PANDORA

by Rebecca Hamilton

  “Jasmine?” Mr. Hare calls as he hangs up the phone. “You’re needed in the office.”

  I stiffly nod and try to keep my fear of the empty hallways at bay. He smiles and hands me a pass as I walk to the front of the room.

  Whoever built this school must’ve been a demon’s best friend.

  I’m currently on the second floor of the school in the South hall. The office is on the first floor in the North hall. I groan, and briskly walk to the stairwell.

  I make it to the office just fine and grab my English book from the secretary. Choosing the closest set of stairs, I run up the flight of steps and push open the door to the second floor. Footsteps echo behind me, thundering down the hall towards me. My breathing kicks up as I push myself into a faster jog and try unsuccessfully to swallow my panicked fear.

  The footsteps get faster and sound closer, threatening to catch me. Hairs on my arm begin to rise as my panic rises.

  I turn the corner and take off in a sprint to get to the other end of the hall to my class.

  The footsteps are running after me and I feel eyes on my back. I glance over my shoulder, and nearly scream when I see an empty hallway. My body chills, goosebumps spread over me like wildfire, and the temperature around me drops significantly. It’s like I’m sitting in an ice bath. Seeing my classroom, I pant as I slow my run and slide into a locker just before the door to my class, feeling my skin crawl. I bite my cheek in a vain effort to calm down and yank the door open to the safety of my class.

  Everyone stares at me.

  Casting my eyes to the floor, I hand Mr. Hare the pass, before returning to my seat.

  This is going to be a long day.

  When the bell rings, I meet Tony just outside the door. He takes one look at me, sniffs and growls.

  “What happened?” he spits, as his eyes start darting around the hallway.

  “I had to go to the office,” I say quietly and push him, so he doesn’t make me late.

  He rolls his head on his shoulder and cracks his knuckles one at a time.

  “You could’ve waved me out to walk with you.”

  “Like you told me which classroom you’d be in?” I shrug. “It doesn’t matter now, it’s over, in the past already. Let’s get moving before we’re late.” I start walking away from him, and hear him grumble something about Alpha and a tail. I ignore him as we walk in silence to my class.

  What does he expect me to do when it’s in the middle of class? I can’t very well whip my phone out before responding to the teacher, or play peek-a-boo waiting for him to notice me in the hallway. I get they’re supposed to be protecting me from this type of thing. I just don’t get what I’m supposed to do when it’s a situation like that.

  Do I tell the teacher they’re protecting me from a soul-eating-demon?

  Not likely.

  ***

  When school ends for the day, Seth walks me to Henry’s car to get my tote bag, in silence so that I can prepare myself for what I’m about to do alone. Henry, Tony, Barry and Flynn meet us at the doors when we enter the school again.

  “What are you guys doin’ here?” I ask in confusion.

  Barry takes the lead and starts walking towards the art room, seeming to ignore my question. I glance to my brother and silently ask him the same question, with just a look.

  Henry sighs, “It’s not a big deal, Jazzy.”

  “Really? I thought you’d just wait outside the door, but you brought these guys, too.” I’m not really that angry about it. I don’t care, since I really need all the support I could manage, but I was thinking support from my brother. Not everyone and their brother.

  “We heard about what happened this morning,” he begins to explain.

  “And because of the latest attack, you’re not getting rid of us,” Flynn finishes for Henry, who nods his agreement.

  “Well, you can’t come in with me!” I shout to them. Seth squeezes my hand.

  “Tough shit, Jaz, we already talked to Mr. B. I had him last semester,” Tony says with a grin. “He’s cool with it.”

  “As long as we don’t interrupt the session,” Flynn adds.

  I pinch the bridge of my nose as I stare at the floor. “There’s really no getting away from you is there?” I mutter.

  Barry snorts. “You’d think someone would appreciate this kind of protection. Not everyone is so lucky to have body guards to ward off demons.”

  My mouth pops open as guilt washes over me and I want to apologize, but Barry opens Mr. Becker’s door and silently enters. I watch as the guys silently file in and take seats. Seth glances over his shoulder and nods his head for me to come in with him. I’d rather the floor just swallow me up and eat me whole.

  I enter the extremely silent room and wait for instruction from Mr. Becker. Everyone is so quiet, that when Mr. Becker speaks, it’s nearly a shock to my ears and causes a slight flinch, that doesn’t go unnoticed from my protection detail.

  “Afternoon,” he says, “Jasmine, what do you have for me?”

  “Where’s the lake painting?” Henry whispers.

  I glare at him and pull a painting out of my tote. “I didn’t bring many paintings, mostly drawings.” I shrug, and hand Mr. Becker my watercolor garden, while Seth goes to the back of the room.

  Seth comes back with my lake and hands it to Henry, while Mr. Becker looks over my watercolor.

  He examines my painting for so long, that I begin chewing on my thumb. Seth walks over to me and runs a hand down my arm. Through the tingles, I feel a sense of calm. He’s trying to tell me to relax, I realize almost belatedly. I smile to him, and he smiles my favorite smile.

  “This piece is good for a beginner in watercolor. It’s warm and light, and feels like spring,” he smiles, and my heart sinks just a little bit. “You could put this in your portfolio, but if your strength isn’t in watercolor, then I suggest we stick with your strengths.”

  I nod. He makes sense. It still stings that my watercolor isn’t up to par with my lake scene, but he’s right. Watercolor isn’t something I do a lot of, or am very strong in.

  Next we go through a few of my acrylic paintings, a dragon, a beach sunset, and an under the sea painting.

  The giants and Henry have grouped on the other end of Mr. Becker’s desk, making my piles for me. I smile watching them. They look at each one, point, and whisper about it, before Flynn puts them into the “yes” or “no” pile. Barry catches my eye, points to the dragon and gives me a thumbs-up. I cover my mouth with my hand to contain my giggle.

  He’s such a guy.

  I pull out my folder of drawings, hesitating on the protective sheath that hides the physical image of memory that’s forever ingrained in my mind, and tugging the ink sketch out instead.

  Before I know it, I’m tugging out the protective sheath and slipping out the drawing that’s closest to my perpetual ache, and handing it to Mr. Becker.

  Seth slides a chair over and forces me to sit while Mr. Becker starts to ask detailed questions. Feeling like I’m on auto-pilot, I answer all of his questions. Seth places his hand on the top of my shoulder and lets his thumb graze the bare skin on my neck, giving me a welcomed feeling of peace.

  Mr. Becker clears his throat a few times. “It’s not very often a student creates a piece that affects me like this,” he pushes his glasses higher up his nose. “This is real, it’s life. And life isn’t all sunshine and daisies.” I blow out a harsh breath and blink away tears. “Yes pile,” he says to the guys.

  I stay rooted to my seat, while I watch the giants form a circle around the drawing.

  “Let me just get something for you, quick,” Mr. Becker says and walks to the closet. When he comes back he hands me a black portfolio and a piece of rolled up fabric.

  “What’s this?” I ask, and begin unrolling the fabric.

  “A means of carrying your paintings,” he smiles brightly. “More professional than the neon green tote bag,” he points to said bag and chuckles.

  “Th
anks!” I smile, and roll up the carrier again. “How much do I owe you?”

  “You don’t owe me a thing,” he waves his hand at me. “Now it’s time for this old man to call his sister. Run along,” he says, and shoos us out the door.

  The silence allows my mind to travel back in time once again. When my grandpa died a few years ago, I was upset and refused to go to our family Easter dinner. I didn’t want to go without Grandpa. Dad told me that if I want to make new memories, I have to do things, sometimes without the very people that have my heart. Grandpa wouldn’t want me to spend my life missing opportunities, because he couldn’t be there to physically share them with me.

  I know Dad and Soph would want me to enjoy life.

  I smile at Seth, who’s walking beside me holding my hand.

  I can start by accepting him as my soul mate.

  His eyes widen and he looks at me startled, then slowly, a grin spreads across his face and squeezes my hand.

  ***

  I turn on my iPod and just let the music melt into me.

  Today was another one of those days.

  I did my homework and Leland called a “family meeting” to discuss Barry moving in with us for the remainder of the school year. I know it’s for my protection or whatever. I just don’t understand what he’ll be protecting me from. I haven’t had any problems here.

  But, Leland agrees with Barry’s dad, who called before we got home, that it would be good for Barry to be able to stay here. Since he and Henry are friends, and Tony and Flynn’s homes are too full, staying here makes sense.

  They forget to mention the fact that Barry is protecting me from a demon, who thinks my soul is dinner.

  I ignore the fact that Barry will be here all the time, and just breathe and listen to the soothing beat of the reggae tune.

  Remembering what Miss Jaynie said, to focus inwardly and think of something important to me or something that’s linked with a powerful emotion.

  I sit on my knees in the middle of my bed and take a few deep breaths. I start by thinking of Seth. The way his brown hair has a hint of red to it in the sunlight, the way his green eyes practically light up when he sees me. The way our hands fit together.

  As I think, tingles behind my eyelids seem to guide me to a section of my brain devoted to him.

  I can feel his emotions. He’s curious and annoyed.

  I wish I could just tap into his brain and figure out what has him feeling those emotions. But Jaynie said that’s not a possibility.

  I think about kissing him, and how I feel all wrapped up in his arms. I can picture it, too.

  I feel his emotions spike, he’s shocked, and then happiness and desire take over.

  My eyelids flutter shut as tingles caress my mind again. Seth and I are tangled together, his hand on my jaw, the other on the small of my back, pulling me flush with his body.

  In response, I imagine running my hands through his hair, tugging lightly on the ends, and nibbling his bottom lip.

  His emotions spike again, but before I can pay attention to anything, my phone rings. The name flashing on the screen makes me think I’m in trouble.

  “I just thought we could do some practicing,” I rush to explain.

  “Uh, Sweetheart, just what kind of practicing did you have in mind exactly?” His voice is breathy, and deeper.

  “I didn’t really think about that part, it was a little on the steamy side, wasn’t it? I’m sorry. I only wanted to get the hang of this mind thing.”

  “Don’t apologize. You’re fine, and I have to agree with you, we should practice,” he says.

  “Okay,” I smile. “I suppose we should stick to safe topics then, huh?”

  “That would be a good idea,” he laughs.

  “Can I at least send you a goodnight kiss?”

  “Mhmmm . . . always,” he whispers.

  “I’m sorry I got you worked up.”

  “No worries,” he assures. “More practice?”

  We resume our sharing, and I picture the soldier I’m drawing and the image I want it to look like when it’s complete. I know he got it, his emotions read pride.

  We go back and forth for about half an hour when my phone buzzes beside me. It’s a text from Seth, telling me he has to pause the practicing for now, but he’ll let me know when he’s ready again.

  I glance at the time and see it’s near dinner time, might as well go down and see if Leland needs any help. When I arrive in the kitchen, Henry is there, already starting to set the table, so I join him. We’re having fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and some kind of corn casserole. It smells so good, that I can’t wait to dig in.

  We’re about halfway done with dinner, I take a bite of my chicken and an image suddenly appears in my head that makes me gasp, causing me to choke. Seth sent me a picture of him pinching my butt, a “goose.” My face goes flame-red for two reasons, first being that I swallowed the chicken wrong, and second, that image.

  He goosed me - in my mind - and I choked on my chicken!

  Of course, my brother and uncle panic a bit. Henry taps my back, and Leland goes to get me a glass of water. When I can get words out, I explain that it went down the wrong hole, but my face is still redder than it should be, and I’m positive Henry can see through my lie. They keep giving me strange looks through the rest of dinner, and I do my best to avoid eye contact.

  I am getting a hold of Skeeter to help me out with revenge for that one!

  Crap! I hope Seth didn’t get that thought!

  Barry shows up just after we were done eating. I ignore him and put the leftovers in the fridge. Henry takes Barry upstairs, while I put the dishes in the dishwasher. As soon as I’m done, I text Skeeter, explaining what happened, and that I’d like her help coming up with a way to get him back.

  While I wait for her response, I wipe down the stove and counter. When she texts back, it’s easy to tell that she had been laughing and is still laughing. But she agrees to help, so her laughter is forgiven at the moment.

  Hanging the rag over the faucet in the sink, I start up the steps. I’m about halfway when I hear a rustling noise, and freeze.

  What the heck is that?

  Now it sounds like grunting, and it’s coming from the top of the steps.

  The first room is Barry’s, what the hell is he doing?

  I sneak up two more steps and hit the squeaky one I always forget about.

  “Henry? Jaz?” Barry yells.

  I don’t want to answer. But I guess it’s the nice thing to do.

  “It’s me,” I say as I’m standing in front of his door.

  I hear more rustling and grunting from Barry.

  “Um, Jazzy, can you come in here and help me out please?” He sounds out of breath, and I’m not really sure if I want to open this door. “Come on Jaz, I need some help.” He sounds a little desperate.

  Fine, this’ll be my good deed for the day.

  I push open the door and what I see shocks the hell out of me. The cushions are in a stack on the floor, and then there’s Barry, wedged in the couch bed.

  It seems he didn’t lock it into position before climbing in. Now all that’s visible of him is a foot and his head down to the tops of his shoulders.

  He obviously does need help, but he certainly isn’t getting it from me anytime soon. Tears stream down my face as I hold my side. My laughter roars louder than Barry’s helpless complaints. Just because it’s Barry, I pull my phone out, turn on the camera, and snap a few pictures of him.

  He starts wiggling. “What the hell, Jaz! Put that thing down and help me out.”

  My laughter gets louder, I can barely breathe, and I snort like pig, making me laugh even more.

  Henry needs to see this. I run out of the room and stuff my phone in my pocket.

  Barry starts yelling even louder. “Jazzy! Get back here!”

  I’m hysterically laughing as I pound on Henry’s door.

  “What’s so funny?” Henry asks, with a raised brow.
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  “Bar . . . he . . . .” I can’t get any words out so I just grab his arm and start pulling Henry back to a yelling Barry.

  Big, bad, macho Barry lost a battle with a pullout couch!

  I stop with Henry in Barry’s doorway, Henry sees what I couldn’t say, and he loses it, too.

  “That’s right, get it all out now!” he shouts at us. “As soon as I get unstuck, you both are going down! And Jaz? Your phone is gonna land in the shitter!”

  This causes me to laugh even harder.

  There is no way he will get his hands on my phone. At least, not until I send a picture or two.

  We finally calm down enough to get him out. It wasn’t hard to free him, but it took a lot to keep myself from laughing out loud.

  When he’s free, he stands and glares at the couch bed. “I think I’ll just sleep on the couch part.”

  I lose the thin grasp on my control and start giggling. Luckily, I see the look on Barry’s face change, and I know what’s coming.

  He’s coming for my phone. I dart out into the hall, slip into my room and lock the door.

  “You’re lucky, Princess! I’ll get you back. Tomorrow, you won’t be laughing quite so hard.” I’m still laughing too hard to respond.

  He kind of reminded me of a turtle stuck on his back, but this turtle is a wolf, and was stuck in a fold-out bed. I still don’t see how that worked, but I am so glad it happened.

  Focusing on Seth, I check his emotions. He’s bored. I grin evilly. He’s about to be highly entertained. I think about Barry stuck in the couch bed while focusing on Seth and hope he sees the image. Then send one of the pictures to Leland.

  I could send it to Flynn and Tony, but I think I will wait to see how Barry exacts his revenge. When he does, I’ll send it then.

  The Alpha’s son stuck in a couch!

  Seth calls me. When I answer, his laughter flows through the speaker on my phone, and that starts my next giggle fit.

  When we catch our breath, we joke about Barry a little before I notice the time. We say our goodnights, and I successfully sneak out to get a shower, without interruption. I guess he’s already passed out.

  Once I’m back in my room, I do a quick check for any sign that Barry might have snuck in. All clear, so I shut and lock my door, again.