by C. S Luis
“Mr. McClellan? It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard great things about you.” Mr. McClellan shuffled his feet embarrassed; Joseph was good.
“Please, call me Michael, and please accept my deepest condolences. I hope you didn’t have problems getting settled.”
“None at all, Michael. Thank you kindly for the flowers; my brother and I greatly appreciate it. Mom had been sick for a while. It was only a matter of time.” I had to hand to Joseph, he certainly had done his homework. He was handling his role like a pro.
“I’m just glad now she can finally rest in peace.” Joseph had mention he had been corresponding with him regarding his position at Milton as new principal. It would explain Michael’s kind gesture regarding the flowers.
“Yes, I’m sure she’s in a better place now.” There was a moment of silence. What was there to say after a death.
Michael’s eyes rolled over to me. “And who might this gentleman be?”
“Michael, let me introduce you to my nephew, Christian Müller,” Joseph said.
“It’s a pleasure, sir,” I said. I reached over to take his hand when he offered it.
“Wow, strong grip there. Planning on applying for the football team?” He grinned as he leaned forward. If I had to get to the target, I would.
Before I could answer, Joseph interrupted. “I would have you know, Christian was the star athlete in his last school. Best damn quarterback, I’ll tell you. And I’m just not saying that because he’s my nephew.” He said with a wink.
I gave a crooked smile; then, rolled my eyes. Michael caught on and laughed.
“Of course, his father would rather have him excel in algebra, and foreign languages.”
“Languages, which ones?”
Again, Joseph didn’t let me answer. “German, Spanish, you name it, Christian can pick it up. Only 17, and he’s a genius.”
I glared at him. He made me sound like an overachiever. I thought we were supposed to keep it simple. When Michael was distracted by sounds inside the office, I elbowed Joseph in the side, and glared at him. He simply gave me a shrug of his shoulders. It wasn’t like he’d falsified anything he had said, but still.
“Impressive, Christian. Ms. Webber is going to like you. She’s our German teacher. She knows a variety of languages herself,” Michael said turning back over to us.
“Still, with a grip like that, you should try for the team. We can always use someone like you. I’m sure Coach Brown would agree. But your studies are important, I most certainly understand your father’s position on that,” he added.
He looked and spotted the box on the floor noticing the broken glass. There was a frame inside the box. “You just can’t get good help these days, can you?” Joseph said.
Michael furrowed his brow at the mess on the ground, embarrassed by the box left at the entrance of the office. “Sorry about the mess. I have the movers here clearing all of Dr. Edwards’ things.”
“Not a problem,” Joseph said. Michael opened the office door. Joseph and I followed him into the main office.
Immediately, he noticed the secretary sitting on side off the desk, appearing to be holding it down. There was a sweat running down the temples of her face, a crease of worried draped her white brows. She tucked in her lip like she was pushing down on the desk. Michael’s eyes darted over to the open door of the principal’s office.
“She’s inside,” the secretary whispered over at Michael.
He motioned for us to wait as he moved towards the door. If I knew Joseph, waiting was not an option. We were here on assignment and if they had anything to hide, we would find out what.
Although I doubted these people had anything to hide of interest, one never knew. Joseph would say, you can’t let your guard down.
The secretary reached for the phone as it began to ring. The sensation returned, something was pulling me towards the office door. Inside, I heard Michael’s voice. “Claudia?”
I was curious as to whom he was talking to.
“She’s here.” I said. A strange sensation raced throughout my body, my palms felt sweaty.
Joseph glanced over at me. Had he noticed a change in me? My heart began to pound inside my head, she was close. Sweat now covered my forehead, the electrical charge caused by the single touch of her fingers returned making me tingle.
“Yeah, I know,” he said.
I blinked over at him. How did he know what I was thinking about?
He looked over at me. “Dr. Edwards’ granddaughter is in the office,” he informed me.
His granddaughter? It still didn’t register.
“Kid, you’re looking a little sweaty there. Get a hold of yourself. You’re on full hunter mode…What’s up? You sensing something?” Joseph whispered.
Whatever had a hold of me, was strong and powerful. It was energizing me and giving me strength. I released a breath.
“You’re looking a little too alert there…tone it down we don’t want to scare anyone. Take a breath…What gives? Again, do you feel something?”
Shaking my head, I push back at the adrenaline energizing me, a nice flowing sensation was allowing me to relax.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
“Then take it down a notch.”
Joseph moved ahead of me to the office entrance and I slowly followed.
A pair of lovely, dark eyes greeted me from a bronzed diamond shaped face of a petite beauty, with waist-long, flowing brown hair. Her full ruby lips hung open as if to say something, but it was a look of shock that was displayed upon her features first. It was her. The sensation between us returned, taking a hold of my emotions and sending waves of adrenaline pumping throughout my veins. We were both rooted to the spot staring at one another from the entrance of the doorway.
Hello?
I didn’t thing you were real, I thought to her, already familiar with this form of speech with her. My lips were quivering, but I wasn’t sure if it was with anticipation or fear. Why do I keep dreaming about you?
I don’t know. she thought back. A sensation from her send my heart fluttering.
The pounding of her heart echoed in my head, but how?
I thought I was the only one, she said. Her heart soared, sending a pleasurable desire into my chest.
I felt her happiness; she was overjoyed. She was happy she had found me. Happy she was no longer alone.
I looked down at my wrist watch, the needles were moving rapidly up and down. Had it malfunctioned?
You’re happy. I can feel it… I said in disbelief.
She smiled. You’re like me?
No, I replied. When I answered, her mind merged into mine, allowing her to see who I was, what I did.
She found images of my life as a hunter, and soon her smile became one of fear and disappointment. How could she be so wrong about me? About what she felt? Her eyes spoke volumes I didn’t want to hear. She didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to let her go. She made me feel alive and stronger than I had ever felt. Having her close made being a hunter meaningless. I could be so much more!
You’re not like the others, I spoke silently, I don’t understand why I feel so...
She gasped. She pushed at my mind; it was electrifying. I felt rewarded even though her face revealed quite the opposite was intended.
“Claudia?” Michael asked. “Is everything okay? Did you need anything, honey?”
Her lips twisted slightly as she gave me a pained looked. I had betrayed her.
I trembled at the sense of her power. Speechless, I stumbled into the doorway. I wanted to be closer to her. A stern look darted from her over at me in warning. It only encouraged me.
“And who is this lovely young lady?” Joseph asked.
“Dr. Müller I like to introduce you to the late Dr. Neil Edwards’ granddaughter, Claudia Belle.”
“How do you do, Miss Belle?”
She pushed at me again. Go away. Her mental voice teetered between pain and anger.
“My
family and I would like to offer our condolences for your loss,” Joseph said.
No, I replied. I want to talk to you…You make me… I feel so much stronger.
She looked surprised as I came to stand in front of her. An energy erupted from her, her anger, her pain, and her confusion filled me, I knew I could absorb it all.
I wanted to take her in my arms as I had in my dreams. My body came alive as sensation raced through me. My eyes were rapidly moving, the pupils dancing to the surge of the energy exploding within my body. Could she know what she was doing?
“Yes, please our condolences,” I foolishly said out loud. “Hello,” I added through, my trembling lips. “I mean…hi…I mean… I’m John.” I bit my lip realizing I had just given her my real name. Not that she didn’t already know, but Joseph didn’t know that she knew.
I know, she whispered. John Slater.
“Ah, excuse my nephew, Miss Belle, he’s not feeling a hundred percent today. I think he’s catching something going around.”
I didn’t need Joseph’s help. “I’m fine,” I firmly stated.
Joseph went silent.
“His whole name is Christian John Müller. John is what his mother used to call him; bless her soul. It’s his father’s middle name.”
“How long has it been?” Michael asked.
“Going on three years now…”
“I’m sorry to hear.”
“John was close to her.”
Joseph continued making further excuses for the drop of the name ‘John’ to the faculty standing in the office with us.
I want to talk to you. I won’t hurt you. I just want to…explain… A sudden ghostly push tossed me back. She had mentally shoved at me? This time, I stumbled slightly.
No, I stubbornly said standing my ground. Above us the lights flickered and popped one by one scattering shards of broken glass over us. Instantly, Claudia raced passed me, easily shoving me against Joseph and out of her way.
“Relax, Nephew, it’s just a few little light bulbs,” Joseph joked.
Apparently, he had seen nothing but an energy surge. I regained my footing and moved to the entrance of the office, catching sight of her exiting the interior office door.
“Sorry about that. It’s a constant problem with the lights,” Michael explained. He glanced around. The secretary was standing by the door looking in.
“Did you see Claudia?” he asked.
“She left,” was all the secretary could say in response. They both looked uneasy.
He nodded. I observed him for a long moment until he caught me.
“I hope that didn’t scare the both of you.” He grinned. Did Michael know what Claudia could do?
“Don’t worry I know all about the budget problems,” Joseph convincingly said.
We found ourselves facing two other men. I already felt like I knew them. I recalled their faces from the profile Dr. Nicholson had sent me to memorize.
“Dr. Müller, we’ll get those lights fixed for you. Please, let me introduce you and your nephew, Christian, to a few members of the staff,” Michael politely said.
I was still thinking about Claudia Belle when the men came over to introduce themselves. Michael seemed to be trying not to mention her again.
“This is Mr. James Claypool; he’s our underclassmen assistant principal.”
Mr. Claypool greeted Joseph and reached over to shake his hand.
“Mr. Claypool, this is Dr. Müller, our new Principal and his nephew, Christian John Müller.”
He said my full name. He did not know what to call me.
I reached over to shake Mr. Claypool’s hand. He looked surprised, and I couldn’t tell if my appearance made him blush or if it was my stature and strong handshake.
“Strong handshake there,” he said. There it was. “You need to join our football team.”
I smiled and nodded.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, sir.” he said to Joseph. “We’re delighted to have both you join our school.”
Mr. Claypool was a tall man, wearing a white dressed shirt, that was rolled to the elbows, his tie had an ugly blue stripe pattern on it. He had thinning blonde hair with a peach colored complexion, and clear blue eyes.
Mr. Claypool, for some strange reason, reminded me of the actor Ed Harris. I wondered if he had ever been told that. Other than his appearance, he seemed to be a very nice, polite, and humble man.
There was also the tall lanky fellow standing alongside Mr. Claypool. With tan olive skin, a little lighter than Joseph and light short curls of hair. He had a thick mustache, and large hazel eyes. He wore an ugly green colored suit with a black tie. The men were equally tall to Joseph and me; even Michael seemed tall despite his slouching. I wasn’t sure if it was simply age or a lack of good posture. When Joseph and I were around, it seemed he tried hard to stand up straighter.
“And this is Mr. Richard Vasquez. He’s in charge of the upperclassmen.” Richard, smiled, and his lip disappeared behind that thick mustache that resemble a large caterpillar. He gave us both a crooked smile, the expression nearly made me laugh out loud. I didn’t want to laugh, but he looked silly. Overall, he seemed like a nice guy.
“Welcome to Milton High, sir,” he said. A bell rang somewhere in the distance, and it made both Joseph and I look up.
As the sound of the bell faded, Michael said: “The movers seem to be finishing off; then, you can settle in. While we wait, I thought that perhaps we could take a tour, and introduce you to a few of the teachers.”
Michael looked over at me. “Would you like to join us, Christian? Or should I call you John?” he asked.
“John is perfect,” I said politely. He smiled and nodded.
“We can walk you to class,” Michael offered.
“Sure, why not?”
“Please, lead the way, Michael. It was nice meeting you gentleman,” Joseph said to the two principals. They seemed interested in making conversation and interacting with my guardian. It looked like Joseph had left a good impression on them.
“Sorry about Claudia,” Michael said. I thought he’d been determined not to mention her again. She had left an impression on me.
“She hasn’t been the same since losing her parents and grandfather. She’s still dealing with the loss.”
“I certainly understand, sir.” I said.
Michael tucked in his lip into a smile.
“I lost my mother going on three years already and my grandma just recently.”
He nodded.
“Maybe John can talk to her…” Joseph offered. A suggestion I was pleased he had made. Michael said nothing but gave him a nod, maybe he was considering it. He ushered us towards the office doorway into the interior where the secretary sat behind her desk.
I followed Joseph out into the interior of the office. Michael stopped to speak with Mr. Claypool near the office entrance. I overheard him saying, “I need you and Mr. Vasquez here when the movers leave. Make sure they clear everything out and set the boxes in the empty classroom near my room on the second-floor, so I can take them home. If Claudia comes looking for me just have Mrs. Wallace page me on the radio.”
Michael, Joseph, and I walked into the hallway.
Michael glanced over at me. “So, who do you have for English, John?” I took the schedule card from my pants pocket and lifted it.
“It’s Mrs. Whitman?”
“Ah, yes. Mrs. Whitman is a good teacher,” he directed his words to Joseph. “I’m splitting her class with another teacher, though. The woman is close to retiring and, well, her class is a little full. So I’m putting John in Ms. Witherson’s class instead. Her class is not as large. She’s a new teacher, John should fit in nicely. I hope that’s alright?”
“Sounds good to me. I’m sure John’s fine with that?” Joseph glanced over at me.
“Whatever you think is best, sir,” I said.
“Great. It’ll be perfect.”
11
The New Student
<
br /> Michael led the way. We turned the corner, moving pass the library, which I couldn’t stop looking into. But I wasn’t looking at the library. I was distracted and wondered whether Joseph could see it. Claudia Belle had left me wondering over her. I wanted to seek her out. She was the only thing on my mind. Our strange energies intrigued me.
Michael must have noticed my interest and simply said: “That’s our library. I know what you’re thinking. Yes, it’s quite small, but don’t let it fool you. We have an impressive selection.”
“Very nice.” Joseph said, which was his way of saying he wasn’t interested, or impressed.
We continued down the hallway; then, took the stairwell up to the second floor that was near the entrance to the courtyard. I could see the ROTC students getting in line and the tennis team practicing in the distance.
“You seem to have an impressive ROTC group and tennis team,” Joseph said making conversation. These types of things seemed to go down well with Michael. He was a person that appreciated these comments, especially from another adult in his field.
“Dr. Edwards donated the funds for the tennis courts, sir. And he bought all new uniforms for the ROTC classes and new supplies and uniforms for the school football team and repairs on the school gym. He even donated money to help students get school supplies,” he said, smiling sadly as we came to the second floor.
Yes, all impressive, I thought as I tried to look interested while following alongside them. Eventually, we arrived at a classroom.
“Well, here we are, sir. We’ll stop by Mrs. Whitman’s class first before heading to Ms. Witherson’s since her class is just around the corner. Let’s get John’s schedule sorted out.”
“Lead the way, Michael,” Joseph said. I just smiled and nodded.
Michael peeked through the window of the door and opened it as the teacher came to the classroom doorway. She smiled immediately as her eyes caught sight of Joseph, then, me. She was an older woman with graying hair that wore entirely too much makeup. She seemed to run her class with an iron fist, when the class became noisy she spun back and beat the ruler in the palm of her hand hard. The class became immediately silent, you could hear a pin drop.
