miss Lee and I stand outside her door together, watching the mysterious boy walk away.
Chapter 3
“Seriously,” Amy stated, rolling her eyes. “Maybe they are in the witness protection program,” she insisted.
We were driving through town, windows rolled down and enjoying the last few days of cool weather before the frigid temperatures arrived.
I stopped at a red light, watching as the ferry traffic turned toward the waterway.
“Maybe,” I added, my mind anywhere and everywhere but inside this car.
“Maybe they are on the run; like they are in the mob or something,” she stated.
“Or, what if they are aliens from outer space. Just like in that Twilight Zone episode, The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street,” she laughs, shaking her hands in front of her.
“You are so weird; if anyone is an alien here, it might be you,” I laugh, shaking my head.
I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for talking about these people. I continued driving as Amy came up with every possible scenario she could think of. When I arrived at her house, Amy got out of my SUV, but not before leaving me with one last statement.
“So, I heard Bethany complaining about English class today,” Amy stated. “What happened?”
“Nothing really,” I admit. “We were discussing The Outsiders, and Cohen agreed with what I said. The weird part was, he acted like he could relate to being shunned and being an outcast,” I finished, almost laughing.
“No way,” Amy yelled. “That boy is way too fine to be an outcast. But, he is a little weird so maybe…” she trailed off as I turned up the volume on the radio. A pop song filled the car and I gladly allowed it to drown her out.
“I don’t know, he just seemed almost sad as he was talking. Like maybe he had a rough life or something.”
Amy waved her hands around, completely dismissing my words. “I doubt that. Hey, if the new family is home, why don’t you go over and introduce yourself?” she said, waving as she smiled and ran to her front door.
“Thanks, mom,” I sighed, before putting my foot on the gas and speeding home.
When I walked through my front door, I was bombarded by my mom who had a large platter of chocolate brownies in her hands. For a moment, I thought she had made them for me. The chocolatey goodness was making my mouth water.
“Henley, take these to the new neighbors. It is a welcome to the neighborhood gift,” she said, forcing the platter into my hands.
“Why can’t you do it?” I asked, pushing the platter back toward her.
“Do you have to get ready for a shift at the cafe?” she asked, her eyes narrowing in on me.
Ugh. I knew I was running out of excuses. “No.”
“I thought it would be nice for you to do it. Besides, I plan on inviting them over for dinner once they are settled. You know, Henley, it won’t hurt you to meet some new kids for a change,” she finished, shoving the platter in my hands and then turning to walk away.
“Listen,” I said, but she was already gone before the words came tumbling out of my mouth.
I hated that my mom refused to accept the fact that my classmates just didn’t like me. I never tried to fit into their world and I never felt ashamed of it.
Dumping my backpack next to the front door, I had no other choice but to march myself across the street and meet the new neighbors.
I couldn’t believe this! I had been an outcast my entire life and now my parents expected me to play nice and go meet the neighbors. My parents were just as curious as I was, only they played it off better than I did. In their little game, I was the pawn. Nicely played, parents.
I walk outside and stare straight at the house directly across the street. I guess I never gave it much attention over the years. The two-story, red brick house has character. Green vines run up the sides of the brick, reaching for the black roof. Black shutters outline the large windows and a small, black mailbox sits by the driveway.
Clouds are rolling overhead and I can smell the scent of rain as it threatens to pour buckets out of the evening sky. A light breeze drifts through the trees and sends yellow and red leaves dancing around the street.
I slowly make my way toward the dark wood front door. The SUV is parked in the driveway so I know someone must be home.
As I approach the house, an eerie vibe fills the air. I feel like my legs are weighed down with heavy lead and I find that I am struggling to make the last few steps up to the wooden porch.
“Get a grip, Henley,” I whisper to myself.
As I finally reach the front door, I knocked on the heavy door and listened as the sound vibrates through the air.
I wait a few seconds, but it feels more like an eternity. No sounds are emanating from the house and for a brief moment, I wonder if I were wrong. Maybe no one is home?
I decide to head back home, but before I can take a step off the porch, I heard the front door open.
I swiftly turn around, the wooden porch creaking under my steps. I lose my balance and feel myself falling onto the porch, fresh brownies in tow.
Closing my eyes, I prepare for the fall; but to my surprise, it never comes.
A firm hand grasps me around the waist and rights me back to a standing position.
Managing to catch my breath and my balance, I realize the hands are still firmly placed on my waist. I look up and my eyes catch his.
Yellow eyes staring back at me.
“Sorry, I was just…” I am trying to form words, but everything I am saying is sounding like gibberish.
“It’s ok,” a deep voice says.
I look down at his hands on my waist and seeing this, he quickly releases his hold on
me.
I finally feel able to try speaking again so I take a step backward so that I have space between myself and this intense mystery guy.
“My mom made brownies for your family. A welcome to the neighborhood treat,” I say so fast, I can barely hear the words myself.
“That’s nice,” he says.
I realize I must look like a complete fool standing here with this platter after almost face-planting onto his porch. And all of that right after he caught me spying on him the night before. I just need to crawl under a rock for a few days, that’s all.
I’m standing there still holding the platter when I realize I need to get out of there and fast. I shove the platter into his hard chest and he looks at me with wild, bewildered eyes.
“Well, welcome,” I say, releasing the platter to him and turning again to leave.
“My name is Cohen,” he says, as my back is to him.
I stop on the bottom step of the porch. For some reason, his name makes my heart flutter and forces me to turn around.
This time, he doesn’t look so angry; instead, he looks calm.
“I’m Henley. But I guess we both already know that since we are in a few classes together,” I remind him.
Looking embarrassed, Cohen stuffs his hands in his jean pockets. “Yeah, I know. I just thought I should use my manners and officially introduce myself,” he added.
“Oh,” I said, feeling my face heat up with shame. “Well, I appreciate your being considerate.”
He nods and then walks into his house, closing the door behind him.
I turned to leave again, but Cohen stopped me. “I liked what you said during the discussion in English class,” he said.
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to face him. “Yeah, I have read that book like a million times. One summer, my parents even took me to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I got to see the house that was used in the movie adaptation. It was cool,” I rambled on.
“That’s cool,” Cohen stated coolly.
Shadowed (The Shadow and Moon Series) Page 2