Eternity

by M.E. Timmons

  Chapter 5

  We went downstairs to the cafeteria. There were already a few people sitting down, and there was hot food in serving dishes on the tables and empty plates in front of the chairs. I looked around for Jack but didn't see him. I saw Sydney and waved to her. She was sitting with a tall dark girl with black hair who looked annoyed at something.

  We sat at an empty table and filled our plates with food, which looked healthy but good. I noticed a lot of people looking at us, and many waved or said hello to Michael. He smiled and waved back, always friendly.

  "You seem to know a lot of people here," I commented before taking a bite of salad.

  "I guess I do. I know almost everyone in my year, and quite a few in other years. I've been involved in a lot of school activities."

  "Like what?" I asked.

  "We have a play here every year and I've been in it both years I've been here, and I'm on the swim team. I also started a band here with a couple of friends last year, though we only played a show once."

  That was certainly interesting, I thought. I didn't know too many other people who played music. "What's it called?"

  "Light's Kingdom. Don't ask me why; I didn't come up with it," he said smiling. "It was Pat's idea. He's the drummer. He's good at what he does, so I couldn't argue too much with his choice. Have to keep the talent happy." He laughed.

  "Oy, are you bragging about our band to this beautiful young lady?" asked a tall gangly blond guy who had come up behind Michael. "Just because you're the lead singer doesn't mean you get all the credit, you know." He winked in my direction and sat down beside me and immediately began piling his plate with enough food to feed a family of four.

  "I'm trying to bulk up a bit," he explained when he saw me staring.

  Another guy, who had just sat down beside Michal, laughed. "You've been trying to bulk up for years. Don't you think it's time you gave up?"

  "Hey, I'll have you know I've gained a whole kilogram in the past two months," he said indignantly. He turned to Michael. "Aren't you going to introduce us to your new friend?"

  "Sure. This is Juliet. Juliet, that's Leon and this is Patrick, both my band mates." Leon was the gangly guy sitting beside me, and Patrick was the guy sitting beside Michael. He looked Native American, but I couldn't be sure.

  "Pleasure to meet you," Leon said, sticking out his hand. I put my hand in his thinking he'd shake it, but instead he brought it to his lips and kissed it. I pulled my hand away, embarrassed.

  "Leon, behave yourself," Patrick scolded, but he was grinning.

  "Hey, I was just being a gentleman," was his reply. He winked at me again and then started devouring his plate of food.

  "Do you play any instruments?" Patrick asked me.

  "She's a musical genius. She can play the piano in a way I've never heard before," Michael answered for me before I had a chance to respond.

  "You should try out for our band, then. We need a new keyboard player. Our last one graduated last year, and we're planning on holding auditions next week."

  "No thanks," I answered. "I don't really enjoy playing other people's music."

  "Why not?" Leon asked between bites.

  "I play to express my own feelings," I explained. "I have a hard time doing that when I'm playing a song that's about someone else, or in some cases about nothing at all. I find it kind of boring."

  "Well, just think about it," Michael said. "We really could use you."

  "Do you ever write music?" Patrick asked.

  "Not really. I only ever did once, and when I finished writing the song I gave it to my piano teacher to play, but she couldn't do it. She couldn't play it fast enough to get all the notes in, so it ended up sounding pretty bad. I never bothered to do it again."

  Jack walked into the cafeteria then. He looked much calmer than he had before, though his anxiety hadn't disappeared completely. He saw me at a table with a bunch of guys and frowned, and then he sat down next to Kyle, who had been sitting alone. He looked quite determined to ignore me.

  I quickly finished my meal and excused myself. I walked over to Jack, who didn't see me approach since he had been determinately not looking in my direction.

  "Jack, we need to talk," I said when he noticed me.

  "I'm eating," he said. "Maybe later." He turned back to his food and commented on it to Kyle. I sighed and left. He was right; there was always later.

  "Juliet!" I heard from behind me once I was in the hallway. I turned, hoping it was Jack, but it was Michael.

  "Um, I was wondering if you had a date for the ball? I know we just met and all, but I'm not going with anybody and I was wondering if you would go with me?" He was talking fast and was clearly nervous. He looked kind of cute, but I wasn't really interested. I didn't feel anything special when I was around him.

  "If you don't mind I think I'll go by myself," I answered, as politely as I could. "I haven't really had a chance to meet very many people yet."

  "Oh, okay," he said. He looked disappointed, but not offended. "Well, I'll see you there then. Save a dance for me?"

  I smiled. "I can do that."

  After he had walked away I walked back to the cafeteria. Instead of trying to talk to Jack again I went to the staircase at the side of the room and went down to the basement, if it could be called such. I wanted to see the pool, since I liked to swim, though I hardly ever had the chance to do so. The stairs led directly to the pool, which appeared to be the average size and depth, though the atmosphere made it look more like a decoration than an actual swimming pool. Everything seemed to be covered in patterned tiles that were mostly turquoise and gold in color, and there were statues of mermaids frolicking along the side of the pool. The water was exactly level to the floor around it, which gave the impression that one could step off the side and onto the water instead of into it, like it was made of glass. There were doors that led to showers and changing rooms on one side, and a door at the back that led to the gym and weight room.

  There were two people swimming laps in the water, so I didn't linger. I went back upstairs and to the north wing common room. There were a couple of vampires there watching television. They both looked a lot older than most of the other students, and they sat very still. One of them looked up at me as I walked by. She was beautiful, and I felt like her bright blue eyes were looking directly into my soul, though the blank expression on her face didn't change. It was unsettling, so I hurried by and went to my room.

  Vampires were the exception to the rule at Winterwood Academy. While everyone else got letters, the vampires had to apply to get into the school. This wasn't because they were dangerous, because they really weren't. They were more closely regulated within their own ranks than any other type of people. The reason was because they weren't born; they were made, so they didn't age. The rest of us went to the school at the age of sixteen, but vampires were all sorts of ages, and only came to the school to further their education and learn things about the magical world that they couldn't learn anywhere else. They made up the smallest portion of students at the school, which was why a lot of the new students were staying in their wing before we were sorted into our appropriate groups.

  The rest of the day passed by rather uneventfully. I met no one else and spent most of the time by myself exploring the school and the grounds, trying to become familiar with the layout. With my memory it wasn't very difficult. I tried to find Jack but I didn't see him anywhere. I ended up eating dinner with Sydney, who had been sitting alone when I entered the cafeteria.

  I woke up the next morning in an unfamiliar bed to the sound of other people breathing around me. It took me a moment to realize where I was, and that the past day was not a dream, though it still felt like it was. I had been in Pembrook for so long, it felt unreal to be living somewhere else.

  I was quite accustomed to having roommates, so I was careful to be quiet as I got up and showered. The other peo
ple in the room, whom I hadn't even met, were all still asleep when I slipped out.

  There were a few people in the common room, but it seemed like most people were still asleep. It was not yet time for breakfast, so I decided to go for a walk outside. After debating in my mind for a minute about whether I should go outside the building or to the courtyard, I decided to wander around outside in the more open space. I wanted to save going to the courtyard for some time at night when the lights would be on.

  I was surprised to find Jack already out. He was sitting on a stone bench that was beside a path, and he looked more calm than he had the day before. He looked up as I approached and looked annoyed, but he didn't try to escape. I sat beside him.

  "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Jack," I said, sincerely, breaking a stretch of silence that had lasted for over a minute. "I honestly don't know why I didn't. I guess it was partly because I was afraid to, and partly because I was waiting for the right time. I think I waited too long though. It would have been better for me to tell you as soon as I found out myself so that you wouldn't have been so confused about what was happening to you."

  Jack looked at me and smiled. "I don't really blame you Jules. I don't think it really would have changed anything. It was just such a shock to hear about it, and to learn that so many things I never believed in are real. I think it's kind of cool, actually, except for the whole staying in a dungeon during the full moon thing."

  "Well, if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know."

  "You know, what I don't get is that you've had a special ability your whole life and you knew about it and never told me. I would have told you anything if I had any idea what was happening to me. That hurts me more than anything else."

  I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder, looking up at the sun that was just making its way over the trees. "Do you know what an aura is, Jack?"

  "Actually, I have no idea."

  "It's energy that emanates from within you and surrounds you. Not very many people have the ability to see it. Those of us who do see it in colors. Those colors vary based on your emotions, though everyone has a predominate color that is the basis of their personality. It's like seeing a part of someone's soul. The reason I never told you is not because I don't trust you. It's because I didn't think you would be comfortable knowing the fact that I can see so much about you that you think is hidden."

  "Yeah, I guess that is a scary thought. Just how much do you know, anyway?" Jack shifted, and I lifted my head from his shoulder so I could see his face. He was frowning.

  "Don't worry about it," I said. "It doesn't really change a thing."

  "Sure, nothing's changed for you; you've known all along. It kind of changes things for me though. Really, I want to know how much you know." Jack was getting anxious.

  "How much I know about what?" I asked.

  Jack paused, and I thought he wouldn't answer. I could tell that this was hard for him. "I want to know how much you know about how I feel about you," he finally answered, turning pink.

  "Probably best if you don't ask."

  "It's that bad, huh?"

  "Jack, it's not bad. It really isn't good, either. You're my best friend, and I'd like it to stay that way."

  "I see."

  "Jack -"

  "Jules, don't worry about me," he said, smiling. The expression didn't quite meet his eyes. "Our friendship is important to me too. I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize it."

  We fell silent. I could hear the birds waking up in the forest, singing their morning songs. It did nothing to keep the sadness from my heart. Hurting Jack was the last thing I wanted to do, but he needed to know I didn't feel the same way, especially because I could eventually meet someone I did love. I hoped it wouldn't break his heart if that happened. I hoped that some other girl would come along and win his affection.

  Eventually we got up and went to breakfast together. It was wonderful to be able to spend time with him again, and I was struck by how much I needed him to keep me happy. He could always make me laugh. By the end of the meal I felt much better than I had when I woke up that morning.