Chapter 7: Attractions
"Here, sit down," Amanda offered, scooting down a bit on the couch and patting the cushion. Reluctant, Jeremy sat down next to her. He tried to avoid eye contact; he couldn't help but notice she was slightly attractive. That's the last thing I need, he thought, gulping a little. He finally looked up to her, and felt a light tingle pass through his arm. The way her eyes reflected light... just sent shivers through him. "So, where are you from?"
"Uh, I..." he stuttered, eyes darting from side to side. "I... I'm from..." His eyes widened. He couldn't think of any cities in the human world. What if she found him out? How would a human react if they knew? How would this one react...?
Even she seemed to be a little anxious, and a little astounded by the way he couldn't 'remember' his home. "How hard did they hit you?" she asked, sort of laughing. Jeremy suddenly had an idea.
"Pretty hard," he said, massaging a sore area on his arm that was covered by a bandage. "Maybe that's it. I just can't remember." He let out a subtle sigh of relief when she shook her head in sympathy. "I didn't think you really could get hit that hard, but I guess you can..." His voice trailed off as he looked to Amanda, making sure she bought it. She seemed to, so he leaned back, relaxing. As silence set in again, he found himself examing his hands again; moving them around, flexing them, just touching the tips of his fingers just to make sure they were actually his still. It's just unbelieveable, he thought, shaking his head. All these years humans were just more-than-likely imaginary things... now I'm sitting here next to one? Not to mention... I am one...
"Are you tired?" Amanda offered suddenly, shaking him out of his thoughts. He shook his head, almost afraid to actually look at her. She shrugged and leaned back also, her head resting on the top of the back cushion. "Glad you're not. I haven't even gone anywhere and I'm beat. Can I trust you by yourself?" He looked up at her at last when she asked, and felt the tingle again. Her eyes were closed, like she was talking in her sleep, and his heart thumped. She really was attractive.
"Uh, yeah," he said, trying to fudge a laugh. "Yeah, I'm sure you could. I don't really have much interest in anything you have, if that's what you're worried about." He closed his eyes and breathed a light curse when he realized what he'd said. Insulting a lady's home and belongings... good job, stupid.
To his surprise, she only laughed and patted his shoulder. "Okay, I'll trust you this time," she said, stretching her arms and standing off the couch. She yawned rather widely, waiting a second before she bashfully covered her mouth in politeness. "Rest all you want, and get whatever you want to eat from the fridge. I'm going to get a little more sleep, if you don't mind."
"No, not at all," he called after her, standing up as well. "Uh, have a nice rest." He watched her exit through the opposite hallway, before turning into a door and shutting it behind her. A sigh of relief, and his legs gave out, his hind-end making contact with the couch cushion rather sloppily. He rested his head on the back, breathing a little to clear his mind. There was no denying that this human was friendly, with or without his ability to decipher this by smell. There was also no denying her modest beauty; she was no gorgeous model, but certainly had her own sort locked behind the seemingly shy exterior. This is gonna be a long stay, he thought, his hand covering his closed eyes in an effort to further shade them so he could find a little peace.
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Amanda yawned again as she shut the door behind her, sitting down on the foot of her bed. The soft fabric was cool from not being inhabited in a few hours, and refreshing. She laid down, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts kept straying to the stranger in the living room; questions of his identity, his home, his life began swirling about in her mind. Why was Mrs. Hall so intent on meeting him? Why did he end up here? Who was he, really? And... what was it about him that was so... different? She'd never felt this way about anything else... well, except for a few times, now that she thought about it. She'd felt it when she first met Bethany and Chris. Even Gary had that odd feeling about him. Now that Jeremy was here... she could tell something was up. She didn't know any others that made her sense it. Maybe there was something special about them...
She scoffed at the thought. How stupid did that sound? She continued to think of what the answer could be as she pulled her legs beneath the bedcovers, blushing more and more as she began thinking of him more and more. Dazed and confused, yes, he was, but... something behind his eyes, though apparently not very bright, betrayed that he had an intriguing past behind him, not to mention he had a look about him. She couldn't quite define this 'look', but she was fond of it. A commanding stare, and yet modest and humble; a regal air that was brought back down by his unseemingly appearance; a potentially strong, powerful body, and yet so gentle and soft in appearance and manner. And those eyes... she couldn't get over them. All he needed was food and healthier circumstances, and maybe...
Amanda coughed loudly as she tried not to finish that thought. What, now she was thinking some homeless man wasn't just interesting, but somewhat... cute in the eyes? If Bethany had heard that, she'd slapped her. What in the world could've given her that idea? This man was nothing more than... than... a hobo. That was it. A hobo. That's all he could be... right?
She rolled over in the bed and tried to put Jeremy out of her mind, thinking of school and such instead; wondering about her parents' trip, classes she'd miss, how confused her friends would be when she told them the story... And maybe, just maybe, she could share her private thought with Bethany. At least she'd tell it like it was, and that was what she needed then. Then again, knowing her, she'd just 'aww' and 'that's so sweet' her to death. Amanda groaned at the thought.
Again she tried to get him out of her mind, to no avail. She couldn't even get to sleep for thoughts of him. Why can't you get ouf of my head? she thought, sighing. Why couldn't he just stay out? Why... She shook her head. Why was this even bothering her?
Frustrated, she rolled over in the bed and shut her eyes. She needed to get to sleep, if that would stop the thoughts of him. He was just someone she was helping. Nothing more than that.
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He woke with a start, finding himself laying down on the couch he'd sat down on earlier. How much time had passed? It felt like twenty seconds, but it had to have been an hour. Jeremy yawned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Still human. So he wasn't dreaming earlier. He groaned a little, staring at the hallway that the girl from before had gone down. His ears burned as he blushed lightly, recalling his thoughts on her. She really was something to look at, he'd admit...
He shook his head. He couldn't let himself be taken back by a human girl. He had to be focused on figuring out his situation and how to get out of it. Maybe if he could find Mark or Meghan alone and... and... he couldn't think of anything he could do. He would just have to wait for the potion to run its course... but how long would that take? It could be years for all he knew. Or maybe even decades. Then again, it could be days, weeks, or even hours.
At the sudden feeling of nausea, a wave of fear swept over him. Jeremy clutched his thin stomach, nervously breathing as he began looking around to make sure he was alone. Whether or not he was changing back, he couldn't let Amanda see. What if she was for the enemy? What if...
Jeremy sat silent as the nausea wore off. Amanda an enemy? Impossible! She couldn't... No, no, she couldn't be. She seemed way too naive about it. That, and he didn't much like the idea of someone like her being...
'Someone like her'? What was he thinking by that? Even he couldn't seem to figure out his own mental meaning... Maybe someone as nice? Compassionate? Or even... attractive? Much as he wanted to deny it, he was starting to lean for the last option. "That's great," he thought aloud, sighing as he scratched his head. He looked up suddenly as the door from the hall opened, and the girl exited her bedroom to come back to the living room. Out of bred-in civility, he stood, clearing his throat as she came in. She glanced immediately to him, a tired look in her eyes.
"So, have you been awake this whole time?" she asked, yawning softly. He shrugged at first, then nodded, not daring to try to speak to her. After the thoughts he'd had about her just seconds before, he was afraid of what would come out. He watched her move about the room, eventually sitting down on the couch, not thinking a thing about how he had stood until she sat. "I tried to take a nap," she said, as if trying to cause conversation, "but couldn't. Too... too nervous about... about something." He noticed her odd manners, how she seemed a little hesitant to speak herself.
As he sat down, he said nothing. She didn't either, which sort of made him wonder. However, it was his silence that unnerved her. What was he thinking about her? Was she wearing her mind on her sleeve? Was that why he was so quiet? Amanda couldn't resist a light smile at her own thought. No, that would be a little too self-centered for a guy to immediately assume he was liked or admired. Then again, she hadn't known him for a day, so maybe... No. Just... just no.
To bring him out of that uneasy silence, she attempted conversation again. "So... any idea where you're from, now?" She looked hopefully back at her little patient, making a mental note of how he oddly appeared more healthy already. Maybe he would recover quickly and she could send him on his way.
"Uh, no, not really," he said, looking away himself. "I think I was hit pretty hard. Sorry."
"No problem," she said, though something told him she'd rather have him out quickly. He'd much rather be out quickly. He couldn't stand to be so far away from someone who could help him... then again, the Halls were apparently right next door... maybe he'd be okay...
Amanda jumped when he suddenly coughed, going into a fit-like succession. His hand that wasn't covering his mouth was clenching the couch cushion, and, when he stopped, didn't relenquish his grip. He struggled for breath a moment after he finished coughing, apparently in a little bit of pain. He held his chest with his previously occupied hand, and breathed hard. "Are... are you okay?" she asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.
Jeremy nodded, though rubbed his eyes, which had watered in his little episode. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm... I'm fine. I think it's just where I'm... you know..." He indicated his unhealthy physique, and she nodded in understanding. "I think... can I go back to bed? I mean, if it's okay..."
"Why wouldn't it be?" She stood, opening her parents' bedroom door and standing aside. "Feel free to use that as your bedroom." As he walked inside, she added, "Anytime you want." She shut the door after him, wishing him a good rest. Now she could think properly, she figured, because he was out of the way now.
Why does he bother me so much? she thought as she sat alone on the couch. Why does it matter to me? She couldn't really think of an answer. She could only wait until school was over and Chris could come by... Chris! Maybe he could tell her...
The phone rang suddenly, and she quickly reached for it to avoid waking Jeremy. She answered it, and was almost amazed to hear Chris' whispering voice on the other end. "Amanda? Amanda, where are you?"
"Well, considering you called home and I answered..." She stopped, and he laughed a little. "Where are you?"
"Bathroom stall," he said. "You know, the one they don't really put anyone on duty in. It's the only place I could go and be able to use this. Why aren't you here?"
"Because I'd left my homework folder here when I started to leave," she began, thinking of the events making her a little overly happy, "and when I came inside to get it, Jeremy was awake. I had to feed him, of course, but..."
"Jeremy?" Chris' voice repeated, "Who's Jeremy?"
"Oh, that's his name," she said. "You know, the guy we brought in last night? Mrs. Hall's already tended to him, now."
"Ouch."
"Yeah." Amanda smiled a little, already able to see Chris' wince and facial expression. She recalled the time when Mrs. Hall helped him with just a simple burn, how she'd seen him shed a tear for the first time. And that was just last year. "Oh, and... I was wondering..."
"Shoot," he said, and she went on.
"Well... I've been thinking, and... Listen, can you come by later? Alone? I really need to talk to you."
"Well... yeah. Sure. I'll be there." A pause. "Oh, shoot. Hey, Amanda, bell's ringing. I'll be there this evening. Okay?" They said their goodbyes and hung up, and Amanda rested again on the couch. Good ol' Chris. Mr. Hall had always called him 'wise beyond his years', and one would almost say he had a bit of foresight when he did things. He handled his work at school with the most caution and seriousness, and was a little disappointed when his three friends didn't live up to it. He was the sort that you could always talk to, the one you could just vent to and he'd just smile and nod. Amanda knew she always felt better when she talked to him.
It was becoming more and more obvious (to everyone else, not really Amanda) that Chris paid more attention to her than to anyone else. He was always willing to do something for her, even when it meant compromising one of his values (like the whole 'begging to 'compare answers'' thing). Like now. He was more than ready to speak with her when she needed him. In fact, a small rumor was going around that he actually liked her in the way she liked Josh. Maybe he was just trying to show her that he'd be better than that guy. But nonetheless, Amanda didn't really know about the rumor, and didn't notice his attempts. That only made it worse when she started asking him if he thought Josh would be too high up for her, not knowing what it meant to him. Ignorance is bliss, no?
Either way, he was coming that night, and she couldn't really wait to speak with him. She needed answers, and she needed them right then.
Erilis: Ah, hormones.
Diego: -nudge-
Erilis: Ah yes. My one and only reviewer. xP No, I wouldn't say it belongs in a book, but thank you for your opinion. For one thing, if it got in, people would be ticked about that whole 'copyright thing' since I'm using a franchise. Second, they'd hate it, because they'd be like, 'Ew, this sucks.' And yes, it is a rewrite. Yes, it does kick the original's butt. But it isn't that grand anyway. Thanks for your opinion!
Diego: How nice. R&R... that one person (and whoever else decides to).
