Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me
Warnings: Slash, Nonrelated, Language, Psychic Powers
Note: Jeremy's still human in this story, but he does have a psychic ability: telepathy. While it's not a major plot device, it'll still make a few appearances throughout the story.
~*Chapter Two: Death of a Friend*~
The blaring shriek of my alarm clock startles me awake.
Groggily, I roll over and slap my hand over the snooze button.
Instant silence; peace.
Falling back against my pillows, I press my hands over my eyes and rub them, groaning. The one thing I always hate about school starting is waking up at oh dark thirty. It usually takes me about a week, sometimes two, to readjust to my old routine.
Ten minutes later, the shrill ring of my alarm again fills the room. Throwing back my covers, I swing my legs over the edge of my bed, stand up, stretch, and switch off my clock. Still rubbing sleep from my eyes, I stumble into my bathroom, hissing when the blinding light hits my eyes, and turn on the shower. The warmth of the water cascading down my muscles, loosening and awakening them, feels so good and I slowly wake up. Once finished, I brush my teeth and hair. Then wrapping a towel around my waist, I return to my room and get dressed.
As soon as I enter the kitchen and see Klaus, sullenly drinking his coffee and refusing to acknowledge my presence, my good mood vanishes. Images from last night cloud my memory. Wincing, my shoulders slump and I quietly mutter good morning while reaching for the cereal. He utters grunts in return; not exactly acknowledgement but at least he isn't ignoring me. I press my lips together. How much longer is he gonna hold this against me? After pouring myself a bowl, I eat in silence.
I'm halfway finished when Klaus stands, grabs his keys, and leaves. My mouth hanging out, I watch in disbelief as he gets in his car and drives away. That asshole! Guess he's taking my rejection last night harder than I anticipated. Swallowing the last of my breakfast, I rinse my dishes, grab my backpack, lock the door, and hurry down the sidewalk. Classes start at 8 o'clock and it's now 7:40 am. Walking usually takes about twenty minutes. Wonderful. Not only am I fighting with my best friend, but I'll most likely wind up with detention for being late and it's all thanks to his childish behavior. I kick a stray rock and watch it skip across the cement.
"Jeremy!" I hear a voice shout behind me. Turning, I spot Matt in the passenger seat of a sleek, red 2009 Lexus IS Convertible with Tyler at the wheel. "Need a lift?" Matt asks as they pull up to the curb.
Smiling, I shift my book bag. "That'd be great, guys. Thanks."
As I move towards the back, Matt suddenly jumps out of the front seat. "I'll sit in the back, Jere," he says, clasped my shoulder.
I blink at the nickname; it feels so natural. "Are you sure?" When he nods, I slip in beside Tyler and buckle up. "Thanks, Ty and Kev." Once the words are out of my mouth, I frown. What's going on? I've only known them less than a day and already we're using pet names? What the hell? Did I somehow slip into an episode of the Twilight Zone?
"No worries." Tyler glances towards me and winks. Seconds later I'm staring at the back of his head; did I imagine the wink? "Do you usually walk to school alone?"
I shake my head. "No. Klaus and I got into an argument last night and he's still not talking to me." Why am I telling him this? It's not really any of his business. However, that doesn't negate the fact that I feel so comfortable around them.
"Sorry to hear that."
That's when I notice the gold chain and simple, round, obsidian shaped pendent hanging around his neck. Nothing fancy, but I can't take my eyes off it. Almost like it's calling to me.
"Nice necklace," I say.
Tyler's eyes brighten. "Oh you recognize it?" he asked. Immediately Matt kicks his brother's seat and I frown. Recognize it? Briefly the two brothers share a look in the review mirror and Tyler's eyes dim somewhat. "I just meant you recognize the stone…not a lot of people do."
My frown deepens and I turn to stare out the window. Somehow I know that's notwhat he originally meant, but I can't get a read on either brother's thoughts. After making a quick lane change, we pull into the school parking lot. Thankfully we have five minutes to spare.
I see Katherine along with the rest of my friends waiting by the school entrance when we whiz pass by; as we park, she nudges Klaus who looks up and his mouth drops in shock. Any compassion I feel towards him vanishes as I snap off my seatbelt and stalk towards him.
"Thanks for ditching me this morning, asshole!" I say, shoving Klaus backwards.
He stumbles, but manages to catch himself; when he sees Matt and Tyler behind me, his eyes narrow. "What are you doing with them? I told you to stay away from them!"
"What does it matter to you? You're not the boss of me. You left me, remember?" I say, jabbing my finger in his chest. "If it weren't for them, I'd be getting detention for being late. Is that what you wanted? Is it?"
He flinches. "Jere, I—"
I hold up my hand. "You know what, save it. Just stay away from me!" Without another word, I climb the steps and hurry inside towards my locker.
Spinning the dial on my lock, I throw open the door and retrieve my textbooks. Once I have everything, I close my locker and jump at the sight of Anna, Katherine, and Rebekah.
What is it with everyone sneaking up behind me?
"Yes?" I say, clutching my books and leaning against the row of lockers. Really this double teaming, well quadruple teaming, is getting annoying. If they're here to defend Klaus, I really don'twant to hear it.
"Klaus's right, you know?" Katherine says her voice gentle as she lays her hand on my shoulder. "Stay away from Matt and Tyler."
I shove her hand off. "Oh come on, guys. They can't be thatbad."
"She's right," Rebekah says. "They flooded their old school's bathroom, graffitied the walls, and watched their school burn after setting it on fire."
I roll my eyes and head towards class; the girls follow closely. "Those are just rumors and probably not even true."
"Jere, they're dangerous." This time Anna grabs my arm and pushes me against the wall.
"Anna, let go of me." We're starting to draw a crowd and I'd rather not be the center of attention.
Slowly she releases me and steps back. "Just promise me you'll stay away."
"I really appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine. You're just being paranoid. There's nothing strange about Tyler and Matt; they're just two new transfer students. End of story."
However, as I enter my classroom and see Tyler and Matt waiting for me, I can't help but wondering if maybe the girls and Klaus are right. There is something different about Tyler and Matt…something I can't describe.
After taking my seat and pulling out my notebook, Mr. Lant enters the room and class begins. However, no matter how hard I try, instead of paying attention of the lecture, my gaze switches back and forth between studying Tyler and Matt; they seem like ordinary teenagers, especially with those twin looks of boredom. If I didn't know any better, I'd suspect they've heard all this before, but if that's the care, then why sit through a tedious review? Sighing, I glance down at my blank sheet of paper; focus Jeremy, you have to focus. Yet, it's no use. I can't deny the fact that they're different; besides, if they were normal, why am I so drawn to them and why are Klaus and the girls so insistent on keeping me away from them?
When the afternoon bell rings, I sigh and shove my books back in my bag. Although I'm glad to be done with classes, I have a pile of homework waiting for me as well as a sour best friend who refuses to confide in me about why he's so angry with me. Tonight is definitely going to be fun.
As I make my way outside, dreading the long walk home, I see Tyler and Matt leaning against their car. Catching sight of me, they wave me over.
"Hey, Jere. Want a ride home?"
I smile, but before I can answer, a hand closes around my arm. "He's not going anywhere with you!"
"Klaus, what the hell is your problem?" I say, pushing him backwards.
"Jere, you don't know these guys and I'd rather not hear about my best friend winding up the next victim of a brutal murder on the 6 o'clock news."
Tilting my head to the side, I stare at him and try to tune into his thoughts. I've never understood when or how I acquired this talent of telepathy; as far as I can remember I've always had it. Usually though I suppress the tendencies, because they make me feel like a freak, but now I let it resurface as I need to know what Klaus's hiding.
"Don't," he says his voice a growl as he steps back. "You promised you won't do that anymore."
Sighing, I drop my gaze. "Then tell me what you're hiding." His friendship means everything to me and I hate this barrier between us.
He shakes his head. "I…can't. It's complicated, Jere."
I press my lips together and clench my fists. "I see." My voice drips with betrayal.
Reaching out towards me, his eyes plead with me to understand. "Jere, don't be like that. I'm just worried." While toeing the ground, he swallows hard and again holds his hand out towards me. "I'm sorry, I overreacted. Please, just let me drive you home."
Uneasily, I glance back at Tyler and Matt, unsure of my action, especially since their expressions remain neutral, waiting for my decision. I face Klaus again and swallow; we've been friends for years. Why is it so hard to trust him now? Without realizing it, I shuffle back till I'm standing between Tyler and Matt. "I think I'll let them drive me home."
As soon as the words leave my lips, Klaus's face instantly contorts into a scowl, his eyes narrowing and burning with hurt, anger, and betrayal. His lips curl up in a sneer and he shakes his head. You shouldn't have said that, Jere. His threatening words echo in my head. My eyes widen as he joins the girls. Right before he gets inside his car, he again locks gazes with me. You're going to live to regret this too, Jeremy. Shivering, I wrap my arms around my waist, blinking and staring at the taillights of his 2007 Lincoln Navigator as he backs out and then roars out of the school parking lot.
What have I done?
Author's Notes: Here's the next chapter of Whispers of Eternity. Hope you guys enjoyed it and please let me know what you thought. If you have any theories about what's going on with Klaus and Jeremy, Jeremy's connection to Tyler and Matt, or even who Tyler and Matt really are, I'd love to hear them. Thank you everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter; you guys are the best!