Love Is Strange

(A TIGER'S CURSE FANFICTION)

DEDICATED TO ANNALISA

Emma's Point Of View

I slammed the front door closed, inhaling deeply to force back the tears threatening to spill over. I let my school satchel drop to the floor with a thump and grounded the heels of my palms into my raw eyes. I walked stiffly into the kitchen, grabbing an apple and leaning against the bench. I sighed and stretched, standing still for a few minutes, jumping when I heard the front door open.

'Emma! Emma! I'm home!' Alyss suddenly bounded into the room and wrapped her skinny arms around my torso, squeezing tightly.

'Ooph. Hey kiddo. How was your day?' I asked, kneeling down to hug my little sister back. Alyss is of a small figure, and has big, bright blue eyes that sparkle with excitement, and millions of freckles sprinkled over her nose.

'Hey, you're getting big,' I exclaim, as my father walks in to the room in his corporate cloths and briefcase. Alyss beams with pride and starts to jump up and down.

'Hey! Guess what guess what guess what!'

'You're mad and I'm not,' I replied, standing up and opening the fridge, pulling out some orange juice.

'Nope. In Kentucky it is illegal to carry ice-cream in your back pocket.' Then she burst out laughing. I smiled with her and ruffle her hair, which makes her laugh even harder. Still in hysterics, Alyss ran up the steps to get her soccer boots. I turn to dad who gives me a weary grimace.

'She's nuts,' he sighed, massaging his temples.

'Bonkers,' I agreed, pouring myself a glass of juice and sitting down next to him.

'But she's funny.'

'Extremely.'

'And annoying.'

'That too.' We smile at each other as Alyss jumps down the stairs.

'Bye Emma!' She yells over her shoulder and bounds out the door, Dad standing up with a yawn and following her.

'Hippo milk is pink,' she shouts out the rolled-down car window as they drive away to her soccer practice. Not for one second doubting her facts were correct, I smile and shake my head, walking back into the house.

Kelsey's Point Of View

I lean against Ren's shoulder as he plays with my hair, wrapping the braid around his finger just like he used to. We both stare at Anik, lying on the couch in his tiger form, sleeping. The black tiger resembles Kishan so much. The golden, honey coloured eyes, the muscled chest and the same soft, black fur that I have run my hands through so many times. I sighed and his ears twitched towards the sound, but he slept on. I remembered Kishan's teasing smile, his infectious laugh. A single tear rolled down my cheek and something tugged at my heart. I had once promised him a piece of my heart would always be his, and I have held to that promise ever since.

I bit my lip when I thought about Anik, and what he must be going through. The confusion, frustration and the thought of the frightening future destined to come upon him must be tumbling in his brain right now. I worried at the danger he and Emma would be facing. What sort of panic and confusion she would be feeling. She wasn't going into this willingly, like I had. Nope, she had been thrown into the deep end, gotten everything dumped straight at her face. No slowing, no stopping, no putting on the breaks.

Emma's Point Of View

The story was Anik had a terrible fever. I walked to school alone, kicking a pebble a couple metres in front of me. I still can't figure everything that's happened the last twenty-four hours, all I can think is that I am extremely tired, and have a headache.

I trudge into biology and sit in my usual seat, glaring glumly at the empty chair beside me where Anik typically sits. I rest my head on my palm, absently sketching in the margins of my textbook while the other students filter into the classroom. Mumbling hi to my classmates, I try my best to blend in with the wall as to achieve some peace and quiet.

Mr Evans struts in directly on the bell, adjusting his glasses as he purposefully sits in his chair. He clears his throat and peers at me over his spectacles.

'Ahem, Emma, since you are currently, ah, lab-partner-less, I am assigning you a new lab partner.' This caught my attention and my head snapped up. 'His name is Edison and he should be arriving shortly. He will work with you until Anik returns.' I frowned, and opened my mouth to object but at that moment the classroom door flew open and someone I presumed to be Edison walked in.

'Ah, Mr Turner, just on time. Please, take a seat next to Emma,' Mr Evans said indifferently, gesturing to me with a wave of his hand. I glanced up to acknowledge my new partner. He was tall, handsome and had green-eyed that sparkled. He smiled at me as he slid into the vacant seat and I looked away, pretending to look through my notes.

'Hey,' he whispered in my ear and I jumped, glaring at him. 'The name's Edison.'

'I am aware of that,' I replied stiffly, avoiding eye contact and focussing on Mr Evans lecture instead. I saw out of the corner of my eye Edison smile at my answer, and he angled his chair closer. The fact was that I was the least bit interested in this arrogant new exchange student. He cleared his throat.

'Yes, but one usually introduces himself in order to find out the other persons name-'

'You already know my name,' I interrupted, scribbling down notes on what Mr Evans was saying.

'Okay,' Edison admitted. 'Maybe I just want to start a conversation with my new lab partner… Emma.' I snorted and ignored him, which made his smile grow even bigger. 'However, it looks like she is unwilling to continue the conversation with him. How tragic.' The corner of my mouth twitched, and Edison leaned forward, seeing his advantage. 'So the new kid is regrettably going to up the stakes, Emma.'

'Yes?' I replied, unable to prevent the smile starting to appear on my face.

'Do you want to go to the movies with me this afternoon?' He said, smirking and the remaining attention I had on the teacher vanished. My eyes snapped to his in astonishment.

'Huh?' I said, finally looking at him. Edison was still smiling. 'Wait - what?'

'Do you,' repeated Edison slowly, 'want to go to the movies this afternoon? With me?'

All I was capable of was a confused expression. I stared at him uncomprehendingly, which made Edison's smile widen.

'Really Emma,' he sighed. 'Do I have to repeat myself a third time?'

'No! No it's just-' I blurted but was interrupted by Mr Evans who had wondered over.

'In case I am mistaken, this is a silent experiment,' he says, peering. 'Anything to share?'

'No sir,' Edison jumps in smoothly, and I arch my eyebrow. 'We were discussing monkeys.'

'Monkeys?' Mr Evans and I exclaim simultaneously before Edison shoots me a look. 'Ahhhh, yes monkeys,' I clarified, and Mr Evans gave us a suspicious look. 'Turns out Edison is actually interested in monkey species. Dedicates his life to them. Finds them absolutely inspiring. Monkeys this, monkeys that – so weird right? He's obsessed.' That slapped the smirk off his face. Oh I was going to enjoy this. Edison scowled at me and I leaned back in my chair, grinning.

'Actually, Mr Evans I am not obsessed with monkeys. I just- um…'

At that exact moment the bell rang. Edison frowned at me as I just sat there, smiling at my success. But to my annoyance, Edison didn't seem that concerned about it. Instead he took a deep breath, swept his textbooks into his bag and stood up, casting a long shadow over me.

'Meet me in the car park after school. I'll have you home by eight.' And I was left staring after him with bafflement.

A.N. Hope you enjoyed. All rights to Colleen Houck.

Now, onwards to that shiny review button.

Do we want Edison as a jealousy tool or do we want him to be something genuine?
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Love, peace and monkeys?,

Thoughts of a Fangirl