"SUZE!"
I jerked from my comfortable position on my bed as I heard my stepbrother Brad yelling right outside my door. "I'm leaving in ten minutes whether you're up or not." I sat bolt upright and almost killed myself trying to get out of bed. Godddamn these sheets. I swear, they are TRYING to end me. I don't know what I ever did to them...SO! Anyway, back to my superb lateness. I stumbled over to my dresser and after shifting through it, I pulled out an aqua green shirt made of a very cool and slithery material along with a pair of black jeans. I then rushed to the bathroom to change. Why you ask? Because I have a prude guy living in my room. I know what you're thinking, and he lives in my room in a completely non-pervy way. Well....what I mean is that he lives in my room because he was killed there. Yeah...you guessed it, the prude guy who was currently taking up residence in my room was a ghost. Do I still seem sane? I was in the procedure of trying to pull on my top while brushing my teeth, (way more difficult than it seems, I swear.) when I remembered something. Jesse didn't live in my room anymore. Oh yeah...but, oh well. At least I knew that he liked me back, maybe even, dare I say it...loved me? So, I was in a better mood than would be expected from someone who had until the day before believed that the guy she was totally head over heels in love with was moving out because he hated her. But, I was wrong about that, so....MOVING ON! I buttoned my pants and ran to my room, grabbed a nice comfortable pair of sneakers from under my bed, a pair of socks from my dresser and bolted downstairs. I was flying out the door and I saw that Brad was pulling out of the driveway. He glanced up at me and grinned evilly before he began looking behind him. I don't think he would have stopped if David hadn't grabbed the stick shift and jerked it suddenly. I ran to the car and stopped Brad from killing him before we headed off to another beautiful and glorious day at school. Not.
I walked into the Mission right before the bell rang, earning a stare from Sister Ernestine. I don't know why she was growling at me; I got here on time didn't I? She just hates me, I swear. So, I headed to the morning assembly and sat down peacefully...for about thirty seconds.
"Hello, Suze."
I stiffened as his arm curled around my shoulder.
"Hi Paul. Could ya stop touching me?"
I heard Paul sniff as he moved from behind me to beside me. Damn. Why am I so attractive to this boy? I turned to face him.
"Now, when will be meeting to discuss...erm, that one thing?"
Paul chuckled softly. 'We'll meet at my house. Seven tonight. That good for you?"
I shifted uncomfortably before answering.
'Fine, but only for an hour, and we're not going in your room, or anywhere where there is a bedlike surface." Paul chuckled again. "You can trust me. I'll keep my hands to myself."
I scoffed and scooted away from him.
"According to my brain, I have heard that numerous times from you."
Paul scooted back to his old position, meaning as close as possible to me and put his arm around my shoulder again.
"Yeah, but I mean it this time."
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. I was just about to give up hope on a sexual harassment free assembly when I saw Adam and CeeCee walking in. I jumped up and quickly headed towards them. Yes! Safety! Adam noticed me first.
"Suze! You are alive! I haven't seen you in two days! Mwah!"
With that, he pulled me into a bone crushing bear hug.
"ADAM! Ribs...need oxygen..."
He laughed and set me back down. CeeCee was glaring at me. At first I thought that she was mad at me because I was getting attention from Adam...and then I remembered that I had abandoned her at the canoli booth. Oops. I grinned sheepishly at her and then held out my arms to her to see if she would take the bait. She glared at me a few seconds longer, then rolled her eyes and with a sigh, she began to hug me.
"You're not getting off with deserting me that early, Simon. You still have to pay."
I continued grinning and we headed away from Paul to find a place to sit. Yes! Mission accomplished. Assembly was, like always, quite dull and it was now time for me to head to homeroom. But, just my luck, Paul happened to be in my homeroom. Damn it. I headed to my locker, put in my combo, grabbed the books I would need for me next three classes, and headed for homeroom.
Classes were very dull, and I was exceptionally glad for the final bell. I ran to my locker so I could put away my things. I had just deposited my books and papers when someone jabbed my shoulder. I turned around quickly, and saw my most favorite person in the world. Not.
"What do you want Paul."
He ran a hand through his hair and glanced around the hallway before answering.
"You haven't forgotten about our, ahem...shifting lessons this evening, have you?"
I shook my head.
"I have not forgotten Paul. I will be there at seven."
Paul looked me straight in the eye as if to check my sincerity.
"How will you be getting to my place?"
Oh crap. I forgot about that. Paul smiled and leaned one shoulder against my now closed locker. "I guess I'll be picking you up then. See you at seven."
He began walking away, and I snapped out of my stupor quickly enough to realize that if I didn't hurry, I was going to miss all chances of a ride. I ran outside to the parking lot and looked for Brad's car. It wasn't there. I then began searching for Adam's VW. That, alas, was also gone. I heaved a great sigh and began walking home. Damn you Paul. I was still cursing him silently when the devil himself pulled up beside me.
"I'm guessing that you need a ride?"
I shook my head. "Guess incorrect, now shoo."
He laughed. "Not this game again, Suze."
I kept my eyes to the ground and continued walking.
"Why are you so anxious to get me in your car Paul?"
I could almost feel him grinning.
"I think you can guess why, Suze."
I looked at him. He was riding right alongside me with his head against the seat, one hand carelessly placed on the wheel, and his icy blue eyes focused on me. I quickly looked ahead, and began biting my nails.
"Keep your eyes on the road, Paul. You're not going to follow me home again, are you?"
I heard him sigh and the creak of his leather seats as he turned forward.
"I will unless you get in the car."
I simply gave a fake yawn and continued walking. I was just walking, minding my own business when there's this loud crackling noise and then a black rip in the universe appears right in front of Paul's car. A really cute guy suddenly ran from this odd rip in the universe thing, and straight into the car. He slammed both palms on it in exasperation before circling it to the sidewalk, and to me. I saw him reaching in his pocket as he ran right towards me. He was a couple of inches from me when he pulled a wicked looking knife from said pocket and froze. He suddenly turned and looked at Paul, who was staring at him with his hand in his hair; He then turned again to look at me. When I said cute, yeah...I was wrong. This was a full blown hottie. A ghostly hottie. He had light brown hair that was cut in the normal surfer style, dark skin and amazing blue eyes, (nowhere near as blue as Paul's though.) He was staring at me for about ten seconds before there was yet another crackle sound and he turned to look where he just came from. There was another void forming in front of Paul's car. This time, a girl came out. She calmly stepped out as the thing closed behind her, glanced around, and zeroed in on the ghost guy standing in front of me. The guy's eyes widened in fear and then he began to run, but the chick was faster. She began running after him and took a running leap, landing on him and knocking him to the ground. She pinned him there with her knee and was reaching for something hanging from her hip when the dude grabbed her knee and pushed her off. She did a cool somersault like thing before landing on her feet and turning back to face the dude. He had already gotten up. He was standing there looking very scared. She ran towards him and then served him one with her fist. He flew back a few feet, but she had disappeared in a flash of smoke and was now behind him. She kicked him behind the knee and then clasped her hands high above her head and brought them down, but the guy had already moved. Her blow hit him in the side instead of on the head. She stumbled back and he punched her. Her head snapped to the side and she punched him back. He was obviously very clumsy because he stumbled back a few steps and then fell right on his butt. The girl walked forward, and she was again reaching for her hip while wiping blood away from her lip with the other. When she was standing right above him, she pulled a sword, yes, a freaking sword, out and after quickly positioning it above him, jabbed it down into the guy's chest. The guy twitched a little and then was enveloped in blue tendrils of energy. The girl pulled out the sword and stepped back as the guys burst into flame and burned into nothing. The girl put her finger to her lip again and squatted down to examine the burn mark on the ground. She waved her hand over it a couple of times and it disappeared. She then gouged her sword into the ground and laid her forehead against it, breathing heavily. I snapped out of my stupor and ran over. Her head was facing down, so I couldn't see her face, but I kneeled beside her. I heard a car door open and shut and knew that Paul was coming over as well. Her black hair was plastered to the back of her neck with sweat. It hung about as long as mine and she was wearing an all black body suit that looked like it was made out of leather. I could see her shoulders and her upper back and they were both covered with sweat. I was about to touch her and ask if she was all right when she jolted up out of my reach and said in a very breathy voice,
"I'm fine."
I stood up as well and almost gasped when I saw her face. She looked almost exactly like me. She had the same nose, same lips, but her eyes were way different. For one thing, they were large and almond shaped when mine were always a little bit smaller than I would have liked. They were also an amazing mix of bright blue, grey and a beautiful green. She glanced at me and then her eyes widened. There was a trickle of blood going from her lip again. She wiped it and then in a quick motion she sheathed her sword. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder and I heard Paul gasp behind me. She glanced at him and then her eyes went back to me as she put out her hand.
"Call me Wraith. I expect we'll be getting to know each other well."
I grabbed her hand and shook it quickly.
"Susannah Simon and Paul Slater, now do you mind me asking what the hell that was?"
She smiled a little bit and took her hand away.
"That was a warrior specifically sent for me."
Paul still had his hand on my shoulder as he walked out from behind me.
"What, to kill you?"
She gave a small chuckle as she looked herself up and down to survey the damage. She then held out her gloved hand to Paul as well.
"I only wish."
He cocked his head at her as she pulled her hand away and began patting the dust off of her suit. It still looked like leather, but it had odd designs molded into it. It looked skintight and not very comfortable. She was smiling again.
"It's called V.P, and it's a lot more comfortable that you'd think. Very easy to move in."
I gaped at her. Had she just read my mind?
"You were staring at it. I figured that you either wanted it, thought I was a complete slut, or was wondering what it felt like. I chose choice three."
I bit my lip and felt myself turn red. She was done getting herself clean and the warrior dude was obviously gone, so I wasn't very surprised when she began walking away. I was about to call out to her when she turned around and gave an odd left handed salute.
"I'll be seeing you, Susannah...Slater."
She materialized into a drift of smoke. I heard Paul gasp beside me.
"How did she do that?!"
I turned to see him staring determinedly at the spot she was last standing. I patted him on the back and began walking towards his car.
"I believe I will take that ride home, Paul."
He stopped looking for his answers and walked to the driver's side. He hopped in without opening the door and after pulling on his seatbelt, he sped away. We didn't talk the whole car ride, and when he pulled up in front of my house, he simply looked at me, said,
"Pick you up at 6:30."
and pulled away when I got to the front door. I ran up to my room and collapsed on the bed. "Hello Querida."
I smiled into the pillow before turning onto my side.
"Hi Jesse.'
He smiled that oh so sexy Latino smile and came over to sit on my bed with me
. "How was school Querida?"
"Well, school was boring like always but the most amazing thin happened when I was walking home. There was this ghost and then there was a girl who looked a lot like me and she was fighting him and then she pulled out this freaking sword and stabbed him and she was wearing this amazing outfit and she like totally read my mind..."
Jesse was staring at me with the most amazing look on his face. I slowly stopped talking and then he chuckled, "I think that I caught four words out of all that." I smiled sheepishly and started over, slowly this time. When I finished the whole story, Jesse just looked at me.
I jerked from my comfortable position on my bed as I heard my stepbrother Brad yelling right outside my door. "I'm leaving in ten minutes whether you're up or not." I sat bolt upright and almost killed myself trying to get out of bed. Godddamn these sheets. I swear, they are TRYING to end me. I don't know what I ever did to them...SO! Anyway, back to my superb lateness. I stumbled over to my dresser and after shifting through it, I pulled out an aqua green shirt made of a very cool and slithery material along with a pair of black jeans. I then rushed to the bathroom to change. Why you ask? Because I have a prude guy living in my room. I know what you're thinking, and he lives in my room in a completely non-pervy way. Well....what I mean is that he lives in my room because he was killed there. Yeah...you guessed it, the prude guy who was currently taking up residence in my room was a ghost. Do I still seem sane? I was in the procedure of trying to pull on my top while brushing my teeth, (way more difficult than it seems, I swear.) when I remembered something. Jesse didn't live in my room anymore. Oh yeah...but, oh well. At least I knew that he liked me back, maybe even, dare I say it...loved me? So, I was in a better mood than would be expected from someone who had until the day before believed that the guy she was totally head over heels in love with was moving out because he hated her. But, I was wrong about that, so....MOVING ON! I buttoned my pants and ran to my room, grabbed a nice comfortable pair of sneakers from under my bed, a pair of socks from my dresser and bolted downstairs. I was flying out the door and I saw that Brad was pulling out of the driveway. He glanced up at me and grinned evilly before he began looking behind him. I don't think he would have stopped if David hadn't grabbed the stick shift and jerked it suddenly. I ran to the car and stopped Brad from killing him before we headed off to another beautiful and glorious day at school. Not.
I walked into the Mission right before the bell rang, earning a stare from Sister Ernestine. I don't know why she was growling at me; I got here on time didn't I? She just hates me, I swear. So, I headed to the morning assembly and sat down peacefully...for about thirty seconds.
"Hello, Suze."
I stiffened as his arm curled around my shoulder.
"Hi Paul. Could ya stop touching me?"
I heard Paul sniff as he moved from behind me to beside me. Damn. Why am I so attractive to this boy? I turned to face him.
"Now, when will be meeting to discuss...erm, that one thing?"
Paul chuckled softly. 'We'll meet at my house. Seven tonight. That good for you?"
I shifted uncomfortably before answering.
'Fine, but only for an hour, and we're not going in your room, or anywhere where there is a bedlike surface." Paul chuckled again. "You can trust me. I'll keep my hands to myself."
I scoffed and scooted away from him.
"According to my brain, I have heard that numerous times from you."
Paul scooted back to his old position, meaning as close as possible to me and put his arm around my shoulder again.
"Yeah, but I mean it this time."
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. I was just about to give up hope on a sexual harassment free assembly when I saw Adam and CeeCee walking in. I jumped up and quickly headed towards them. Yes! Safety! Adam noticed me first.
"Suze! You are alive! I haven't seen you in two days! Mwah!"
With that, he pulled me into a bone crushing bear hug.
"ADAM! Ribs...need oxygen..."
He laughed and set me back down. CeeCee was glaring at me. At first I thought that she was mad at me because I was getting attention from Adam...and then I remembered that I had abandoned her at the canoli booth. Oops. I grinned sheepishly at her and then held out my arms to her to see if she would take the bait. She glared at me a few seconds longer, then rolled her eyes and with a sigh, she began to hug me.
"You're not getting off with deserting me that early, Simon. You still have to pay."
I continued grinning and we headed away from Paul to find a place to sit. Yes! Mission accomplished. Assembly was, like always, quite dull and it was now time for me to head to homeroom. But, just my luck, Paul happened to be in my homeroom. Damn it. I headed to my locker, put in my combo, grabbed the books I would need for me next three classes, and headed for homeroom.
Classes were very dull, and I was exceptionally glad for the final bell. I ran to my locker so I could put away my things. I had just deposited my books and papers when someone jabbed my shoulder. I turned around quickly, and saw my most favorite person in the world. Not.
"What do you want Paul."
He ran a hand through his hair and glanced around the hallway before answering.
"You haven't forgotten about our, ahem...shifting lessons this evening, have you?"
I shook my head.
"I have not forgotten Paul. I will be there at seven."
Paul looked me straight in the eye as if to check my sincerity.
"How will you be getting to my place?"
Oh crap. I forgot about that. Paul smiled and leaned one shoulder against my now closed locker. "I guess I'll be picking you up then. See you at seven."
He began walking away, and I snapped out of my stupor quickly enough to realize that if I didn't hurry, I was going to miss all chances of a ride. I ran outside to the parking lot and looked for Brad's car. It wasn't there. I then began searching for Adam's VW. That, alas, was also gone. I heaved a great sigh and began walking home. Damn you Paul. I was still cursing him silently when the devil himself pulled up beside me.
"I'm guessing that you need a ride?"
I shook my head. "Guess incorrect, now shoo."
He laughed. "Not this game again, Suze."
I kept my eyes to the ground and continued walking.
"Why are you so anxious to get me in your car Paul?"
I could almost feel him grinning.
"I think you can guess why, Suze."
I looked at him. He was riding right alongside me with his head against the seat, one hand carelessly placed on the wheel, and his icy blue eyes focused on me. I quickly looked ahead, and began biting my nails.
"Keep your eyes on the road, Paul. You're not going to follow me home again, are you?"
I heard him sigh and the creak of his leather seats as he turned forward.
"I will unless you get in the car."
I simply gave a fake yawn and continued walking. I was just walking, minding my own business when there's this loud crackling noise and then a black rip in the universe appears right in front of Paul's car. A really cute guy suddenly ran from this odd rip in the universe thing, and straight into the car. He slammed both palms on it in exasperation before circling it to the sidewalk, and to me. I saw him reaching in his pocket as he ran right towards me. He was a couple of inches from me when he pulled a wicked looking knife from said pocket and froze. He suddenly turned and looked at Paul, who was staring at him with his hand in his hair; He then turned again to look at me. When I said cute, yeah...I was wrong. This was a full blown hottie. A ghostly hottie. He had light brown hair that was cut in the normal surfer style, dark skin and amazing blue eyes, (nowhere near as blue as Paul's though.) He was staring at me for about ten seconds before there was yet another crackle sound and he turned to look where he just came from. There was another void forming in front of Paul's car. This time, a girl came out. She calmly stepped out as the thing closed behind her, glanced around, and zeroed in on the ghost guy standing in front of me. The guy's eyes widened in fear and then he began to run, but the chick was faster. She began running after him and took a running leap, landing on him and knocking him to the ground. She pinned him there with her knee and was reaching for something hanging from her hip when the dude grabbed her knee and pushed her off. She did a cool somersault like thing before landing on her feet and turning back to face the dude. He had already gotten up. He was standing there looking very scared. She ran towards him and then served him one with her fist. He flew back a few feet, but she had disappeared in a flash of smoke and was now behind him. She kicked him behind the knee and then clasped her hands high above her head and brought them down, but the guy had already moved. Her blow hit him in the side instead of on the head. She stumbled back and he punched her. Her head snapped to the side and she punched him back. He was obviously very clumsy because he stumbled back a few steps and then fell right on his butt. The girl walked forward, and she was again reaching for her hip while wiping blood away from her lip with the other. When she was standing right above him, she pulled a sword, yes, a freaking sword, out and after quickly positioning it above him, jabbed it down into the guy's chest. The guy twitched a little and then was enveloped in blue tendrils of energy. The girl pulled out the sword and stepped back as the guys burst into flame and burned into nothing. The girl put her finger to her lip again and squatted down to examine the burn mark on the ground. She waved her hand over it a couple of times and it disappeared. She then gouged her sword into the ground and laid her forehead against it, breathing heavily. I snapped out of my stupor and ran over. Her head was facing down, so I couldn't see her face, but I kneeled beside her. I heard a car door open and shut and knew that Paul was coming over as well. Her black hair was plastered to the back of her neck with sweat. It hung about as long as mine and she was wearing an all black body suit that looked like it was made out of leather. I could see her shoulders and her upper back and they were both covered with sweat. I was about to touch her and ask if she was all right when she jolted up out of my reach and said in a very breathy voice,
"I'm fine."
I stood up as well and almost gasped when I saw her face. She looked almost exactly like me. She had the same nose, same lips, but her eyes were way different. For one thing, they were large and almond shaped when mine were always a little bit smaller than I would have liked. They were also an amazing mix of bright blue, grey and a beautiful green. She glanced at me and then her eyes widened. There was a trickle of blood going from her lip again. She wiped it and then in a quick motion she sheathed her sword. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder and I heard Paul gasp behind me. She glanced at him and then her eyes went back to me as she put out her hand.
"Call me Wraith. I expect we'll be getting to know each other well."
I grabbed her hand and shook it quickly.
"Susannah Simon and Paul Slater, now do you mind me asking what the hell that was?"
She smiled a little bit and took her hand away.
"That was a warrior specifically sent for me."
Paul still had his hand on my shoulder as he walked out from behind me.
"What, to kill you?"
She gave a small chuckle as she looked herself up and down to survey the damage. She then held out her gloved hand to Paul as well.
"I only wish."
He cocked his head at her as she pulled her hand away and began patting the dust off of her suit. It still looked like leather, but it had odd designs molded into it. It looked skintight and not very comfortable. She was smiling again.
"It's called V.P, and it's a lot more comfortable that you'd think. Very easy to move in."
I gaped at her. Had she just read my mind?
"You were staring at it. I figured that you either wanted it, thought I was a complete slut, or was wondering what it felt like. I chose choice three."
I bit my lip and felt myself turn red. She was done getting herself clean and the warrior dude was obviously gone, so I wasn't very surprised when she began walking away. I was about to call out to her when she turned around and gave an odd left handed salute.
"I'll be seeing you, Susannah...Slater."
She materialized into a drift of smoke. I heard Paul gasp beside me.
"How did she do that?!"
I turned to see him staring determinedly at the spot she was last standing. I patted him on the back and began walking towards his car.
"I believe I will take that ride home, Paul."
He stopped looking for his answers and walked to the driver's side. He hopped in without opening the door and after pulling on his seatbelt, he sped away. We didn't talk the whole car ride, and when he pulled up in front of my house, he simply looked at me, said,
"Pick you up at 6:30."
and pulled away when I got to the front door. I ran up to my room and collapsed on the bed. "Hello Querida."
I smiled into the pillow before turning onto my side.
"Hi Jesse.'
He smiled that oh so sexy Latino smile and came over to sit on my bed with me
. "How was school Querida?"
"Well, school was boring like always but the most amazing thin happened when I was walking home. There was this ghost and then there was a girl who looked a lot like me and she was fighting him and then she pulled out this freaking sword and stabbed him and she was wearing this amazing outfit and she like totally read my mind..."
Jesse was staring at me with the most amazing look on his face. I slowly stopped talking and then he chuckled, "I think that I caught four words out of all that." I smiled sheepishly and started over, slowly this time. When I finished the whole story, Jesse just looked at me.