Chapter 7: Myth vs. Fact
A few days passed since being at the lake. Riley avoided me like the plague since then. Even in Algebra class he would answer in short sentences. Once class was over he left and didn't even say bye. It was now Wednesday; I was sitting outside at the picnic benches with K.C. and Conner. I looked around for Riley some more but, once again he wasn't there.
"I told you dude, on sunny days they don't come. It's weird, but hey, what cha' gonna do?" K.C. said as he threw a football to Jake. Conner had been extremely happy lately.
"Conner, what's up with the face?" I asked.
"I'm going to the prom with Imogen." he said. Hmm, seems like my advice to Imogen actually worked.
"That's awesome. I'm really happy for you." I said.
"Hey Conner, we need to get to York if we're gonna get some of those cool tuxedos." K.C. said. Wait, they have a cool bookstore down there. I remember that because of doing research on Navajo Legends.
"Can I go with you guys?" I asked. K.C. looked surprised and Conner looked thrilled.
"Of course, dude. You're our friend. And I sort of need your advice anyway." he said. I smiled and grabbed my coat.
The drive was a bit long, but I was on a mission. I had to find out what this secret was. I needed to know if this myth was indeed a fact. When we got to the Tux store, we looked around. I have to admit, if I were going to prom, I'd actually consider getting a tux from here. This place was totally my style. I sat down on one of the benches there and watched my friends try on their tuxes.
"What do you think?" K.C. asked Conner.
"I think the dark blue one is cool." he said. K.C. then went back to get the other one. Conner had on a money green colored suit. I have to admit, it looked nice on him.
"I like this, it hides my curves." Conner said. I just smiled at him and looked at my phone. I was trying to find the address to that bookstore.
"Dude, no one will care about your curves!" K.C. shouted from the dressing room. Conner cocked a smile at his friend's sincerity.
"Alright, I think I found the perfect one. Besides, it makes my muscles look good." K.C. said modeling the dark blue tux.
"Awesome. I like how it has the skull on the chest. What's your opinion Zane?" Conner asked looking into the mirror. I looked at them both. They did pretty look cool.
"I think it's cool." I said simply. K.C. looked over at me.
"This isn't really your thing is it?" he asked with a chuckle. I looked down.
"Look you guys don't need my opinion. You'll look great in anything. Just get something that fits you and rock it." I said. They both smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up.
"You're a really cool dude, Zane. Thanks for coming with us." K.C. said.
"No problem. But uh, hey, I'm gonna to go to this bookstore." I said as I stood up. "I'll meet you guys at the café." I said.
"Are you sure?" Conner asked.
"Yep, I'll see you guys in half an hour." I said and left. I walked the streets of York in silence. It didn't look that bad. The bookstore seemed like it was miles away, but I eventually got there. I walked in and went over to the cashier.
"Um, I was wondering if you had any books on Navajo legends?" I asked the girl. She gave me a wink, that I completely ignored, and showed me over to the section.
"If you need anything, just call me." she said as she flipped her hair back. I rolled my eyes when she walked away. I then began my search. I can say that I went through approximately 10 books. When I found the one I was looking for, I sat down at a booth and read some of it. It talked about how those people were strong and cold. They didn't eat and a few other things. I was starting to piece it together when I realized it was dark outside. Oh man, I had to meet Conner and K.C. I paid for my book and left the store before that love struck cashier could ask me out.
It had gotten kind of windy outside. I could even see my breath as I walked. I had started to walk down this alley when I saw this guy peeing down there. Ugh, gross. He must be drunk. He looked up and saw me. I quickly turned around and walked the other way. It seemed to me that the further I got to my destination, the more footsteps I heard behind me. I turned the corner behind this building and was met by 4 guys.
"Well, well, well look who's on our territory?" one of the guys asked. I stopped in my tracks and tried to turn around, but they started to surround me.
"I think he's scared guys." a smaller guy said.
"He should be." a taller one replied.
"Look, I don't want any trouble. Now let me leave." I said as I tried to get past two of the guys, but they just pushed me back.
"You're not going anywhere." the tall guy said again. I was really starting to get angry. So I tried to get past them again, this time with a little more force.
"Let me through!" I yelled. But then, they started to try to take my backpack.
"Ooh, what's in here?" one of the guys asked. I snatched my bag back.
"Don't touch me!" I yelled as I hit one of them in the face. Just when I was about to get jumped, a black Mini Cooper swerved around the corner. It was so close to the guys that it could've hit them. I just stood back and watched. When the door opened my jaw dropped. It was Riley!
"Get in!" he instructed. I did as I was told and got in. I watched the guys say something to him. I didn't see what he did, but whatever it was scared the hell out them. Riley backed away from them and entered the car with me. He hit the accelerator and tried to run the guys over, but stopped and backed up. I don't think he was gonna run them over, maybe he tried to scare them a little? We hit the streets like a bat out of hell.
"Those guys should be ashamed of themselves. I should go back there and tear them apart!" he yelled as he gripped the staring wheel extremely hard.
"I don't think that would solve anything." I said as I stared at him.
"But you don't know the terrible things that they were thinking of doing to you. It was horrible." he said.
"How do you know what they were thinking?" I asked.
"Oh, please. It's not that hard to figure out. Now please say something to get me to calm down so I don't go back there and commit a horrible crime please." he begged. I had to think of something fast. His hands actually looked like they were slowly turning the wheel.
"Um, you need anger management." I said honestly. He looked over and me and threw his head back and laughed.
"Ah, that's what my family always says." he said and continued to laugh. I didn't see anything funny.
We pulled up to the café and got out of the car. It was still chilly outside. I looked over at Riley who was looking down at the ground. I so don't get this guy. But he did save my life. I looked up and saw Conner and K.C. coming out of the café.
"Hey what happened?" K.C. asked.
"I, uh..."
"We ran into each other at the bookstore and spent all of this time talking." Riley said as he appeared beside me.
"Oh, okay. No problem. Do you need a ride, 'cause we already ate." Conner said with a sad look.
"It's okay." I said.
"Um, Zane should get something to eat. I'll drive him home myself." Riley said with a innocent look. K.C. and Conner looked at me for answer. This could give me the opportunity to get some answers out of him.
"Yeah, I'll eat. See you guys tomorrow." I said.
"Okay, bye Zane." Conner said and they both left. Once we were seated. I ordered my favorite dish, Lasagna. As I picked through it, Riley stared at me.
"Is something wrong?" I asked as I wiped my mouth.
"Nope, it's just; I find it funny how you eat so gracefully. It's as if you were savoring every bite." he said with a chuckle. I actually found that to be a nice comment. The waitress came over to collect my plate.
"Are you sure there's nothing you like on the menu, hon?" she asked.
"No thank you. I'm quite fine." Riley replied.
"Alright, just let me know." she said as she walked away. I just rolled my eyes at her. Pathetic attempt to flirt. Wow, I was actually jealous. It was time to get some answers.
"Okay, I need to know some things…" I said but he cut me off.
"The capital of Brazil is Brasilia. Um, myth busters has some pretty interesting things on it. Never mix certain chemicals together. And oh, if you pour vinegar in baking soda it'll foam up." he said. Not what I wanted.
"I don't need to know how to make a volcano." I said.
"You know the mechanics of it?" he asked.
"How is it that you knew where I was?" I asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about." he said. I had enough of this.
"Fine." I said as I got up to leave. But then I thought of something. How the hell was I gonna get home without him?
"Wait, don't go." he said. I sat back down, thanking God that he told me not to go.
"Did you have me followed or did you do it yourself?" I asked.
"I did it myself. But only because I feel very concerned for your well-being. Sort of protective really." he said.
"Alright, go on." I said.
"I was trying to be low key, when I overheard what those moronic idiots were thinking and…"
"Whoa, slow down there. You said you overheard what they were thinking? How is that possible?" I asked.
"Okay look, I hear every mind in this café, except yours. See look, there's work, money, cheating spouses, and…" he then scrunched up his face, "A Platypus?" he said with a smile.
"A Platypus, wow that's random." I said.
"But see, I can't hear anything from you. I find it fascinating." he said.
"So, does that make me weird?" I asked.
"I say that I can hear people's thoughts and you think you're weird?" I couldn't help but blush. He then exhales sharply. I could tell something was bothering him.
"Is something wrong?" I asked. He looked up at me and stared into my eyes.
"I can't stay away from you. I'm not strong enough anymore." he said with sad eyes.
"Then don't. There has to be a meaning behind this. "I said. He looked away and didn't say anything else.
When I got home that night, I was shocked to see police cars at my house. Zoey and our mom were outside. And I must say she didn't look so good. I looked around and saw Mrs. Stavros there.
"What's going on?" I asked. Riley grunted and pulled into the drive way. I was getting a little too hot from the heat, so when I went to turn it off our hands touch again. I felt the same spark like last time. But I also felt something different. His hand was beyond cold, it was freezing.
"Why are you so cold?" I asked. He didn't say anything. He turned off the car and got out. I followed him.
"Come on you must know something." I said as I walked beside him.
"Your mom needs you. Go to her." He said as he went to his own mom. I sighed and ran into my mom's arms.
"Mom what's wrong?" I asked.
"One of my friends was killed at one of the construction sites down by the docks." she said with teary eyes. Zoey came over and hugged us both.
"Well, Ms. Park we're doing everything we came to find this animal." Mr. Milligan said. She looked up at him and nodded her head.
"Thanks, Trevor." she said. Riley came over to us with his mom.
"I'm so sorry for your loss. If there's anything you need just let me know." she said with a sweet smile.
"Thanks Elena, Riley." my mom said and went into the house. Zoey gave me a quick hug and went to go help mom.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Riley." I said. He nodded his head and headed to his car. I watched as everyone at our house dispersed. After a few hours of helping mom out, I was finally able to do more research. I opened my book and read some more. When I was finished, I went to my computer and did even more research. What I saw surprised me. I gasped in shock. I knew what Riley and his family really were. And I was gonna confront him about it tomorrow.