Myth (Book 1)

by Angela K. Crandall

  “I’m going to try to be serious. This isn’t the easiest thing for me to say. Our friendship is valuable, but it’s time we acknowledge there’s more to us than that. It’s those looks you give me, a hug, nudge, or the way you push me playfully aside. It’s not sisterly, and fear is keeping us from taking the next step. Yeah, we could mess it up, but if we don’t try what then? What can I do to make you more comfortable with the idea of dating me?”

  Comfortable, wasn’t I already at ease with Jenson? What did I fear? Was it seeing what my parents had been through, or what if the friendship was better than the relationship? In spite of all this, I wanted to tell him no and yes. What about all the times my mom told me my studies came first. Now knowing I was part fox, could Jenson handle that? Not just my transformation but everything tied to it? I rubbed my forehead, feeling a bit of a headache coming on.

  My voice shook a bit, “How about we try it, and see what happens. It can be kind of a trial period.” It wasn’t what I planned on coming out of my mouth.

  He didn’t smile, frown, or get mad; instead he said, “I guess I can’t argue with that. I mean you’re willing to give us a chance.”

  I saw our waitress coming over.

  “We should order something now. My stomach is starting to rumble.”

  “Good idea.”

  We ordered what we always did. It felt a bit different. I wouldn’t call it a first date.

  Mom hadn’t questioned it when I got home so late; in fact, she was sleeping so I wasn’t going to worry. I’d break the news in the morning about Jenson and me dating. What was unusual had been that he hadn’t asked me about the fox clan or brought up anything related to the case. Possibly he had wanted a normal evening.

  Instead, we chatted about college. We’d moved on to some new ideas in our myth class: unicorns. It was so off base even for Mr. Jones. We shook our heads and had chuckled at it. I grinned, thinking how Jenson could really make me laugh. He had held my hand all the way through our conversation, opened the car door for me before escorting me home, and then last, as he said Goodnight at my doorstep we’d embraced.

  I didn’t want to let him go. It felt right. No kiss, yet. I never kissed on the first date. It would happen. I wasn’t like other girls, but was hopeful Jenson wasn’t like other guys either.

  I snuggled down into my comforter to get some sleep. Tomorrow I’d need to deal with my mother and another day of college classes. As comfortable as I was, I still couldn’t shake what I’d learned about Cal’s mom as well as who Cal really was. Should I go back and talk to her again?

  Chapter 12

  (Thursday)

  Was I dreaming? Someone was touching my arm. My eyelids fluttered open. My mother curled up near me on my bed. A smile on her lips--maybe she changed her mind about Jenson and me? The impression I always received, had been one of disapproval of us being together in any way, other than a friendship. Before she could speak, I pushed myself up to sit against my headboard unsure of what would pass out of those lips. We’d already had the birds and bees talk. I’d just never gotten that far with anyone. I rubbed my eyes and pushed my hair back.

  “Morning Mom, I didn’t think about waking you last night. It was a little after one when I got in.”

  “I knew you’d get in late. Thanks for letting me sleep, but I would have liked to talk to you,” she said, pushing the stubborn hair out of my eyes that kept falling forward.

  “It was a good night. Work was crazy busy. We were thinking maybe it was another meteor shower, but when Jenson and I left, we didn’t see anything falling from the sky.”

  My mom laughed, “Well, it was a full moon last night. I don’t know how it affects people. I tend to stay up late, do dishes, and when I was a part of the clan we would have meetings. It was usually about how to protect ourselves from others. Did they tell you any of this yet?”

  I shook my head, and my mother continued.

  “We had a few guides who came from other tribes. Alliances, we called them. I had to leave all that behind. I thought you’d be much better off raised as a human, not knowing your heritage. It was a fight your father and I often had.”

  My mom sighed as if her heart had been broken.

  “Is that why you are so leery of Jenson and I starting a relationship? Mom, it could be so much more complicated than this, you know?” I rubbed her back and pulled her into a hug.

  “I admit I’ve been the overbearing mom, one who doesn’t want her daughter to grow up too fast. When I last spoke to your father regarding issues going on with the clan, I’d been against what they had planned for you. Then last night after you left I had to take a step back. This includes you and Jenson, but it’s not only that,” she pulled away to look at me.

  “I never imagined that Kris would lose Cal. It made me even more skeptical about ever telling you where you came from and who you are. I disassociated myself from everything running from my identity.”

  My mom began to shake violently. Was she going to transform? She began taking deep breaths.

  “I have to pull myself together.”

  “Mom, is Megan my biological sister?”

  I knew then I’d said something wrong, watching tears slide down her cheek.

  “Mom, I”...

  She pushed the tears out of her eyes, wiping the snot against her sleeve.

  “It comes all at once, a wave bringing to shore all the things hidden, inside my ocean outward into the light. That is why I was worried about you hiding things from me.”

  “Mom, what did you think I’d hid? I pretty much lay my cards on the table most of the time.”

  “You’re right, you’ve told me quite a bit except your father revealed to me, you’re changing into a fox, then explained to me why Fritz had been upset. Allies of ours, vampire-wolf hybrids, had come to warn or was it to protect you? Maybe it was both.”

  She got up from my bed, opening my closet door. What could she be looking for in there? Did she want to borrow my clothes?

  “I had it hidden in here somewhere.” She moved aside clothing, scouring the shelves, “A few pictures at the time of your birth when I was in the clan, including an old diary of mine. I considered maybe someday when you were old enough, I’d give it to you. I don’t know if it will be of much use. Ah, here they are way in the back of the secret drawer.”

  She walked over to me, setting them on the bed.

  “Thanks, Mom. It still doesn’t explain Megan.”

  My mom took my hand, then sat beside me.

  “Megan isn’t a fox. I don’t know why or how it happened. It does from time to time occur that an offspring of ours only has the genetics of a human. I don’t know what to do. I’ve seen a few gifts within her spirit. They’re not the same as yours and mine. She is extremely bright which is why she has never struggled in school. I suspect somewhere in my lineage there was a gypsy because she tends to want to travel a lot. Remember when she wanted to go anywhere in California just to get out of L.A.?”

  “Yeah, although how do you know that’s what it is? She hasn’t really wanted to be uprooted since.”

  “Well, maybe you’re right, maybe not. Time will certainly tell as we gain our abilities at various maturity levels.”

  Tired of being in bed, I got up and began to scrounge for some decent clothes to wear for the day.

  “I’m really glad we had this heart to heart. I just hope it’s OK that Jenson and I are dating.”

  My mother did not look shocked, nor did she appear impressed.

  “If it makes you happy, honey. Jenson has always been a good friend to you so if he can be more, then I hope it works out. If you have any questions regarding being a fox and him being human, it would probably be best to ask your father first.”

  “We’ve already talked about sex, mom. If it’s any different now that I’m a fox/human, maybe even a hybrid of one of the two, well, if it comes to that I’ll be coming to you for advice before it happens.”

  I wondered how my mother
would take that. I didn’t know many of my friends who were willing to discuss sex, or the possibility of it, with their parents before it happened, especially pre-marital sex at that.

  My mom just gave me a wink, shutting my bedroom door. I guess she was OK with the fact I’d be coming to her if need be and not my father. Go to dad, about sex? I shuddered at the thought, “No way in H E double hockey sticks,” I mumbled to myself as I got dressed for the day.

  I had tucked away the diary and photos in my nightstand drawer before leaving the apartment. I’d check them later privately. Man, I should have left earlier. Cars whizzed by in a rush to get to their destination. I’d decided to hike to school since I needed the license to drive the moped. It was quite brisk outside for the end of February. This book club would be a good thing for me. I had considered joining when I’d seen the posters prior to the Du-vance mystery. It would also help me, maybe meet a few of Martin’s friends. The school was just up ahead, good, not much further to go.

  “Hey, you there, aren’t you in that myths class?”

  I stopped. He sounded out of breath as he tried to catch up to me.

  “Starla, right?” he asked.

  “Yeah, that’s my name,” I replied, eyeing his shaggy brown hair, and hazel eyes. He was built, unlike Jenson. I almost had to slap myself.

  “I’m Owl. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Really, like the animal?” I stifled a chuckle.

  “Don’t laugh, it’s my Native American name,” he explained.

  “OK, so, um, what’s up?”

  “I have wanted to say hi since the beginning of the semester. Is it too late to join your crew?”

  “My crew-- I didn’t know I had one?”

  “I think it’s pretty cool that you hang out with the non-conformist types.”

  “I’m not sure you would call us that. Let’s keep walking. I don’t want to be late for this book club thing. Then we both have a class to get to.”

  “OK, but I overheard you and Jenson talking about Martin. I can help you. He was one of my friends.”

  I gave him a puzzled look. We continued on to the front entrance of the building.

  “Martin was a very private person. I can tell you what you need to know,” he insisted, opening the door for me.

  It’s nothing like trying to investigate only to run into people just willing to hand out information, I thought as we entered the hall.

  “OK, um, sure, why not,” I said.

  He stopped in front of me, putting his arms up and blocking me against the wall near a door. What the heck, I barely knew this kid! Who did he think he was? I inched down the side of the wall, maneuvering myself out from his grasp and slipped out under his arm. Then I started running down the hall. He ran towards me, hollering to stop. I did, once I got to the door of room 224. There in front of me was a decal of a raccoon reading a book. Owl was still right behind me. I turned around to face him.

  “Look, we need to talk. You think you can solve this on your own. It’s dangerous, it’s not going to be as easy as all of your other little mysteries,” he hissed.

  “First of all you need to start treating me a lot nicer. Second, I’d like to know, how you know that I can solve mysteries, and third my boyfriend Jenson’s not going to want you in on this if you treat people this way.”

  “Boyfriend,” he said, befuddled.

  “Jenson and I are dating, as of yesterday.”

  “OK, as far as this case I just want to point out how essential being discreet is. Martin was on to something, I know that. He had a few articles, but they are at his house. I am not sure how to get them. I’ve gone over there to see his dad a few times since his death, but he won’t allow me up in his room. You’d think he’d at least give me a memento. He was my best friend,” he whispered, slumping down to the floor.

  “I understand. A little consideration, though, goes a long way,” I answered, placing my hand on his shoulder.

  Now how are we going to get his dad to listen to Jenson, and I? Did I have to get my father involved now? I wondered.

  “Still want to go in?” he asked, interrupting my thoughts.

  “I don’t know. I’d like to, but with all this...”-I drummed my fingers on the door. A student who must have heard me opened it.

  “Hey, we’re about to start. You don’t have to stay for the entire meeting. At least pick out a book or two. Today we’ll be discussing “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

  “That’s my favorite book,” I replied.

  How peculiar, I pondered, shaking my head. Owl and I walked into my first book club meeting. I had a hunch he and Du-vance had been to many of them. Owl may have been good looking, but he sure didn’t know how to handle himself around women. If he did that to all the girls who he wanted to either court or solve a shenanigan with, well.

  Chapter 13

  “That sure felt like high school lit all over again,” I said as we left. Glancing down at my watch, I saw we had a half hour til Jones’s class began. I pointed to my clock, indicating the time.

  “What do you think about the next book?” I asked

  “Great book, I’ve read “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” a few times now. I imagine you’ll appreciate it,” he said.

  “Do you want to head to the cafeteria? I could use a Coffee. Then we can discuss what’s going on.”

  “Sounds good,” we rambled on in silence, colorful posters advertising housing, used books for sale, and the upcoming dance caught my eye. Had Molly seen them yet? It hurt to think about. I had Jenson, and who would she, could she ask to go, if any of us went. Unexpectedly someone took my hand from behind me, Jenson. Deja vu? Or was it my fox self kicking in?

  “Do you know Owl?”

  He gave Jenson an awkward grin. They shook hands and did the fist bump thing.

  “Good to meet ya man, what’s up?” said Jenson.

  I took it that they knew each other, or maybe they were just being friendly?

  Owl grabbed the side of Jenson’s shirt gently tugging him off to the side. I rolled my eyes as I listened to him explain what he’d told me earlier.

  “So are we cool?” asked Owl.

  “Yeah, let’s just get some milkshakes, Starla can have her coffee, and we’ll chat about Jones’s class for now.” Hastily we headed in that direction.

  “What about Martin?” I asked.

  “Shhh, we’ll discuss that in the library after class. I have a few notes in my locker,” snapped Owl.

  “Why didn’t you tell me that before? You said Martin’s dad had all the articles,” I whispered.

  “I had to make sure you were trustworthy.”

  So, I was being tested, how I didn’t exactly know. Owl seemed a bit off. Could we trust him? His Native American heritage could be helpful as he’d have some amazing insights on folklore and myths. Did he know anything about Lang? What tribe did he belong to? Was he aligned with our clan?

  “When you’re ready to spill, don’t hold back. We have questions and you may have the answers. I’m not going to put them off for long, Screech,” I chided as we entered the cafe.

  “Is that going to be his nickname?” Jenson moved towards the aisle where the shakes were sold.

  “Yep,” I said, grabbing a cup off the stand near the filling station. I observed them both fill up their shakes.

  “You better watch out for that one, Screech,” Jenson said, trying out his new nickname. “She is as sly as a fox.”

  Jenson winked at me as I filled my cup. A sudden flutter crept from my stomach into my throat. Then it dropped. Where was Molly? She was usually here by now. I glanced at my watch again. Class was in fifteen minutes. Seriously, had it taken us that long to trek here?

  “Have you seen Molly at all today?” I asked Jenson.

  “No, but she should be in class.” He turned to Owl, “These two girls are attached at the hip. I swear I can’t go anywhere without them.”

  “Isn’t it a good thing? You have two pretty girls on your sid
e. I’ve seen your friend Molly. Is she single?” he asked.

  I glowered at him, handing the cashier at the counter money for our drinks.

  “Um, she’s not interested in dating anyone right now.” I answered.

  “Bad break up?” he replied.

  “Um, yeah, something like that,” I lied, snagging my coffee and scurrying off.

  “Where are you going?” Jenson demanded.

  “Weren’t we going to talk?” asked Owl.

  “I’m going to class.”

  They watched as I left the cafe.

  I pushed open the door to the classroom. Molly sat in the back corner at a small table. How unusual? She usually preferred being front and center. It was the last place in the room I’d imagined she’d sit. I pulled out a seat and sat beside her. She didn’t even seem to notice as she scribbled something on a piece of torn off paper. I pulled her myth book towards me. I’d seen it a number of times before, had one just like it. I flipped through it, then set it back down next to her. We’d found ours at the used book store a few weeks before classes had begun.

  “Molly, hey, are you OK?” I expected her to look up with tears streaking her cheeks. I was afraid maybe her parents had learned the truth.

  “Um, not really, I’m trying to determine how I’m going to manage to pay for my own place. Being at home is like being under investigation. I had to get out! They carry on about finding me a suitable husband. Endlessly I remind them my studies are more important than guys. Then to top it all off the other day I saw someone I really like, but...”- Molly shook her hand aside like she had to just let it go...

  “That’s really unfair. What’s her name?”

  “Maine. I haven’t asked her to the dance yet. I’m not that brave.”