The Mediator: Changes- (Based on the mediator series by Meg Cabot/Jenny Carroll)

SORRY! It took SOOOOO long for me to update... first of all I was extremely busy and second of all I was being lazy... bad me! OK, so the last "chapter" was really short, I promise that this will be longer. Thanks again for the reviews. Let's make a deal... I keep writing, you keep reviewing? (*you agree*) OK, good. Here it goes. Read it and tell me what you think of it! ~Chels

Chapter 6: He Came From A Glowing Bottle...

I was dreaming. In my dream there was this really annoying person. I couldn't see them, but I knew it was a guy. All he said was, "We don't have much time!" Over and over again. Then he started poking me - wait. I woke up. "What!?" I said irritated and sleepy.

"Wake up! We don't have much time!" Said the voice. It was coming from- above me?- I opened my eyes and saw the messenger from the bottle standing by my bed, trying to wake me. "Hi!" I smiled seductively, but shook my head upon realizing that I was not dreaming anymore, "-I mean- What do we have to do that we're running out of time to do?" I asked.

"Find out what made things different and fix it." He answered. Man was this guy direct and to the point.

"By when?" I asked. I felt like I was interviewing a guy for one of those specials on 20/20 or something.

"The full moon." Answered the messenger.

" Which is-?" I inquired.

"Tonight at midnight." He answered as if it should be common knowledge.

"Right- or else what?" I asked wondering if I would ,like, turn into a toad or something if I didn't do this.

"Things will stay like this- unless you find out what's changing things by the NEXT full moon after tonight's and change it- or else it will stay like this forever." He explained.

"Why is this so important? Why did they send you to help me?" I asked.

"You must choose which way of things makes you happier- or else we [ghosts] would all be doomed to roam the earth forever." He explained

"My happiness matters?! Why?" I asked skeptically.

"Your happiness does matter. Besides, you control the happiness of the only shifter- besides you yourself- left." Seeing my questioning look he continued, " Paul Slater. You know him, right? Well, your happiness drives him, although if he has nothing to do with it, it also hurts him. Listen to Paul. He knows the ways of shifting. Give him a chance to teach you and he'll be eternally grateful. Smile at him once and he'll be happy for a week. But YOUR happiness matters the most, because you are eternally more powerful than him- but don't mention that fact to him." I stared open mouthed at him. Paul hadn't been lying... and he was mad because he was JEALOUS? This can't be happening.

"What about what Dr. Slaski said?" I asked, "is shifting dangerous? Can it kill me after time?"

The messenger laughed, " He knows not of what he speaks. It could kill HIM, but only because he is a MEDIATOR not a SHIFTER. His experience was only from shifting with the help of another, his late wife, God bless her soul. And although, it may make you feel sick the first few times, it takes a little getting used to for the body, it will not harm you- much less kill you."

Oh, ok... right, that's good to know, "do you know Jesse?" I asked changing the subject.

The messenger smiled, "Yes- he is changing too". My face fell and the messenger continued, "All things happen for a reason- just wait and see- you may very well be pleasantly surprised." . After a few moments of silence he said, " So, do you want to change it now or give it about a month?"

I thought about the question, weighing one option against the other. True, things were different, but they actually weren't so bad. Also true, Jesse disappeared and Father Dom is no longer on my side. "Where will you be if I choose to wait?" I asked.

He smiled, "Here, trying to help you as much as I can."

"Hmmmm... A new resident ghost? FUN! And he's HOT!" I thought, " I love California... the hot ghost in my bedroom population is WAY higher than it was in New York!". I looked at the messenger and smiled, "ill give it a month and see what happens, but if I don't like it everything goes back to the way it was- right?" I said.

"Right" he confirmed.

The phone rang and was answered by someone else. It was probably Brad's new girlfriend. Brad walked into the doorway, "Suze. It's for you" he said throwing a phone at me. "Who is it?" I asked him. He shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno!". I put the receiver to my ear. "Hello?". I heard a deep breath from the person on the other side of the phone.

"I was afraid that you wouldn't pick up!" Said a male voice.

"Um, ok... sorry, but who are you? I don't recognize your voice." I said.

"Oh, it's me, Paul." He said laughing in a relieved way.

"Oh, right- sorry- hi!" I said.

"Hi- Listen, do you want to hang out or something today?" Asked Paul sounding kind of shy.

"Um... sure, but you have to do something for me" I said.

"I was afraid of that- wait- what?" He asked.

"Teach me about shifting for a while first." I said

" Oh, sure- I thought you were going to say something like 'do my math homework for the rest of the year'." He said.

I laughed, "Actually I have some news about that - kind of- but I'll tell you when I see you." I said slowly.

"Uh-oh." He said jokingly. "I'll pick you up in 45 minutes?"

"See ya then" I agreed. I hung up the phone then went and got ready. When I was ready I walked down the stairs just in time to hear Jake coming in.

"Dad, whose car is that in the driveway?" He asked confused, " It doesn't sound like anyone's here." I walked into the entryway where they were standing and said, "I'm here!" While flashing my keys at Jake. His jaw dropped.

"Where did you get that car?!? You're only- what - fif-" I cut him off.

"Sixteen actually." I corrected him, "Yesterday was my birthday! Thanks Andy for the phone by the way!" Jakes jaw dropped even lower. He was trying to talk, " you got her -a - what- but- ?!?! DAD!" He stuttered.

"The car was from her mother- her father had an account set up to buy her one when she turned sixteen- and she's going to RLS so we bought her a cell phone." Explained Andy, " now, if its not too much trouble shut your mouth, you're lettin' the flies in!" He laughed, " I've always wanted to say that!"

Just then the doorbell rang. Jake opened the door, mouth still hanging open. "Hi, is Suze there?"

"Yep!" I answered stepping from behind Jake.

"D'you have company or something?" He asked.

"No... Why?" I asked,

Paul pointed to my car, "That's why! She's beautiful!"

"Yes HE is" I replied, " I do not drive girl cars!"

"It's yours?" He asked.

"Yeah, my birthday was yesterday. My dad had money saved up to buy it for me on my sweet 16, so my mother followed his wishes," I explained in one breath, " Wanna drive it?"

He shook his head yes, "But how will I get my car later- never mind" he said stopping himself mid sentence, "Let's go" he said taking the keys from my outstretched hand and unlocking the doors.

"Let's go to the beach" he said as we arrived at his house, "It's easier to concentrate there." I agreed and we walked down to the waters edge. Paul, being as rich as his family is, has a private beach in his backyard. It's even separated from the other part of the beach by a tall cement wall going down to the water.

We spent about three hours covering the basics of shifting: De-Materializing, Materializing, Calling, Telepathy, Telekinesis and self-defensive fighting. I was amazed at all the things I could do. And apparently I am a fast learner, because Paul was running out of things to teach a beginner.

"Let's go get something to eat! All of this shifting has made me hungry!" Exclaimed Paul.

"Okay." I agreed. "You're a good teacher, but you gotta learn to look out for yourself."

"What?!?!" Paul asked confused. He turned around just fast enough to see my fist flying towards him. He grabbed my wrist and smiled, "Nice try"

"Just checking!" I said smiling, " but I still think you should watch out!"

"For what?" He asked.

"For -" I said. He instantly prepared for my 'attack' but when it never came he let his guard down. I kissed him, "For that." I said.

"OH MY GOD THE KISS OF DEATH! NOOOO!" He joked, pretending to be getting attacked by some type of unseen force. I laughed. Who would have thought that I would ever kiss PAUL UNASKED!? NOT ME! But you know what? It wasn't so bad. He was a better kisser that Jesse if you actually let him kiss you. Paul laughed.

"How IS Jesse?" He asked.

"PAUL!" I yelled sort of angry, " KEEP OUT OF MY HEAD!"

"Sorry," He said, " I was just wondering what went through you head after kissing your worst enemy."

"Note to self" I said, " build up mental block- or buy a football helmet."

"I should have known you like jocks!" Commented Paul, "Too bad we don't have a football team at the mission. I play a mean running back!"

"They do at RLS." I said quietly.

"What? RLS? Yeah, I hear they're pretty good too. Too bad we don't go there!" Laughed Paul.

"WE don't, but I do." I said, quieter still.

Paul stopped laughing. "What? Since when?" He asked

"Since yesterday." I answered, " I start on Tuesday... that was my 'news'."

"No problem. I'll see you there." He said. I looked at him questioningly. "That was my first offer for schools when I came down here. I was actually going to go there, but then I saw that you went to the mission, so I enrolled there instead." He explained.

"I'VE been on their waiting list since we moved here!" I said unbelievingly, " How are YOU going to get in?!"

"My parents have connections." He said with a sly grin, " -Now, how about that food?"

"Sure!" I said, accepting the change of subject.

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Spoiler: Jesse sighting in the next chapter! Review and I'll post it! (I'm so mean aren't I?!?!)