‘I’ve never been a normal school kid. And this isn’t new to me – like I said, I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember.’
‘But now you can start learning. Once you gain full control, you’ll be less dangerous in that you won’t hurt people unintentionally. But there will be a whole new range of possibilities – of temptations.’
‘Wait a minute . . . what do you mean, temptations?’
‘You’ll see. For now, let’s keep it simple.’
‘Simple?’
‘Yes, you have much to learn,’ he said, trying to act serious, but his grin gave him away.
‘Right, okay, Obi-Wan.’
Charley had agreed to meet Aiden after school. He’d said his house would be empty and had told her to come round as soon as she was ready – they had a lot to discuss apparently.
Charley was nervous. Her stomach had been doing somersaults since their earlier conversation. She couldn’t believe she’d found someone else with powers like her own – especially Aiden of all people. Yes, he’d always been mysterious, very dark and brooding – but a magician? She’d thought he was just some troubled kid with anger issues.
She sat impatiently through her last class – Maths, of all things. Time went so slowly she could have sworn the clock was moving backwards. After what felt like an eternity, the bell rang, sending Charley leaping across the table and heading straight for the door.
‘In a hurry to get home, Miss Chambers?’ She came to a halt, turning to see her disapproving teacher eyeing her carefully over his glasses.
‘Sorry, Mr Grayson, I just have some stuff to take care of.’
‘Kids these days, always in such a rush. On you go,’ he said, shooing her away. She ran out the door, bag swinging behind her, before he could change his mind.
She didn’t bother going home, she was far too anxious about meeting Aiden. She knew full well that it wasn’t a date – it was the opposite if anything. Yet she couldn’t get rid of the butterflies in her tummy, her sweaty palms or her racing heart. Charley Chambers was terrified, and it was all because of a boy.
‘Chambers,’ he greeted her, as she stood patiently on his front step.
‘Cunningham,’ she mocked, ‘you gonna invite me in, then?’ His lips curled slightly and Charley was sure she saw the hint of a smile.
‘After you.’ He held the door open and she made her way past, stopping to stare as she took in her surroundings. ‘Wow, your house is amazing.’
‘It’s all right, I guess.’
‘All right? Aiden, it’s huge.’ The hallway seemed to go on forever, and above her was a crystal chandelier, hanging from the ornate ceiling that seemed a million miles away. Large, framed paintings hung along the length of the wall and at the end of the corridor – when they finally reached it – she noticed a beautifully carved, Indian sculpture placed beside the stairwell.
‘There’s more to life than having a pretty house, Chambers.’ She glanced up at him, not sure what to say. ‘Come on, my room’s up here.’ She followed him up the spiral staircase, a slight awkwardness now between them.
His room was nothing like the rest of the house; very simple and plain. It gave nothing away, only that he clearly wasn’t sentimental and was a bit of a clean freak.
‘You certainly don’t like clutter, do you?’
He let out a quiet laugh. ‘Before I learned how to use my powers, a lot of things got . . . broken. Including a TV that exploded in my face – still surprised it didn’t blind me.’
‘Hey, I did that,’ Charley said excitedly.
‘What?’
‘Blew up a telly, at my gran’s.’
Aiden didn’t respond, instead he carried on with his story. ‘Well, after that, I cleared out my room. That way, there was nothing to break. Guess I didn’t think about putting all the stuff back again. Anyway, we’re not here to talk about me, we’re here for you.’
‘So what you gonna teach me?’ she chirped.
‘Everything, in time. Let’s start with the basics.’
Aiden sat on the floor, motioning for Charley to do the same. He pulled out a baseball from underneath his bed and placed it in front of him, his hands cupped round but not quite touching it. Charley wanted to laugh, casting her mind back to all Abbie’s talk of séances. Slowly, he pulled his hands from it, the ball rising at the same time. He held it, mid-air, for about a minute, before letting it drop. Charley’s hand shot out, catching the ball before it hit the floor.
‘Your go.’ She turned the ball over in her hand, studying the intricate detail sewn into its surface. She put it down and cupped her hands around it, just as Aiden had done. The ball flew into the air, hitting the ceiling before falling back down to the ground.
‘I did it!’ she shrieked, but Aiden only scowled.
‘No, you didn’t.’
‘I made it move, didn’t I?’
‘That’s not what I showed you. You were meant to make it rise and hold it there, not shoot off into the air like a bloody rocket.’
She rolled her eyes at his tone and for the second time, cupped her hands around the ball. The same thing happened again. ‘Damn it, Chambers, be careful,’ he yelled, as the ball narrowly missed his head.
‘I’m sorry! Don’t shout at me, you said yourself I’m still learning.’ Aiden sighed, patience apparently not one of his best qualities.
‘Try again. Wipe everything else from your mind. This time, focus. Hold the ball with your eyes.’
Once again, she stretched out her hands. She closed her eyes, trying not to think about anything but the ball; when she opened them, it was slowly beginning to rise.
‘I’m doing it.’
‘Shhh, concentrate.’
‘I am . . .’
‘No, you’re talking,’ he snapped. ‘Stop it.’ She stuck her tongue out, but did as he asked. The higher she lifted her hands, the more the ball rose. When she pulled her hands apart, it began to spin.
‘Wow,’ she gasped, mesmerised by the whirling ball.
‘Aiden?’ a voice came from downstairs, startling Charley and causing her to lose concentration.
‘Shit,’ Aiden muttered, quickly getting to his feet.
‘What’s wrong? Who is it?’
‘Aiden?’ The door flew open, revealing a woman, stick-thin and impeccably dressed. ‘Who’s this?’ she asked, glaring at Charley.
‘This is Charley, a friend from school. Chambers, this is my moth–’
‘Get her out of here, Aiden. I have told you before.’ She took off back down the hall, her heels clacking against the wooden floor.
‘What was that about?’ Charley asked. ‘Did I do something wrong?’
‘No, you didn’t do anything. I didn’t realise they’d be back. You need to go.’
‘Oh, okay. I’ll let myself out.’
‘I’m sorry about this, Chambers. I didn’t know–’
‘It’s fine. I’ll see you.’
‘He says you’re what?’ Abbie squawked as Charley flung herself on to the bed. She’d gone straight over there, wanting to fill her friend in on all the details of her visit.
‘I know, it’s insane, right?’
‘It’s pretty crazy, yeah. But I suppose it makes sense.’
‘Makes sense? Abbie, he said I’m a magician.’
‘Well, you’re obviously something freaky, no offence.’
‘None taken.’
Abbie cocked an eyebrow. ‘And he’s the same as you? He can make things move, disappear, blah, blah, blah?’
‘Yeah, although he seems to be a bit of an expert.’
‘So what did he show you?’
‘Not much, really. He helped me make a ball float in thin air, but that’s about it. His mum came home and chucked me out.’
‘What? Why?’ Abbie’s disguste
d expression was priceless.
‘Not sure. She seemed really uptight, barely looked me in the eye. Aiden went all weird as well when he realised she was home. I dunno . . . she definitely doesn’t like me though, that’s for sure.’
‘Learn how to use your powers and turn her into a worm or something.’
‘A worm?’ Charley laughed.
‘Yeah. Who wants to be a worm?’
‘You’re such a freak.’
Abbie pulled a face. ‘Well, from one freak to another, I’m hungry. Let’s go out and grab dinner.’
The girls spent the rest of the evening eating chips and playing games on Abbie’s computer. Although they didn’t mention Aiden again, Charley couldn’t help letting her mind wander back to him. She wanted to speak to him, to ask more questions, but she knew that wasn’t really the way Aiden Cunningham worked. They would do things his way. Anyway, she didn’t even have his number.
At just after nine, Charley said her goodbyes to Abbie and made her way home, once again mulling over her mysterious new companion. How had he managed to hide his secret so well? She’d managed – but it had been a mammoth struggle doing so. Aiden was popular, he had heaps of friends, and girls were always after him – although he never returned their affections. Despite being quiet and incredibly grumpy, he never seemed fazed by anything.
She trudged up the stairs and opened the front door, nearly banging into Jess as she stepped into the house.
‘Watch it!’ Jess snapped, scowling as her sister tried to apologise.
‘Sorry, it was an accident.’
‘Whatever.’
‘Who rattled your cage?’ Charley asked, kicking her shoes into the corner. Jess didn’t answer, instead choosing to skulk back up to her room.
‘Hello, darling. How was Abbie’s?’
‘Hey, Dad. It was fine. How was work?’
‘Oh, you know how–’
‘Charley, there’s chicken casserole in the oven if you’re hungry,’ Linda interrupted from the kitchen.
‘I already ate. Thanks anyway.’
‘Okay. Nick, could you help me in here for a sec?’
‘Sure. Sorry, honey, I’ll be with you in a moment.’ Charley started for the stairs, knowing fine that ‘a moment’ would turn into much longer.
‘Oh, Charley, before I forget. A boy called for you. Aiden something . . .’
‘What? When? What did he say?’
‘He just asked if you were in, said he’d catch you another time.’
‘Did he leave a number?’
‘No, sorry, pet. Ow! Nick, that was my finger.’
‘What time was–?’
‘Nick!’
‘For goodness sake, Linda, I’m trying.’ Charley realised she would be better off talking to herself. She climbed the stairs to her bedroom, a smile spread across her face. He’d called.
Charley rushed into registration class the next day, nearly knocking over Mr Aitkens. She gave him a smile, apologised for being late, and took a seat beside Lucy Wheeler.
‘Listen up, everyone,’ Mr Aitkens called from the front, ‘we have a new student joining us. His name is Marcus Gillespie,’ he gestured to a boy sitting near the door, ‘and he’s just moved from Milton Academy up in Oakshore. Please make him feel welcome. Charley, can I ask you to show Marcus around, help him get his bearings?’
‘Sure, no problem.’ She glanced at the boy who was now looking at her over his shoulder. He had dark brown, messy hair, and chestnut eyes to match. Charley was about to give him a wave, not knowing what else to do, but he turned away.
‘Charley? What’s the matter?’ Lucy frowned, studying Charley’s expression. ‘You look a little pale.’
‘I do?’
‘Here, borrow this,’ she said, offering Charley a tub of bronzer.
‘No thanks, I’m fine. I should go say hi.’
Lucy shook her head. ‘Whatever.’
Charley pushed her chair back and headed towards Marcus, grateful for an excuse to leave.
‘Charley Chambers, it’s an honour.’
‘Hey, how do you know my name?’ Charley asked, giving her new classmate a quizzical look.
‘Well, specky called you it a minute ago,’ he said, nodding towards Mr Aitkens, ‘you know, when he was asking you to be my babysitter. Plus he gave me a list of everyone in the class – you’re the only Charley, so I put two and two together.’
‘Right, of course.’
‘Listen, you don’t need to show me around. I’m sure I can find everything – besides, I don’t wanna be a drag. You probably have your own stuff to do.’
‘No, you wouldn’t. I mean, yeah, you probably don’t need my help . . . but if you want a little company, I’d be happy to . . .’ Marcus smiled. ‘Sorry, I’m babbling. I do that sometimes.’
‘It’s okay. If you’re sure you don’t mind then, yeah, I’d love someone to hang out with.’
‘Cool, that’s settled then.’
‘Okay,’ Marcus laughed, resting his hands behind his head. He was incredibly handsome. ‘I have chemistry first period, Mrs Murrell I think?’
‘Oh, unlucky. She’s a bitch,’ Charley whispered.
‘Brilliant. Are you in that class?’
‘Afraid not, I didn’t take chemistry.’
‘What a shame.’ He grinned at Charley, and her legs suddenly felt like jelly.
‘We could meet up for lunch? Only if you want . . . I mean you don’t have to . . .’
‘Lunch would be great, Charley.’
‘Great.’
‘Great . . .’
There was an awkward pause before Charley muttered, ‘Okay. See you later,’ and scuttled off.
The bell rang and Charley eagerly packed her books into her bag. She’d been looking forward to lunch all morning.
She made her way out the door and immediately walked into someone. ‘I’m sorry,’ she yelped, before looking up to see Aiden gazing at her.
‘You really aren’t very coordinated, are you?’ he asked, his eyebrows coming together in a frown.
‘You know me. I’m not exactly the most graceful.’
‘You can say that again.’ Charley felt her face flush. ‘Listen, I thought we could get out of here for an hour. I have time to teach you a few basics . . .’ Her heart sank as he continued talking. Suddenly Marcus seemed so insignificant – a burden, almost.
‘I can’t today. I told Mr Aitkens I’d look after the new kid.’
‘What new kid?’
Right on time, Marcus strode up, his bag casually flung over one shoulder. ‘Hey, Charley,’ he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, ‘ready for lunch?’
‘Sure, one sec . . .’ She turned to Aiden. ‘Sorry, can we catch up later?’
For a moment Aiden looked frustrated, disappointed even, but he quickly recovered and shot Marcus a disdainful look. ‘Sure, Chambers, whatever. Another time.’ Charley watched him as he walked in the other direction, quickly catching up with Gary and Cameron.
‘Did I interrupt something?’ Marcus asked, giving Charley an apologetic smile.
‘No, nothing important. Come on, let’s get lunch.’
They made their way down to the cafeteria, grabbed a slice of pizza each and took a seat near the window. Marcus scoffed his in no time, while Charley nibbled at her crust before giving up and setting it down. She wasn’t hungry anymore.
‘So, how was your morning?’ Marcus asked. He gestured towards her uneaten pizza, ‘Do you mind?’
‘Hungry, are you?’ Charley laughed, crossing her arms as he demolished what had been her lunch.
‘Starving.’ He licked his fingers and swallowed down the last bite. ‘You have a beautiful smile, Charley.’ She looked away from him, chewing on her thumbnail to distract herself. ‘I hope that wasn’t to
o forward?’
‘Thank you. And no,’ she beamed, ‘it’s fine.’
‘I’m sorry if I barged in between you and your boyfriend earlier, I really didn’t mean to.’
‘Boyfriend? No, Aiden’s not . . . we’re just friends.’
‘Oh, I see. You just seem a bit, I don’t know, down.’
‘I’m not down, I swear. I am being rude though. I’m really sorry, Marcus, I must make a terrible first impression.’
‘Nonsense.’
‘So, tell me about yourself.’
‘Well . . .’ He rubbed his chin as if considering what to say. ‘I’m roguishly handsome,’ – Charley blushed – ‘I have an enormous appetite, as you saw for yourself. I’m terrible at Maths. I have a dog named Peewee . . .’
‘Peewee?’
‘Don’t ask. My little sister named him, I didn’t get a say in the matter. She was always spoiled, being the youngest.’
‘Tell me about it. My sister can be such a brat. What’s your sister’s name?’
Marcus looked down at the table, the atmosphere suddenly changing. ‘Bud.’
‘Bud?’ said Charley. ‘As in Buddy?’
‘No, just Bud. Well, it’s short for Boudicca, but I never liked that. I always called her Bud.’
Charley studied him, a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. ‘Called?’
Marcus sighed. ‘Yeah. She . . . she died.’
‘Oh my God. Marcus, I’m so sorry.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘It’s fine, really. It was years ago.’ His eyes grew cloudy, his whole demeanour changing.
‘Even so, it must be–’
‘It’s okay. I don’t talk about it much so could we maybe, I dunno, just forget I said anything?’
‘Of course, I’m sorry.’
‘You really don’t need to apologise.’
They sat in silence for a moment, Marcus deep in thought and Charley awkwardly chewing on her nails. The mention of Bud’s death left her unsure of what to say, and she couldn’t stand the awkwardness between them. Still, a part of her was incredibly curious to know what had happened. It was really none of her business though, and if Marcus didn’t want to talk about it, she wouldn’t broach the subject again.
Charley Chambers Page 4