Forbidden Fruit (6 page)

Her behavior startled and baffled me. I began to follow her and found the corridor suddenly empty. All bodies there a second ago disappeared into thin air. It was as if twelve hours passed in one second because it was also dark now. Without knowing how or why, I realized I was being trapped.

My stomach dropped, and I felt my breath become shallow.

Sudden fear shot through my body. I spun around to see where he was. I knew he was here. I could feel him. I twisted in a frantic circle, dizzily searching for my attacker. Then I found him. The dark cloaked man stood at the far end of the hallway, menace and malice rolling off him. I couldn't see his face or his eyes, but I knew he was looking right at me. I ran this time, not wanting to make the same mistake as before.

I dashed down the hall and through the deserted student lobby. I slammed my hands into the double doors and darted up the stairs to the science lab. I didn't have to look back to know he was chasing me. I could feel him. He was danger and fear, wrapped together. I raced through the lab, swiping at bubbling beakers with wicked looking concoctions, hoping the spilled chemicals would burn him, or at least slow his pace.

I climbed the next set of stairs that led to the rooftop garden and astronomy lab. The metal doors slammed shut behind me and then immediately opened again for the reaper to come through.

At the edge of the roof, I turned to my assailant, heart pounding in my throat. He strode toward me with purpose, black cloak dancing in midnight wind. I glanced over my shoulder at the two-story fall and panicked. Should I jump? Could I jump? Did I have a choice? How bad would it hurt? Would it be worse than whatever the thing had in store for me? My body exploded with terror as the killer lunged forward and grabbed me.

I gasped and shot up to a sitting position in my bed. My hair was sweaty and matted to the back of my neck for the second time in less than a week. My nightshirt was twisted around my stomach, and my pulse was pounding in my chest and temples. I laid back down, trying to breathe and calm myself.

Several minutes later, I still felt fear from the nightmare and had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't real. It was just a dream.

After a while, I got out of bed and threw my hair up on top of my head. I forced my feet to walk down stairs and get some water. The house was quiet and sound, the clock on the wall said it was three-thirty in the morning. All signs of the party were gone except the piles of gifts Rose had yet to open.

The old hardwood floors were cool beneath my feet as I made my way into the kitchen and retrieved a bottle of water. It was refreshing and somehow made me feel better, more relaxed. I drank half the bottle and replaced it in the refrigerator.

I gave a long sigh aloud, rubbed my weary eyes, and decided to go back to bed.

When I was halfway up the antique stairwell, a board creaked, sending a little zap of fear racing through my veins. I knew I was on edge and overreacting so I stopped, closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
There are no such things as monsters
. Then I forced my shaky legs to climb once more.

Four more steps and I felt hot air on the back of my neck. Chills raced down my spine.

I took off in a sprint up the stairs, feeling a malevolent presence behind me. I tore into my room, slamming the door behind me and leaped onto my bed. I turned to see what was chasing me and found that there was nothing in my room but me.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding
. What the hell is wrong with me?

I sighed and then rolled my eyes. I was acting like a child. My rational mind reminded me that it was just my imagination. I had a bad dream and was still spooked. That was all.

I didn't fall back asleep that night.

Monday morning I came to school with a plan. I spent the rest of the weekend rehashing the episode with Jason on the battery, and contemplating what I should do. I still couldn't wrap my head around his sudden change of behavior, not to mention why in the world he would leave me alone with a creepy serial killer. I like to assume that people aren’t inherently shallow, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. The only explanation I could consider was that he never saw the cloaked man because if I entertained the thought that he did, then it meant he was a terrible person, and I just didn’t get that vibe from him.

However, he did abruptly leave after our kiss as if he couldn’t stick around long enough to properly say goodnight, so the only plan I had was to ignore him. Childish, I know, but I didn't want to be the girl who doesn't take a hint. If he didn't want to talk to me, then I wouldn't talk to him. Plus, it would put the ball in his court while I waited as if nothing at all bothered me.

I crossed the courtyard and found Bailey with a group of girls going on about how badass Eric's party was. I tried not to be Miss Obvious as I discretely looked around the courtyard to see if Jason was even there. I didn’t see him or his brother. Odd, missing school already when they had just begun.

"You
so
should have seen the way Eric was all over me!" Bailey whispered into my ear. "It was like Lacy and Alicia didn't even exist!" She bounced with excitement.

"Nice!" I complimented. Alicia sneered at Bailey's back before Lacy grabbed her attention by yanking on her arm and pointing to the front gate.

"Oh. My. God!" Alicia said. Her jaw dropped. Everyone in the group turned in unison to see what the big deal was.

Oh my god
didn't do him justice. The guy walking across the courtyard was pure masculinity, with dark wavy hair and chiseled features. His tall body walked with a sure arrogance and oozed power. He had tanned skin and a muscular build. His gait was more like a prowl, and his eyes scanned the curious crowd with a lethal, threatening edge. He was like a wild lion, and the gazelles gave him a wide berth. He looked more likely to be in his twenties than a teenager, but he was wearing the same Legare Prep uniform all the guys wore. The slacks and polo looked odd on him, like someone dressed the king of the jungle in an Onesie.

He was exotic. Not foreign per se, but definitely not from around here, or anywhere I have been. He was also dangerous, and he wasn’t trying to pretend otherwise. I should have been afraid of him, and on some primal level I was, though at the same time I was absolutely and unequivocally attracted to him. I always thought I was into the ‘good guys.’ Apparently not.

I watched alongside every other girl (and even some guys) in pure astonishment at what had just walked into our school. I heard someone say, "This year just got a lot better." Legare Prep has had its fair share of hot guys, but it has surely never seen anything like this.

Feeling oddly entranced, I forced myself to look away. I saw several mouths still open while Lacy and Alicia huddled in a whispering dyad. The bell rang just then, and I grabbed my bag, trying to shake the effect the new guy had on me.

As I passed the scheming duo, Lacy called, "Dibs!" With Alicia in tow, she walked by the rest of us, nose high in the air, and sure of her next kill. Several girls slumped their shoulders as Lacy marked her territory. I had a feeling the new guy wasn’t the kind to be marked. Even so, I slumped inside a little too.

I entered my first period class and took my seat still somewhat in a daze. Mr. Brody called role in his typical bored, monotone voice. I casually raised my hand when he got to my name. It wasn't until he got to the end of the role that my attention was once again captured.

He introduced a new student. As if on cue, the god-like new guy strolled into the room. “And you must be Michael,” Mr. Brody arched a brow, the most expression anyone has gotten out of him all year.

He gave Mr. Brody a quick nod, and then his eyes fell directly onto me. I immediately blushed. He passed the podium and claimed the seat right next to me.

I found myself captivated by his every move, especially the way his body prowled through the class, sure and confident, if not a bit annoyed.

He took his seat and continued to look at me. He exuded some sort of electric current that had my skin tingling and my mind buzzing.

Up close, I saw that he had deep, dark eyes, which seemed to swallow everything around them, like a black hole. I had the notion that if I could just go a little deeper, take a dip in the bottomless depths of them, I could see…

"Class, meet Michael. Michael, meet the class," Mr. Brody lazily waved his hand across the room.

Michael then looked away from me and nodded halfheartedly to the class.

I heard several giggles and one outright gasp. Michael did not seem at all bothered with the energy field of estrogen surrounding him. He appeased the audience with a slight turn of his mouth, flashing a half dimpled grin.

I looked away. It was too much. I was captivated by his presence, unnaturally focused on his every move. This must be what stalkers felt like, I mused. I refused to be a stalker, nor did I want to be one of those desperate girls falling at his feet.

I finished history class entirely consumed by his presence next to me, and unable to concentrate on the lesson. After packing my bag, I had to squeeze my way through the hallway crowd, all trying to peer into the door to get a glimpse of Michael. I just shook my head at the shameless stares and comments I heard. One girl even asked if she had anything in her teeth as she plumped her push up bra and pulled down at her uniform.

Calculus and Physics were another two hours of sitting in the same class with Michael. I couldn't tell you what we learned in those classes. I tried to keep up the ‘don't stare’ routine in those lectures. It was my coping mechanism. But in truth, I was tripping over my feet around him. At least I was trying not to be so obvious about it.

I was sure he wouldn't be in four classes in a row, so when I walked into my Literature class, I was surprised to see him again.

I found my seat and saw that he was sitting diagonally in front of me. When I sat down, I could feel his eyes on me again. I feigned interest in the cover of my notebook for as long as I could. I hesitated before looking up, trying to compose myself, and hoping my face wouldn’t flush. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself by acting all giddy, which was exactly how I felt every time I looked at him. I took a deep, quiet breath and then looked up.

Those endless, dark eyes bore into mine. I could feel some kind of pull to him from somewhere deep inside of me. An unexpected wave of emotions swept over me. I had never had such a strong reaction to anyone. I was surprised, excited, and a little scared. I wanted to get closer, to get completely lost in the abyss. I thought to myself, this must be what happens right before a girl throws herself at a guy. I felt an urge to run to him, wrap my arms around him and never let go. But I didn't want to give the entire class a show, so I pulled away reluctantly, and with great effort.

What in the hell is wrong with me?

Right then, Lacy dropped her bag at my feet rather loudly and sat in the seat in front of me, which was not her usual spot, but it was right across from Michael. "Hello!" she chirped at him.

He nodded in her direction, a gesture that implied neither interest or not.

"I'm Lacy," she flipped her long blonde hair and held out her delicate hand for him to take. He stared at it for a moment before he smiled and shook her hand. "You must be Michael?" she guessed.

He nodded again.

I was listening to their conversation, eager to hear him speak. So far, he had made it through the day without saying a single word from what I had heard.

"Well, as president of the student body, I offer my services to show you around the school." She batted her eyes and gave him a flirtatious smile that implied she would like to show him a lot more than just the school.

Suddenly hearing him speak was no longer appealing, not if it meant I had to witness what was sure to come - his capture in the raven's claws. Every guy Lacy decided to go after instantly fell under her spell. Bailey liked to call her the Black Widow, insisting she lured guys into her web, then ate them alive. I had to admit, it was a fairly accurate description. So I was surprised when Michael said, "I can find my own way around."

There was nothing meaningful in the way he said it, he just simply turned her down. But I could feel the students surrounding us, holding their breath and stiff as boards. I had never seen Lacy turned down and doubted she ever had been. The tension in the air confirmed that suspicion.

Confusion and shock crossed her face for a brief second before she masked them with a friendly smile. "Well, if you change your mind..." she laughed and turned to face the teacher as if nothing had happened.

Bailey shot me an
oh my god
look from across the room. I just shrugged and pondered the new guy as a mystery.

At lunch, as I expected, Michael was surrounded by girls bombarding him with millions of questions that I couldn't hear the answers to. I sat near Eric and a couple of guys on the other side of the dining hall. I felt bad for Michael. I knew what it was like to come to a new school, and this one could be overwhelming. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have this level of attention though. He probably felt like he was drowning.