Daniel and I thanked the woman, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears as she only had eyes for Callon. Callon, though, looked more interested in the grass.
Give her a smile, at least! I teased.
Begrudgingly, Callon managed a brief smile, though it came across as more a grimace. That was enough for her, though, and she walked back to her office, a slight spring in her step.
Looks like you’ve still got it, Dad, Daniel joked. Won’t Mom be jealous?
Funny, Callon shot back, heading out of the gates and towards the truck.
I don’t know, Daniel, I broke in. I still think he could benefit from some lessons from yours truly.
Callon rolled his eyes, though I could see he was fighting to hold back his grin.
Alright, Casanova, save your charms for Cheyenne. Now let’s go home. We’ve got a lot of things to bring down to the new property.
Like what? Daniel asked.
Callon’s smile darkened.
You’ll see.
The Sunday before my first day, I decided to go for a walk around town. Sagle was tiny compared to what I was used to, but it would be worth getting to know the area well, since I’d be calling this place home for now. Callon and Daniel were busy in the new house, sorting out the furniture and bare essentials we’d brought from Montana. As a rule, we didn’t usually have much in the way of personal possessions, as it made moving a complete nightmare, though Callon wanted to bring all of his medical equipment over. He needed to be prepared for anything, just in case.
Adjusting my baseball cap, I walked into the city center. I’d already been to the Pend Oreille Lake, where the docks were filled with boats and cruisers. Now I was going to do a brief lap around the stores, and check out the hotspots where Cheyenne might like to hang out.
As I rounded the street corner, I came to a fountain in the square. Pigeons waddled around it, nipping at the crumbs and litter on the ground. People milled around, chatting, laughing, and a short way ahead a girl with blonde hair sat on a bench, reading.
I stopped dead. Though her eyes were focused on her book, there was no mistaking her tan skin and wavy ringlets. Of all places I could’ve run into her…
Briefly the girl glanced up, and I caught her eyes; a deep cyan, matching the lake a few miles away. No doubt about it, then.
It was Cheyenne.
Knowing that standing here with a dumb expression on my face would look nothing if not suspicious, I quickly stepped towards a shop selling skiing equipment. Inside, I pretended to look at the poles, occasionally checking outside. Cheyenne had gone back to reading, and didn’t seem to have noticed me at all. Phew.
“Everything alright, sir?”
I jumped as a store clerk came up behind me.
“Oh, just browsing,” I said, glancing over the skis lined in a neat row. I caught one of the price tags: four hundred and eighty dollars.
“We have more stock in the back,” the clerk went on. He was keen for a sale.
“Yeah, thanks,” I said. The clerk nodded.
“We do hiking equipment, too, and camping gear,” he added. “Let me know if you’re looking for anything in particular.”
“Will do.” I was wishing I’d stepped into the bakery next door. Couldn’t this guy leave me alone?
Thankfully, another customer walked in, and the clerk focused his attention elsewhere. When his back was turned, I snuck out into the square again, glancing to the bench. Cheyenne had stopped reading and was looking for something in her pack. Eventually she pulled out an iPod and a set of earphones, which she put on.
I put my hands in my pockets, casually strolling towards the fountain. While I hadn’t expected to run into her like this, maybe I could turn it to my advantage. I could learn a lot about her habits just by watching her. It would give me some clues to where she liked to hang out, too. Anything to help make a good first impression tomorrow would be welcome.
Cheyenne slung her backpack over her shoulder and began walking towards a café across the square. Well, it wasn’t surprising—it was almost lunchtime. I stopped by the fountain, waiting until she was safely inside. Once I’d counted ten minutes, I made my own approach there. It was pretty busy, the line stretching outside. I joined the back of the queue, scanning through the snacks they offered. I wasn’t really hungry, but it wouldn’t hurt to try something out.
As the line shortened and I came inside, I spotted Cheyenne in the corner. She was sitting alone with a cup of ice-blended coffee. She peeled off the lid, which was sticky with caramel, and gave it a quick lick. Before she looked up, I turned to the display cabinet full of sandwiches, though I couldn’t help smiling. What a cute habit.
By the time I was at the counter, Cheyenne had finished her coffee and was back to reading her book, her iPod crackling away. I frowned slightly. Most girls her age would be out with friends, shopping, going to the movies, the usual teen stuff. Yet she seemed to prefer isolation, hiding in her own little world. That didn’t put me off, though. I was sure I’d find a way to open her heart.
Paying for my turkey sandwich, I spun round and walked outside. Some tables had been set up out front, so I sat beneath the brightly colored parasols and took a bite. Hmm, not bad.
A giggle caught my ear, and I glanced up. A group of girls in the line were staring at me. When my gaze met the one with honey-color hair, her two friends began poking her in the shoulder. Unable to resist, I flipped off my baseball cap and flashed a wink. The girl went a deep crimson, and tried to hide behind her friends.
Before I got too carried away, footsteps hurried past, and I caught Cheyenne heading back to the fountain. Calmly I stayed put, watching her from the corner of my eye. She was heading towards the park, probably to do some more reading. Well, it wasn’t like I needed to hurry after her.
I finished the rest of my sandwich, keeping the girls entertained with the odd glance and bored flick of my collar. Eventually, though, I grew tired of playing around, so I stood up and replaced my cap. With a final smirk, I strode towards the park, much to the disappointment of my groupies.
It didn’t take long to find Cheyenne again, but she wasn’t reading. She was sitting beneath a tree, watching the sky, listening to her music. Sometimes she’d reach for her iPod to change the track, but otherwise she was content to sit in stillness. Her lips were pouted, showing she was deep in thought. Her eyes, too, seemed duller, but I shook my head. Must’ve been a trick of the light.
I stuck to the shade, as people enjoyed the afternoon sunshine. Children ran around chasing each other, couples sat together on picnic blankets, a group of boys were throwing a football around, a woman was walking her dog…yet none of this seemed to disturb Cheyenne, who continued to daydream in the middle of it all. I sighed. She was completely unaware of her surroundings…I’d have to work on that.
I checked my watch, and raised an eyebrow. I hadn’t planned to be out this long. Callon would probably accuse me of trying to escape the unpacking. Yet while I knew I should be heading home, I wasn’t comfortable with Cheyenne being on her own. Callon had explained about the near miss with the Tresez, and although his distraction had thrown them off the scent, I knew I’d feel better if I saw her reach home safely. After all, that was what I was here for.
Cheyenne suddenly moved. With a stretch and yawn, she sat up and glanced about. I pulled my cap down, but she didn’t seem to be looking at me. She sighed, stretched again, then took a band off her wrist and began pulling back her hair. I frowned. What was she up to? Rising to her feet, she pushed her pack onto her back and began stretching her calf muscles. Then, without warning, she took off into a sprint.
My body almost reacted on instinct, and I had to stop myself chasing after her. She was just going for a run; she wasn’t running from anything. Still, I needed to keep an eye on her, in case anything unexpected showed up. Quickly I looked around. Up ahead, I spotted a path lined with trees that overlooked the entire park. Aha, I could pretend to be talking on my phone and still be able
to watch her movements.
I climbed the path and pulled my phone from my pocket. As I slouched against the nearest trunk, I pressed it to my ear. Cheyenne made a quick lap of the park below, then started on the path towards me. I pulled my cap down further so she couldn’t see my eyes. I waited, listening to her footfalls hit the concrete, and she flew past without even noticing me. Once again she was in her own little world. She continued doing laps for an hour, and for fun I timed her. For a human, she sure had fast feet.
I put my phone away when she’d finished her final lap, waiting for what she’d do next. She stopped where she’d started, breathing hard. She pulled a water bottle from her pack and drank most of it in one go. As she snapped the cap back on, an elderly gentleman walked by. His jacket was ragged and his hair was scraggly. Obviously he’d seen better days.
Cheyenne’s gaze lingered on him for a moment. Then she walked towards him, but instead of stopping she headed out of the park and back to the sandwich shop across the street. It was about time. That girl surely couldn’t live off a caramel frappe after a run like that. She returned, sandwich in hand, and made towards the man again.
She sat beside him, smiling, and after a brief conversation handed her sandwich over. Without another word she crossed the street again, but this time she entered a small bookstore.
I hurried across the street and peered through the display window. Just what was she up to now? She hovered by the shelves, picking out a couple of books, then took them to the counter. I tried to catch the titles, but she flipped them over before I got a chance to look.
I stepped away from the window and rubbed my eyes. I was struck by her quiet nature. She had no problem stopping to help someone, but really did seem to prefer to keep to herself. I wondered if it was because her parents had moved so much. I’d been used to it, as I’d known I was Timeless as soon as I could walk, but for her, who didn’t know anything about her heritage, it must’ve been torment. Forming attachments with others, only to lose them so quickly…
Maybe this was how she protected herself.
Cheyenne made for a truck, and brought out a bunch of keys. I walked casually past as she hopped inside. As she started to back out, I hurried back to the motorcycle. I’d follow her home and make sure she arrived safely. It wasn’t uncommon for a pack of Tresez to dart in front of cars to knock them off the road.
She pulled off and slowed onto a gravel drive. I drove past and quickly turned around, driving into the forest running parallel to her. She parked and I cut my engine, listening.
She exited the truck and I heard her mom calling for her, and the front door opened. Happy she was safe in her own surroundings, I waited just a few moments as Gene stepped out into the front yard. He eyed the dense forest closely, his gaze stopping in my direction. He nodded and then strolled back into the house.
He’d seen me, and I wasn’t that easy to see in the forest. This man was completely aware of his surroundings, on high alert even knowing we were helping protect Cheyenne as well.
I sighed, resting against the handlebars. Though I’d not shared a single word with Cheyenne, I’d gained a lot of useful information. All of this was going to help tomorrow, when I’d get to meet her properly. She wasn’t one to open up easily, and if I made one wrong move, she’d close herself off completely. I was going to have to tread carefully.
A shadow twitched in the bushes nearby, and I paused. Gene and Alexis hadn’t made such a smart move buying a house so close to the forest. I waited for almost fifteen minutes, but didn’t see any other movement. Still, I took a detour, and checked through the branches. If the Tresez planned on stalking this place, I wanted to make them fully aware they’d have to get through me if they wanted to lay a claw on Cheyenne.
My search didn’t turn up anything, so I jumped on my bike and headed towards our house. When I came up the gravel drive, I saw Daniel in the garage, moving boxes from the truck.
“Hey Colt, have a nice ride?” he called out, wiping his brow.
“Pretty good,” I said. I didn’t need to tell him how I’d spent my day. “Need a hand?”
“That’d be great, thanks,” Daniel said. “I don’t know what Callon keeps in these things.”
Highly expensive medical equipment that’s worth more than the plane ticket that brought you here, Callon’s voice rang in our heads. Be careful with it.
Daniel pulled a face, and I laughed.
Here, let me. I entered the garage and scooped up the four boxes in one go. Daniel pouted.
No need to show off, Colt!
I know, I said, but Doctor Moody is on the rampage, let’s just get this stuff inside before he throws a tantrum.
I heard that, Callon said.
Snickering, I carried the boxes into the house, and carefully laid them down in the hall. The place was smaller than Callon’s home in Montana, but it was more than enough for the three of us. It was definitely a step up from the condos I’d been staying in abroad, anyway.
Have fun today? Callon asked, stepping through from the kitchen.
Yeah, I replied, shrugging off my jacket.
Gene is coming to see us later, Callon said. I’ve told him you’re going to start tomorrow, and he’s pretty insistent to meet you.
That’s a first for me, I said. I’m used to meeting the girl before being introduced to her parents.
Callon laughed. He jerked his head to the boxes.
Maybe, but it does mean we’ll need to tidy the place up, he said. You can take those boxes to the spare room, then help Daniel with the grocery shopping.
What about you? I asked, stacking the boxes again.
I’ve got an important phone call to make.
Shrugging, I carried the boxes upstairs. The spare room was already full of stuff, from sterile needles and syringes to bandages, dressings and boxes of medication. I was sure Callon could open his own hospital with all the equipment he’d insisted bringing over.
By the time the doorbell rang in the late evening, there was at least some space to walk downstairs. Callon left Daniel and I to stock the fridge as he answered the door.
A tall man with broad shoulders entered, dressed in a T-shirt and slacks.
“Hello,” he said. “You must be Colt and Daniel. I’m Gene Wilson, Cheyenne’s father.”
I strode over and shook his hand. Daniel did likewise.
“So, Callon’s told me that you’re going to be starting school tomorrow?” Gene asked.
“Yup,” I replied.
“I wish you luck, then,” Gene said. “Cheyenne only started the new year a few weeks ago, so she’s still relatively new, too. Perhaps you can strike some common ground there.”
“Hope so,” I said. “Anything you think might help me out?”
Gene sighed.
“She’s become a lot quieter recently,” he admitted. “Hiding in her books and music. You might have to persevere with her before she’ll open up.”
I nodded, thinking about what I’d seen Cheyenne do earlier.
“But once she does, you’ll see what a wonderful person she is,” Gene went on. “And I look forward to getting to know you, too.”
“Wouldn’t speak too soon, Gene,” Daniel said, grasping my shoulder. “You don’t know Colt like we do.”
Gene laughed.
“I’m sure Cheyenne will learn to love him,” he said. “I’m just so grateful you all are so willing to help us. I really don’t know how to thank you.”
“There’s no need,” I said. “We’ll make sure no harm comes to Cheyenne, we promise.”
Gene nodded.
“I know you will.”
Early the next day, I stood at the gates to Sandpoint Charter High, feeling strangely nervous. Well, it was my first day of school, after a couple of centuries. Daniel had suggested we watch some high school films to help me get into character, though I couldn’t say they’d helped much. I still had no real idea of what to expect. I was also wondering how my meeting with Cheyenne would go
. The girls I was used to tended to be so outgoing and loud; I didn’t want to come across as too brash.
Then again, I’d never been much of a planner, like Callon. I did better meeting my challenges head-on.
I’d just have to improvise.
Adjusting my pack on my shoulder—which was heavy with all the books Callon had had to buy at the last minute—I stepped into the crowds of students. They all hung in little groups, wary of outsiders. My height made me stick out a bit, and I did earn some curious glances as I looked around for Cheyenne. I couldn’t see her anywhere, so I made my way straight to the principal’s office.
Outside, I was greeted by the red-haired secretary. She handed me my schedule, smiling.
“How’s your Dad doing?” she asked.
“Oh, he’s fine,” I said, tucking the paper into my pack. “Got a busy week of work ahead.”
“Of course,” the woman said. “Doctors work incredible hours, don’t they?”
I nodded, trying not to grin too much. Before our conversation could continue, another student appeared behind me. He had brown hair and gray eyes, and he just about reached my shoulder in height.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “Oh, you must be Colt?”
“Yes.” I raised an eyebrow. How did he know my name?
“Hi, I’m Ben,” the boy said. “I’m your mentor.”
Oh right, the principal had mentioned something like this last week. I shook his hand, smiling.
“Well, I’ll leave you boys to it, then,” the secretary said. “Give your Dad my regards, Colt.”
“Will do,” I said.
Ben took me down the corridor and into the main building. He was friendly enough, showing me my locker and where the classes were held. But once his own friends appeared, he quickly left me to my own devices. I didn’t really mind—it wasn’t like we had the same classes, anyway.
I grabbed a handful of books and weaved through the students to my first class. There were still five minutes before the bell rang, but I wanted to be prepared. I’d wait for Cheyenne to take a seat first, and then find a place next to her. From what I’d seen yesterday, I was guessing she’d choose a spot near the back where she could be left alone.
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