Chapter 7

Tess didn't see Tyler again until swim practice. She got there just in time to see Pogue's race start. Her English teacher made her stay late to discuss a project.

"Come on Pogue," Tess cheered as she headed toward Reid and Tyler. She smiled briefly at Reid before looking at Tyler. "I need to talk to you after this."

Tyler nodded once before turning back to the race. Chase wandered over to Caleb after Pogue won his race.

"He really is good," Chase said genuinely impressed.

"The best," Caleb pointed out. "So I hear you swim a mean freestyle."

"That's what they tell me," Chase replied.

"Let's see what you've got," Caleb said.

Tess nudged Reid as Caleb and Chase dove into the water. "No way this guy beats Caleb," Tess said quickly.

"Care to make a bet on that Parry," Reid asked.

"Twenty says Caleb wins," Tess replied with a smirk. The entire pool erupted in cheers as Caleb and Chase started back toward the start.

"Come on Caleb," Tess shouted as they drew closer. Caleb's last few strokes were to fast and messy. "Something's wrong."

Tyler met Tess' gaze as Caleb collided head first with the wall. Chase dove down and pulled Caleb up. Pogue and Reid helped Chase haul Caleb out of the water. The laid him on the deck and leaned over him anxiously.

"You ok man," Chase asked as Caleb's eyes opened. "There you are, you had us going there for a second."

"You whacked your head pretty good," Pogue pointed out.

"Lucky for you Chase was there to get you out before you sucked up the pool," Tyler said.

"He also wiped your ass," Reid said smugly. Tess shook her head and knelt down next to Caleb.

"Will you say something please," Tess demanded as she helped Caleb sit up.

"Ow," Caleb muttered. The guys laughed and headed toward their locker room. Caleb remained on the deck next to Tess.

"What happened," Tess asked softly. "I could tell something was wrong."

"I think he has the power," Caleb whispered. Tess pulled back slightly and glanced around to be sure they were alone.

"Are you sure Caleb," Tess asked nervously.

"His eyes, they were black Tess just like ours when we use," Caleb explained.

"It would make sense," Tess said. "I mean none of us are sending the darklings someone has to be doing it."

Caleb nodded slowly. "Don't say anything until I can get some proof," Caleb said. He started to walk away but Tess stopped him.

"Let me look at your head before you go stupid," Tess said pulling him back over to her. She pulled his chin down so she could see the top of his head. Caleb put his hands on her waist to steady her as she rose up on her tiptoes.

"I think you'll survive," Tess said as the door from the locker room opened. Caleb hugged Tess before going to change. Tess glanced over to the door and saw Tyler standing there a hurt expression on his face.

"You said you wanted to talk," Tyler reminded her.

"Yeah, you didn't give me a chance to say anything to you this morning," Tess reminded him.

"I think I understand you don't have to explain it," Tyler said angrily.

"Why are you mad," Tess asked in surprise.

"You two should tell Sara I'm sure she would be interested to know that her boyfriend is into his best friend's sister," Tyler snapped. For the second time that day, he stormed off without waiting for anything else.

"I swear he's like a girl sometimes," Tess muttered in exasperation.