July (The Year of The Change Book 1) (41 page)

We rode our bikes to the small library situated in an old building that looked like it had seen brighter days. There was a rusty old rack to the side of the wooden front door that we shoved our bikes into.

A brass bell rang happily when we entered. The smell of musty books grabbed me by the nose and dragged me in. Ah, the smell of adventure was in the air and I was home. A small desk by the door separated the volunteer librarian from the rest of the room.

Looking older than the building, the gray-haired lady looked up with a crinkled smile on her once pretty face. Her friendly glow showed how beautiful she still was.

“Hi, I’m Mrs. Palmer. Can I help you find something?” She put a slip of paper between the pages and closed her book.

I returned her smile. “Yes, where’s your mystery section?”

She got up and swiftly headed toward the back. “It’s right over here.” She moved faster than I thought a person her age could.

In the back, in a dimly lit corner, she pointed to a sign that read ‘Mystery’. Below the sign were five shelves, only two had books. My eyes raked over the sad collection.

She chuckled. “The biggest mystery in this section is where all our mystery books go.” She dusted a shelf with her finger. “Sorry it’s so slim.” She walked away and left me to find a book.

Destiny shrugged and walked away, too. I was left alone with the scanty selection. It didn’t take long to settle for a tattered, old hardcover, the thickest by far of the mysteries. I carried it to the front where Mrs. Palmer waited expectantly.

“Oh, that’s a very good choice. I like that one. I’ve read it three times.” She pulled out a piece of paper for me to fill out. “Since you’re new in town you’ll need a library card.”

It shouldn’t have surprised me she was aware of my recent arrival. She turned on an old electric typewriter while I filled out the paper. I’d seen an electric typewriter in a museum once, but had never actually seen someone use one before. When she was done, she cut the card stock down to size and shoved it through a small laminating machine before she handed it to me. Wow, a handmade library card … how cool … a first for me.

Mrs. Palmer checked my book out then turned to Destiny. "Which one did you decide on?"

Destiny shrugged. "I didn't find anything."

"Oh." The aged librarian looked disappointed. We probably were her only customers all day.

As we were getting ready to leave, Cory and Danny burst in, eyes searching.

Cory stopped short and smiled. “Hey, Sylv, fancy meeting you here.”

Danny hit him in the arm. “That was lame, Cory.” He turned to me. “We saw Destiny’s bike and figured the other one had to be yours.” He glanced at my friend. “Hey, Dest.” He was trying hard for cool. It was just a shade off.

She giggled. “Hi, Danny … Cory.”

Cory grimaced a smile over his embarrassment.

Another fight was coming on and I didn’t want to endanger Mrs. Palmer. “We were just leaving.” I pushed past, hoping Destiny was right behind me. I threw a bye to the librarian before I dashed out the door.

I jumped on my bike and shoved the kick-stand up as I backed away from the antiquated rack. Destiny grinned as Cory and Danny rushed past her to grab their bikes lying in the weeds next to the building. With a jerk of my head to Destiny, I took off.

The boys each took a side and pedaled their bikes too close. They glared at each other as they each tried to keep up a conversation and match my speed exactly. Destiny rode behind, entertained at the spectacle, no doubt.

We neared our street and I spotted Richard pulling into their driveway. Football practice was over and my luck looked to be turning. I leaned forward and pumped as fast as my old bike would allow. At first, it caught the boys off guard and they lagged behind. Unfortunately, their bikes were newer and faster.

Just as I pulled into the driveway Richard hit the button to close the garage door. He was a little surprised when I rode in ducking my head to avoid being crushed.

"Hi, Richard."

The tires tripped the guard and the door beeped to a stop. The boys outside, their mouths open, skidded to a halt. I hoped they didn’t go home and try that.

When I nodded toward the boys, Richard must’ve realized what was going on. He ruffled my hair as he walked by.

His smile dropped as he turned to face Cory and Danny. “So, what’re you guys up to today?” He flexed his muscles, opening and closing his fists.

They mumbled something about just out riding.

He folded his arms over his football jersey. “Well, then, go do it on your own street and leave my sisters alone.” He stared menacingly at them.

I didn’t miss that he included me as his sister. I liked that.

Danny and Cory glanced at me and back up at Richard. Obviously, they were more afraid of Destiny’s brother than affected by me. I hoped it would stay that way. They said good-bye and rode away arguing. I was going to be the end of that friendship. Sigh.

Richard walked back in the garage. “That was fun.” He ruffled my hair, again, on his way into the house.

Number two weird event. Would this be the last time she’d hang out with me?

I backed out of their garage and faced a smiling Destiny. “Sorry I didn’t wait for you.”

She giggled. “That’s okay, I enjoyed the show.” She handed over my library book.

I hadn’t realized it was missing. I’m such a dork.

“When did I drop it?”

“Right outside the library.”

I rolled my eyes, I’m an idiot. “Thanks, Dest, you’re a great friend.”

She smirked. “I know.”

Cara poked her head out the door. "Destiny, it's your night to help with dinner.”

“Okay, Mom, be right in.” She got off her bike and pushed it into the garage, leaning it against the far wall. “You’re a lot more fun to be around than most of my other friends. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Dest.”

She pushed the garage door button twice and it closed.

I rode my bike home and parked it in our garage. No doubt about it, I was pretty lucky to have Destiny as my friend. How many more weird events could she last through before she was gone from my life, too?

Three? Four? Should I dare to hope for more?

We spent a large part of the day clearing out weeds and small saplings from around the house so the painters would have a clear shot at the bare wood and peeling paint. I had a sinking feeling it would all re-grow by tomorrow.

My arms and back hurt as I entered the attic. I’d almost fallen asleep at dinner. Dad was the only one wide awake since he got to go to work and sit behind a big desk in a comfy chair all day. He droned on about how busy he’d been. I don’t think any of us had any sympathy for him. After he dragged me all the way to Alaska to do battle with mutant weeds, I, for one, sure didn’t feel sorry for all his paper work.

The computer came on with a groan and I listened to it chug as I changed for bed. If I didn’t have mail from Donny and at least one from one of the other guys, I just might have to cry. I was still feeling homesick and missed Gram something fierce. I dialed up.

I couldn't wait to tell Donny about the red headed boy from across the street, Sammy, who came over while we were working. He followed me around all morning. He talked on and on about absolutely nothing, all the while getting in my way. I didn’t know what to do with him. Even when I tried to think of what Gram would do, I came up empty. Short of getting a baseball bat, I didn’t come up with anything. Since a baseball bat to the head was a little severe for mere annoyance, I didn’t act on it.

My stomach demanded it was time for lunch and Sue, with a huff and a roll of her eyes, led us inside. I got stuck at the front door trying to get rid of Sammy. When my stomach growled loud enough to be heard down the street, I just closed the door in his face. It was very rude, I know. My stomach was throwing a fit and I’d had enough of his yammering. Like usual, I worried all through lunch that I’d hurt his feelings.

I needn’t have worried.

Sammy was back as soon as he spotted me in the side yard. The afternoon was spent tripping over him.

An interminable amount of time was spent shooting down the pop ups and waiting for the mail to load. I could barely keep my eyes open. To say I stunk was an understatement and I longed for a hot shower to ease the ache that was all over my body. I arched my back and stretched my arms trying to get my muscles to relax.

Ah, yes, an email from Donny
and
the guys. Jackpot! I disconnected the dial up. I clicked it open and settled back to enjoy my best buddy. This was just what I needed. Friday when we’d be getting a dedicated line couldn’t come soon enough. Donny and I had already discussed in our emails when would be a good time to Instant Message (IM). Alaska was three hours behind Oklahoma. For the summer I figured that after dinner for me would put him at about ten, which was fine. When school started, we would have to rethink. I missed my best buddy, along with my Gram and my home in Oklahoma.

Still homesick.

Weird Event #3 and Then Some

It stormed like the dickens last night and a clean breeze wafted through my window as I straightened my room. Breathing deep, my whole body felt rejuvenated. When someone knocked at my door, I almost dropped the record I’d pulled from its cover.

"Come in?" My family never knocked before opening my door.
What’s up
?

Destiny popped in. "What in the world are you doing inside on a day like today?"

I laughed at the way she stood with her hands on her hips, as though accusing me of some dastardly deed. "Just cleaning my room."

"Oh no you don't, it's too beautiful outside, isn't that right, Richard?"

He poked his head in. "That's right. You have to get your tail downstairs now so we can cover some serious ground this morning. Today is bike riding weather."

My stomach flipped as I panicked. Richard was in my room and he could become affected at any moment! "Uh ... yes ... right away." I had to get him out of here,
now
. I tossed the record on the desk and grabbed my shoes. Dashing past them I bounded down the stairs. When they didn't follow I looked up from the bottom step. "Aren't you coming?"

They both stared down at me.

Richard blinked a couple of times before he spoke to Destiny. "Now why can't you react like that when I tell you to do something?" He tromped down.

"Because, I have better things to do than jump at your every command." She followed, frowning at her brother.

"I'm definitely going to adopt Sylv. Hey, Sylv, will you be my little sister?"

He wants me as his sister
? "Sure." My conscience insisted I warn him. "But I'm high maintenance."

"Can't be any higher maintenance than Dest. At least you listen to me."

Destiny hit him in the back of the head.

It was a good thing he didn't know why I listened. I would have to work hard to make sure Richard didn't get into my room again. The whole idea of me being three stories up was to keep boys out. What was Sue thinking letting Richard past the front door?

Downstairs, only the twins and Destiny’s little brother Eddy could be seen. They were glued to the TV where cartoons danced across the screen.

Outside, I tied my shoes and got my bike. My Purple Wonder didn't look so great next to Destiny and Richard's shining ten speed mountain bikes. Purple didn't have any speeds, gears, hand brakes or glitz. Nonetheless, it held some of my fondest memories. Donny always said my bike was best for staying in shape for swimming. I knew he was only putting a positive spin on my aging beauty, which never looked this bad next to his three speed.

"So, how come the big push to ride bikes?"

"Football practice was canceled because the field is too wet so Richard
had
to get some exercise." She frowned at her brother who only shrugged with a grin.

We pedaled down another street, and then to the next corner.

"I'm glad you guys came over. Today is too beautiful to stay inside."

"That's for sure. That’s why I don’t understand practice being canceled. I've played in far worse than this."

We rounded the corner. Down the other street was a group of muddy boys playing football in a vacant lot.

Richard perked right up. "Hey, let's see if they'll let us play."

Without waiting to hear my objection, he pulled away quickly. No doubt about it, I definitely couldn't stop here.

"How about if we keep riding, we can come back later, for Richard?" I looked at my friend hopefully.

Destiny craned her neck. "Well, actually, there's some pretty cute boys, let's watch for a while." She combed her fingers through her hair.

Objections didn’t work on Destiny as she ogled the guys. Her hunting instincts were zeroed in on the sweaty bodies. And her ears were turned off. I didn't want my only friend for thousands of miles to be mad at me, so I went along.

Football’s fun and I can play a pretty fair game, something I couldn't allow myself the pleasure of, today. Five months and one day more. I groaned as I parked my bike next to Destiny's.

I tugged her back from joining Richard who wrangled his way into the game.

"You don't want to play, do you?" I ask as innocently as I could.

She shook her head, and kept her eyes on the boys. "No."

"Good, let's sit over here on this log."

The log was further away than she wanted. Since she still had a good view of the guys she didn't argue.

Richard finished his negotiations and looked around, spotting us he waved. "Come on, they said we could play."

"That's okay Richard, you go ahead and we'll watch." I shifted, something poked me in the gluteus maximum and I shifted again.

He frowned and trotted over. "Come on, we need the bodies to make the game more interesting."

Destiny leaned around him. "That's okay, we'll just drool."

He huffed at his sister. "Well, I guess I should expect that from Destiny, but ,Sylv, you want to play don't you?"

Yes, I did want to play. My wants were far down the list of can do's. I shook my head. "Sorry, Richard, maybe another time." The wind picked up and I brushed the hair out of my eyes.

Richard motioned to me. "Come on, Sylv, we need you to even the numbers."

Why is everything I want being handed to me this year? ARGH!
"I would rather stay here with Destiny."
What a lie!

Two guys showed up behind Richard and the short, dark haired one nudged him. "Are they going to play?" His grin widened as the wind swirled around them.

"I get the tall blonde!" The sandy haired boy moved toward me, his hand stretched out and I flinched back tumbling over the log.

"No way, Gary, you picked last, I get the blonde." The dark haired one pushed Gary away.

Uh-oh. I stood, ready to run.

"Back off, Nick, I saw her first."

Freddie pushed Paul who stumbled before regaining his balance and launched himself at Freddie who leaned over the log to offer his hand to me, probably his heart too. That wasn’t an option. Paul's momentum knocked them over, landing in a heap at my feet. I jumped back and thudded into a couple of guys. They’d run over to see the fight … until they noticed me.

All the guys formed a circle around us and fear raced up and down my spine. What if I couldn't get out? Richard climbed over the log to pull the fighters apart. The two I bumped into stared at me with those silly grins. Around the circle more than a dozen affected grins, all watched me. I was in trouble now. One of the guys behind me put his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close, with a moan.

I ducked under and behind him, shoving him to the ground. This gave me an opening. Unfortunately, it triggered the others to converge. Turning to run, I found a second line of affecteds with their arms out to me.

Richard yanked guys out of the way to get to me. "I guess it's time to go, Sylv." He grinned down and caught my eye. Not the silly affected grin and glazed eyes everyone else had. His eyes sparkled like he was enjoying himself. Weird.

"Ya think?" I was too sarcastic, but he laughed heartily.

He faced the others and set a frown securely in place. "Okay, guys, back up!"

Most of the affecteds didn't move, too intent on me. Richard picked up the closest and tossed him to the side, then another. I grabbed his shirt and followed close behind. He was my bulldozer. I watched for my opening so I could dash for my bike.

A guy on my right grabbed my wrist and I screamed.

"Okay, Sylv, let's ... what the heck?" Richard looked around franticly. "Where'd she go?!" He yelled to Destiny who stood wide eyed by the bikes.

“
Help, Richard
,” I screamed.

The guy yanked me away and I struggled.

"
Richard, I'm right here!
" I pulled at the firm grasp on my wrist. "
Let go of me!
"

Richard plowed through the crowd. "Sylv, where are you?!"

The guy pulled me further from my friends. He wasn't letting go. I turned to hit him. What I found froze my upraised fist.

"
Quit struggling, Sylv, I'm trying to get you out of here.
" It was Drew.

"
What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Fairbanks!
" I continued my struggle, stunned.

"
I’m not ready to go yet and it’s a good thing I didn't.
" He pulled harder.

"
Drew, let go of me!
" No matter how hard I yanked his grasp held like a vice grip.

"
I can't, they'll see you.
"

"
It doesn't matter. They're going to follow my trail anyway.
" I waved back at the boys who had formed a line that meandered behind us.

"
Then we need to move faster, quit fighting me!
"

"
No!
"

I looked back at my friends who couldn't help, they couldn't even see me. They stood at their bikes looking every which way. Richard scratched his head. Weird event number three. I wasn't going to have any friends after this.

Drew slipped behind me when I dug my heels in. He grabbed my other wrist using his body to propel me forward.

"
Drew, NO! I'll make it home just fine without you.
" I looked around for my friends. We were no longer in sight of the vacant lot. How had we gone so far?

He grunted. "
You're not going home.
"

"
What? Of course I'm going home!
" He was too strong and my elbow couldn’t make contact with his ribs like I wanted.

"
You need someone to protect you from these idiots.
"

“
I have my father to protect me
.”
And if I make it back to him I’m not leaving my room again until this whole Change is over.

“
I’ll do a better job
.”

"
No! I need to go home!
" I wanted to go home.
I promise God I’d be extra nice to Sue if I got away from this idiot
.

"
You're not even happy at home.
" He huffed.

"
So, what teenager is?!
" I dropping to my knees and Drew stumbled over me. I couldn't break his hold.

"
Ouch! Cut that out, Sylv.
" Without letting go he climbed to his feet using me for leverage.

Ouch. "
No, let me go!
" I refused to stand.

"
No, I'm going to make you happy, and just think, you won't have to stay hidden inside.
"

A truck at the curb started and Drew picked me up. He carried me, kicking and screaming – even though no one could hear me - to the open tailgate and threw me in. He was stronger than he looked.

I rolled and scrambled to the side. He leapt in just before the truck lurched forward throwing me into his arms. He held me tight as the truck turned a corner and headed away from downtown.

"
Where are we going?
" I pushed against his chest. He had a firm hold around my waist.

"I don't know, isn't it great? We can go wherever the wind blows us, if we want to."

That figures! “Drew you can't do this!"
The truck moved further out of town.

"Yes, I can, obviously, because I'm doing it."

I bit his arm.

"
Ouch!
" He let go with the other hand and rubbed what I hoped was a large wound.

I tried to pull away. He dragged me back, laying on me and wrapping his legs around mine.

"Stop struggling. I told you, I'll protect you."

The truck slowed before it turned. We were now on a dirt road. I could tell by the sound of the tires crunching gravel. The bed of the truck tilted a little as the vehicle climbed. We were headed for the mountains?

"And who will protect me from you?"

He laughed. "
I'll never hurt you."

"You're hurting me now."

"I'm sorry, am I too heavy?"

"Yes! And too pushy and too irritating and I could go on and on!"

He smirked. "
You're just angry right now, later you’ll see I'm right."

"Never, Drew! I don't want to be with you."

He let go with one hand and smoothed the tangled hair from my forehead. "
I’ll love you more than anyone else could possibly try to.
"

He bent for my lips. I turned my head. He wasn't daunted and kissed my cheek working his way down my neck.