Agendas

by J. F. Jenkins

  This time, her hand did raise to slap him, but she held it back. Instead she clenched her fist tightly and returned it to her side. “Stop talking to me. I don't want anything to do with you.”

  “Fine.” Denver took a couple of steps back. His hands were up in a peaceful gesture, but it still didn't appear genuine enough for her to trust him. “I guess you'll never know how to heal your bite then, and I won't be here long enough to tell you. Not like you care or anything, but I'm going to get expelled without your help.”

  “You should be expelled anyway,” she whispered. Louder she said, “Try asking again, only this time leave out the part about how you own me, how I want you, and add a 'please.' If you really want to earn some good brownie points, say 'I’m sorry' too, and I just might consider it.”

  The bustle of the students began to dissipate around them, and slowly the luxurious hallways of the school started to empty. This worked to her advantage, because all of the noise would have made it hard to hear Denver mumble under his breath.

  “Yeah, fine, sorry,” was the most of his speech she was able to make out before he raised his voice back to its normal volume. It mildly satisfied her. “They aren't going to expel me for biting you, by the way. They know I couldn't help it. Sometimes I can't. It just happens.” And that was the most explanation he gave her.

  Then he changed topics. “Okay, I have this problem.”

  She sighed, disappointed the staff was giving him only a slap on the wrist. If he couldn't help it, then maybe he was truly sorry. If he wasn't such a jerk about the whole thing, forgiving him would be a lot easier. But on the other hand, she didn't want to make enemies—and he was gorgeous. Thankfully her brain was still working enough to keep her guard up.

  “Problems would be more accurate, but I'm assuming you're going to tell me about the one I can help with,” she said after a moment had passed.

  “This is why I like brunettes. They're so much smarter than all the others.”

  “Let's walk and talk. I have to meet people for dinner hour,” Cheyenne said. Instead of letting him fluster her more, she took the initiative to leave for the dining hall. She made sure to walk slowly to allow him to catch up.

  Denver strolled coolly next to her. He was a little too close to her, acting as if she was his territory. He didn't have to touch her to make everyone they passed believe the two of them were a couple. Every time she tried to put more distance between them, he would only move in closer. What irritated her most, however, was that he wouldn't talk.

  “I can't help you if you won't tell me what's going on,” she finally snapped at him angrily. “What's wrong with you? Do you have magnets in your pants or something? Do you have to practically suffocate me every time we're in the same room together?”

  He snickered quietly. “I think it’s best I don't answer.”

  “Pervert.” She gave him a sharp jab in the stomach with her elbow. “Talk.”

  “You humans are always so pushy, even the not-normal ones,” he mumbled. “Okay, my problem. I have to show up to class or I'm going to get expelled.”

  “All right.” She bit back all her sarcastic comments. “And how am I supposed to help you?”

  “It gets more complicated,” Denver said. He was having a hard time opening up to her. This wasn’t one of his power games. Once more when she looked at him, she saw the same fear he’d had the night at the Old Union. “I'll leave it at I've been here for a long time. The school board is starting to grow tired of it. They've given me an ultimatum. I'll spare you all the details, but I need to graduate in the next two years. I don't do schoolwork. I don't do class. You obviously know how to do these things. No offense, but you scream nerd. I also like that you don't know anything about me. It's not your business, and it's never going to be your business, and because you don't know anything about me—”

  “I'm not going to judge you like the other students,” she finished for him. A stupid assumption to make, because she judged him based on a lot of things, especially his behavior toward her.

  “Something like that. You don't like me, and that's fine because I don't like you. I still have a theory about the whole bite thing. If you can get me through this quarter, I'll tell you what you want to know.” He held his hand out to her for a truce.

  Hesitantly, she shook it. “Good, because you have a lot of explaining to do. You better not go back on your word though.”

  He shook his head slowly. “I don't go back on a deal.” For the first time that day, he removed his sunglasses, and he stared down at her with unfiltered, powerful green eyes. If she didn't have a stronger sense of self-control, she was certain she would have swooned, again, under his gaze.

  “Okay,” was all she could manage.

  Upon entering the dining hall, food in hand, she quickly moved to her regular table. Everyone was already there and beginning to eat. Halyn motioned for her roommate to quickly sit between her and Zes. Cheyenne did so gratefully. Halyn made sure to close the gap between them, practically squishing her next to Zes. His entire body tensed up as he ate, his eyes never leaving their invader. Denver wasn't dumb, but she knew enough about him to know he didn't care. He sat down on the other side of Jewl as though he belonged with them.

  “I see you've brought a guest with you,” Anj said dryly once everyone was settled. “It's been a while, Colorado.”

  “Denver,” he said. “How are you and your seeing-eye dog doing? A lot better now that you're both away from the water?”

  Zes bristled slightly at Denver's words, but as usual he couldn't quite get whatever he was thinking out and instead focused on his food. He shoved his dinner into his mouth and took a long time to chew each helping.

  “Now this sounds like a story,” Halyn said excitedly.

  Anj scoffed and ignored her inquiry. “Yes, and much better knowing this is our last year of having to deal with you. We were able to graduate on time. I heard a rumor somewhere that some students have a difficult time with it. My self-confidence is greatly reassured now. After all, only an idiot wouldn't be able to pass all of their required classes in an appropriate amount of time.”

  “Aw.” Denver leaned in toward the table. His voice was mockingly hurt and he was able to create a rather convincing empathetic facial expression to match it. “He just called me an idiot. How cute. I guess you have every right to, seeing as how you're the smart one with all of your big words and proper grammar.” He picked a French fry up from his plate and used it to point toward Zes. “At least I know how to swim.”

  Hiccups started to erupt out of Zes's mouth, his face red. His hand shook slightly as he reached for his soda can, and then he steadily gulped the liquid down. Denver continued to eat the last of his meal, watching Zes intently with the apparent goal of making the poor guy suffer. He almost succeeded when Zes began to cough, but Denver suddenly stopped the game short after he took a glance at his watch.

  “Thanks for the company, all, but it's time for me to make like a baby and head out. I'll catch you later, babe.” The last statement was directed at Cheyenne, and he accompanied it with a rather seductive wink before he deserted the table.

  “What a freak,” Jewl said. She peeked over her shoulder to see if Denver had heard her. If he had, he didn't do anything to indicate so. “Don't listen to that moron, Zes, because that's what he is. A moron.”

  “Uh-huh,” Zes said. His twin's hand rested gently on his shoulder and squeezed it firmly.

  “You're fine just the way you were made,” Anj said, and forced a smile. “Now, I was hoping tonight we could go to the bowling alley. It's moonlight lanes tonight, and I happen to know the manager well enough so we'll be able to stay long after they kick out everyone under twenty-one. I figure it might be a nice alternative to going back to the Old Union to dance again since the new girls need to see everything in town. So long as the nightlife is diverse enough, we should be able to blend in just fine. Though I do love coming up with stories to explain your little pointy things, Z
es.”

  Jewl let out a quiet and disgusted snort. “There isn't much to see. I know you have a personal bias and everything, dear—”

  “Don't call me that.”

  “—but you gotta realize to us city folk, this place is pathetic. And I can call you whatever I want.”

  “Well,” he started, “I'd prefer it if you didn't. Perhaps it is a bit pathetic here compared to your skyscrapers and high-class trendy clubs, but I don't see why—” He stopped talking when Halyn erupted into a fit of giggles. One of his dark eyebrows raised and he turned to face her. Once more the soft blue glow surrounded his eyes. “Excuse me, but could you please tell me what's so funny?”

  Halyn waved her hands frantically before placing them over her mouth. It took her a minute, but eventually she composed herself enough to speak coherently. “Nothing, although I don't think the town is pathetic at all. It’s just that the last time I went bowling it was down a hallway of a hotel with plastic pins made for preschoolers.”

  “You're outvoted, because I know Cheyenne and Zes will side with me too,” Anj told Jewl.

  Jewl folded her arms in protest but didn't argue with him further.

  Watching Jewl with Anj reminded Cheyenne too much of an old married couple, which was no doubt why Halyn was giggling so much. This was a good break in the conversation to politely excuse herself from the table.

  “That sounds like a lot of fun guys, but I should probably stay in tonight. I have to do a lot of reading, and tonight's my only night I'm going to be able to get it done. Thanks for the offer.” Cheyenne didn't want to mention Dr. Warhol. The only one who needed to know she was crazy enough to visit with the school doctor was her roommate. The twins gave her a rather depressing pout in an effort to persuade her, which was difficult to resist.

  She waved at them politely, not letting them sway her, and walked away from the table alone. This was the first time she had truly been alone all day, and the farther she got from the table and out of the dining hall, the more she wanted to turn around and wait for someone to join her. Being alone felt wrong now. She was just about to give in and go back to wait for some company when Zes startled her with a tap on the shoulder.

  Spinning around quickly, she fell into him with a loud shriek. The two would have landed on the floor had he not braced himself for her weight.

  “I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting you. What are you doing here?” she asked, her cheeks flushing slightly.

  “I didn't mean to scare you. We were talking about you and Denver at the table. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea for you to walk back by yourself, 'cause it kind of seems like he's bothering you. I know we're worrying too much, but—”

  “No,” she said softly. She readjusted the weight of her book bag with a smile. “It's okay. I'm glad to have friends who are concerned about me for a change.” She couldn't believe she admitted it to him. The small confession didn't seem to bother him much, so she went a little deeper. “I mean, because I'm not used to having people—”

  “Not treat you like you're strange?” he finished for her. “Don't worry about it. Everyone is different here. He is especially though.” He paused and stared at her and then down to her torso. Cheyenne shifted before folding her arms in front of her chest protectively. Zes was a perceptive teenage boy. “I'm s-sorry. I wasn't looking at, not to say I wouldn't, but I mean, you just look like you're carrying a lot of weight…in your bag! I mean…”

  Cheyenne bit her lip and took off her book bag, handing it to him so he could carry it. “I'd rather have you be unnecessarily chivalrous than have a meltdown.” The two began their trek to the dorms. “If it’ll make you feel better, I'll let you walk me back to the dorm too. I know full well Denver is dangerous though, so don't worry. I'm prepared to deal with anything when it comes to him.”

  “I'm glad you are. My brother says I worry too much. We've known Denver for years now though, and I've never seen him do anything anyone would consider 'good.' He gets off or something whenever he hurts people, and he's taken a special interest in us. It started with Anj being born blind. He got pushed around a lot when we were younger by Denver. We've been going to Vala since elementary school, so I guess you could say we've got a history. Then when the secret that I don't swim got out, he had more than enough material to stay entertained. I don't want him to use you or take advantage of you.”

  She wasn't quite sure how to respond. All she could do was nod. The walk through the courtyard was quiet and peaceful. The only real light to see by was the moon, and as they walked past the fountain with the stone angel, Cheyenne was glad for his company. Before, when she walked through there in the dark, she’d always been distracted with conversation. Now, as they passed by, she couldn't help but shiver at the sight of the statue. In the day it was welcoming and safe. However, with the shadows shading and distorting the figure, it appeared almost demonic. The closer they came to it, the closer she moved to Zes.

  “They say it was once a real angel,” he said quietly, glancing up at the statue. “Anj told me a long time ago when this used to just be a man's home, before it was a school, that the angel sacrificed himself to protect the household. I guess he was a guardian for a member of the family or something. He bravely took the attack that sealed him in that position forever. The master of the house made the fountain as a monument.” He grabbed her arm gently before stopping in front of the statue. He stared up at it. “I guess it’s kind of creepy, but when I think of the story, I think about how much he loved his ward to still be watching over this place. It's like a safety zone or something for me.”

  “That's sweet.” She nodded in agreement. She stared up at the statue as well. Her eyes were still playing tricks on her, but the story eased her mind at least. “Do you have nightmares here?”

  “I don't dream. Why?”

  Cheyenne couldn't be too sure, but she sensed a slight double meaning in his words.

  “I was just thinking maybe that's what the angel protects us from,” she mumbled. She felt like an idiot now for even bringing it up. “I haven't had any nightmares since I got here. I know I haven't been here for long, but it was just a thought. He looks like he's fighting something right now, but whatever it is, we can't see it.”

  Zes nodded slowly and gave her arm a gentle tug. “I wouldn't be surprised. There are a lot of things happening here most of the students don't know about. The professors are good at keeping us safe and in the dark. I don't know a lot about what's going on with you, but I've heard things. Can you do something for me?”

  “What have you heard, Zes?” She risked a glance up at him, trying desperately to get a reading from his face for a clue, but he was like a stone wall. The only expression she could find was the determination in his eyes.

  “Can you do something for me?” he repeated, completely ignoring her question.

  “Maybe.”

  The two stopped in front of the dormitory building, and he pulled her to the side so they could speak away from the door. He shivered a little as the cool fall air began to catch up with them.

  “I'm not going to ask a lot of you. I just want you to try to not be so brave you don't ask for help. I mean, if you're in trouble. 'Cause you don't have to do anything alone anymore. I know what it's like to grow up with the neighbor kids and to be called a freak behind my back. To not have anyone understand, and to not understand yourself, why you're so different from the rest of the world. Don't try to take on our world alone. Is that too much to ask?”

  Cheyenne shook her head with a smile. “No, it's not. Can you please tell me—”

  “Anj is tight with the teachers. They didn't tell him much either though.”

  “Did you walk me back because of what he told you?”

  “No.”

  “Then why—”

  “I can't tell you.”

  She let out a disappointed sigh. “Figures. Thank you for walking with me.”

  “You're welcome.” He pulled out his keys and unlocked the door fo
r them. He made a grab for the handle to hold it open for her, but Cheyenne beat him to it. He let out a sigh and followed her in.

  “Good night,” she whispered. She was trying hard not to be angry. Whatever it was, he must have had good intentions behind his actions. There was no doubt a logical reason why he had to keep them top secret. However, it still hurt her, a lot. Her whole life had been full of secrets, and she certainly didn’t want to deal with any when it came to her friends.

  “Cheyenne, I—” His eyes met hers. He stumbled over his words and couldn't get anything out beyond a few incoherent consonants before he finally gave up and shook his head. “Good night. I'll see you tomorrow.”

  She nodded and gave him a small wave before digging through her pockets for her keys. She stood outside the door leading to the girls’ side and frowned deeply. Then it dawned on her. “Zes?” She turned around, hoping he hadn't left.

  Zes had just walked through the door for the boys’ side when he poked his head out hopefully. “Y-yeah?”

  “I need my bag.”

  “Oh,” he said. He handed it to her quickly and ran back to the boys’ door. “’Night.”

  She watched him leave and waited for the door to close behind him before she went to her room. She sat at her desk and pulled out all of her schoolwork, organizing and prioritizing it. Then she turned to a much more important task. She grabbed her personal journal from its hiding place and began to write down questions. More specifically, all of the questions she needed answers to. Tomorrow, she’d begin her quest. She’d ask the most important question on her mind: what was the danger surrounding her?

  Chapter Nine

  For this session, Dr. Warhol presented herself in a much more professional manner. She even had a different style of dress. Instead of the short skirt and revealing blouse she’d worn last time, she had a simple and conservative, black dress suit. Her dark hair was pulled back in a neat bun, held in place by two matching hairpins, and a pair of dark-rimmed reading glasses finished the ensemble. Immediately after Cheyenne entered and took a seat on the couch, the doctor pulled out her notebook and flipped to the next empty page.