Caught in Between

by Alison L. Perry

  His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What? Who told you that?”

  I resigned myself to finishing the conversation that I’d just inadvertently started. “Molly. She’s my best friend. I have no idea who told her.” I paused, trying to decide if I should mention Jill. Concluding it wouldn’t do any further damage, I plunged ahead. “But Jill confronted me this morning, which is why I was late to class. She and her gaggle of mean girlfriends.” I tried and failed to keep the anxiety out my voice.

  “Jill is not my girlfriend,” he said firmly.

  Bemused at his response, I stared at him mutely. Raising an eyebrow at me, he stared back.

  When it was obvious he wasn’t going to offer any further explanation, I found my voice. “Well, she doesn’t know that. She got all up in my face about keeping a wide berth from you.”

  “Jill wants to be my girlfriend, but I don’t go for that kind of…” He trailed off and tried again. “She’s not my type.” His brow furrowed. “Wait, what do you mean she warned you to stay away from me?”

  I didn’t answer. My head was too busy spinning from the bomb he’d just dropped. In fact, I was so caught up in my thoughts, I didn’t hear Jake call my name. It wasn’t until Kade nudged me and nodded his head toward the ceiling that I realized it was my turn. Jake called again and my heart sank. I did not want to get up there.

  “Sadie! You’re up.”

  The rest of the class stood on his side of the room, watching and waiting for me to do something.

  Kade whispered softly, where only I could hear. “You got this, beautiful.”

  My heart beat fast, but whether it was from his words or my stage fright, I didn’t know. I flashed him a shy smile and turned my attention to the ceiling. Saying a silent prayer, I considered my options. The rings were nearest to me, so I took a deep breath, bent my knees, and jumped as high as I could with my hands outstretched to grab hold of the wooden circles. One hand missed, but the other latched on and I swung madly for a moment until I could get a solid grip. Using my body weight as momentum, I swung back and forth a few times trying to judge the distance to the nearest platform. When I thought I was close enough, I let go, intending to land on the ledge with my feet. But instead, I fell short and had to use my hands again to grab the ledge. I dangled there a moment, knuckles white with exertion as I kicked my legs in the air. Out of breath and cheeks hot with humiliation, I was finally able to use my upper body strength to get my elbows on the platform, slowly dragging myself onto it for safety. I heard laughter below and Jake loudly hushing them. I huffed and puffed, looking at the rest of the way. I had about half the room still left to go. Desperate to get the exercise over with, I stood at the farthest part of the ledge and ran as fast as I could, leaping toward the next platform that hung slightly lower. To my relief, I landed squarely on it. Hoping to capitalize on that small victory, I ran again and launched myself through the air toward Jake and the rest of the class. My feet hit the ground and I curled into a ball for protection as I rolled a few feet. Breathing heavily, I peeked up at Jake to see his reaction. His expression was a mask of blankness as he scribbled something on his clipboard. I cringed. Was I that bad?

  “Kade! Let’s see what you can do.” Jake pointed at him.

  I turned to watch as my golden boy crush—I couldn’t deny it any longer—moved in a blur across the ceiling before landing perfectly balanced on his feet next to me. Awed, I just stared at him. The silence from the other students made me think I wasn’t the only one impressed with Kade’s performance. Even Jake looked a little shocked. Kade threw me a sideways glance and slowly winked. Butterflies exploded in my stomach and I was embarrassed by the tiny giggle that escaped my lips.

  Jake blew the whistle hanging around his neck and all of us turned to listen.

  “All right, guys, that wraps up today. I’ve made notes on each of you and we’ll be discussing my observations one-on-one over the next few days. Good job, everyone. Dismissed!”

  We all moved toward the locker rooms, but Kade touched my arm in an unspoken request to hold back. I looked at him expectantly, taking the moment to once again drown in the beauty of his eyes.

  “Hey, I’m sorry Jill hassled you this morning. I’ve tried to let her down easy, but I guess she’s not getting it. She didn’t hurt you or anything, did she?”

  So, he thinks she might actually go through with it.

  He looked at me with an intensity I wasn’t used to. I shook my head, his worry causing me to worry even more. If he thought Jill might have hurt me this morning, it meant my fears weren’t made up. And that meant I truly did have a big problem.

  Chapter 8 - Crazy Eyes

  The rest of the morning flashed by in a blur. I was too busy replaying my run-in with Jill and her snotty clique to pay any attention to class. I hated to admit how deeply I feared her, but with Kade’s obvious concern, there was no use pretending it was something that could be ignored. The way she’d acted outside the gym made it pretty clear she had a crazy case of denial going on. And not the fun, quirky, crazy that could be reasoned with.

  When I met Molly on the outside lawn for lunch, I’d worked myself into a full tizzy. Agitated, I threw myself down on the blanket she’d spread out beneath the branches of a sprawling weeping willow tree. My foot brushed against a container of strawberries, knocking them over.

  “I’m doomed,” I wailed, ignoring the mess I’d just made.

  Molly sighed, righted the bowl, and took one of the bright red berries and blew on it. She dipped the fruit in a second container of thick cream and bit into its juiciness.

  “Dramatic much?” she mumbled, a trickle of strawberry juice running down from the corner of her mouth.

  I handed her a napkin. “It’s not dramatic when your arch nemesis and her small army corners you before class and threatens your life!”

  “You have an arch nemesis now? It’s, like, the second day of school. Who makes an arch nemesis on the second day of school? And how did she get time to build an army?”

  I could tell what she was trying to do, but it wasn’t working. I was too upset for her joking to calm me down. I could feel her Persuasion hovering around me like silky feathers grazing my skin. But for once, it wasn’t able to penetrate my subconscious.

  “Molly, this isn’t funny. Jill and her little minions threatened me if I even so much as look at Kade again. She’s serious. You could see it in her eyes. And they’re not just any ole eyes. They’re crazy eyes.”

  She took another bite and chewed slowly. Her eyes were unfocused as she stared off into space. I reached for my own berry while I waited for her to say something. A full minute went by before she turned back to me.

  “So, what did she say exactly?”

  “Stay away from him, basically. Or she’ll ‘squash me like a bug.’”

  “What kind of bug?”

  “Molly! This is not funny. What the hell is wrong with you? You were the one who got all freaked out when you heard it was Kade who carried me to the nurse. What happened to that girl?”

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s just… I know she acts entitled because of her heritage, but I’m having a hard time believing she’d physically hurt you.”

  “Well, believe it. Kade and I had a few moments to talk in first period and when I mentioned my encounter with Jill, he got worried that she’d hurt me. And I have proof she’s off her rocker.”

  “What proof?”

  “She’s not his girlfriend. He’s not interested in her at all, and he’s told her that. It’s just not gettin’ through.”

  Finally, I saw her shoulders stiffen a little. Relieved she was taking me seriously, I wasn’t expecting what came out of her mouth next.

  “So, Jill threatens you, tells you not to talk to him or anything else, and after that, you and he share a significant conversation?”

  I cringed, thinking of the whispered encouragement he gave me in line. Deciding to keep that tidbit to myself, I shrugged, trying my best to act nonc
halant.

  “He started it and I wanted to know what I was really dealing with,” I said with fake bravado.

  “Well, you must not be that concerned. To be honest, I don’t get it, Sadie. You act all scared, but then you turn around and treat the situation like it’s no big deal. So, which is it?”

  Now I was getting mad. I stood up, my spine stiff with anger.

  “What I’m starting to wonder, Molly, is which friend are you? Because the past few days you’ve waffled between the old Molly who always had my back and this new girl who spends more time chastising me, insulting me, and basically being a jerk.” She tried to say something, but I cut her off. “Seems to me you’ve had a real taste of being one of the good vampires and you’re mad that I’m dragging you down.”

  I could feel the anger boiling up inside. The combination of a growing thirst and my emotions were making my throat burn and temper flare. I saw the flicker of vein shadows as they started snaking their way across my skin. Deciding I’d had enough judgment for one morning, I left her sitting there with her perfect picnic lunch. As I walked toward the main building, I dug into my shoulder bag to get some blood capsules, but my hand came up empty. I stopped and went through the bag item by item, cursing loudly when I realized the bottle wasn’t there. I knew what had happened. In the turmoil of getting ready this morning, I didn’t get everything moved over from my old bag to the new one. Dammit to hell!

  With no prospect of quenching my thirst until I got home, my already low mood plummeted. I stalked into the Great Hall where the elective sign-up sheets were posted, determined to choose the easiest class offered instead of waiting for Molly. But at the table where the elective papers were, a guy I didn’t recognize handed me a sealed letter.

  “What’s this?” I asked him, examining the creamy pale envelope. My name was written on the front in formal, looping handwriting.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Madame Kringsly just left it here and asked me to give it to you when you came by.”

  “Did anyone else get one?”

  “Nope, just you. I guess you’re special.” He turned to help the next student in line, and I walked away.

  I found myself in the same alcove Molly and I had shared the previous day when we compared schedules. I stared at the envelope, weighing it in my hands, before breaking the seal. Inside was a piece of heavy parchment folded in half.

  Ms. Criswel,

  As part of the initial assessment of first-year students at this institution, I receive reports when one falls significantly short of the expected beginning performance for a class. In this case, it has been brought to my attention that extra training will be required for your Maneuvers class. As such, you will not be eligible to choose an elective for the first semester, instead, spending that period with Mr. Boulders for extra training. Upon satisfactory improvement, you will be allowed to sign up for an elective of your choice at the beginning of the second semester.

  Should you have any questions, you may find me in my office before or after school.

  Regards,

  Madame Kringsly

  I read and reread it, my mind twisting the words around, trying to believe what it said. I wasn’t allowed an elective? I had to spend two periods trying to be a spider monkey? Unbelievable!

  ***

  When I walked back into the musty building for my extra training session, Jake was waiting for me. He didn’t waste time trying to smooth my ruffled feathers.

  “I’m sure you’re not at all happy about being here.”

  I glared at him. “That’s an understatement.”

  “Sadie, it’s my job to prepare you for the rest of your very long life. And what I saw this morning is a girl who needs a lot of help. That’s what I’m here to do.”

  “What if I don’t want your help? What if I’m perfectly fine being just the way I am?” Attitude rolled off me in waves, but I didn’t care.

  “Are you?”

  There it was. The question I’d been tap dancing around my whole life. Asked at point-blank range, when I had nowhere to hide from it. I was thirsty. I was beginning to suspect my best friend wasn’t so “best.” I was falling for the perfect vampire guy with moves that would make Spiderman swoon and a family that I could almost guarantee wouldn’t welcome me in their home. I was being threatened by the meanest, craziest girl ever, and now—now—I was being forced to take two periods of gym. Was I fine with all of this?

  Deciding I was way too irritated to grapple with the purpose of my existence, I tightened my ponytail and flexed my shoulders like I knew what I was doing. “Let’s just get this over with, okay?”

  He nodded. “We’re going to redo the exercise from this morning. Start from the same place.”

  I rolled my eyes but moved over to the far wall and got in position. He clicked a button on the stopwatch dangling around his neck and yelled, “Go!”

  And that’s how the next hour went. Me struggling my way across the ceiling and Jake yelling at me to do it again. By the time it was over, my hair was plastered to my head and my temper was bordering on cataclysmic. The burn in my throat had turned into a roaring fire and the only thing I could think about was getting relief.

  Jake congratulated me on showing progress in my time. “But, your style is still going to need a lot of work.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder, and I jumped. Tension coiled through me like a snake, and even though I knew I could never hold my own with him, I absolutely wanted to kick his ass.

  “I don’t understand what style has to do with all this. Isn’t the purpose of this class to teach us how to move around with a quickness in case we’re in danger of being discovered? Or caught? I don’t think I’m going to be worrying too much about how awesome I look when I’m running for my life.”

  “Yes, part of it is that. But, Sadie, we are creatures of style and grace. Agility is important, and the more graceful you can move, the quieter you are, and the less you are seen. The two go hand in hand.”

  Creatures of style and grace. I gave him a long look, which he returned without flinching.

  “I think we’ve done enough for today. Why don’t you go ahead and get changed for your next class.” He gave me a curt smile and disappeared through his office door that was connected to the large room. I watched as he snapped the blinds closed.

  I headed back to the locker room to change. There wasn’t enough time to shower, and I felt gross. Fourth period was going to start in ten minutes and the last thing I wanted to do was learn how to blend in when I smelled like sweat and had a fire raging in my throat. I had two choices. Go to the nurse for help in getting a blood capsule and maybe a quick sponge bath or skip Camouflage and go home.

  I dreaded facing Nurse Edara again. Her betrayal still hurt, but luckily, it appeared she hadn’t told anyone my secret other than Jake. However, I suspected she only told him out of necessity in order to excuse my absence. Indecision warred inside me. Did I take another chance on her or go on with my day smelling like a dying pig? Remembering Kade was in my last class, I made my decision. I hurried off to the on-campus clinic, berating myself the entire way.

  ***

  When I walked in the door, the first thing I saw was another student lying on one of the beds, greedily sucking on a Feeder. My stomach roiled. Nurse Edara looked up from a chart she was writing on, took one look at my face, and grabbed one of my arms. She pulled me toward the last bed, farthest from the human Capri Sun, and closed the curtain around me.

  “Sit down. He’ll be finished in a moment and on his way.”

  I nodded. I was pretty sure if I tried to speak, I’d throw up. I lay down, my head crunching on the paper casing on the pillow. I heard Edara murmuring to the other patient. Luckily the slurping noises had stopped. I saw a shadowy figure pass by my curtain and heard a door close. I could only assume it was the Feeder going into the back of the clinic.

  Edara pulled the curtain back and stepped inside.

  “He’ll rest for a few more minutes and
head back to class. Is there something you need that I can do for you with him here?” She whispered the last, and I was grateful for her discretion.

  I shook my head. “No, I need help with some lunch and maybe smethngstocleanupwith…” I rushed the last part together, embarrassed to have to ask for it.

  Her eyebrows knit together. “Would you mind repeating that last part?”

  I sighed. “Maybe we can just talk about it after your patient leaves?” My eyes silently pleaded for her to agree. She patted my knee and left.

  “Okay, Max, how are you feeling?” I heard Edara ask. I wasn’t paying that much attention, too busy digging through my bag one more time in case I’d missed the bottle the first fifty times I’d searched for it. But, Max’s response made me freeze.

  “I’m a lot better, thanks. The Feeder helped. My mom usually makes me bring a blood bag, but Jill’s goons threw it against the building.”

  Jill was terrorizing other kids, too?

  Nurse Edara must have had the same thought. “Who is Jill’s goon and why would they do something like that to you?”

  “She has a whole gang of ’em,” Max said. “Today it was Jack Monroe. He and Jill were talking trash about Sadie Criswel and I didn’t think it was that funny. So they destroyed my lunch.”

  Jack Monroe. He was the know-it-all in my Persuasion class. He’d never said anything directly to me, so I had had no idea he was on Jill’s side.

  Oh, who am I kidding? She’s got everyone on her side.

  “Well, thank you, Max. I’m sure Sadie would appreciate knowing you had her back.”

  “Yeah, it’s no problem. I mean, I don’t know her much at all, but nobody deserves to have that crew against them.”

  I heard him get up and the main door open and close. When Nurse Edara pulled the curtain back, I had tears running down my cheeks.

  “I guess you heard that.” She pulled a pack of tissues out of her pocket and handed me one.

  I dabbed at my eyes and blew my nose. It sounded like a goose honking, which almost made me start crying again, but I squashed it. Edara gave me a sympathetic look.