Disclaimer: Not mine. Y'all really ought to know this by now. I do copy some portions of the text from the book to spin off of. Visions, quotes, starting points, etc. for continuities sake. If you've read the books this is pretty obvious. This is fanfiction, not original fiction. Hopefully you'll like it. If not, feel free to read something else. Cheers! BTW, anyone out there speak Cajun French for reals? You'd be my new friend. :-D

Day 2 BF Evie

Day 2 BF Friday.

I didn't take my medication this morning. If my suspicions were right, then we had two days until the apocalypse. I'd need my mind fully functioning. I flushed the pill down the toilet in case Mom was counting. So now I was officially breaking my conditions for leaving CLC. I nearly had a panic attack as I flushed half the pill. My eyes were tearing up as I completed by bathroom routine and got dressed in my red cheer outfit complete with matching red ribbons in my ponytail. I looked fabulous. I felt like throwing up. My breathing was shaky.

And I was actually hoping I'd have a vision with that strange boy in it again. So I could ask him if he meant this full moon or the next one. Please, please don't mean this one.

Mom asked me if anything was wrong. What could possibly be wrong? I was utterly sleep deprived after last night's date with Death. I was terrified about what would happen with my visions now that I was going off the meds. I was terrified that the world might end in two days. That billions of people were going to die, hundreds of which I knew, many of which I actually cared about, none of which I could actually save without risking being sent back to CLC and then dying myself. Yeah. Sure. Everything was just fine!

I was planning to break up with Brandon, everyone's idea of the perfect boyfriend but still hadn't figured out how. I thought I might be falling in love with a Cajun who may have been juvenile delinquent for valid reasons or not, I hadn't dared to ask. And to top it all off, Mom's biggest concern was that I didn't laugh anymore or confide in her? I wanted to scream!

I decided to give her something. I was a pressure cooker and my top was one screw loose of blowing sky high. I needed to vent some steam! "I was thinking that maybe I might be better off as friends with Brandon than as boyfriend/girlfriend." There. That was typical teenage girl stuff to worry about right?

"Oh!" She seemed startled by that, and a little pleased that I was talking to her, then concerned. "Why would you think that honey?"

"Well, I've known for a while that there was something that was off, but I didn't know what it was. And then I met someone else and it made me realize what it was. I like Brandon a lot, I always have, and I hope I always will. He's a fabulous guy in lots of ways. But when we touch or kiss, there's not much spark there. So he's interested in doing more, going farther? And I'm not. And I don't think I ever will be, at least, not with him, which makes me think we'd be better off as friends, but I don't know how to tell him that. And I don't want to hurt him because he's been really awesome with me, treated me well, you know? Especially after I got back.." I trailed off, not wanting to mention CLC and Mom knew what I meant, so I skipped it and asked her to try and get the attention off of me, "What do you think I should do?" That's what she wanted anyway right? For me to confide and talk more? Didn't mean I had to take her advice, but she'd been married once and she'd clearly loved Dad, so she had some experience with getting it right with someone at least.

"I think you've made up your mind and you're being really mature about it. I'm proud of you for thinking about what's best for Brandon and not what's easiest for yourself. And I think that the sooner the better as far as breaking up is concerned. I think he will take it well, particularly if you explain that you like him more as a friend than romantically and that you think he's been a great boyfriend to you, that you think he treated you really well. Guy's like compliments like that. So if you're ending things on a good note like that, you'll have a shot at maintaining a friendship later in life." She gave me a hug. "I hope it works out Honey. Talk to me after, okay?."

That having gone better than I'd expected I answered, "Okay, Mom."

As I got up to go she asked, "So who's the person you met who made you see you and Brandon were better off as friends?"

Uh-oh. I looked at her and bit my lip. She was looking at me with a sly grin.

"Have I met him yet?"

"Um…" I blushed. Dang-it!

She leaned her arm back on the couch and rested her head on her head, facing me, nearly teasing me. "You know, your dad was charming too. And he wasn't perfect. He got into a bit of trouble now and again when he was a kid."

Now I was interested. Mom didn't talk often about Dad. The pain of his loss seemed to be too great. So this was news. Unfortunately, we heard Brandon's car pull up outside.

"I enjoyed the talk honey. Have a great day. Say hi to Brandon for me, Clotile and Jack too of course. They're welcome back any time."

I looked at her. Her eyes were alight with teasing. Was it that obvious? "Sure thing!" And then I got my tail out of there!

I was sitting in homeroom, jittery, afraid, worried, and looking out the window, just sure I'd see another vision of the apocalypse, as that would be the perfect topper to the morning I was having right now. In short, I was feeling far from the perky cheerleader I was supposed to be, when Jackson walked into homeroom and stood beside my desk, stopping to stare down at me for a moment. I'd looked up at him, wondering what he was doing. He'd given me a roguish grin and a wink before saying in a teasing voice, "Je t'aime en rose." I like you in pink. Then he sat behind me, just like yesterday, taking a sip from his flask. I looked over my outfit in confusion. I was covered in red, not pink. I wasn't wearing anything pink…except my bra. He'd been looking down my shirt!

I turned around and glared at him. "Hey! Boundaries!" I was no longer scared and upset. I was just mad!

"Can you blame me for appreciating a beautiful view?" He smirked. I glared harder, still mad he'd looked down my shirt. "You don't smell like honeysuckle right now though. You smell just like roses."

I didn't know what he was talking about but now I was flustered and mad, so I turned around, giving him the cold shoulder. "Non, fais pais bouder, peekon." -No,don't pout, thorn. "A jolie bebelle like you, especially on a day like today, and in an outfit like that, is supposed to be full of gaiete. I was just trying to start your day off right with a few compliments."

Oh. Man he was smooth. No wonder he had so many gaiennes. I had to admit, when I'd gotten dressed this morning, I had felt kind of like a doll, so it was fair of him to call me one, at least he thought I was pretty. Gaiete meant good cheer, and being a cheer leader, that was fair too. I was really starting to like this Cajun far too much. I was still kinda mad about him looking down my shirt though.

I felt him touch my hair where it lay against his desk behind me. That sent shivers down my spine. It felt so good I softened and relaxed. I loved having my hair played with, I didn't even care that it was him, and it was just the tips anyway. He continued playing with the edges, going a bit farther up when I didn't object. He sure was a smooth sweet talker, especially when I considered the tone of his voice and his Cajun French.

Then I realized what he'd done. He'd taken my rotten mood, (I wondered if he'd noticed I was upset and near tears?) and turned it sweet, just because he wanted me to be in a good mood, literally all in the space of ten minutes, with just a few words and playing with the tips of my hair. When I realized that, I felt myself getting hot…and if I was honest, really turned on. I crossed my legs and squirmed in my seat.

Jackson leaned forward and I heard him breathe in. My breaths quickened. He said quietly a couple inches behind my ear, "Not ten minutes ago you smelled of roses, but now I swear you smell of honeysuckle again. How do you do that?"

I had no idea what he was talking about. I didn't wear perfume. Lately people were always talking about how good I smelled though. Brandon had commented on it. Mom had asked to borrow my shampoo. Mel had asked if she could borrow my perfume and was shocked and had quizzed me on my personal care products when I'd said I didn't wear perfume. I didn't have a clue what was going on.

I turned and looked out the window so I could talk to him without being obvious. "Thanks for the compliments, but I don't wear perfume, so I don't have an answer to your question for you. You'll have to figure out the answer to that puzzle on your own." I looked at him and gave him a half smile and an innocent shrug.

He grinned at me, saying to me in Cajun, "Tu as doux a moi cher, giving me another puzzle to solve." You are sweet to me dear. Oh yeah. Heavy on the flirting this morning.

A couple hours later my mood was right back to where it was before I'd seen Jack this morning. Only, I was no longer on the verge of fearful tears, I was pretty much solidly there. I was spending my free period in Eden Courtyard, sitting at the tiled cement table, licking my wounds in private. As I quietly cried and tried to keep my shoulders from shaking and my nose from running, I couldn't help but notice that the daisies had turned their faces toward me—instead of the direction of the sun. I wasn't sure whether that made me feel better or worse.

There had been two pop quizzes in my first two classes today. In spite of the time I'd spent studying, I'd made a B in English but a D in my second class. No where near good enough. Jackson's English quiz, I had noticed, had all the answers written in firm, masculine handwriting. I'd never before gotten below a B+ on anything. I laid my flushed face against the cool stone, trying to get myself back under control. Was it the meds making me fail? Or was it the visions and nightmares and lack of sleep?

Today when I'd asked my teacher for a makeup…she'd said no.

My stomach churned. A drop in grades. I couldn't go back to CLC, would never go back. That was one of the signs mom was supposed to watch for. Crap!

I felt a hysterical giggle rising up. Look on the bright side Evie, I thought. The apocalypse might be in just two more days. Or maybe a month at the outside? I could make it until then, right? Sure, a nearing apocalypse was now a bright side! I giggled and more tears fell to hit the table. No one saw though because my head was hidden in my arms. I sniffed. Maybe I really was cracking up.

After last night's date with Death, I thought I might get a time out from creepy. Not so much.

After we'd finished that quiz in English, I'd fallen asleep, again dreaming of the Red Witch. Naturally she'd been fresh and bloody from her latest kill. I really hated that bitch of a witch. I saw her in more detail than ever before. I watched her literally drain the life from a rosebush. Why would she do that? She was like a parasite. Pure evil!

I jerked awake, everyone was packing up to leave…except for Jackson. He wasn't staring at my face this time, he was looking at my white knuckled grip on the edge of my desk. I released it and flexed my hands. They actually hurt from gripping the desk so hard.

"Nightmare?" he'd asked with a nod.

I nodded yes. He seemed somewhat…sympathetic. I had to ask. "Do you ever…have them?"

"Yeah, to often. Kinda surprised a girl like you has them though. Looking at you I would have thought your life was soft, but after that sketch… So you don't just see this stuff when you're awake but when you're asleep too?"

His insightfulness and compassion almost brought tears to my eyes. My voice broke when I answered, "Yeah," so I cleared my throat and packed my stuff and stood to leave. He walked beside me. I wasn't sure why I volunteered more information. Maybe because I was desperate for someone to talk to? "Pretty much every time I close my eyes. I can't catch a break and it's killing me. What do you do?"

"Sleep with one eye open." His hand lifted to squeeze my shoulder before we parted ways. The feel of his hand on my shoulder had stayed with me for hours…

My phone chimed with a text from Brandon. If this was another cherry widget countdown text I was gonna scream. I sat up and wiped my eyes carefully, hoping my mascara was ok. I pulled out a mirror and checked first. Crap. I pulled out a cleansing wipe and did some repairs.

-Kick-back on Sat. 4 couples. Ur friends & mine. Spence & Mel.-

He'd come through with Spencer? Mel would be so excited! She was hoping Brandon would help set her up with him. Yea! Finally something good was happening!

I texted him back quickly: -Where?-

-Sugar mill-

I frowned. On the most remote of the back forty acres of Haven there was a crumbling mill on the banks of the bayou. Only an old smokestack and brick walls remained. If folks thought my house might be haunted, they were convinced the sugar mill was. Not exactly a place I wanted to go with just a few people on a dark night. It sounded like the makings of a good horror movie. Ghost stories of that old mill abounded. But, thinking again of Mel, I knew she'd jump at the chance, so I knew I'd agree…

"And the Sterling girls make fun of Clotile for wearing short skirts?" Jackson said, striding across the courtyard, his gaze raking over me in my cheer uniform. What was with him today? "Um, um, UM, Evie. Just seeing you in that getup makes me feel more…cheerful."

My outfit was bright red and I had a matching red ribbon in my hair. Unfortunately my emotions were all over the place and I was not in the mood for teasing.

My cheeks flooded with heat as he sat next to me on the bench. He sat astride the bench facing me with his left arm on the table and his right hand on his right knee. If he were a little closer, I would be in the cradle between his thighs but as it was there was only about six inches between his knees and my left leg. That was pretty close, but I didn't want him to think I felt intimidated so I refused to scoot away, just staying where I was with my arms on the table and my head turned to face him.

"I've done everything I could think of to prevent that! She's my friend too you know!" My voice was still husky from my tears. Could he hear that? I decided to ignore the rest of what he'd said. It was a cheer outfit after all. Fair was fair.

He studied my face as if gauging my truthfulness. He must have liked what he saw because he nodded and then tapped the table. "She's like ma soeur. -my sister. This week has been … hard for her. From what she tells me, she hears some cruel things from the other filles here. But I do see that you've done what you could, even got some of your friends to try and support you there, so thanks for that."

I nodded. "She's like a sister? She told me you're her brother. What's the story there?"

He sighed. "You sure you want to know this? My family and Clotile's ain't tidy."

I wanted to know everything about Jack and Clotile was my friend and if she was his sister, then heck, yes, I wanted to know. My gaze was steady as I leaned my arms on the table and stared into his eyes.
"Tell me Jack. Please."

He nodded gravely, his face showing me this was not a happy topic of discussion for him. "I know who my father is. He doan claim me. He's too busy spoiling his legitimate son and his wife to have any time for me, but I've met him once. Clotile, she can narrow her father down to three men. My father is on the short list. To me, that makes her kin, and we've claimed each other." His voice was firm and definitive. I thought Clotile was very lucky to have Jack on her side.

"I get that. I'm glad you have each other. I always wanted a sister. My Dad died when I was two and Mom never remarried so I never got any siblings. Mel and I count each other as sisters. She's an only child too. We've been friends since kindergarden. Sometimes, Family is the one you make, not just the one you're born into."

He was silent for a long time. My phone beeped. Brandon. -So? Sugar Mill? Yes or no?-

-Yes- I replied quickly before I could forget or change my mind.

"You typing to that beau of yours?" I put my phone down, since I was done anyway and looked at him. Again Jackson seemed mad, or frustrated. What was with him today?

"Texting. Yes. He set up a birthday party for me and seven others at the old Sugar Mill tomorrow night. It's going to be horror film creepy but I have to go cause he's arranged for Mel to have her first date with Spence and she'd been waiting for this chance for ages." I was gesturing wildly, feeling more animated than I had in a long time. I felt like I was getting myself into a ridiculous situation and I couldn't believe I was going to just walk right into it voluntarily, just like some stupid cheerleader in a horror flick who gets herself wacked.

"Just the eight of you at that old haunted sugar mill late at night? On the night before the full moon?"

His voice was full of the foreboding I felt. His face held amusement at my expense. Yeah, laugh it up Cajun.

"I know!" I squealed and shivered at the same time. "It's totally nuts! But it's my birthday party and Mel really wants this date with Spencer so…" I shrugged.

"Doan you want to go? You doan sound excited." He raised an eyebrow, noting it was odd of me not to want to got to the party my own boyfriend was giving me.

I shrugged, not wanting to tell him about the whole cherry countdown or the meh feelings I had about Brandon

"Well, It's my party so I have to go, and Mel's been wanting this date with Spence for months so I definitely have to go for her sake, but I can't help but feel like I'm setting myself up for some B movie horror flick. At least the virgins never die in those so I should be safe right?"

Then I froze, stunned at what had just come out of my mouth and I smacked my hand over my lips, my cheeks and entire face a fierce burning red.

He grinned and then he busted up laughing and I couldn't help it, I started laughing too. I couldn't believe I'd just said that! In front of him! I covered my face with my hands, totally embarrassed.

Jackson's deep voice was filled with amusement, when he pulled my hands down and told me,"Your face is redder than cerises, bebe." cherries, baby. More innuendos. Oh, yeah. He was just loving this, wasn't he?

I just groaned and finished laughing. I'd buried my face in my arms, pressing it against the cool table. I was nearly in tears from the mixture of emotions. Too much today. Far too much.

"Did you tell Mel about your drawing yet?"

"No…" I sat back up to look at him. "But I will. We're spending hours together tomorrow before the party so I'll have plenty of time then. I wanted to ask you, do you have a cellar?"

"No. But I know where a couple are that I can get to."

"That's good. Will you keep Clotile safe with you? Keep her close by, just in case it happens in two days?"

"Doan you worry about us. We'll be fine."

"You have my number. We have a cellar at my place and if your plan falls through, bring Clotile and whoever to my place. OK?"

He raised an eyebrow at my suggestion, seeming highly surprised at the offer for some reason. "Really? You'd invite me and my podnas to stay with you for the big night?" His voice sounded disbelieving. Like he couldn't believe they'd be welcome. And since most of the school treated them like outcasts, there was a fair bit of reason for that attitude.

"Absolutely! Mom even said you're welcome anytime." My tone was a bit defiant.

His eyes studied me again…and that made me think. What if the night wasn't actually in two days but next month, and they showed up…talking about the sketches…

"You'd have to remember not to tell Mom though." He raised an eyebrow in question. "I mean, about why you're there, after dark on a full moon, just in case it's not in two days, and it's next month."

"Why not?" He probed suspiciously. "Karen seemed cool. I'd think she'd understand."

Panic, instant and unabated flared. He'd told me I could trust him! "You said you wouldn't tell! If mom finds out you know about any of this, she'll…" I choked off the rest.

Jack's eyes flared with interest. He leaned forward, his face inches from mine. "What, Evangeline? What would she do?"

"I…she…you, just…promise me" my eyes started to water, "You have to swear you'll never tell her about any of this. You told me I could trust you." My voice was pleading.

He studied me for a long time, then he told me once again, "Your secrets are safe with me Evangline. I woan tell anyone you say not to. I swear."

I breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you." He nodded, sitting back. I thought about the details. I thought about how to keep my secrets safe. "Maybe if you come over on the full moon, you could wait outside, until you know if it's for real or not, that way, Mom won't know anything is up, she won't get suspicious." I was looking across the table top, trying to plan it out, so I didn't see the anger darken his expression, but I heard it in his voice when he replied.

"What, now we're not good enough to enter your home? I thought we was becomin' podna's. You too good for us after all?"

My eyes swung back to him in horror. "NO! No, Jack, that's not what I meant…."

Jackson's nodded and then his eyes were drawn to my sketchbook and he motioned to it with a jerk of his chin, interrupting me, clearly not interested and not willing to hear my excuses. "What else have you got in there?"

Showing him a single sketch at school was one thing. Looking through the entire book was another thing entirely. There were a bunch of things I did not want him to see in there, particularly the drawings of the Red Witch. Somehow her evil felt too disturbingly personal. Not to mention we didn't have enough time or privacy here.

"It's a mix of stuff. We're supposed to we working together outside of school on our History project right? At his nod I suggested, "If you're free after school, could we meet at the Library or maybe the bookstore? I'll show you some more of the sketches then if you really want to see them." Maybe it would be a peace offering of sorts. I felt so bad at how he'd taken what I'd said.

Jackson's face seemed far more pleased by this idea than I would have expected. Though I was glad he was with me as we worked out the details of our plans for that afternoon before the game, I couldn't help but wonder why he was so happy about this.

At lunch, I talked to Mel about having a real sleepover at my house Sunday night for my birthday. I figured Mom wouldn't be able to say no, and I could make sure the girl I loved like a sister would be safe this way. She loved the idea so I breathed a sigh of relief. At least I had that base covered.

When Brandon dropped me off at home, he parked out of sight of the kitchen, and put his hand above my knee, drawing circles on my inner thigh. I frowned at him.

"So, have you given any thought to us spending next weekend at Spencer's house?"

"Yes, but probably not as much as you have."

He gave me a boyish grin. "I can't help it. My mind is on shuffle. Evie, Football. Evie. Football."

I laughed at that. He was cute. "At least I come first in that line up."

"Always." He gave me a kiss, again, meh. And I knew I was going to break up with him. I just didn't know how to do it. And I wanted to warn him. But how to do you tell someone who you've never had a conversation about serious things with that the end of the world might happen in two days and could you please not look at the pretty lights and go hide in the cellar with your family when that happens…yeah. Not a clue.

"I'll tell you after this weekend, ok?" Just get through the upcoming apocalypse. Then he left to get ready for tonight's game.

When I entered the house, Mom was on the phone, having what sounded like a pretty intense conversation. With Gran. Every now and then, Grandmother managed to elude the orderlies and ring home.

"You won't convince me of this!" Silence. "Just listen to yourself! You hurt my little girl—there is no forgiveness! Cry all you like, this number will be changed tomorrow!"

When she hung up, I walked cautiously into the kitchen. "Gran?" I asked softly.

Mom smoothed her hair. "It was." I opened my mouth to ask how she was doing, but Mom said, "Anything you'd like to tell me Evangeline Greene?"

Now see, that question right there, evidence of our damaged relationship. She had no trust in me, and I had no trust in her. I had lots of things I'd love to tell her. I've had a vision of the apocalypse and I think it might be here in two days or so. I made bad grades on two quizzes and I'm really upset about them and I don't know if it's because of the meds or the bad sleep because of the nightmares. Plants like me, as in really like me, and I can make them do tricks, like the other day a rose bush gave me two roses while I was resting in the quad at school.

But I couldn't tell her word one about any of that so I said, "um, I need a ride to the library to study with Jackson. He's my History partner and we have a project we'd like to work on this afternoon before the game. He said he'd give me a lift to the game and get me there on time if that's alright with you." I did not mention that he rode a motorcycle because mom hated motorcycles. I had a feeling that I might really like them, but I didn't say anything about that. She'd know that though because she saw him drive it here before.

"You haven't spoken to your grandmother?"

"Not at all." Not since I was eight and Mom had her disbatched to a home on the outer banks of North Carolina, or at least, the court had, in a plea deal. Mom had told me it was the place to send relatives with dementia. She'd said this as though it was supposed to reassure me. I'd gaped in horror.

Even if Gran had managed to call my cell phone, I would never have answered. My own release from CLC was conditional on two things: medication compliance and zero communication with her. I was already in violation of one of those…

I had agreed to both. Readily. By the end of my stay at CLC, my deprogramming had worked; I'd been convinced that Gran was merely disturbed.

Instead of prophetic. Now I was questioning everything. And even changing my mind. Looks like those two minority report shrinks were right. I wonder where I could find Gran's phone number… Maybe I could use a payphone or a friend's phone to call her? It would still be Louisiana area code so… But, maybe they could take a message. So I wouldn't be in technical violation. Maybe Jackson could call. Could they trace that back to me?

"I haven't spoken to her in eight years."

Mom relaxed a shade. "She's a very sick woman, Evie."

Mom will never see it any differently until it's too late. "I understand." I said.

"I don't think you do. She's got an answer for everything. Hell, she could get anyone spooked about this drought, connecting it to her crazy doomsday scenarios."

"What did she say?" I asked quickly. Had Gran seen what I'd seen?

Mom narrowed her gaze, blue eyes flashing. "Wrong question. We are not concerned with what she says." She pointed a finger at me. "She forfeited any consideration from us the day she tried to … kidnap you."

The conversation continued but I was on auto response. Mom wouldn't listen and I had to be more careful than ever.

"She got you to the Texas state line before the cops pulled her over. God knows where she was taking you. Do you remember any of that?"

Probably questioning how well my "deprogramming" had worked.

"Not really. I think there was something about having ice cream maybe?"

I remembered now that she'd told me she was taking me for ice cream and I'd thought it must be the best ice cream in the world because it had taken forever to drive to get it. I remembered the arrest now. Gran had gone with the officers peacefully, her expression satisfied. In a serene voice, she'd murmured, "I've told you all you need to know, Evie. You'll do just fine. Everything will be just fine."

But I had been hysterical. When they'd cuffed her, I'd kicked the men screaming. And thanks to the brainwashing, I knew nothing I needed to know, which meant, if Gran had been right about anything, and it was looking like at least some of what she'd said was true, then I wouldn't do just fine.

Nothing would be just fine, Unless I remembered. But no pressure, Evie.

Mom looked simultaneously upset and relieved. That's how she lured you into the car. It's good you don't remember the drive. She was probably just filling your head with nonsense. You know her mother was sick before her, my great grandmother too.

I turned away to look out the window at the sugar cane and held the curtain saying tiredly, "I remember the CLC family history Mom."

She came to stand behind me and rubbed my shoulder tentatively. "Evie, listen, we're on the right track. We can make this work. You've just got to trust me."

"But what happens if we don't get rain?"

She had the same answer she always did to any worries I asked. "What happens is your mother will figure something out. You don't worry about anything except school."

"Right, speaking of school…" Mom was more than happy to drop me off at the library to meet Jack for our study date, asking me more questions about him. He'd called my cell a few minutes later and we agreed to meet up at the library in twenty, throwing a few pieces of clothing in my bag that he asked me to. I had a game to cheer at that night, so my time was a little short this afternoon. We wouldn't have a whole lot of time before the game, but we'd have some.

Mom walked me into the library. I tried to get her to drop me off but she insisted on walking me in for some reason. Probably because she suspected Jack was the guy I was interested in.

He stood when we neared the table he'd chosen. There were two tinted motorcycle helmets beside his light backpack which didn't appear to have much in it. His flask didn't appear to be in sight thankfully. His smile was turned to charming. He took my bag from me, setting it on the table and greeting Mom in Cajun, telling her it was always enchanting to see her, bringing her hand to his lips, making her blush. "Thank you for bringing Evangeline to meet me Madam Green."

There he went, charming my mom again, and judging by the blush on her cheeks, succeeding. I didn't think I'd ever seen Mom blush before. She looked pretty that way actually.

My dad died when I was only two. All I knew about him was that he had been jovial, kindhearted, and Mom had adored him. She told me I was a lot like him that way. A family friend had once told me that Dad disappeared on a fishing trip out in the Basin. Mom had taken up the search herself. The Basin is a million acre swamp, but she'd journeyed deep into it, determined to find her husband.

"Oh!" Mom looked flustered and pulled her hand back. "You're welcome of course Jackson. I'm happy Evie's found such a good study partner with you, and now you're partners on a project all semester long in History too I understand?"

He grinned at her and stood tall but casual with one thumb stuck in a pocket. "You can call me Jack, and that's right. Evie and I will be seeing a lot of each other this year."

"Thank you Jack." Mom was all smiles. "I understand you'd like to take Evie to the game tonight? I have to admit that I'm not terribly comfortable with motorcycles. How long have you been riding one?"

His face was still happy but more serious as he answered. "Oui, I'd like to give Evie her first ride with your permission. I've been riding a bike for over two years, and I've taken a few tumbles, but it's taught me what to do and what not to do, so I've got experience. I'm a good driver, Ms. Green, haven't had a wreck in a year. I've got her helmet here and she'll be wearing my jacket to protect her arms, and she's got a pair of jeans in her bag she can change into to protect her legs for the long ride to the game. We'll take it slow, and easy. I promise I'll keep your daughter safe, Karen."

Mom looked very pleased by his thoughtfulness. "I know you will Jack. Well, if you're sure, I'll let you try it this once. Evie, I'd appreciate a call, letting me know you've made it safe to the game."

"Oh, sure thing, Mom."

"Bonsoir." Good evening.

Once Mom was gone I turned to him, "Really Jackson? Flirting with my mom?" I grinned, teasing him.

"I'm just naturally charming. Can't help myself."

I snickered at that one. "Oh, please."

"I just figured it wouldn't hurt if your mere liked me, since we have to work together often on this thing. Might as well start off with a good impression is all."

"Well you certainly did that." I thought again of mom's blush. It was kinda funny that Jackson could charm my mom. "I can't believe you got her to agree to let me ride with you!"

"Clotile tol' me you'd never been and how much you wanted to. Every girl should get to ride a bike at least once." His eyes went to my legs for a moment, and something heated flared, before he went back to business. "Alright," he rapped the table with his knuckles. "Let's see these drawings of yours."

I pulled out my sketches that I'd selected. I'd put them in a folder. I still had my sketchbook in my bag of course. That never left my possession if at all possible, but there were several red witch drawings and I didn't want to look at those with him.

"First I need to tell you that I classify these in categories. Some of them are visions, like in History. They feel like warnings of things to come.

"These other ones, they're of people, sort of. But they're something else too and I don't know what. It's a puzzle. I know I should know this. I tried to figure it out, but I couldn't. So…"

Jackson gave me a cocky grin, "Then it's good you've got me to help you now isn't it?"

"I hope so." I pulled out the boy from my vision in history. I'd drawn him walking towards a cliff with a dog at his heels. I'd put a little box at the bottom where his name should be because I didn't have one.

The next sketch was of Death on his horse with a Scythe. I'd just written Death at the bottom with a question mark.

Then I'd drawn the boy who was Death's ally, the one with the horns. I'd written his quote, "I'll make a feast of your bones, suck the marrow dry as you watch." And I'd written El Diablo? The Devil? Ogen?

I'd also made a blank page and written on the bottom The Empress and written Life is in her very blood.

Once Jack had studied the sketches I told him, I've dreamed of these people, but I don't know why or what they have in common. Do they mean anything to you?

He scratched his jaw and said, "Mais yeah. Sounds like tarot cards. You never heard of them?"

I put my elbow on the table and my forehead in my hand. I felt like I should know this, but it was foggy. "I…I don't…"

"Here." He put my sketches in a pile, tagged my hand and pulled me to a computer. He was holding my hand! He sat in the chair in front of it. He pulled me down in his lap, his left arm around my waist holding me there. His right arm clicked the mouse, and tapped keys, typing in tarot deck pictures.

He was focused. I was in heated shock. I was in Jackson's lap…I was frozen "Um…aren't I heavy?"

He snorted, grabbing my waist with his left hand, his right hand grabbing my knees and pulling them so I was solidly across both of his legs.

Although I really liked this and he smelled really good, I had a boyfriend and this wasn't appropriate. "I think I should get my own chair Jack."

He held me closer for a second, sniffing my neck before helping me off and saying, "Suit yourself."

By the time I'd brought a chair back to his left, he had found what he wanted and had the pictures up on the screen. He had the fool card up and I squealed, "Oh my gosh! That's it! That's the boy! I go over the edge a dog at my heels, just like he said!"

I gave Jackson a huge hug, and he seemed surprised to be on the receiving end of such spontaneous affection. I wasn't paying much attention to that though, grabbing the sheets and writing down Fool card beside the name box. It didn't feel right to put 'fool' for this boy's name.

"How about Death?" That card was pretty much like my drawing. So was Devil's. I circled Devil there.

I didn't want to ask the next one but felt like I needed to. "Can you look up Empress?"

"Mais yeah." Two clicks and there she was. Sitting on a throne surrounded by crops. There was a waterfall in the background, just like on Death's card. There was also red in her background though. Blood? I shivered.

"Empress Evie, Empress Evie…"

"Evie…You must prepare Empress…You are learning to listen my friend Empress…"

"Come to me Empress…It begins directly at the end, Empress"

Did that mean…I was the Empress card? What the hell was all this about?!

I sat back in my chair, my hands limply holding the pages, nausea churning my stomach. I didn't like this revelation at all.

I felt something stroke my cheek. I turned my face to the right toward that sensation. Jackson was looking at me with concern. "You doan look very happy about the rest of the cards Evangeline. Why is that?"

I looked at this boy that I liked, this boy who might like me back, who already knew that I'd had a vision of the world ending and decided, that the idea that I might be a representation of a Tarot card with the power to make plants do tricks, and that there might be other people out there who represented other Tarot cards, two of which I met last night in my dreams and apparently wanted to kill me by either striking me down with his blade or feasting on my bones may be just a little too weird and crazy for him to believe, especially since I thought it was too crazy to believe and I was living it, I decided to give this one a pass. I'd shown. I didn't have to tell all.

"Maybe it's just too hard to figure out."

He looked at me hard. "Why doan I believe you?"

Yeah, I couldn't lie worth beans. "Okay, let me put this a different way. I'm living this and I think it's too messed up and crazy to believe. So how about I just let you draw your own conclusions and we move on to the other drawings for now. If I have new drawings that I think you need to know something about, I promise I'll show them to you and tell you as much as I can. Deal?"

"D'accord."

He looked at me from head to toe. I was sitting at a chair beside him at the table so he had a fairly unobstructed view. Suddenly it seemed as though the temperature in the room shot up ten degrees. I was wearing my cheer outfit still, short red skirt, red ribbon in her ponytail, which was curled at the ends. I could practically hear his thoughts. Mm mm MM

"Can we go to a store and pick up a Tarot deck before we go to the game? If I'm dreaming of these guys, I may as well have a deck in case any new characters show up."

"Let's go. The store's only ten minutes away so you can wait to change into your jeans until we get there. I can hardly wait to get you on the back of my bike in that skirt of yours."

He picked up both of their bags and tagged her hand, pulling her with him out of the library. Yep. Warm and tingly all over. Why couldn't she have this kind of chemistry with Brandon? Why?!

They left the library and he pulled her around the corner to where he'd parked his bike. He stashed his backpack, which was nearly empty, in a compartment under the seat, then put my backpack on the ground. He took off his leather jacket and held it out, holding it open. "Put this on bebe."

I let him put it on me and the jacket smelled like him. Warm, masculine, comforting. He zipped it up and put the backpack on me too. Then he settled a helmet on my head with a tinted visor and buckled the chin strap with a broad grin. I felt a little like a doll he was dressing up in biker garb.

"What?" I asked, a little defensively.

"You make such a jolie babelle, cher." He told me in French. pretty doll, dear.

Yep. Just as I'd thought. My mouth twisted in wry amusement. Well, fair was fair.

He sat on the bike and put his own helmet on, then turned to me. "I don't suppose you've ever ridden one of these before?"

"Nope. First time." I said, a little nervously. I was pretty excited about it though. I couldn't help but think that if I liked riding with the top down, I was going to love this.

"Cerise ride? Don't I have all the luck? Well, hop on bebe. You need to put your foot on this rest here, hold onto my shoulders, and swing your leg over to the other side. Doan touch those pipes there. You'll be flambe."

Wasn't he just full of innuendos? I did as told, holding his shoulders. Once I was seated, he said, "Now hold on tight around my waist."

Cherry ride, first ride, oh yeah. That just screamed sex. Even a virgin like me knew that. Good thing the dark visor hid my flaming cheeks.

I wrapped my arms around his upper waist and chest but kept my hips a little apart from his. He turned on the bike and it began to rumble, the seat vibrating between my legs. Realizing that the wind was going to blow my skirt around, I let go with one hand to try and tuck the skirt more firmly under me, though the bloomers would keep everything essential covered, and the big heavy jacket came down below my hips all the way to the seat, covering me really well. The helmet covered my my face. The only thing anyone could see of me would be my legs…lots and lots of leg.

As I was realizing this, and how very closely my thighs were pressed to his, one of his hands dropped down from the handlebars to stroke my right leg slowly from knee to mid thigh. I was aware of my body as I had never been before. I was pressed against him from knees to shoulders, and totally aroused as I had never been before in my life. I squirmed. He turned around but the darkness of our helmets kept us from really seeing each other. His large hand stroked my thigh again, slowly, as though waiting for me to object. Yeah, I though as I exhaled a shaky breath, not going to happen. That's the most amazing thing I've ever felt in my life.

He held my hands trapped against his chest with one of his to keep me from backing any further away, his other hand still caressing high on my thigh, now drawing light teasing circles that made me squirm even more, the vibrations of the bike purring between our thighs. We were alone around the side of the library, in our own little world in an alley between buildings. He turned his head to look at me through our dark tinted visors.

"You and me, we're goan to have a talk real soon, ouais?"

"D'accord, Jack." Agreed.

The approval in his eyes made my heart warm. "Hold on tight!" He pressed my hands once more against his chest and I nearly jumped when both his hands cupped me behind my knees and pulled me a couple inches forward so my front was now pressed tightly against the entire length of this back. My heart kicked up another notch.

He revved the bike turned his head to yell at me, "Lean with me on the turns and you'll be fine."

I loved the ride to the bookstore. It was a total adrenaline rush and ten times better than riding in Brandon's car with the top down. After a few minutes I lay my head on Jack's shoulder, watching the world go by as I hugged him tightly, one of his hands dropping to caress my thigh every now and then. If only I could pause this moment in time and just stay here, everything would be golden.

Unfortunately, the ride to the bookstore only took about ten minutes. I sighed when I got off, almost wanting to cry for some reason. That ride hadn't been nearly long enough. I struggled to get the helmet off. Jackson had parked around the side again and once he'd put the kick stand up and dismounted, canting his helmet off in a smooth movement and turning to me with a grin, he showed shock at my sad face.

"Quoi y a, bebe?" What's wrong baby? "I thought for sure you'd like the ride." He helped me get the helmet off, then tipped my chin up. "Talk to me cher."

"No, I loved the ride! The ride was great! I'm just kinda sad it was over so soon." I gave a little laugh cause I knew I was being silly. I should be all smiles if I'd enjoyed it, but I was honestly sad it was over so soon.

He gave me a grin and took my bag and put it over his left shoulder, then draped his right arm around my shoulders, while saying, "No worries bebe, I'll be more than happy to give you a good, long ride soon." I was glad that he was going to give me another, longer ride on his bike, but from the tone he used, it seemed like he was having a lot of fun using double entendres today.

Then he kissed my neck! It was that super sensitive spot where the curve of the shoulder meets the neck. I was shocked that he'd done this and so aroused by it that I flushed and shivered. "Jackson!" I whisper yelled.

He took that opportunity to lean me against the side of the building, his hands turning me and then gently shoving my shoulders against the wall. Again we were in an alley, alone. He placed my bag beside us. I was still wearing his coat. He unzipped it, his right hand snaked under the coat and around my back to curve around my waist, a couple of his fingers teasing the skin between the opening of my top and my cheer skirt. His left hand came up to the back of my neck, his thumb caressing my jaw, and tilting my head up as though for a kiss at the same time.

"Jackson what are you doing?" I nearly pleaded. I could not resist this. I couldn't quite get enough air. I breathed faster and this made my lips dry so my tongue moistened them. When his eyes dropped to stare at my lips, I stopped breathing. He groaned.

"You call me Jack." He stepped in and now we were pressed together again, but front to front this time, instead of my back to his front. This was totally different. I could feel him rock hard against my stomach. There was no way to mistake that as anything but what it was. But unlike with Brandon, there was nothing meh about this situation. I was completely and totally turned on. In fact, I could feel myself pulsing with my heartbeat between my legs and getting wet at the same time. This had never happened to me before.

I really hoped that Jack didn't think of me as just another one of his gaiennes, just someone to try and score off of and move on. I wasn't up for that either. But I did know that I'd never felt desire this strong before in my life.

He rubbed his thumb along my lower lip as he said softly, "It's time for that talk now Evangeline, ouais?"

I stared up at him. He had me pinned against the building, turned on more than I had ever been in my life, he was so irresistible, it was unreal. I really, really wanted to find out how he kissed. Now that he'd touched me, I knew what was was missing in my relationship with Brandon. Depth and chemistry. The problem was, I still had a boyfriend. Though I'd planned to break up with Brandon, I hadn't actually done it yet. I didn't want to cheat on him.

I leaned my head against the brick wall of the building as I shakily whispered words that I really, really didn't want to say. "I have a boyfriend." I said softly.

That statement seemed to drive him over the edge because he bent down, grabbed my ass in his hands, and hoisted me up, then grabbed my legs and wrapped them around his thighs and I felt hardness against that spot that had throbbed earlier. The pleasure of the position he'd put me in was unimaginable and I swear I saw stars. He tried to kiss me but I turned my face away saying, "I can't!" so he covered my throat and ear with kisses as he ground into me and I felt like I was so dizzy on pleasure something was going to happen but I didn't know what.

Then Jack asked, practically growing in my ear,"If you have a boyfriend, then why are you so hot for me right now?"

My hips were rocking against his now, reaching for something, I didn't know what. My hands had wrapped around his shoulders, holding on tight, my fingers tangling in his jet black hair, which I'd always liked and was finally touching. What had he asked me? Oh. Right. I froze

That was a good question. How did Jack rev me up so darn quickly!? "Put me down for a minute. I can't think when you hold me like this." I panted. He ground my pelvis into his once more, making me shudder, then he nibbled my neck before saying in my ear, "I'll remember that, Peekon."

Once I was on my feet and had taken a few steadying breaths I told him, "I want to do this with you, but I can't yet. I'm planning to break up with Brandon, I just haven't figured out how yet. I've told you he's throwing me a party for my birthday tomorrow and he's been good to me, even if he wants more from me than I'm willing to give him."

At the thunderclouds on Jack's face I defended, "He's a nice guy Jack. I can tell you don't like him. I don't know why. But he's been good to me, and he doesn't deserve to be cheated on. More than that, I don't want to be the kind of girl who cheats on a guy. Even if he doesn't know it. I want to be better than that…" My voice trailed off and my eyes dropped to his lips, "even if it's really really hard to do." My eyes met his again, wary of what I might find there after having revealed so much.

I saw something good there, respect maybe? "Do it soon, Ma Belle. I doan want to wait much longer for a bec doux."

My Beauty, a sweet kiss. Yeah, I didn't want to wait much longer either.

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