The Tainted (The Tainted Series Book 1)

by Anna Hill

  “So Becs, you ready for this?” Emily winked at Rebecca while tugging on the wheel and pulling out onto the road towards town.

  “For senior year? Ha,” Rebecca said while rolling her eyes. “I’m ready for it to be over and it hasn’t even started.”

  “Oh come on, it’s not that bad. Besides we rule the school this year. We’re seniors. We’re large and in charge.”

  “Large and in charge? Last time I checked you still barely came up to my shoulder,” Rebecca laughed, then quickly had to dodge as Emily swung a well-aimed punch at her arm.

  “That’s only because you’re the Jolly Green Giant’s cousin.”

  Emily, with her shorter frame, whispy blonde hair, and light blue eyes, looked nearly opposite of her best friend. Rebecca, who had always been very tall for her age, was now just about six feet. In fact, there were no girls, and very few boys, at the high school taller than her, and in truth she loved it.

  From their homes in the woods, it was nearly a 20 minute drive to school. By the time they pulled into the parking lot, there was less than five minutes before the bell for first period.

  “See you in second period, ‘k?” Emily yelled while running off in the opposite direction, towards her Spanish class.

  Rebecca bolted towards her own classroom’s door, rushing through right as the bell rang. The last thing she wanted to do was start her senior year with a tardy notice.

  Almost all the desks were full, except for two in the last row. Rebecca quickly made her way back and sat in one.

  “Calm down students, calm down. I know you’re all still in summer mode so I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but it’s officially over. School’s back in session.” Her history teacher bowed his head as the class let out an exaggerated sigh.

  “Looks like we were supposed to have a new student today, but…”

  “I’m here.”

  Rebecca spun in her chair, shocked to find that the seat next to her was now occupied. She was certain it had been empty only seconds before, and she hadn’t seen anyone enter the classroom after her.

  Ignoring her questioning glare, the new boy stood up, towering over the class. He must have been at least 6’4” with a muscular built frame, broad shoulders, and strong arms that made him seem even more immense. His face lit up with a bright, intelligent smile, his tousled dark chocolate brown hair was cut short, and his brilliant emerald eyes held an air of mischief.

  “Name’s Maverick, or Ricky for short.”

  The teacher raised a questioning eyebrow at the boy, but didn’t say anything about his sudden appearance. “Welcome Ricky. Now if you’ll return to your seat we’ll begin class.”

  Maverick plopped down in his chair and casually ran a hand back through his hair. After a moment, he turned, unable to ignore Rebecca’s unwavering glare any longer. “May I help you with something?”

  “When did you get here?” Rebecca whispered harshly to the new boy.

  “Moved to town about a week ago.”

  “That’s not what I meant. How did you get in that seat? You weren’t there when I sat down, and then all of a sudden you…”

  Rebecca stopped suddenly as a shadow fell over her desk. Slowly, she raised her head and found herself looking right into the glowering eyes of her teacher.

  “I know it’s exciting to have a new student, and I’m sure you think he’s rather cute, but if you’re finding him too distracting, Rebecca, I can always have you moved.”

  Rebecca leaned back in her chair, dipping her head down as her face flushed bright red.

  Her teacher made his way back toward the front of the classroom, continuing on with his lesson. As soon as he’d turned, Rebecca shot the nastiest glare she could manage at Maverick. To her great displeasure, he simply smiled and winked back.

  For the remainder of class, Rebecca refused to look anywhere but straight at the front whiteboard. She could feel Maverick looking over at her multiple times, but there wasn’t a chance in the world she was going to acknowledge it.

  When the bell finally rang, Rebecca immediately picked up her books and rushed toward the door. She’d only made it a few steps into the hallway, though, before a hand came crashing down on her shoulder. Rebecca quickly twisted her shoulder free and held her head high as she continued walking.

  “How on earth can you walk so fast?” Maverick said as he came up beside her, struggling slightly to maintain her fast pace as they weaved through the sea of students.

  Rebecca didn’t answer him. She refused to even look at him.

  “I know you’re angry about what happened in class, but don’t you think you’re overreacting a little bit?”

  Unable to take it any longer, Rebecca suddenly stopped, causing Maverick to nearly crash right into her. She scowled up at him, trying to ignore the fact that he was the first person she’d ever met that made her feel small. “Look, I don’t know what your deal is, but I thought I was making it very obvious that I didn’t want anything to do with you.”

  “So that’s why you talked to me in class?” Maverick said with a coy smile.

  Rebecca continued to look fiercely up at Maverick, but she’d somehow lost her words. She was so angry with him, yet now she couldn’t tell if it was because of what had happened in class or because he made her feel so strangely uncomfortable. She was suddenly keenly aware of how embarrassed and self-conscious she felt, standing so close to him. She could feel her cheeks begin to flush red and her hands grow clammy as he continued to smile down at her.

  Taking a quick step back from Maverick, Rebecca narrowed her eyes as she tried to ignore the flush that had come over her. “Whatever game you’re playing at, it’s not going to work on me. Leave me alone.”

  Maverick lifted up his hands to signal innocence, “No game, I promise. I never meant to offend.” Dropping them back down, he shrugged nonchalantly, “If you ever change your mind and realize what a great guy I am, feel free to bother me during class again.”

  With one final wink that made Rebecca’s anger surge, Maverick turned and walked off down the hallway.

  “Who was that?” Emily said as she walked up to Rebecca, her eyes glued on Maverick’s retreating form.

  “No one,” Rebecca answered quickly, and they began walking toward their second class.

  “Didn’t look like no one to me, in fact he looked like quite a big, attractive someone…” Emily suddenly fell silent--she’d finally seen her best friend’s face. Immediately, she started laughing, “You’re red. I mean you’re really red. You think he’s cute!”

  “No I don’t!” Rebecca shot back, but she made an effort to hide her face from her friend.

  “Sure you don’t. Well I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I thought he was a big hunk of…”

  “Stop! Stop right there! I don’t want to hear anymore.” Rebecca pushed her fingers in her ears and looked up at the ceiling.

  Emily laughed again and pulled down on Rebecca’s closest arm, “OK, I’m done, I promise.”

  “Thank you.” They had reached their classroom door and Rebecca pushed down on the handle for them to enter, “That guy makes my skin crawl.”

  As soon as Rebecca had turned to enter, Emily gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes, but said nothing more to her friend.

  Three

  Rebecca lay back on the dented hood of Emily’s Geo, basking in the warm afternoon sun as she waited for her friend. All in all, the day hadn’t gone too badly, besides the little incident in her first class. Luckily she’d made it through the rest of the day without having to see Maverick again. Now she felt entirely relaxed, soaking in all the sunshine she could before another long, cold, snowy winter arrived in the mountains.

  Without warning, her world suddenly grew dark, her glorious sunshine now blocked. Rebecca opened her eyes and looked up at the bright smiling face of the absolute last person she wanted to see.

  “You make quite a nice hood ornament,” Maverick laughed.

  “What are you doing
here?” Rebecca raised herself to a seated position on the hood and frowned up at him. She refused to stand, however, as she really didn’t want to get that close to him again. Even now, she already hated how self-conscious she felt.

  “I was just leaving school and I saw you, so I thought I might come by and say hello…Hello.” Maverick smiled widely down at her, but Rebecca only raised a questioning eyebrow at him.

  “Why are you trying so hard to talk to me? What’s your deal?”

  “Can’t a guy be nice? I’m new in town so I figured I might as well try to get to know the locals.”

  “I’m not a local.”

  “You’re not? Don’t you live here?”

  “Yes, but I’m not from here.”

  “You’re a transplant then, like me. You move here with your family?” There was now something in Maverick’s expression that betrayed his lighthearted voice. It was a longing that Rebecca recognized all too well.

  “No, I was moved here by…” Rebecca stopped talking before she revealed anything else. She wasn’t sure how he’d gotten her to talk about her past. It had just started to come out. She never told anyone about where she came from. It had taken her nearly 6 months of hanging out with Emily before she’d finally felt comfortable enough to share even part of her history. For some reason, however, she’d wanted to tell Maverick. She’d almost felt as if she needed to.

  For a long moment, Rebecca silently stared at Maverick, who stood still, meeting her gaze. As she searched his eyes, the smile slowly faded from his face. There was something so familiar about them, almost as if she’d seen his eyes somewhere before.

  Maverick took a cautious step toward her, maintaining eye contact. His face tensed slightly, as if he were tempted to say something but afraid to do so. Rebecca could hear her heartbeat begin to echo up in her ears as her breaths grew slow and weighted. He was so close to her now, but surprisingly she felt comforted by his presence, almost wanting him closer.

  Finally, Maverick spoke, “I…”

  “Am I interrupting something?”

  The sudden voice made both Rebecca and Maverick jump, and a loud crack sounded from the hood following Rebecca’s movement.

  “Becs, I swear, if you get up and that dent is even bigger, I’m going to make you buy the new hood,” Emily threatened as she approached the car.

  “Sorry Em.” Rebecca slowly pulled herself off the car, careful not to do any more damage.

  Emily, however, was no longer paying any attention to her. Instead, she walked straight over to Maverick and craned her neck up to look at him. “My, aren’t you quite the specimen.”

  Maverick’s smile returned instantly as he looked down at her. “Name’s Maverick, or Ricky for short.”

  “Nice to meet you Ricky, my name is Emily, or Em for short.” She stuck out her hand. As he reached out to shake it, Maverick’s hands seemed to dwarf hers by comparison.

  “Pleasure’s all mine.”

  “So I see you’ve met my best friend Becs.” Emily shot a quick smile at Rebecca and received a nasty glare in return. “Her bark is worse than her bite.”

  “I sure hope so,” Maverick laughed. “Well, I won’t keep you two any longer. Drive safe and see you ‘round school.” He waved a quick goodbye, which only Emily reciprocated, then turned and walked off through the parking lot.

  “What was all that about?” Rebecca said as soon as she was sure Maverick was out of earshot.

  “I could ask you the same.” Emily walked over, unlocked her door, and climbed inside the car, reaching over and unlocking the passenger side door straight away. Before Rebecca opened it, however, she took one last glance over at Maverick’s retreating form. She couldn’t shake the feeling he’d had something to tell her, something important.

  “Hello…” Emily called from inside the car. Rebecca immediately threw away the thought and climbed inside.

  Emily started the car as Rebecca shut her door. “Seemed to me like you guys were having quite the little moment when I walked up.”

  “Well we weren’t, he was just bothering me.”

  “I can tell. You’re bright red again,” Emily laughed and began to struggle with the wheel.

  “There’s something about him that makes me feel uncomfortable,” Rebecca said, being incredibly honest with her friend. “I’ve never felt that way around someone, especially a boy. I almost feel like I’ve seen him before, or I know him from somewhere.”

  “Maybe he’s famous, or did a reality show or something.”

  “Em, I’m being serious.”

  “Sorry, I’m listening.”

  “It’s just…There was something about him…”

  Emily stole a glance at her friend as they waited at a stoplight. Rebecca looked shaken, something Emily had never seen before. Her friend was always so strong, oftentimes to her detriment. Rebecca kept her guard up and held everyone at arm’s length, and Emily knew she was one of very few people ever to be allowed in. From the looks of it, Maverick had somehow done the impossible, and jostled that guard.

  “Nevermind.” Rebecca shook her head as if trying to shake off the whole thing. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. How was your first day as a senior?”

  Sensing it wasn’t worth pursuing the subject, Emily quickly began to fill Rebecca in on all the gossip she’d gleaned from the other students.

  By the time they reached Rebecca’s house, her head was so full of relationship scandals, summer romances, and so much other high school gossip that she didn’t have any more room left for thoughts about Maverick.

  “Thanks for the ride Em. See you tomorrow,” She said as she made her way up into her house.

  * * *

  The first week of school passed by in an uneventful blur. Her classes were relatively easy, her teachers fairly nice, and best of all, the other students seemed to finally not be afraid of her. Maverick continued to sit next to her in first period, yet he made no further efforts to talk to her. Every once in a while they’d make eye contact, but he’d only smile and then look away.

  Sometimes, she’d inadvertently watch Maverick, but only when she was pretty sure he wasn’t aware. Rebecca couldn’t shake the feeling she somehow knew him. During class she refused to talk to him, and yet, for some reason, having him next to her was strangely comforting.

  On Friday, as the bell rang at the end of final period, Rebecca made her way out of her classroom and to her locker. She found Emily already standing in front of it, waiting for her.

  “Man, I miss summer,” she said as Rebecca approached.

  “What happened to your excitement about being large and in charge?” Rebecca laughed.

  Emily rolled her eyes, “I forgot that came with homework and teachers and uncomfortable metal chairs.”

  Rebecca gathered her belongings and the pair made their way out toward the parking lot.

  All around them, on the walls of the hallways and on every post in the parking lot were brightly coloured, glittering signs, wishing good luck to the school’s football team. Tonight was their first game of the season and the whole town was gearing up for it.

  “We’re going to the game tonight, right?” Emily asked as they both climbed inside her car.

  “Even if I said no, I have a feeling you’d still somehow make me go.”

  “Good, after three years you’re finally learning,” Emily said with a wink. She started up the car and began the usual battle with the wheel. “Maybe Maverick will be there.”

  Rebecca frowned heavily at Emily, but she easily ignored it and continued to smile brightly while watching the road ahead of them.

  Emily dropped off Rebecca, but not before making her promise to be ready to go at 6:30, when she’d return to take her to the game. Rebecca pinky swore she wouldn’t be late and ran inside her house.

  When she passed through her front door, she found Thomas sitting in a dining room chair lacing up his hiking boots.

  “Are you going out into the woods?” Rebecca instantly
dropped her book bag and began ripping off her Converse to replace them with her own hiking boots.

  Thomas sat tall and looked questioningly over at her on the floor, “Aren’t you going to the game tonight?”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Rebecca waved her hand nonchalantly, “but I don’t have to be ready until 6:30. That gives us plenty of time.” She stood and smiled at Thomas.

  Using the table to help himself stand, Thomas smiled back at her, “I wish I still had your energy. Come on, I think I found a new path down to the creek.”

  Thomas’s path was far from that. They were trudging straight through undergrowth, batting back low-hanging branches, and ripping away clinging blackberry vines throughout their entire journey, but neither complained. This was exactly what they loved doing.

  They walked together in silence, simply drinking in the tantalizing sights and smells. Rebecca found herself so engrossed in the world around her that when Thomas finally spoke, it surprised her so much she actually jumped backward.

  “You been watching the time, Becs?”

  “Oh crap!” Rebecca hadn’t brought her watch, but one quick look at the darkening sky and she knew she was running late. “I’ve got to go. You gonna be alright?”

  Thomas puffed up his chest, “Remember who it was that taught you how to make your way out here.”

  Rebecca laughed, then turned and began running at full speed, calling back, “I learned from the best!”

  She rushed through the undergrowth, dodging and weaving through the plants and tree limbs. At her fast pace, it wasn’t long before she burst through the tree line at the side of her house, only to find Emily standing outside of her car with her hands firmly planted on her hips.

  “6:30! 6:30!” She yelled out to her friend, anger written across her face. “Do you know what time it is? 7:00! It’s 7:00 already!”

  “I’m sorry!” Rebecca hung her head as she raced into the house and ripped off her hiking boots. She grabbed her Converse and jacket and ran with them out to the car.

  Emily was already inside the now running vehicle. As soon as Rebecca sat down, she tore off down the driveway, as fast as the feeble steering would allow. “We’re going to miss kick off.”