Chapter 3-Twist of Fate Utano Amaya
I ran. I ran downtown as fast as I possibly could. I looked for the closest phone booth... Phone booth? In this town? Well.... At least there was a pay phone on the side of the gas station. I completely ignored that I was panting and tired and began dialing on that stupid old thing. Only then I stopped. I stopped because there he was.
Paul was just standing there in the gas station, buying what looked like soda. As if it were the most normal thing to be hanging around a gas station about a trillion miles from your home. He hopped out of the station whistling. I mean it, whistling. Who in their right mind goes around whistling? In broad daylight? Then he turned and looked at me, smirked, waved, and skipped into his fancy "Kiss-me-I'm-rich" car and he drove away.
I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. I probably would have stood there with my mouth hanging way open like some cartoon character for the next three days if the phone hadn't suddenly said "Boop boop boop, We're sorry, if you'd like to make a call..." I hung up.
My breath was kind of short and my head hurt and I'm not even sure how, but somehow I found myself in front of my house, looking up at the giant old building. I looked around bewildered for a moment and then walked in. I went straight up to my room, where Jesse was sitting on my window seat with a book. As soon as I stepped in he stood up. "Susannah," he said, "I felt something strange earlier and...." he caught a glimpse of my face, "Are you all right?" I looked up at him and said, with a dry voice, "Yeah...I'm fine."
"I suppose it would be rather ironic to say you look like you've seen a ghost, wouldn't it?"
I laughed, "No," I said, "What I saw was alive and kicking."
"Wanna talk about it?", It's always weird when Jesse says things like "wanna."
"I don't think that would be a very good idea." Suddenly I looked up at my dresser, "What do you think would make a good back to school outfit for tomorrow?"
"Something modest, with a long flowing skirt." Jesse may be really hot and all, but his fashion sense is way out of date.
There was a knock on the door, and Jesse disappeared. Stupid Sleepy asked me where I was when he went to pick me up. After a good argument he left, and I picked out my outfit alone.
I went to school the next day, but not before looking myself over in the mirror and telling myself how fine I looked. I smiled and brushed my hair back with my hand. I must say that I looked good. I was pretty sure that the whole Paul thing was just some sort of nightmare; some trick of my brain. It was probably just some guy, who looked like Paul, or there was no one there at all and my brain was freaking out from what I read in the book. You know? Like I was having a nervous breakdown or something. But I was pretty darn sure Paul hadn't come here. Why would he? Nope, I was the queen of confidence. Sleepy drove me to school, after a hardy breakfast. Andy, my stepdad, can really cook. I arrived at school and was hanging around waiting for the bell when I hear this voice behind me. (AN: If you want to skip the next part, just think of the sample chapter, because this is my take/summary of that)
"Well, well, well," said the deep masculine voice behind me, "If it isn't Susannah Simon."
Okay, I could totally tell by this guy's voice that he was easy on the eyes, and even though Jesse is my boyfriend (so I'm a bit optimistic on that, who could blame me?) I decided to give my hair a bit of a toss as I turned around. Except that as I turned and gave my chestnut mane a flip, I noticed that this cutie who said my name? Yeah, he's not someone I'm very fond of. Actually I'm scared to death of him.
And then he totally did this whole cocky, "Why-are-you-treating-the new-kid- at-school-this-way?" spiel, I was totally speechless. My mouth was very dry and I couldn't even talk. And then he grabbed my arm. I had quite a few impulses right there, such as: Scream Run-Away Beat Him Up (I'm pretty sure he would have hit me back, and with something more powerful than fists.)
But of course I couldn't do any of these things, so after I finally found my voice (which was very shaky, you would of thought I was standing on a jack-hammer or something) I said, "Let go of my arm." "Suze," He said all smiling and sly like, "What's the matter? You don't look very happy to see me." No, really? What would make you think something like that? What earthly reason could I have for not wanting to see you?
Well...maybe that time you tried to kill me set me on the edge, just a bit.
"Still not letting go of my arm." I reminded him nervously, and he dropped his arm. "Look," he said, "I really am sorry about the way things went the last time you and I met." I couldn't believe it. And I knew this wasn't some nightmare, because in my nightmares Adam and CeeCee wouldn't be walking by and saying "Hey, Suze" Like this was any other day while I was staring down Paul. As soon as they were out of earshot I said, "You mean the part where you tried to kill me?"
"I never tried to kill you, Suze."
"Oh," I laughed, "Right."
"I mean it. I'm just...I'm just not very good at losing, you see." Listen bud, there's a difference between sore losers and maniacs, and you are definitely a maniac.
"You didn't lose anything." I said, staring at him terrified out of my mind.
"Didn't I, Suze?" His gaze bore into mine, let me tell you he is downright creepy. He smiled, "Suze," he said, "Don't be this way. It's a new school year, can't we make a new start?"
"No." I said, proud that my voice didn't shake this time, "We can't. In fact, you-you'd better stay away from me."
"Or what?"
"You'll regret it."
"So you'll sic your boyfriend on me?" Actually, if Jesse knew he were here he could, and probably would, kill him. Except Jesse isn't exactly my boyfriend. And he must have figured this out.
"So that's how it is," He laughed, "I never really thought Jesse was your type. You need someone a little less-"
But right then CeeCee walked up, "Suze, Who's your friend?" I wasn't exactly in the mood for introductions, I was more thinking of going down to the office and ask them what they were thinking, letting a guy like him in.
Only I couldn't because Paul stuck out his hand and said, "Hi, I'm Paul Slater. Nice to meet you."
Of course CeeCee had no clue about this guy, because I hadn't told her, or anybody for that matter. She seemed to have no problem taking his hand and introducing herself as "CeeCee Webb."
"You must be new." She commented.
"My first day, luckily I already know Ms. Simon." He said all calm and smooth like, totally putting on his charms, could CeeCee resist?
"Did you used to go to her old school?" She asked.
I knew it was time to step in. "No," I answered sharply, "He didn't. Look, we better get to homeroom."
"We had a thing this summer." I totally can't believe this guy for saying something like that.
"There was no thing." I hastened to assure her. CeeCee's eyes widened and it was clear she didn't believe me. Not that she had any right to, I may be her best friend but I've never been completely honest with her.
"So you broke up?" she asked pointedly.
"No, we didn't" Paul answered with a smirk on his face. Because we were never going out! I wanted to shriek, Look CeeCee, this guy isn't what he seems, he not normal, he's...he's... Actually, I wasn't sure what he was, a monster, I guess. Then again, Paul and I had far more in common than I was comfortable admitting, even to myself. Sister Ernestine came by and told us it was time to move along, and on the way Paul was all about telling CeeCee how him and I go way back, and how we met. I was a wreck "Jack sends his regards, by the way, Suze." He said.
"Oh?" I muttered nervously. "He's back in Seattle with the parental units." Then what was Paul doing here? Why wasn't he with his family instead of making my life a nightmare? Of course my fear didn't change the fact that Paul and I still had something to talk about.
"Well," I said, "gotta go. Homeroom calls."
"You won't find them there." He sent chills down my back.
I didn't want to know what he was talking about. But even though I didn't want to, I asked, "I won't find what here?"
"The answers you're looking for. Why you, of all people are chosen, and what exactly you are." I didn't have to ask what he meant; he was talking about our gift, the gift that he seemed to have so much more control and knowledge over than I did. He walked away, leaving me alone in the breezeway with CeeCee.
"What," she wanted to know, "was he talking about? And who on earth is Jesse?" (AN: OK, now it's back to the storyline that I actually came up with myself, and isn't the result of Meg Cabot's genius, even though all of these fantastic characters and their wonderful qualities ARE hers.)
Oh dear...um...well, what do you say at times like this? Something along the lines of "Oh, Jesse? Well he's just this hot Spanish ghost who lives in my room and who I can see because I see dead people and spend a lot of my time fixing problems they left behind when they died so they can move on to wherever it is people go when they kick the bucket"? Somehow I didn't think she'd go for that. So instead I said, "Jesse is just this guy I used to know back at New York. Paul is just a dork who likes to spread freakish rumors about people, he's like scum, so don't go for him."
She still seemed suspicious buy she said "Oohh-Kaay" anyway. We went to homeroom while I was silently praying for something to happen to make him get away from this school and my friends. I'm not sure if there's a God or anything (even though I go to this Catholic school) but I figure if there was one he would find it appropriate to strike Paul with lightning or something. When I got to class there was this call slip waiting for me to call me into the office. I was so glad to take it. Me and Father Dom had some serious talking to do. AN: Okay, I know. There was no cliffhanger or interesting end to that chapter, in fact, most of it was a summary thing on the sample chapter for the fifth book, which I didn't even come up with myself, but oh well...Things will DEFINITELY get more exciting, you just wait. I have some totally creepy things in mind. And the people who wanted longer chapters got their wish! Congrads!
I ran. I ran downtown as fast as I possibly could. I looked for the closest phone booth... Phone booth? In this town? Well.... At least there was a pay phone on the side of the gas station. I completely ignored that I was panting and tired and began dialing on that stupid old thing. Only then I stopped. I stopped because there he was.
Paul was just standing there in the gas station, buying what looked like soda. As if it were the most normal thing to be hanging around a gas station about a trillion miles from your home. He hopped out of the station whistling. I mean it, whistling. Who in their right mind goes around whistling? In broad daylight? Then he turned and looked at me, smirked, waved, and skipped into his fancy "Kiss-me-I'm-rich" car and he drove away.
I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. I probably would have stood there with my mouth hanging way open like some cartoon character for the next three days if the phone hadn't suddenly said "Boop boop boop, We're sorry, if you'd like to make a call..." I hung up.
My breath was kind of short and my head hurt and I'm not even sure how, but somehow I found myself in front of my house, looking up at the giant old building. I looked around bewildered for a moment and then walked in. I went straight up to my room, where Jesse was sitting on my window seat with a book. As soon as I stepped in he stood up. "Susannah," he said, "I felt something strange earlier and...." he caught a glimpse of my face, "Are you all right?" I looked up at him and said, with a dry voice, "Yeah...I'm fine."
"I suppose it would be rather ironic to say you look like you've seen a ghost, wouldn't it?"
I laughed, "No," I said, "What I saw was alive and kicking."
"Wanna talk about it?", It's always weird when Jesse says things like "wanna."
"I don't think that would be a very good idea." Suddenly I looked up at my dresser, "What do you think would make a good back to school outfit for tomorrow?"
"Something modest, with a long flowing skirt." Jesse may be really hot and all, but his fashion sense is way out of date.
There was a knock on the door, and Jesse disappeared. Stupid Sleepy asked me where I was when he went to pick me up. After a good argument he left, and I picked out my outfit alone.
I went to school the next day, but not before looking myself over in the mirror and telling myself how fine I looked. I smiled and brushed my hair back with my hand. I must say that I looked good. I was pretty sure that the whole Paul thing was just some sort of nightmare; some trick of my brain. It was probably just some guy, who looked like Paul, or there was no one there at all and my brain was freaking out from what I read in the book. You know? Like I was having a nervous breakdown or something. But I was pretty darn sure Paul hadn't come here. Why would he? Nope, I was the queen of confidence. Sleepy drove me to school, after a hardy breakfast. Andy, my stepdad, can really cook. I arrived at school and was hanging around waiting for the bell when I hear this voice behind me. (AN: If you want to skip the next part, just think of the sample chapter, because this is my take/summary of that)
"Well, well, well," said the deep masculine voice behind me, "If it isn't Susannah Simon."
Okay, I could totally tell by this guy's voice that he was easy on the eyes, and even though Jesse is my boyfriend (so I'm a bit optimistic on that, who could blame me?) I decided to give my hair a bit of a toss as I turned around. Except that as I turned and gave my chestnut mane a flip, I noticed that this cutie who said my name? Yeah, he's not someone I'm very fond of. Actually I'm scared to death of him.
And then he totally did this whole cocky, "Why-are-you-treating-the new-kid- at-school-this-way?" spiel, I was totally speechless. My mouth was very dry and I couldn't even talk. And then he grabbed my arm. I had quite a few impulses right there, such as: Scream Run-Away Beat Him Up (I'm pretty sure he would have hit me back, and with something more powerful than fists.)
But of course I couldn't do any of these things, so after I finally found my voice (which was very shaky, you would of thought I was standing on a jack-hammer or something) I said, "Let go of my arm." "Suze," He said all smiling and sly like, "What's the matter? You don't look very happy to see me." No, really? What would make you think something like that? What earthly reason could I have for not wanting to see you?
Well...maybe that time you tried to kill me set me on the edge, just a bit.
"Still not letting go of my arm." I reminded him nervously, and he dropped his arm. "Look," he said, "I really am sorry about the way things went the last time you and I met." I couldn't believe it. And I knew this wasn't some nightmare, because in my nightmares Adam and CeeCee wouldn't be walking by and saying "Hey, Suze" Like this was any other day while I was staring down Paul. As soon as they were out of earshot I said, "You mean the part where you tried to kill me?"
"I never tried to kill you, Suze."
"Oh," I laughed, "Right."
"I mean it. I'm just...I'm just not very good at losing, you see." Listen bud, there's a difference between sore losers and maniacs, and you are definitely a maniac.
"You didn't lose anything." I said, staring at him terrified out of my mind.
"Didn't I, Suze?" His gaze bore into mine, let me tell you he is downright creepy. He smiled, "Suze," he said, "Don't be this way. It's a new school year, can't we make a new start?"
"No." I said, proud that my voice didn't shake this time, "We can't. In fact, you-you'd better stay away from me."
"Or what?"
"You'll regret it."
"So you'll sic your boyfriend on me?" Actually, if Jesse knew he were here he could, and probably would, kill him. Except Jesse isn't exactly my boyfriend. And he must have figured this out.
"So that's how it is," He laughed, "I never really thought Jesse was your type. You need someone a little less-"
But right then CeeCee walked up, "Suze, Who's your friend?" I wasn't exactly in the mood for introductions, I was more thinking of going down to the office and ask them what they were thinking, letting a guy like him in.
Only I couldn't because Paul stuck out his hand and said, "Hi, I'm Paul Slater. Nice to meet you."
Of course CeeCee had no clue about this guy, because I hadn't told her, or anybody for that matter. She seemed to have no problem taking his hand and introducing herself as "CeeCee Webb."
"You must be new." She commented.
"My first day, luckily I already know Ms. Simon." He said all calm and smooth like, totally putting on his charms, could CeeCee resist?
"Did you used to go to her old school?" She asked.
I knew it was time to step in. "No," I answered sharply, "He didn't. Look, we better get to homeroom."
"We had a thing this summer." I totally can't believe this guy for saying something like that.
"There was no thing." I hastened to assure her. CeeCee's eyes widened and it was clear she didn't believe me. Not that she had any right to, I may be her best friend but I've never been completely honest with her.
"So you broke up?" she asked pointedly.
"No, we didn't" Paul answered with a smirk on his face. Because we were never going out! I wanted to shriek, Look CeeCee, this guy isn't what he seems, he not normal, he's...he's... Actually, I wasn't sure what he was, a monster, I guess. Then again, Paul and I had far more in common than I was comfortable admitting, even to myself. Sister Ernestine came by and told us it was time to move along, and on the way Paul was all about telling CeeCee how him and I go way back, and how we met. I was a wreck "Jack sends his regards, by the way, Suze." He said.
"Oh?" I muttered nervously. "He's back in Seattle with the parental units." Then what was Paul doing here? Why wasn't he with his family instead of making my life a nightmare? Of course my fear didn't change the fact that Paul and I still had something to talk about.
"Well," I said, "gotta go. Homeroom calls."
"You won't find them there." He sent chills down my back.
I didn't want to know what he was talking about. But even though I didn't want to, I asked, "I won't find what here?"
"The answers you're looking for. Why you, of all people are chosen, and what exactly you are." I didn't have to ask what he meant; he was talking about our gift, the gift that he seemed to have so much more control and knowledge over than I did. He walked away, leaving me alone in the breezeway with CeeCee.
"What," she wanted to know, "was he talking about? And who on earth is Jesse?" (AN: OK, now it's back to the storyline that I actually came up with myself, and isn't the result of Meg Cabot's genius, even though all of these fantastic characters and their wonderful qualities ARE hers.)
Oh dear...um...well, what do you say at times like this? Something along the lines of "Oh, Jesse? Well he's just this hot Spanish ghost who lives in my room and who I can see because I see dead people and spend a lot of my time fixing problems they left behind when they died so they can move on to wherever it is people go when they kick the bucket"? Somehow I didn't think she'd go for that. So instead I said, "Jesse is just this guy I used to know back at New York. Paul is just a dork who likes to spread freakish rumors about people, he's like scum, so don't go for him."
She still seemed suspicious buy she said "Oohh-Kaay" anyway. We went to homeroom while I was silently praying for something to happen to make him get away from this school and my friends. I'm not sure if there's a God or anything (even though I go to this Catholic school) but I figure if there was one he would find it appropriate to strike Paul with lightning or something. When I got to class there was this call slip waiting for me to call me into the office. I was so glad to take it. Me and Father Dom had some serious talking to do. AN: Okay, I know. There was no cliffhanger or interesting end to that chapter, in fact, most of it was a summary thing on the sample chapter for the fifth book, which I didn't even come up with myself, but oh well...Things will DEFINITELY get more exciting, you just wait. I have some totally creepy things in mind. And the people who wanted longer chapters got their wish! Congrads!