A Shade of Innocence (The Illuminati Book 1)

by Jane West

  I got the impression that he thought I'd cheated. A tingle of ire trickled down my spine. “Sir, I don't understand the question.” I kept my face unreadable, eyes leveled with his.

  His eyes slightly tightened. “I think you're stalling, Miss Ray.” His tone came off as a tyrant.

  I eased out a long sigh, holding my gaze. “Every grade I've made, I have earned with hard work.”

  “You don't say?” He leaned back in his chair. His smothering eyes fixed on me with the flavor of mistrust.

  I shifted in my seat. “My mother can address your questions concerning my school attendance.” I blamed Sara for this. I wouldn't be sitting here under the heated snare of the principal if it hadn't been for her town hopping.

  Dr. Van's face darkened as his wrinkles deepened across his entire face. He was as ugly as Rumpelstiltskin and fraught with a raspy voice. It was obvious that he'd been smoking for years.

  “Your mother is not here,” he countered contentiously, “I'm asking you.”

  “Sir, I don't understand what you want me to say.”

  “Considering your unstable home life, it raises doubt to how you've obtained your scores.” His muddy eyes were predatory as if he was trying to intimidate me.

  “Have I warranted cause for this interrogation?” It was evident that he harbored some sort of ill will toward me.

  “It depends,” he answered, not entirely quenching my thirst for clarity.

  I had to reel in my temper and play nice. I inhaled sharply. “Dr. Van, if you're implying that I've falsified my scores, I'll be more than happy to take a test.” I tilted my chin with a speck of defiance.

  Dr. Van's eyes hardened as a cold silence traded between us. Then without any warning, he ripped up my transcript and dropped the shredded paper in the trashcan. “Miss Ray, here at Tangi High, you will be required to prove your worth.”

  I gawked with disbelief. “That's my transcript!”

  “Yes, it was.” His voice spewed with loathing. “Now prove to me you are the superb student you claim to be.” Dr. Van leaned forward, making the chair squeak under his weight.

  I flinched as he glared at me through his thick eyewear.

  “Yes, sir, I'll do my best.” I tried to hide the disdain in my voice. I took pride in my work, and it chafed my butt when someone questioned the validity of my achievements.

  “We shall see.” He paused. “That will be all, Miss Ray.” He dismissed me, leaning back in his chair. There was something strange about this principal. It was almost as if he had a hidden agenda behind his words. I shrugged it off. It wouldn't be long before Sara would be ready to move to the next town and I'd soon forget my worries with him. In the meantime, I planned to steer clear of the madman.

  Shaking off the dust from that demented interval, I glimpsed at the hall clock. Only three minutes to get to class before the tardy bell sounded off, so, I ran.

  English was my first class in the morning. It wasn't my favorite, but at least I'd get it out of the way.

  West wing, first left, Mrs. Brown had instructed. I hooked several corners and finally stumbled upon the room, 102. I quickly ducked inside and came to a quick halt.

  Running late meant I'd have to take whatever seat was available. I half expected an empty chair next to the teacher but I didn't expect this.

  My gaze landed on the greeter girl, Sally. She was sitting in the far back row, waving her hands in the air as though she was slipping away in quicksand. I cringed, staring back at her. I raked my eyes over the other side of the room and spotted nothing. The only vacant desk left was behind Sally. I wondered if she'd been saving it for me. Then, how would she have known that I had English this period. It had to be a coincidence.

  I dragged my feet to my seat. I hoped I was wrong about Sally, but my gut kept telling me I wasn't. I forced a painful smile. “Hey,” I mumbled as I flopped down in my seat behind Sally. I glimpsed at the desk behind me. A black coat hung over the back of the chair, a good indication someone had already snagged it. I had no other recourse other than to sit next to the greeter girl.

  Kill me!

  Sally's high-pitched glee pierced the air. “I'm so glad we have first class together.” She twisted in her seat, facing me and rattling about this and that. I mostly nodded, tuning her out. I think she was babbling about the football team. It made me think about Logan and my heart dropped. My first crush and I never got to kiss him. I pulled my book out and shoved my bag under the desk. Sally continued to ramble on about much to do with nothing. She was like background noise, only louder.

  I think Sally had changed to her fifteenth topic when he swaggered in as if he owned the place. Even Sally had quieted. It seemed that every pair of eyes in the room drew to him.

  Sally leaned over and whispered in my ear while not taking her eyes off the eye candy. I kept my eyes lowered, behind my lashes. “He's the new menu,” Sally revealed. “His name is Aidan Bane. I hear he's rich too! Of course, every girl in school hopes to land him! Rumors, yo' know. Around here gossip spreads faster than wildfire,” she giggled.

  “Thanks for the heads up.” My lips tightened. I preferred to stay the wilted flower on the wall. Gossip wasn't really much of a threat to me. It was only a matter of time before Sara and I'd be shoving off to our next lifeless town. I reckoned in a very screwed-up way, there was a silver lining to this story after all.

  I had to admit, the new boy was a looker. Not someone you'd often see in these parts. Polished and well groomed. The city seemed more fitting to his type. The dude carried himself with that rock star quality that commanded others to sit up and take notice. Apart from his towering height, he stood out with his raven curls, although his eyes were such a stark blue they could've frozen the Sahara Desert. I quickly summed him up as a snob, definitely not my type.

  A girl had caught his eye and his full attention. He flashed a lopsided smile. His teeth, even and white, contrasted nicely with his tawny skin.

  Strangely, my neck bristled. The girl bothered me.

  Of course, why wouldn't he take an interest in her? I quietly sighed. Look at her, blonde, pretty and pushing a miniskirt, a cheerleader no doubt. Cheerleaders got away with breaking dress code.

  By the twinkle in his blues and the flirty smile the girl bore, I'd bet by the end of the day she'd end up a notch on his belt and her name long forgotten. I knew his type. He had every girls head turned but not one would he remember after the deed. I had his number all right, revered by every girl in school and hated by every boy. I reckoned that was life in the fast lane of a celeb.

  Jesus! I started doodling on my book cover, keeping my eyes to my book. Tall, dark and arrogant was etching his way down my aisle. Then I remembered, the black hoodie hanging on the back of the seat behind me. I slid down in my chair, steadily drawing.

  Don't look up! Don't look up I warned myself.

  In the next tick, a soft breeze grazed my left shoulder followed by a quick thud and a male's soft groan as the desk protested under his weight with a sharp squeak. A woodsy scent drifted over my shoulder and was very distracting. I bore down on the ink and focused on my drawing, determined to block out his presence.

  Just when I thought I had it under control, I felt a soft tap on my back. I ignored the thump, hoping he'd go away. The determined boy persisted. He furthered his efforts by giving a good yank on my ponytail. I squawked, swiftly grabbing my hair.

  I spun around in my seat full of piss and vinegar. My mouth wide open to wail at the dude, but I froze, becoming caught in a blue-eyed snare like a fly in a web. I utterly looked like an idiot. My cheeks simmered to a boil.

  He flashed a dimpled smile, nodding over my shoulder, “Umm, interesting artwork.” His voice sounded smooth as melted chocolate and his plump lips, I wondered if they tasted just as good.

  “Huh,” was the only word that found my tongue. I glimpsed back at my sketch, and instantly I drew in a gasp of horror. Where was that rock when you needed it? I wanted to hide. How did I draw a stu
pid cupid, bow and arrow?

  “Hmm, thanks,” I mumbled over my shoulder. Quickly, I flipped my book over and fixed my eyes on the board. Faint laughter drifted over my shoulder.

  I'd forgotten about Sally until I caught her strange glint. Her dark eyes were sharp as glass. What on earth was she mulling around in her head? I suspected it wasn't nice. I cut my eyes at her with a look of warning.

  I'd never been so glad to see a teacher than when Ms. Jenkins entered class. I was certain she was saving me from Sally's relentless probing. I counted my Lucky Charms with that one.

  Lunch rolled around, and I headed for the cafeteria. I just followed the long trail of students.

  Once I passed the double doors, the smell of food smacked me in the face and it resuscitated my stomach back to life. I didn't eat dinner last night. I reckoned that was what I get for not saving that extra sandwich.

  I got in line, grabbing a tray and flatware wrapped in a white paper napkin. Right away, my eyes went for the tamales.

  I reached the end of the line, handing over my coins to the cashier when I felt a finger tap me on the back. I gave a start, snapping my head up. My eyes met Sally's face.

  I hadn't decided if I wanted to bother making friends with her or anyone for that matter. I'd promised myself that I would steer clear of the friend zone. I didn't have it in me this time around. This recent move really messed me up. “Hey,” I answered back, wryly.

  Sally smiled, ignoring my solemn face. “Come sit at my table. I'll introduce you to everyone.”

  I opened my mouth to decline, but Sally had snatched my arm and started dragging me across the cafeteria.

  I had to give her points for effort. Maybe I was behaving too much like a close-minded brat. It wasn't her fault that I preferred being the lone ranger. Giving in, I stretched my lips into a smile and let Sally lead the way.

  We came to a stop at a table of three. That meant that Sally was the fourth. I reckoned I was the fifth wheel. Oh, what fun!

  Sally began the introductions, “Hey, y'all this is my new friend in English that I was telling you about. Everyone meet Stevie Ray.” I nodded straining a smile. Sally started going around the table. First, she pointed to a brown-haired boy, a little on the skinny side, but still cute. “Meet Sam Reynolds,” she moved on across from him, “this is Jen Li,” the girl smiled and waved her hand. Sally pointed to the last person sitting next to the boy, Sam, a bleached blonde with deadly fingernails and a scowl glued to her face, “And my dearest and best friend forever, Gina Peters.” Sally bubbled with pride.

  Everyone smiled but the blonde. She rolled her eyes, already giving attitude. “Whatever,” she snarled.

  Then the boy, Sam interjected. “Gina, will it hurt you to be nice? How often do we get someone new to this tired town?”

  “Apparently, one too many,” she retorted, eyeballing me from my head to my toe.

  I hesitated, debating whether I should sit somewhere else. I figured somewhere in the vicinity of the moon.

  Jen jumped in, “Just ignore Gina. She's in a good mood today. It's when she's chewing bullets is when you should watch out.” She smiled largely.

  I laughed.

  Sally spoke up, defending her friend. “Come on! Gina's teasing.”

  Sam got out of his seat and pulled the chair that separated him from the blonde. “Come sit next to me. I don't bite,” he smiled. “I'm much purdier than anyone else here.” With his Southern accent and dazzling smile, I gathered Sam was the peacemaker of the bunch. He earned a few brownie points with me. The twinkle in his eyes reminded me of Logan. I sighed with regret.

  I smiled up at the tall, lanky boy and accepted his offer. I settled in the seat he held out. Everyone seemed friendly enough, excluding the sourpuss blonde. Maybe she'd soften since the others were open to me.

  Jen was the first to start with the questions. “Where did you come from,” she smiled warmly.

  “West Texas, Sweetwater.”

  Jen laughed. “Is the water sweet?”

  Everyone snickered.

  I smiled back. “Not really.”

  Sally perked up, asking, “How do you like our little town?” Sally's child-like voice leaped from everyone else's.

  “So far, so good,” I lied.

  Sam leaned back taking in a full view of me and chortled. “You lyin', gul!” he teased. “Nobody likes this place.”

  I laughed. I seldom got called out. My eyes caught his deep browns as I replied. “What can I say? You caught me in a lie.” I shrugged, smiling.

  The table burst into laughter, all but Gina. It seemed stewing was her perfume of the day.

  Then she started, “I heard your daddy was killed in a hit and run accident?” Her eyes were pointy like a witch's wart.

  How did this chick know? Then it hit me like a bat to the head—The Internet. “Yes. That's right.” I responded with no emotion in my tone nor did I elaborate.

  The table became pin-dropping quiet.

  “Did they find the killer,” she straight up asked, not a lick of empathy in her voice. This wasn't someone's mild curiosity. This girl was going for blood.

  The last thing I wanted to do was spark a fight on the first day of school. Instead, I simply gave her a curt reply, “No.”

  She flashed her pointy white teeth. “Did he look like road kill,” she barbed.

  Before I could stop myself, I'd lost it. Everything else went black. I lunged to my feet, fists loaded, flying for the blonde's throat. Sam leaped in front of her, blocking me from ripping out that fake, bleach-blonde hair. “Watch it!” I stretched my arm over Sam grabbing for Gina. “No one talks about my dad like that and lives.”

  “If you don't like it, leave,” Gina bellowed over Sam's shoulder.

  I looked up, and the whole cafeteria had swooped in around us. Amidst the crowd, I heard some of the jocks chanting, “Fight, fight, girl on girl!”

  Everything went down quickly. Without warning, I went air born over someone's shoulder, feet dangling.

  I heard an older man's voice shout. “Get her out of her' now!” The deep voice sounded like my history teacher, Coach Matt.

  In my next breath, I'd blacked out.

  When my eyes fluttered open, I was sitting propped against something hard. I lifted my gaze above and saw the bruised clouds beyond the limbs and leaves. My brow perked, confused. “Where am I,” I mumbled to the silent air, pushing through the cobwebs in my mind. Rubbing my eyes, I spoke out again. “What happened?”

  My hand grazed something underneath me. I looked down and noticed that I was sitting on a dark coat, leaning against the large oak outside the cafeteria! How did I get here? I looked around, noting that the rain had stopped. But the cold continued to linger. A shiver rolled through me.

  A male clearing his throat pierced my senses, knocking me back to the present, Startled, I bolted to my feet too quickly and stumbled, falling into someone's arms.

  “Steady does it,” a velvety voice pierced the chilly air.

  My head snapped up as I swiveled in the stranger's arms. I had to see his face. When our eyes locked, my heart stopped. The new boy! Why was he here? I twisted from his embrace.

  Without a word, he scanned me with agitated eyes, dark and ominous like the sea before a storm. “How do you feel?” he drawled in a lazy tone.

  A headache had reared its ugly head, and the throbbing was blinding. “I'm light-headed.” I snapped, rubbing my temples.

  “It'll wear off in a while.” He sounded like a doctor, remote and clinical.

  My brows furrowed as I hugged my waist. “Are you some kind of expert,” I snipped. I never had a lot of patience when I felt sick.

  “Here, take my jacket.” He ignored my question, holding out the same black jacket that I'd been sitting on.

  Our eyes hitched for a heartbeat. I dropped my gaze and took his hoodie. “Thanks,” I whispered irefully.

  “You're welcome.”

  I fumbled with the large coat, trying to find the a
rm. Strangely, I felt awkward and light headed.

  His blues roved over me as he drew a faint smile. “Here let me help.” He snatched the hoodie from my clumsy hands and laid it over my shoulders. All at once, a heady mix of spice and churned earth swallowed me.

  Still, I didn't understand why we were under a tree, outside. “W-w-w-what happened,” I stammered as I caught his gaze.

  The boy shoved his hands in his pockets as he casually answered. “No worries, love!” His firm mouth curled as if on the verge of a smile. For a minute, I let myself just sink into his chiseled features.

  Not uttering another word, he inclined his dark head, leaning against the tree, arms now resting across his chest. His blues slowly drifted over me as if we'd known each other intimately. I sensed a connection between us. Yet how could that be? I'd never laid eyes on him before today.

  “Did you get to eat something,” he asked. His voice still held no emotion.

  I shook my head, “No.”

  “I can go get you a burger.”

  Why does he care?

  “I'm fine. Thanks,” I sighed. “You can go back inside. I don't need a babysitter.” I shrugged his jacket off and handed it back to him, or I tried to hand it back.

  “I can stay.” He ignored my gesture.

  Why is he stalling? “No. It's not necessary.” I was short with him, still extending the jacket.

  The boy paused for a minute, imprisoning my gaze. My heart kicked up a notch, staring into his intense blues. For some reason, he made me uneasy as I shifted my weight from foot to foot. His face remained unreadable, almost cold, “As you wish.”

  He pushed off from the tree, snatching his coat from my fingers, sauntering off like in the movies, tossing the hoodie over his right shoulder and disappearing inside the building. He didn't bother giving me another glance. I didn't know why, but it bothered me.

  Strange and Eerie

  When the last bell rang, I sucked in an audible breath. Finally, the day had ended. I wanted nothing more than to go home, get into my pajamas, crawl into my nice warm bed, and forget this day ever existed.

  First, I needed to stop by the hardware store and see about reactivating my cell phone. I tried not to get my hopes up. Apart from the red flags raised over the fact that I had to go to a hardware store to get phone service, I had to keep in mind that I lived in the center of gator country. I seriously didn't expect many phone plans if any with all the trees surrounding the town.