Montrose Paranormal Academy, Book 1: The Nexis Secret: A Young Adult Urban Fantasy Academy Novel

by Barbara Hartzler

  “Sure, Mom.” I mumbled as she planted a kiss against my hair. I trudged to my room, shutting the door with a bang. How could she just dismiss everything away with a swat of her hand? As if it was no big deal that James was only my half-brother lost somewhere in Europe. Did we have to play the Keeping Up Appearance game in our own home?

  The flowers on the wallpaper leered at me, the pink polka-dot duvet cover mocking me like they had known all along. I was such a child for believing Mom’s lies all these years. I flopped onto the bed, freshly washed with snuggly softener as if it were some kind of peace offering that could make up for years of secrets. I wish.

  A timid knock at the door nudged me from my self-inflicted agony. “Come in, Paige.”

  My little sister peeked her dark head through the doorframe. “Hey, you. It isn’t that bad being home, is it?” She plucked a tissue from the box, handing it to me.

  I dabbed at my eyes. “No, it’s just Mom. We’re sort of feuding.”

  “Yeah, I got that. What’s it about this time? Another future senator she wants you to date?” Mirth danced in my sister’s chocolate brown eyes.

  “Something like that. When will she figure out that I don’t want to be a debutante or a trophy wife?” I ruffled Paige’s fun new hairdo.

  “Tell me about it.” She plopped down next to me, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “What do you think?”

  “They let you go ombre at thirteen?” The entire bottom half of her raven locks were streaked with caramel and gold highlights.

  “Tweens even get a discount.” Her amber-brown eyes lit up as she fingered the ends of her hair. “My own little rebellion.”

  I curled my lips at her. “I can appreciate that.”

  Her baby-doll smile faded fast. “Listen, you should try to make nice with Mom and Dad. I heard them arguing the other day about yanking you out of Montrose.”

  I jerked back, my heart in my chest all of a sudden. “Even after Jake stalked me all the way to campus? No way, I couldn’t stand being back at school with him and Becca. I bet everyone still thinks I’m psychotic, as if they never knew me at all. I’ve got enough lies to deal with right now.”

  Her tiny hand covered mine. “I’m really sorry. I should’ve never given him your new number. If I had known ...”

  “It’s not your fault. You didn’t make him come to New York.” I squeezed her palm. “Just try to keep them off my back, will you?”

  She squeezed back. “You got it, sis.”

  I watched as she tiptoed out of my room, leaving the door open. It couldn’t be easy for Paige, being caught between Mom and Dad. She was made of tougher stuff than I ever realized.

  I padded to the bathroom, splashed some water on my face and applied a quick touch up to my foundation.

  As soon as I reached the kitchen, Mom handed me the salad bowl. I set it down and slid into my chair, sensing my stubborn streak waking up inside me. Better to stay out of the way and not make things worse.

  At dinner I quietly munched my salad, our traditional pre-Thanksgiving dinner to leave room for heavy feasting tomorrow. I answered every one of her questions with a simple yes or no until Mom slammed her bowl on the table.

  “Why are you being so sullen?” She gave me the evil eye.

  “I’m just trying to be polite.” I shoved another forkful of lettuce in my mouth.

  “Right.” She sniffed, her knuckles white on the bowl. “You’re just trying to say as little as possible.”

  “Maybe so.” I munched on my tomato slice, desperately trying to tame the spurts of anger buzzing through my nerves.

  “That’s not good enough.” She pried her clutches from the bowl. “We need to talk about your hostility issues. I don’t know if I want you to go back to Montrose.”

  “My hostility issues? I’m not the one slamming bowls onto tables. My issues have nothing to do with Montrose.” I didn’t dare meet her gaze, staring at Paige instead. “They’d only be worse if I came home and you know it.”

  “Maybe so.” She cocked her head, obviously mocking me now. “But then we could at least work things out.”

  “Yeah right, Mom.” Electricity lit up my insides until I practically turned incandescent. I couldn’t take much more of this. “You think I would forgive you if you forced me to move home? Back to a school with my ex who spreads lies about me and stalks me five states away. How could that possibly help?”

  “Honey, that was months ago. I’m sure Jake feels really bad and wants to make things right. Everyone else at that school has probably forgotten all about it by now.” Her tone turned syrupy-sweet, as if she had any clue what she was talking about.

  And that really burned me up. I dug my hands into my jean pockets. “You don’t understand what it was like, Mom. He drove all the way to Montrose, then followed me into the city. If my friends hadn’t been there, who knows what would’ve happened?”

  “He only approached you when your friends were around. Maybe it’s not as bad as you think it was.” The coolness in her voice killed me, so nonchalant, so unaffected by what I’d just told her.

  “How can you defend Jake?” The anger-bomb exploded inside me, bits of fury hurtling everywhere until I practically screamed at her. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you? You just don’t get it.” I wadded up my napkin, chucking it at my plate. With that, I made a mad dash down the hall.

  “Lucy, come back.” Her voice faded the closer I got to my room.

  “I’m not hungry.” I slammed the door behind me. So much for trying to make nice. I punched my fists into the pillow, willing myself not to cry. She wasn’t worth it.

  Maybe I could try to show a little forgiveness. My dad had managed it somehow, and if James were here, he’d probably tell me to get over myself. She was still my mother, after all.

  Just then my phone buzzed. “Thank God.”

  Shanda’s number appeared. Another person who’d tell me to get over myself. Funny how she texted at the exact moment I needed her. Though I highly doubted she’d be as hip to the forgiveness part.

  Chapter 25

  The soothing aroma of turkey drifted to my nostrils, curling tendrils of comfort around my foggy morning brain. Bright light burned from my bedroom window, dimming as I rubbed my eyes. Thanksgiving morning smells were still the same, warm and heavenly as always.

  Maybe I’d been too harsh with Mom last night. Even Shanda had said as much. Maybe she really had missed me, was only watching out for me. Blah, blah, blah. I’d just have to make it clear that I had to stay in New York, and Jake was the reason—not her. That should do it, right? At any rate, she’d have to notice a new measure of maturity, and maybe even thank Montrose for it.

  I snuggled my fleece pullover on top of my Montrose t-shirt. If only it were Bryan’s bomber jacket, I’d be in heaven. After I wrestled the tangles out of my hair, I barefooted it to the kitchen. Mom hovered over the stove in Grandma’s frayed apron, looking more domestic than ever.

  I wrapped my arms around her waist. “Morning, Mom. Sorry about last night, I shouldn’t have been so rude. You forgive me?”

  “Of course, honey.” She patted my hands and handed me the wooden spoon. “Why don’t you stir the gravy for a while? Mom could use a break.”

  “You got it.” I took the spoon from her and dunked it in the bubbling liquid. Bits of unidentified meat floated up as I stirred. “This doesn’t exactly resemble gravy.”

  She smoothed her palm down my hair. “Well not right now. I’ve only just started it. It’ll be perfect in a few hours.”

  “If you say so.” I craned my neck to face her. “About Montrose, it’s not that I prefer being there over being home. It’s just a place that’s free of Jake. And Becca. A place where I can start over.”

  Her fingers winged across the bumps of my scar. “I think we can all agree, you deserve a fresh start.”

  “That’s for sure. Then you understand?” A crick formed in my neck, but I had to see her face, read her expression.


  “Completely.” Her eyes smiled at me, a surge of warmth swarming into my body. “Let’s not worry about this now. Let’s have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “That sounds great.” I smiled back at her, for real this time.

  For the next few hours we worked on all the Thanksgiving staples; boiling potatoes, mixing pie dough, sieving gravy. My favorite was throwing together the green bean casserole, mostly because Mom hated the less-than-fancy dish and everyone else loved it.

  Before I knew it, mid-afternoon rolled around. I wiped my hands on the frilly apron Mom let me wear. “Maybe I should go freshen up.”

  “Good idea.” She poured the pot of potatoes into the colander. “Why don’t you tell Paige to come set the table?”

  “No problem.” I untied the apron and hung it on the hook next to the hallway.

  Suddenly the front door whooshed open, sunlight streaming its rays around a tall silhouette. For a second it almost looked like James, or could it be Bryan? My heart stuttered at each possibility.

  Instead, Jake’s frame filled the doorway, that obnoxiously cocky smile spread across his face. My heart sank as I steeled my fingers into fists at my side.

  “Who invited you?” It could only be one person. I turned to my mother, the traitor. “How could you? After I told you how I felt?”

  “Honey.” She rushed to my side, clasping my hand in hers. “It’s not what you think. He just wants to apologize for what he did. As your mother, I think you deserve that as part of your fresh start. It’ll help you move forward.”

  Fire practically flared from my nostrils. “If you want to listen to his pathetic excuse for an apology, do it on your own time. As for me, I never want to see that jerk again.” I sprinted down the hall to my room and slammed the door.

  Anger crackled through me with nervous energy until I couldn’t sit still for a second. I fished out my cell phone out and sent the horrible truth to Shanda. Mom invited Jake to Thanksgiving dinner. What a sick joke. I have to get out of here NOW.

  On a whim, I added Bryan to the message before I sent it. Minutes later, my phone still lay silent. Of course, they had happy Thanksgiving plans. I curled and uncurled my fingers, electric fury zapping up and down my whole body. I couldn’t take it any more.

  I rushed to my closet, throwing in anything that could fit into my suitcase. Then a firm knock rapped on the door.

  “Can I come in?” Dad’s voice rumbled through the wood.

  “Fine.” I kicked the suitcase into the recesses of my closet.

  He opened the door, his stubbled face full of worry. “I’m sorry, Lucy. I had no idea she’d invited him. I’m sure she just wants you to hear him out, but this probably isn’t the right time or place for that. I’m not here to excuse her actions. So I’ve decided that we’ll do whatever you want. If you want to send him away, I’ll tell him to leave.”

  The fire inside died a little at that broken look on his face, like a wounded St. Bernard. “All I wanted was to have a nice dinner. I’m not sure what to do.”

  His mouth curved up an inch. “You say the word, and he’s gone. No questions asked.”

  I swallowed the lump of dread rising in my throat. “Maybe it’s time to be a big girl and face him. At least you’ll be here. What’s the worst that could happen?” Famous last words.

  “That’s my brave girl.” He wrapped me up in a bear hug and kissed the top of my head. “Now put on something nice. You know how Mom feels about Thanksgiving.”

  “I know.” I rolled my eyes behind his back. “I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  Dad ruffled my hair and gently closed the door behind him.

  I rushed to my closet, pawing through my clothes. A hideous gold knit sweater from Mom’s favorite old lady store stuck out like a sore thumb. I yanked it over my head, then slapped on a headband and some pearls.

  If she wanted nice, I could play nice. I didn’t even recognize myself in the mirror. Perfect. I cleaned up like a fresh-faced version of Mom’s forty-something sweater-set friends.

  ~

  With a flourish I flounced down the hall, smoothing down my stick-straight hair and adjusting my pearls. An evil idea crossed my mind that I should spritz on some of grandma’s perfume, but I swatted the annoying thought away like a true debutante. I breezed into the dining room, plastering a smile all over face.

  “Dinner almost ready, Mommy, dearest?” The added Donna Reed sweetness did the trick.

  Mom dropped the spoon in the gravy with a splash.

  “You look lovely, as always, Lucy.” Jake’s tone was almost as fake as mine.

  “Thank you, Jacob.” I chirped at him, but I didn’t even give him a second glance. Instead, I pranced into the kitchen and pulled out the potato masher. “With or without lumps, Mother?”

  “Whatever you want, sweetheart.” Mom’s smile faded as she watched me mash and mash the spuds with a pounding intensity. “That’s enough, darling.”

  “All ready to serve then, I think.” I ground my molars together as if I could crush her misguided plans with sheer will. “Shall we eat?”

  “Of course. Good, everyone’s all here.” Mom dumped the potatoes into a crystal bowl, scurrying to the dining room table as if she could escape the Donna Reed me.

  Right on her heels, I slid into the chair between Paige and Grandma, leaving Grandpa segregated on the same side as Jake.

  “How perfect is this?” Even the gender bias played into my hands. Yes, the 1950s were still alive and well-preserved in the McAllen household.

  “Shall I say grace?” Dad coughed, hiding any semblance of a smile behind folded hands. “Dear Lord, we thank you for the wonderful gifts you have given us. Please help us to always be thankful for your blessings, and to remember you in all we do.”

  “Amen,” I said, louder than the rest of my family. “Please pass the potatoes, Grandma.”

  She nodded her sage nod at me. “You’re very chipper today, Lucy. That boarding school must be doing wonders for you.”

  “I’ll say. It’s the best place I’ve been in years.” I nodded back, thumping a pile of mashed potatoes onto the gold-trimmed china.

  Mom cringed at the end of the table but just spooned more stuffing on her plate.

  Jake cleared his throat, his beady little eyes swinging around the table. “I’m sure you are all wondering what I’m doing here.”

  “I for one couldn’t care less what you have to say.” Paige’s angry words silenced the rest of the table. She just shrugged. “What? I made the mistake of trusting this guy once already, and he followed Lucy all over New York City. I won’t believe anything he says ever again.”

  “Thank you, sis.” I squeezed her hand, and she squeezed back.

  “That’s one of the things I wanted to apologize about.” Jake put down his fork. “I should’ve never gone to New York. I just had this intense desire to see you. When I saw you with your new boyfriend, I got jealous and just snapped. I’m sorry I did that. I guess I understand now why you ran into my fireplace.”

  “What?” I slammed my fists against the table. The silver and china clinked with a satisfying shudder. “Becca pushed me into that fireplace. Besides, I didn’t stalk you across five states.”

  “So it’s true then?” His spaniel brown eyes laid into me, as if that begging-pup act still worked. “You really do have a new boyfriend?”

  I narrowed my eyes into a laser beam aimed straight at Mom, the heat sizzling from my hands to my face. “How could you tell him that? It’s none of his business.”

  Her face crumpled. “I just wanted him to know you’d moved on, that you’re over him.”

  “Of course I’m over him, whether or not I have a boyfriend.” If this were a cartoon, steam would hiss from my ears. “Why are you talking to him in the first place, inviting him to dinner? It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Child, calm down. Here, have some green bean casserole. It’s your favorite.” Grandma patted my hand and stuck a spoon between my finge
rs.

  “You’re right.” I couldn’t stand that she and Grandpa were here, watching me totally lose it. I shoveled in spoonfuls of green bean casserole.

  “Does that mean you don’t have a boyfriend?” His eyes bored into my forehead until I couldn’t glare at him any more. “Because if you don’t, do you think you could ever forgive me, or even think about taking me back? Because I still love you, Luce. I’d do anything to get you back.”

  My jaw whooshed open. Did he actually just say that? “You can’t be serious.”

  Shadows swirled around him as he leaned in closer. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t serious about you. We have a future together, especially if you’re finally going to join Nexis.”

  My eyes went wide as the shadows coalesced into snakes that wrapped around his wrists. Goosebumps prickled my skin. I couldn’t believe it. Jake was all about himself, always had been. There was no way on earth he was here just for me. He had some sort of hidden agenda, and the shadows snakes making him their puppet were only further proof.

  “I’m guessing Nexis sent you, didn’t they?” I just glanced at Mom and shook my head. “Do you get it now?”

  She bobbed her head, as if that were enough of an apology.

  “I think you better leave, son.” Dad rose from his chair, thumping a hand on Jake’s shoulder. My heart soared right into outer space as he herded Jake to the door. My hero.

  “Goodbye, Lucy.” Jake’s body slumped in the doorway. “I hope you have a good Thanksgiving.”

  I didn’t move. I just watched him leave. Good thing the creepy shadows followed him as he shut the door.

  “Thanks, Dad, Grandma, Sis.” I nodded at them.

  For the next ten minutes we ate silently until I finished my plate. “Great food, Mom. May I be excused?”

  “Yes.” She whispered the word, as if she couldn’t afford to waste any more air.