CHAPTER. THIRTEEN
Eden went on her half an hour run with Clark and was ready for school by six thirty. She decided to wear her mother's necklace and placed her Jade stone in a small black velvet pouch and put it in her pocket. She removed her drawing from the pad, grabbed her school bag and purse, and went downstairs. She could smell bacon in the air and Clark took off running for the kitchen.
She entered the room and set her bag down on one of the chairs at the bistro.
"Good morning Eden, your breakfast is almost ready."
"It smells great."
"I made you some tea with chamomile and horehound."
"I'm sorry, chamomile and what?" Eden questioned.
"Horehound. It helps to clear your mind and focus. I figured it would be perfect for you since you're going to school. You won't even taste it in the tea." Eden chuckled and took a sip.
"It's good."
"Of course it's good! Why don't you sit down and I'll serve you some food."
"Before I sit down, I made this for you yesterday after we got back from the cemetery. Nina gave me the idea." Eden held up the large drawing in front of her.
"You did all of this yesterday?" Abigail asked.
"I was up until eleven thirty working on it." Abigail took it in her hands and examined it with a smile on her face.
"You even put your mother's face in the sun" she smiled.
"Yeah, I thought you would like that."
"I love this, thank you." She hugged Eden and made her sit down to eat.
"I will have to find a frame for it so I can hang it up in the living room over my altar."
"Expect more too because I'm always drawing something" Eden giggled.
"I have plenty of wall space in this house for your art. Now eat up before you run out of time!"
Eden ate her plate of scrambled eggs, sausage links, bacon, and toast and quickly brushed her teeth upstairs.
"Eden!"
"I'm coming!" Eden ran down the stairs, grabbed her bag, kissed her grandmother and Clark, and walked out to her car.
Eden pulled into the Gero Island High School parking lot. The school had two floors and was rectangular; it was a stone building and looked like it could be part of a college campus. There were a few students outside on the front lawn lounging on the grass in groups of three and four. She really missed her friends. She had sent Luke a text message that morning telling him how much she missed him and that she was starting school. He didn't reply yet, but she didn't expect him to since it was only four in the morning in Washington.
She walked into the school and saw the hallway full of students. Some stared at her as she walked by and Eden browsed to see if she could find Nina, but no luck. She decided to ask where the office was and a freshman pointed her in the right direction.
Eden opened the oak door and the woman behind the desk smiled at her.
"Can I help you?" the secretary, Mrs. Bloom, asked her.
"It's my first day and I don't know my schedule or anything" Eden replied.
"Your name please?" Mrs. Bloom removed a set of manila folders from under a paper weight.
"Eden Pogue." She fingered through the files and said, "Here you are." Mrs. Bloom handed the folder to Eden; Eden looked at her schedule and saw that she was taking Art.
"If you have any questions, Ms. Wallace in the Guidance Department will help you. Your locker number should be on the schedule and it's your choice to put a lock on it." She handed Eden a small ringed book with the face of a Bald Eagle on it and the words Gero Island High School around the head.
"That's your agenda book for all of your assignments."
"Thank you very much." Eden walked back out into the hallway and looked at her schedule again. Her cell phone went off and she took it out of her purse. It was a text message from Nina saying that she was in the cafeteria at the end of the hall. She moved swiftly through the crowd of teenagers and entered the large refectory. Eden spotted Nina sitting on one of the tables with another girl.
She made her way over to them and said hello.
"I was wondering when you were going to get here."
"I got my schedule."
"Can I take a look?"
"Sure. I have no idea where I'm going" Eden laughed.
"Oh Eden, this is Rowan Jacobs, Trent's cousin. Rowan, this is Eden Pogue."
"Nina has been telling me all about you and your eyes," said Rowan with a laughing tone.
"My eyes are the rave" Eden laughed. Rowan had long dark brown hair and the same gold eyes as Trent. She had a pretty face and wide smile.
"So, you have Calculus first which sucks, but Mr. Joy is nice. You have Spanish with Mrs. Caldwell and she's the nicest out of the three Spanish teachers. Hey, you have History with me! That means we have lunch together, that's awesome! Mr. Langdon is young and hot! You have English with Mrs. Black, who I haven't had but hear she's fun. Advanced Chem., huh? Good luck with that, I hate Chemistry. Mrs. Alban is a little testy so watch out. Then we have lunch and then you have Art with Mrs. Bruno. At least they put you in Art, right?"
"Yeah, I was excited to see that on there. I need help finding my locker."
"We can do that, come on." Eden walked with Rowan and Nina and took a left down another hallway.
"The first floor is the English and Math departments, as well as the Gym, office, etcetera. The second floor is where the Foreign Language, History, and Science departments are. Art is also on the second floor too. The library is down the hall we'll be turning into and the nurse is next to the Guidance office."
"Excellent." They stopped at locker 155 and Eden placed her extra folders, binders, and notebooks inside. It was nice to have the extra weight off her shoulder.
"Do I have any classes with you Rowan?" Eden asked.
"I'm a junior" she answered.
"I think you have Chemistry with Reid, Trent, and Vince though."
"Who are they?" Eden shut her locker door and leaned up against it.
"Trent you already know and the other two are friend's of ours. We're all at third lunch, how funny is that" Nina laughed. The bell rang and students scurried to their classes.
"Just go to the end of this hallway Eden and your classroom is on the right."
"Thanks. I'll see you in History."
"Okay." Nina and Rowan went off in the other direction and Eden walked to her class.
Eden was unfortunate to find that Calculus was quite boring. She happens to be re-learning stuff she already did at her last school, so she started drawing on her notebook.
Spanish was even more tedious. Eden felt like she had gone back in time and completed her assignments quickly. Breaking up into pairs was the most excitement.
Eden met up with Nina in History. She sat down next to her and the teacher handed her a textbook.
"How were your last two classes?" Nina asked, taking out her book, pen, and note pad.
"Boring." Nina laughed and said, "Hopefully this one isn't."
"What are we learning?"
"We just started the Salem Witch Trials."
"A topic I can stay awake to."
"You're funny."
"I try."
In English, Eden's class was reading The Scarlett Letter, a book Eden enjoyed. She could read it over and over and never get sick of it.
She was seated in the back of the room and instead of desks, there were tables that seated two students next to each other. Of course Eden was sitting alone, not that she didn't mind. Her eyes kept wandering to the empty space and she couldn't help but wonder who sat there.
Eden walked into Advanced Chemistry; again, there were tables that sat two instead of individual desks, but another table was faced in front of it so four kids were looking at each other. She saw Trent sitting in the back of the room; he smiled and crazily waved at her as if she was miles away from him. She laughed and waved back.
"You must be Eden Pogue," said the teacher, Mrs. Alban.
"Yes."
"Welcome to Advanced Chemistry. I have a book for you and you'll be sitting next to Mr. Whitten in the back. When class is over, I need to give you a packet of work that will catch you up."
"Okay, thanks." Eden made her way to the back with her textbook and sat down next to Trent.
"How's your first day going?" he asked her with a grin.
"Not bad. I've already learned most of the stuff in my other classes though."
"Ahead of everyone else, that's awesome!" Eden laughed and took out a notebook and pen. She looked up and saw two guys walk in; one had short brown hair and brown eyes. He had a small stud in his right ear and a silver chain around his neck.
The other guy was the same height, short brown hair and light green eyes. He was also wearing a silver chain, but had no piercings of any kind. He was very attractive, like a male model for Calvin Klein.
"Hey Trent" the first guy greeted him.
"What's up Reid?"
"Who's this?" Reid smiled, looking at Eden. The second guy placed his stuff on the table and sat down.
"Guys, this is Eden Pogue. Eden, this is Reid and that's Vincent Wesley."
"Nice to meet you guys. Brothers?"
"Unfortunately" Vincent answered. She laughed and Reid shot him a look.
"How are you liking the island?" Reid asked her.
"I love it so far."
"Where are you from?" asked Vincent. Eden noticed that he seemed a little tense when he saw her.
"Seattle."
"This is a big change for you then."
"Yeah, but I'm adjusting quickly."
"What made you move out here?" Trent asked.
"Personal decision."
"Rough times back home?"
"Yeah" she replied and left it at that. Vincent's head tilted a little but he straightened it quickly before Eden could notice.
"Hey boys" greeted a girl diagonal from them. She was leaning against the table trying to be noticed. She had on a short black miniskirt and a pink tank top; she has straight jet black layered hair just past her shoulders and her eyes almost looked black.
"Hey Kate" Vincent answered without looking at her. Eden noticed that that seemed to make her upset and she approached them. The girl was trying too hard and Eden did her best not to laugh at how ridiculous she looked. She looked like she came with the attitude of a pit bull with rabies.
"How was that party on the beach? Kick ass right?" Kate asked them. She ignored Eden completely and Trent looked as if he was stuck in a trance.
"You weren't there," said Reid.
"Oh, I was. I was just away with Nate for a while. You know what happens when I start drinking Jack Daniels" she smiled.
"No, I don't think I do" he replied cunningly. Eden smirked and started drawing on her notebook.
"Well, you would if…"
"Kate, meet Eden Pogue. Eden, this is Kate Basil" Vincent interrupted her. Kate glanced at Eden and gave her half a smile with a growl. Eden raised an eyebrow and looked at Reid.
"She's the Queen Bee around here, isn't that right Kate?" Kate narrowed her eyes at him and went back to her seat.
"I don't think she likes me much," said Eden.
"Just ignore her, we do" Vincent replied.
"Don't underestimate her though, she's an evil little thing" Reid added.
"You'd know all about that, wouldn't you?"
"What are you implying?" Reid asked his brother.
"Think about it."
"She may be evil, but she sure is sexy" Trent chimed in. They all laughed and the teacher started her lesson.
After class was over, Eden was given a packet to do throughout the week; Reid was waiting for her outside the classroom.
"Where are you off to now?" he asked her.
"Lunch."
"Great, I'll walk you there."
"Thanks. So, are you and Vincent twins?" Eden asked, trying to make conversation.
"We look alike don't we?" he grinned. Eden laughed and said, "No, not really."
"We're fraternal twins. He's older by two minutes."
"Very cool."
"It's alright. Do you have any siblings?"
"No, I don't. I have my dog Clark."
"Dogs make great companions."
"No objections here."
"Where are you living?"
"Morgan Hill."
"Vincent and I live close to there on Parsippany."
"I have no idea where that is, but awesome." He laughed coolly as they approached the cafeteria. Nina and the others were arranging at a table towards the right wall as Reid and Eden walked to them.
"I see you've met one of the Wesley brothers," said Nina.
"I've met them both actually" Eden corrected her.
"Someone you haven't met is Chad Parry. Chad, this is Eden Pogue." He smiled and said hi.
"She's Mrs. Gregory's granddaughter" Nina added.
"I didn't know she had a granddaughter," said Vincent.
"That's what I said" Trent replied.
"I'm going to grab some food" Eden told the group.
"I'll go with you," said Rowan as she got up from her seat. Reid sat down in Rowan's chair as the two girls got in line.
"If she's Abby's granddaughter, then she must be one of us right?" Chad asked his friends.
"Most likely, but she doesn't have to be anything guys. We need proof" Reid announced as he put his feet up on the table. Vincent knocked them off and said, "People eat here."
"What's your point?" Vincent glared at him for a second and then relaxed.
"Why don't we just ask her?" asked Trent.
"You didn't just ask that question, did you?"
"What's wrong with that question?"
"Everything is wrong with that question Trent! You can't go up to someone and ask if they're a witch!" Nina exclaimed, keeping her voice low.
"That's a good point" he re-thought.
"Abby's lineage is a strong one, so there's a good chance she could be one" said Vincent.
"She's already had a run in with Kate," said Reid.
"It wasn't a run in Reid, it was Kate being herself. When there's a new girl in school that's more attractive than her, she gets jealous and the real Kate comes out" Vincent replied. That was the first time Nina has ever heard Vincent judge a girl and she smiled. She wasn't the only one who noticed either. Reid looked like he was in shock and Vincent tried hard not to notice.
"We'll just wait a little while and then approach her, end of story. Let's move on. I don't know about you guys, but Eden is gorgeous" Reid smiled. Chad and Trent agreed with him as Vincent sat quietly.
"Hey, if Eden decides to do magic, couldn't you trace it Chad?" Nina asked him.
"Possibly, but Abby's house is protected inside and I can't trace anything done within it."
"Bummer." Eden and Rowan returned to the table and sat down.
"What's the deal with Kate Basil?" Eden asked Nina.
"Miss Perfect?"
"She wasn't welcoming."
"She never is. She is the type of girl that thinks the world evolves around her and only her. If you cross her, she will make your life miserable" Reid told Eden.
"Really?"
"Poor Trent has it bad for her" Rowan laughed.
"Shut up."
"Just ignore her Eden. It takes Kate a while to warm up to someone, if she warms up to them at all," said Vincent. Eden nodded and took a bite of her ham and cheese wrap.
After lunch she walked to Art class. She didn't know anyone, but making conversation was easy once they looked at her drawing. By the time the other students had the basic outline done for a house, Eden was already working on the detailed siding. They watched more than working on their own art. Even Mrs. Bruno was impressed.
The bell rang and Eden made her way out to the parking lot.
"Hey Eden!" she heard someone yell from behind her. Eden turned her head and saw Nina and Rowan making their way through the crowd of students.
"Hey guys." The girls reached her car and Eden threw her bag into the backseat.
"How was your first day?" Nina asked her.
"Pretty good actually. The most excitement I saw was when I was sitting with Vincent, Reid, and Trent in Advanced Chem" Eden laughed.
"The little thing with Kate you're talking about right?" asked Rowan.
"That yeah and Trent's just a goofball."
"Yeah he is, but he's the glue that keeps us all together" Nina giggled.
"Do you two need a ride home?" Eden offered.
"I drove. We just wanted to see how your first day went and wanted to know if you want to join us at Webster Park."
"I would but I have this packet I have to do for Chemistry. I'll see you guys tomorrow though." They said okay and Rowan followed Nina to her car.
Eden got in hers and started it up. She was definite she was going to like living on the island.
Over the next week, Eden spent a lot of time with Nina, Rowan, and the guys. She noticed that Vincent wasn't like his friends or brother; he didn't make much conversation with everyone and rarely smiled. There were a few times when he did and Eden couldn't help but smile back.
There had been rare occasions when her and Vincent would spark up a discussion. The right words lit him up like the sun on a warm summer day. His brother, Reid, was the complete opposite of him. He, from what Eden could see, was a womanizer. He presented himself as a bad boy, but Eden saw through him. To her, it was quite amusing.
Trent tried too hard with the ladies. He was cute and all, but the desperate attempts weren't working. He was attached to Kate at the hip, but her focus was on the Wesley twins.
Chad reminded Eden of Luke, but so did Trent. He was easy to talk to and had a feeling that he liked Nina. He would glance at her at lunch and she never seemed to notice. Nina was too busy staring at Reid.
Rowan was a follower. The relationship between her and Trent were more like brother and sister than cousins. She was like Mica in a sense, especially when it came to Chad Parry. The girl had goo goo eyes for him. Rowan was never alone and Eden had seen her with Kate a few times, which was surprising, but she had never said anything bad about her before.
Eden noticed that a lot of the girls at school like Reid, Chad, and especially Vincent. They would stop and stare at them as the guys walked by them in the hallway. If Eden was ever staring, she was staring right at Vincent. The less he talked, the more intriguing he was to her. She always loved a good challenge. What could cause someone to act oblivious to those around him? Or…was it an act?