Chapter 2

Forever & Always

As soon as Dad pulled up to the lot, I knew Michelle and I were in trouble. News vans were everywhere, cameras setup, and different channels were interviewing students. I searched the school grounds for something- anything- to use as a distraction. There Cody was, talking to Amelia Brown. I closed my eyes, and concentrated really hard.

'Cody?' I watched him shake hands with Amelia, and walk to a secluded part of the grounds. 'Elizabeth.' Cody sighed. 'Why did you disconnect earlier? If it was something I said or did, I apologize.'

'Don't worry about this morning. I was just a little wound up. I'

'What? Are you all right? Where are you?' Cody turned around in a circle until he found what he was looking for- my car. 'I'm fine, Cody. It's just… no, forget it.' I saw Cody smile. 'Liz, I'm not going to laugh, if that's what you're worried about. You can trust me.'

"Can I? Truly?" I muttered out loud. "What?" Michelle gripped her bag tightly. I shook my head. "Nothing."

'I- please, Cody, don't make me ask that.'

'Elizabeth, if you want me to help you get into the building without being caught, you have to tell me.'

Blackmailer! I added 'having to share thoughts' to my mental list of faults that I wanted changed. 'I was wondering why you were with Amelia. Was because I cut off this morning?' Cody shook his head, grinning. 'Oh, love; you truly are the jealous type, aren't you'

I scowled. 'Cody, this isn't'-

'It's all right. I was just asking for the math assignment. You don't have to worry; I'm not leaving you just yet. Now, are you going to get out of your car? What do I have to do?'

I thought for a moment. 'Could you direct the news peoples away from the front entrance? I just want to get to my first class without having been on every news channel in Great Britain.'

Cody nodded. 'Yeah, I can do that. Just give a moment.'

I watched Cody wave his arms, and shout to the interviewers and students. Everyone ran excitedly to the back of the school, where they disappeared behind the lunch pavilions. 'I love you forever, Cody.'

'As you should.' Cody hurried over to Dad's car, and helped Michelle and me out. "What took you so long?" Michelle muttered. "It wouldn't have taken very long to just do that as soon as you saw us."

Cody smirked at me. "Well, if you knew what was going on inside my head, maybe you'd understand better." Dad reached out for a hug. "Have a good day, Elizabeth. Good luck" He winked, and sped off.

I quickly kissed Cody, and held his hand as we sped off to the school building. Michelle turned away and headed for her locker. "I knew something like this was going to happen." I sighed. Cody nodded. "I just wish that they would forget about what happened. I mean, it was two weeks ago."

"I have to get to Algebra II. See you in Chemistry."

"I'll save you a seat."

He kissed my cheek and jogged in the opposite direction, to his photography class. Michelle caught up with me, looking downcast. "Is there something wrong?" I set my backpack on my chair. Michelle slammed hers on her desk. "Why would there be?" She muttered. "Of course there's something wrong, Elizabeth! You have the perfect life, with the boy you fell in love with four years ago. There is no wondering when you have to go to bed, what time you have to pick your little sister up from her tournament in Cardith, or if you will ever get over the boy you went out with once, who was absolutely perfect for you."

I closed my eyes. 'You were listening in again, weren't you?'

'Sorry, Elizabeth, but I can't help the fact that our thoughts are connected.' I frowned. 'Cody, I didn't know that this would be part of the deal. I'm sorry if what you saw this morning disturbed you, but'-

'Elizabeth, I know who you are, and your roll in saving our world. I don't want you to leave quite so soon, but'-

'I won't be going so soon, Cody. I'll ask for ten years. It'll be enough time to say goodbye.'

'And our children? That is, if we have any. What will become of them?'

I sighed. Sometimes, I wish I had never asked for this connection. It could be so frustrating. I shook my head. Michelle stared at me. "Do you see what I mean? For the past week, you've been closing your eyes, and saying random things to no one in particular. It's as if you're possessed half the time!"

Hailey Burke, unaware that Michelle and I were right next to her, sat down at her desk. She turned to the side, and saw us staring at her. Hailey grinned. "Princeton, Daniels, nice move." She gave Michelle and me high-fives, and laughed. "So, what are you going to do? About the paparazzi, I mean." Michelle shook her head. "I have no idea. Mum tried to phone in to the press, but they said that they had no control over the junior reporters."

I smiled at Hailey. "Well, actually, MY mum got married over break, so I'm now a Carnahan. He adopted me, but I'm still keeping 'Princeton'." Lucas Bramston walked in the room, and shook his head. "You two were already the most popular juniors at Malcolm. Nothing would have ever changed that." Michelle put her arm around his shoulders. "Aw, thanks, Lucas. You have no idea how much that means to m-us."

Luke blushed. "You're welcome, Michelle." Hailey rolled her eyes; I elbowed her in the ribs. Ms. Madison, the math instructor, nodded to us. "Get in your seats, all of you." A few moments later, the halls were filled with the laughter of underclassmen. The freshmen, the ones who saw Michelle and me, crowded the doorway, until Ms. Madison shooed them away.

Luke sat next to Michelle (it was open-seating today) before I could. The rest of the first hour Algebra II juniors filed into the classroom just as the first bell rang. Kendra Torrance squealed when she saw me sitting next to Hailey. "Hailey Nicole Burke, move your bum outta that chair." Kendra hissed. Jessie Coyle, Kendra's inseparable best friend, pouted. "Kendra, I thought you were going to sit by me today."

"And let some nerd take my rightful place next to Miss England herself?! No way would I ever let that happen, and you know it!"

Ms. Madison folded her arms. "Kendra, please take a seat elsewhere. Ms. Burke is already next to Elizabeth. You'll just have to wait until next month to sit by her." Kendra stomped in a huff to a seat in the back of the room. Michael Harrison, the bloke Hailey's had a crush on for half a year, dropped his backpack next to Hailey's. "Hey," he nodded to me. Hailey colored, and squeaked out a small "Hi," in return.

The warning bell rang; there were two minutes until school officially began. I sighed. Normally, I loved school. But my life wasn't normal anymore. It hasn't been for a week and a half. Just as the ball rang, a tall, blonde- haired girl with metallic purple glasses burst through the door. The girl's glasses perfectly accented her stormy- gray eyes.

"Sorry I'm late," She apologized. "Dad and I didn't know how long it would take to get from his apartment at Oxford to here." The girl was dressed like a miniature professor. Her khaki skirt went down to her ankles, and her white blouse was as crisp as one of my mother's waffles. I think Mum actually owned a skirt just like Storm's (I gave her the name due to the color of her eyes). I froze. That was Mum's skirt. It was too small for me, when Mum found it in a box, so it went straight to…

"Evelyn!" I blurted out. Evy jumped. "What in the name of Zeus…oh!" I flew out of my seat, and hugged Evelyn tight. "Elizabeth!" Evy cried. I had tears streaming down my face. "Evy, what- what are you doing here?" Evelyn glanced pointedly around us. Oh. My face burned. I had completely forgotten about the rest of the class.

I stepped away from Evy, and led her to the front of the room. "Beth, I don't"- I gave her my most reassuring smile. I didn't forget that Evy was afraid of being in the spotlight. I placed her in the center, and grinned. If Evelyn moved back to London, then Dad would also be in the area.

"This is my sister, Evelyn. I haven't been contact with her since my parents split nearly ten years ago. I guess I was just so very excited to see her again that I forgot about school protocol." I smiled apologetically to Ms. Madison. I hazarded a glance at Michelle; her eyes were filled with sadness. Evelyn's leaving London broke us both. Evy was my baby sister, no matter how old she was and I was heartbroken when Dad took her away with him.

James Garret whistled. "Hey, Elizabeth, can you set me up with a date with your gorgeous sister?" I burned with anger. "She's thirteen, James. I won't let you corrupt her." The class erupted with laughter. I led Evelyn to the open seat beside me. She hugged me tightly. "Thank you, Beth," She whispered. "I never stopped believing that you'd always take care of me." I kissed the top of her head. "Forever and always, little sister. Forever and always."

Review, please! It will make my day, and I will be rewarding thos who do with a surprise. :)