Broken (The Immortal Coven Book 1) (2 page)

“No, you just startled me is all.”

“That is some delayed reaction.” He countered.

“I didn’t say the boxes, I said you.” I admitted carelessly.

A catlike smile stretched across his face and my stomach took a turn in itself.

Wow!

The wind darted through his dark brown hair forcing him to run his fingers through it to put it back the way it was.

“You from around here?” his inquiry came in a distracted fashion. He asked it as if looking around for someone I’d be waiting for.

“I just moved out this way. I start school on Monday. Why?”

My question brought him back. His dark brown eyes darted to mine and I stared awestruck.

“I just moved here about a month ago, myself. I go to the high school down the road; didn’t know if I’d see you around.” He’d said it as if knowing what my reply would be. At least, that’s how I took it.

“Probably will. Brooksville is just one of those towns where you keep bumping into the same people over and over again.”

“Sounds horrible if you’re planning on avoiding someone.” He laughed a delectable laugh.

“I’ve never found myself trying to avoid someone.” I laughed out loud; the idea absurd.

“Everyone has their moments I guess.” He finally said. His eyes darting to my hands that lay on my lap.

He was tall for a teenager, and I couldn’t place his accent but he did say he’d just moved here so I could only assume he was a foreigner.

“Well, have a nice afternoon.” he said as he picked up the boxes again.

“Do you need help with that? I have to meet my Aunt at the café but I don’t have to be over there for a bit.”  The impulse to stay in his presence was new to me. Something, any reason would suffice to spend a few more minutes with him.

“Yeah, my car is parked around the corner.”

I walked over to him and took the top box. Our eyes locked again and I couldn’t hide the smile this time.

“Thanks” he whispered and smiled in return. “I’m Dmitri, by the way. Dmitri A’naus.”

Even his name seethed elegance.

“I’m Celia, Celia McOwens. I would shake your hand but this guy just dumped his box on me and well, I just can’t greet you like a normal human being.” The fake valley girl was always a fun voice impression.

“You know, you’re not like the other girls around here.”  He confessed. “I’m just saying. Most of these girls are just all so serious.”

“Well, what do you expect when you have to be the more responsible gender of our generation?”

A laugh escaped him as he tried to stifle it. “Whatevz!” he added as if trying to get the last word.

We walked the rest of Main Street in silence until we turned the corner and reached his car.

“Nice Charger!” I mused at the typical guy car, I should have imagined he’d own.

“It’s all the rave now a days.” He replied, his comment sounding a tad bit old. And as if I’d run into a completely different person, he’d changed somehow. His demeanor was dark and collective. I watched instinctively as he opened the trunk of his car and placed the box he’s been carrying inside.

Absentmindedly, he turned to me, not looking at me but at the box in my hands and he took it slowly, almost carefully.

With both boxes now safely secured in his trunk, I had no reason to be near him, but God help me I didn’t want him to go.

“Do you have plans? You could eat with us, I’m sure my aunt…”

He put his hand up to stop me. “I’m good. Maybe I will see you at school on Monday.”

What else could I do but nod. “Goodbye it is then.” I muttered and turned away from him. Feeling the frown and pouting bottom lip protrude.

Every step I took away from him felt wrong. I got to the corner of the final building and just before I rounded it, I looked back to find him about to get into his car. His eyes darted up at me, and he gave me a half hearted smile.

Needless to say, I rounded the building and smiled myself. For whatever reason he couldn’t hang out with me, but in the pit of my stomach, I knew it wasn’t because he didn’t like me.

Only a few steps back on Main Street and I found Aunt Olivia walking my way. Her expression far from cheery.

“Where have you been?” I thought something had happened to you.” She shouted frantic.

“I was helping someone out. I’m fine, I’m right here.” I countered as she caught up to me.

“Please text me the next time you suddenly decided to change your plans. I went to the eatery and when I couldn’t find you I about had a heart attack.” She admitted. The worry was written all over her expression. I didn’t have to hear a word she was saying to know how much my absence affected her.

“I’m sorry.”  But I realized instantly the words were not enough. I reached out and gave her a hug. Her arms immediately curled around my body and she held me as I’d never recalled before.

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t bear to lose you too.”

I understood then that her initial reaction was more about my mom than being upset that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be.

She sniffled and pulled away to wipe the tears from her face.

“I don’t know about you but I’m starved. Let’s go eat before it gets too late.”

Dinner was nice. Usually, in a restaurant, I tend to people watch more than converse. Aunt Olivia is great about it. Our eye conversations had become more in tune than before when Mom was alive. We seemed to get to know more about each other as we secretly spoke about passerby’s.

At one point, an older man walked in with a much younger woman. My eyes met Aunt Olivia’s and we both giggled at the idea the woman could be his lover. Every now and again, when the woman would laugh in the back ground, Olivia would whisper, ‘Oh, la, la’ as quietly as she could. Sadly, it almost always caused me to burst out in laughter.

I didn’t think much about Dmitri until I laid down to bed that Sunday night.

Tomorrow I embark on this new journey and the only lifeline I have is a guy I met on a whim. His face was the last conscience thought I had before sleep took me.

Sleep, as per usual, is a hit or miss. Sometimes I fall right asleep and wake feeling refreshed, but more times than not, I end up waking from a series of bad dreams. Well, it’s really always the same dream but put together in pieces. The strange part is that I know in the dream that I’m dreaming. I know it’s not really happening all over again.

This night was an obvious off night. When I opened my eyes, I was in the front seat of my mom’s Toyota Corolla. The music was playing and we were passing the circus storage place on HWY41. I turned and looked at mom; she was singing to the music. The horrible tone tugging on my heart.

“Mom” I called out to her, but she didn’t seem to hear me. I shook her arm, and yelled out her name again but nothing changed. That ended and we reached the light that was turning red. It was ‘The’ intersection that we had the accident.

“Mom, listen to me. Don’t go at green. Wait for the truck to pass….Mom, listen to me!” I frantically begged her.

The commercial, that we had been laughing at right before the light changed, came on. I watched as her facial featured became amused, then listened to her cheerful laugh that filled the car in a haunting fashion.

“Why aren’t you listening to me!” I bellowed at her, the tears streaming down my face.

And it happened. A dark cover enveloped her being and she turned to me. “Celia” she spoke, her tone stunning me silent. Her eyes had darkened, the car had gone cold. “Stop fighting this.” She scolded me stiffly.

When everything went back to normal, the light turned green. Just as I had experienced it in many nightmares before, she let go of the brake and stepped on the gas. I shifted my sight to her window and spotted the speeding truck barreling towards us, and it struck us at almost the same moment.

There was only one slight difference in my dream. This time, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my chest. Just as the truck made impact, I felt like I was being pulled away, out of my seat and seatbelt.

We were thrown a far distance from the crash, but there was no denying I was being held by someone and a male someone at that. With this realization, I called out mom and woke myself up from my dream state.

Aunt Olivia was at my door the moment my chest flew up and my eyes opened, tears already streaming down my face.

“Someone pulled me out of the car.” I half yelled at her. By the time the words were out, she had reached my bedside and was hugging me and patting my back to soothe me. The floodgates had opened up, and I wasn’t fighting the tears.

“A man somehow pulled me out of the car right before the truck smashed it up.” Funny how I didn’t hear how ridiculous it sounded but she didn’t argue with me. I suppose she knew what my next reaction would be.

I pulled slightly away from her and I could still feel the warmth from her body. She’d been sound asleep and must have heard me talking in my sleep. “I’m sorry. I know it was just a dream but it seemed so real this time.”

“And she spoke to me, scolded me and told me to stop fighting. And the man, he saved me. God, I’m going crazy.”

“You’re not going crazy, Celia.” she assured me.

“You ca-can’t know tha-that. You don’t see the things I s-see.” I stammered.

“Okay, take a deep breath, and let it out slow,” she ordered, doing her best to calm me down.

Doing as she said, I felt the tension ease up from my head. I took several more deep breaths before I lay back down.

“I don’t know what to tell you, other than try to get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day for you and you don’t want your first day at a new school to be dulled down because of bags under your eyes.”

I got what she was saying, but it was more her lack of reaction to what I had said about mom that held me at attention. Aunt Olivia didn’t seem like herself.

Just as she reached my bedroom door to leave I stopped her. “Is it even possible?” I asked.

She didn’t even turn, “Yes, I believe it could be possible but then I’m the one who would sound crazy, so let’s stop fighting this.” Her low tone, the words, her manner of speaking to me shot my body back up.

A startling fear took over my senses, “Mom” I shrieked.

Aunt Olivia kept walking and left my room. I was frozen in terror in my bed.

What had just happened? Did my mother possess my Aunt Olivia? Was she trying to tell me something from the here-after?

I wouldn’t get answers because I was too terrified to move, scared to know if what I had theorized truly was factual.

After a while of hearing nothing from the hallway or the other room, I laid my head back on the pillow and stared out into the dark room. Sleep eluded me for most of the night and when I woke up the following morning I felt like I’d only sleep an hour or so.

CHAPTER Two

Aunt Olivia didn’t say a word to me at breakfast, and I merely stared at her waiting to hear what she would say.

When the grandfather clock in the living room struck 7am my body shifted in go-motion. It meant I had 25 minutes to get to my first class before I would be tardy. Lucky for me, we only live a block away from the school and the walk is literally 7 minutes.

“Talk to you later.” I called out as I left through the front door.

Three girls made their way past our house as I strolled down the path of our yard. One of them made eye contact with me and smiled. They stayed about 20 feet in front of me until we were all stopped at the main crossing by the elderly crossing guard.

“You are new, aren’t you?” The one girl asked me while we waited.

With a nod, “Yeah, today is my first day.”

“Did you just move here? I’ve seen you before.” One of the other girls added.

“My mom and Aunt own one of the shops on Main Street. That’s probably where you’ve seen me before.”

“Must be.” She hesitated, “My name’s Lisa, this is Cassidy, and Anabel.” She said, also introducing her 2 equally bubbly blonde friends as we crossed the main road.

“What is your first class?” Anabel asked politely.

“I have calculus with Mr. Carver.” I said squinting my eyes, praying I’m not the only senior that takes real classes’ senior year.

“Oh, Lisa has that class.” Cassidy half shouted, almost as excited as you would get matching 2 puzzle pieces.

“Come on, I will walk with you. Do you need to stop by your locker?” Lisa asked.

“Let me see your schedule, maybe we have another class together.” Her voice, while sounding bossy, didn’t come across as mean or malicious. She was in control and it was interesting how at ease she held herself.

It took her only a few seconds to review my class schedule before she looked back at me. “We have lunch and 6
th
period also. You can eat with us, if you are up to it.” She offered.

“Thank you, I appreciate the olive branch.”

“Anytime. You seem to be the type of girl I could easily become friends with. Either that or mortal enemies.” She chuckled to herself.

That was odd.
I thought to myself.

We made the rest of the walk in silence, letting runners pass ahead of us just as we made it to Mr. Carver’s class, on time.

“This is a very over-rated class. Most of these kids are going to fail calculus, so be careful not to get caught up in the nonsensical aspect if you are college bound.” She warned frankly before disappearing into class.

I stopped up front to make myself known to the teacher, and he directed me to an empty seat. Sadly, it wasn’t near my newest companion.

Lisa was right about one thing, first period was filled with interesting faces. The characters of the class introduced themselves without needing prompting and the shy ones just got by with staring when they thought I wasn’t looking.

At one point, I heard a camera snap from a cell phone, looked up and realized the girl in front of me was taking a ‘selfie’ with me in her background.

“Are you going to post that on Facebook?” I asked cautiously.

“Yeah, everyone is going to want to know what the new girl looks like.” She admitted, probably proud to be the sharer of such news.

“Can I at least make sure I look decent first?”

She smiled at me and extended her arm out to reveal the picture.

My lips were pursed together but I nodded to her that it was acceptable. Sometimes you just have to know your limitations.

On a Monday morning, it’s only going to be so much.

I was glad for math to be over when the bell rang.

“See, that wasn’t so bad.” Lisa smiled and took my arm as we left.

“A friend of mine, Carla, has your next class. Do you want me to text her to find you and sit with you?” she suggested.

“Why are you being so nice to me?”I asked sharply. “I mean, thank you, and yes I would love to have a friendly face to sit next to in my next class but you don’t need to go out of your way.”

“It’s not a problem, really. And besides, like I said earlier, you seem like the type of girl I could end up being really good friends with.”

I took her for her word and let her send the text. The moment she pressed send, she looked up and smiled. “I will see you at lunch. You will have to fend for yourself in 3
rd
period. I don’t know anyone who is taking P.E. as a senior. Sorry.”

“Thanks” was all I could muster in my instant shy state.

The walk down the hall was strange. I could see everything and feel everyone’s stares but also nothing at all. It was as if I was coming out of my skin while being stuck inside of a perfectly clear bubble.

Lucky for me, I was at the door of my next class before the next bell rang.

Almost as soon as I walked in, a pair of cold female fingers wrapped around my wrist and I was being dragged to two empty seats in the back of class. The girl who I assumed is Carla was tall and stocky sporting a short black haired bob. We both sat down next to each other in front of two opened laptops.

“Sorry about that, I just didn’t want the boys to bother you right away.” She whispered. “My name is Carla.”

“Celia.” I responded with a thankful smile.

“It’s nice to meet you. What school are you coming from?” she inquired as she turned both of our computers on, and then fumbled through her book bag.

“Springstead. I’d been there since freshman year.”

“Oh, why the move?” she paused her search.

“Just a family thing.” I answered abruptly not wanting my new friends to feel pity for the new girl.

“I know all about those. My family is crazy.” She offered, going back to her search. Only pleased when she removed a pair of black reading glasses from the bag.

“These darn things always seem to be getting lost. I swear these are my 3
rd
pair this school year alone.

By the end of 2
nd
period, I was grateful for having left the house when I did. Carla and Lisa were great and from what Carla had implied, their circle of friends branched out on a wider spread as well.

Back at Springstead, I never made any sort of small talk with the girls that were in my classes. Even the girls that I ended up spending my time with were dull and suspicious.

“You have PE for 3
rd
period. Yuck. We all took that in 9
th
and 10
th
to get it out of the way. At least you won’t have to run or anything until they get you a locker and uniforms.” Carla murmured.

“You have to go to the gym. Make your way down the walkway towards the North end of school. We have the same lunch so I will talk to you later.”

“Thanks, Carla.”

Funny how it was Lisa that made the comment that she could see herself being friends with me, and here I was feeling that way about Carla.

I followed a few younger looking kids that were headed towards the gym.

“You going to 3
rd
period P.E.?” I asked one of them.

“Yeah, we have to play on the basketball courts today. Maybe they have the volley ball nets up.” A nerdy looking kid commented.

My spine tingled. Why hadn’t anyone in my school ever mention P.E. being something that was taken in 9
th
and 10
th
grade?

Only a few moments after opening the gym doors, I locked my attention to a single moving figure running with a basketball across the court. Dmitri was playing a game with a group of boys. Senior boys from the looks of it. I bet this is what Aunt Olivia meant about P.E., when she promised I would enjoy the class.

I walked over to the large man near the rear door, who I assumed was the coach by the whistle around his neck, and I checked myself in.

“So you are Celia McOwens. I knew your mother. I’m sorry for your loss. She was an exceptional woman.” He sighed making a mark on his clipboard.

“Thank you, Coach.” My gratitude was followed by an expectation.

“So what do I need to do?” I asked, ready and willing to work.

“Well, until we are back in the classroom I can’t assign you a locker. So for right now, you can either walk laps around the courts or you can sit and read a book on the bleachers.”

With only two choices, I took the latter considering it would be easier to stare inconspicuously if I had a book in my hands.

Sadly, being ignored wasn’t in the cards for my first day.

“Well, what do you know? We have a class together.” Dmitri announced loudly as I passed the basketball courts on my way to take a seat. The players all paused and stared in my direction. Nothing like having 10 hot and sweaty seniors gawk at you on your first day of school.

“Indeed we do.” I smiled and kept walking.

He went back to his game and scored another basket for his team. Every now and then I would catch him looking up in my direction. He would smile, and by the third time I was reciprocating the innocent flirting.  I may have read only a single page from my novel during that 40 minute class.

By the time his game was over, he was nasty sweaty and primed for a quick shower, but he walked over to where I was sitting before joining the rest of the boys in the locker-room.

“So, how’s your day been so far?” he asked.

Pleased by the interest, “It’s been better than expected.” 

“Better now that you know you have a class with me?” he teased, his cocky nature new to his set of personality flaws.

I huffed and laughed at the same time. “Aren’t we quite the presumptuous one?”

Shaking his head, “No, not at all. I just meant it…all hell, it came out wrong.” He stopped himself, the accent thick.

He turned and started heading to the locker-room.

“No, wait. I didn’t mean it that way, either.” I found myself following him.

God, what was I now? A puppy dog? The mere idea appalled me as I fumbled down the bleachers.

“I didn’t either. I’m sorry.” I repeated, “I’m glad we have a class together.”

His head seemed to bob once in agreement to what I had offered as an apology.

“So what lunch do you have?” the moment he asked one of the boys called out his name from the boy’s locker room door.

His head turned and I realized it was time to say goodbye.

“I have B lunch. A few girls said I could sit with them, they seem nice.”

“Oh yeah, what girls?” his curiosity peeked, he turned back to face me.

“A girl named Lisa.”

His eyes rolled instantly at the sound of her name. “Well, you have fun with that.”

He turned around and made a jog towards the locker room. Heaven help me but I watched the boy run. The way his calf muscles flexed at every step made my stomach do a little flip.

Was this the attraction my mother had once warned me about?

Mom…I wish I could tell you about all of this.

Silly me, I knew the moment the bell rang; I would have to check in with my fourth period teacher. I had decided that as a senior I would take photography. Ideally, as a creative junky, the class seemed like a no brainer. Problem with taking an elective half way through the semester is that you have missed all the essential knowledge so subsequently you have to play catch up. All of this was explained to me within the first 5 minutes of checking in.

Mrs. Ashby assured me that if I was committed to the class, it would still be possible to make it through but I would have to do quite a bit of reading in the mean time.

Turning from her desk to find myself a seat I noticed a girl in the back of the class waving at me and calling my name.

Curious if this too was a friend of Lisa’s; I walked to the empty seat and sat down.

“Hi, my name is Trisha. I’m one of Lisa’s friends. She sent me a text to look for you.” Immediately, I began to think of Lisa as my Fairy God Mother.

“Thanks, she’s been really nice to me.”

“Of course she has, she is a great person. I think she really likes you too because she sent the text to all of us.” Trisha marveled.

Curious, “Does she do this sort of thing often?” I asked. And she said, ‘all of us’, the idea that I had a bunch of people on the lookout for me was a little unnerving.

“Well, every once in a while she does, but not really since she started dating Justin. He’s a senior on the swim team.”

So, Lisa has a jock boyfriend. That means she is part of the popular crowd. I suppose the picture of my new friends was starting to make sense. A girl with tons of friends making sure the new girl wasn’t singled out on her first day of school.