Astoria: Secrets, Lies and Vampires Page 2

  “Emma had to sit beside Evan today in English and he got up and ran out of the room.” she explained to the others at the table.

  “Yeah, and they are just as weird as Evan is.” Collin said.

  “What’s their story?” I asked.

  “Well, they moved here a few years ago, they don’t really hang with anyone but themselves. Their father is a doctor at the hospital and their mother is the local pediatrician. Cameron and Everett are adopted. But Evan and Payton are their biological kids. They are twins” Sami said.

  “They are all stuck up” Amy said. “Evan is totally gorgeous and he knows it. He won’t give any girl the time of day here.” She said with a sound of resentment.

  Turning back to where the Blake’s were sitting I couldn’t help but noticed how perfect they looked. They looked like they were the family on television that everyone was envious of and wanted to be like. The ones that always thought they were too good for the small people. I watched the two beautiful people at the round table as they ate, none even looked up or acknowledge any of the other students in the lunchroom. Maybe Amy was right, they do look like they think they are too good for anyone here in this small town.

  The rest of the day went by fast and before I knew it, it was time to go home. I went to my locker to get my books I would need tonight for my homework. After I grabbed everything I needed I shut my dark blue locker and started towards the front door. I past the front office and dropped off my slip I had all my teachers sign and handed it to Mrs. Jenkins. She asked if I had a good day and I tried to be as cheerful as I could be and tell her I did. I had to admit, it wasn’t as nearly bad as I thought, all except for the incident with that Evan kid this morning. As I turned to leave something caught my eye. It was a picture of a teenage girl named Amber Jones, who had been missing for a week now. She had long brown hair and green eyes. “It’s a shame. She was such a nice young lady.” Mrs. Jenkins said after she saw me looking at the flyer. “Do they know what happened to her?” I asked. “Her parent’s believe she ran away” Mrs. Jenkins said with a frown as she shook her head. I turned back to the flyer and stared for another second before I made my way out of the building. Gran was out front when I walked outside. It was sort of embarrassing to be having my Grandmother picking me up. I needed my own car.

  “How was your first day?” Gran asked.

  “It was fine.”

  “Were they nice to you?” she asked.

  “Sure, everyone seemed nice.” Minus one person I thought.

  “So how about we eat dinner out tonight?” Gran asked.

  “Sure, sounds good.”

  When we got home I went straight upstairs and started on my homework. I tried to concentrate, but all I could think about was that Evan kid. I couldn’t help to think I was the reason he ran out of the classroom like he did. Am I just being paranoid? I have to be. I couldn’t have done anything to have possibly offended him in the fifteen minutes I sat beside him. Maybe Sami and the others were right, he is just weird. Sure, that’s all it was. It had to be. As I finished my homework I decided to unpack the rest of my bags before it was time to go to dinner. I got all of my clothes put away before Gran yelled up to me.

  “Emma, you ready to go?”

  “Yeah, I am coming.”

  As I made my way downstairs I heard a knock on the door. “I invited Levi to come with us.” Gran said as she opened the door. Levi was standing in the door way once I got to the bottom of the stairs. He had on a dark pair of jeans with a gray T-shirt on. He looked nice. We decided on going to the next town to Warrenton to find an Applebees. It was my favorite place to eat. My parents and I ate there often in Los Angeles. And I had a feeling Gran was trying her best to keep my life as normal as she possibly could. I was quiet on the drive to the restaurant. I didn’t really have a lot to talk about. Levi was really the only one who spoke on the way to dinner. “How did your first day go? He asked.

  “It was okay.” I said, still staring out the window at the bare trees. Everything was so dead and wet looking here. Even during the winter months Los Angeles still looked lively. Here everything looked so depressing.

  After dinner we dropped off Levi at his house. His house looked a lot different than I remembered it. It was a small yellow siding two bedroom house. The whole town looked different too. Maybe because I usually was only here during summer vacation. Since it was still winter now technically, most of the trees and bushes were bare. The ground was a soggy mess of mud.

  I guess Gran knew I was down and on our way back home she broke the silence. “How about tomorrow after school, we try to find you a cheap car?”

  “Are you serious? B- But I don’t have enough money saved to buy a car and pay for the insurance yet.” I stated.

  “I want to buy it for you. Since I missed your sixteenth birthday and your seventeenth just consider it your birthday presents for both.”

  “But you sent me presents for both birthdays.” I said questionably.

  “Can’t I buy you a car just because I want to?” she said laughing.

  “That would be awesome Gran. Thank you” I said with a big smile on my face. Maybe this town won’t suck so much if I am able to get around town without my grandmother having to drive me everywhere.

  We made it home and I went straight upstairs to take a shower and get ready for bed. I brushed my teeth and got my sweats and tee shirt on and went to my room. I laid out my clothes I was going to wear tomorrow on the chair next to my bed. I think tomorrow I will at least put some effort into what I look like. Maybe this time I won’t send people running to the doors screaming. Okay, I know it only happened with that Evan, but still. It makes a girl self conscious to have someone you just met do that. I told Gran goodnight and went to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

  Chapter 2

  I woke up at six a.m. and got ready for school. I took another shower, brushed my teeth and blow dried my hair. I went to my room and got dressed. I grabbed my pair of skinny jeans and another tee shirt off the chair I laid out last night. I straighten my hair with the flat iron. When I was finished I grabbed up my book bag and made it downstairs. I hurried and ate a bowl of cereal and then Gran and I left for school. It was a little early when Gran pulled up out front of the school. “Do you want me to wait here with you Emma? She asked. “No, Gran, it’s okay. You can go ahead and go.” I said as I got out and leaned in the backseat of the car to grab my bag. I shut the door and Gran pulled off. I decided since it wasn’t raining… yet ….I would sit outside on the bench under the sign in front of the school until it was closer to time to go inside. The less people I have to talk to the better. The large sign had “Astoria High School, home of the Warriors.” Written on it in Blue and gold letters. Sitting on the bench I pulled out my Ipod and put in my ear buds. I changed it to my favorite song at the moment, and got lost in the moment. Halfway through the song I noticed Sami walking up to me with Amy flanked at her side. So much for time alone I thought as they both bounced perkily towards me.

  “Hey what are you doing sitting out here?’’ Sami asked.

  “Just didn’t really want to go in alone I guess.” I lied, I wanted to be alone, but I didn’t want to be rude and tell them that. I didn’t need them to think I was stuck up like they think the Blake’s were.

  “Well, we are here now, c’mon.” Sami said as she grabbed my arm to help me up.

  “Okay”

  I gathered up my books and we all walked in. First we went to Sami’s locker and then Amy’s and then we finally made it to mine. My first class was English, where I had to sit beside Evan again. I was feeling very anxious about that too. Hopefully he doesn’t freak out at the sight of me again. We walked Amy to her class since we were going in that direction anyways, then Sami and I headed to English. Walking in, I took a deep breath, but when I didn’t see Evan at his seat yet, I relaxed a bit. But I knew he would be here before long. Staring at me with those eyes, although his eyes were beautiful, his glare towards me
was not. It was quit frightening actually. The way his body went rigid and his hand balled up into a fist scared me. I wasn’t sure what I had done to offend this stranger, but today I would try to keep my distance from him.

  Sami and I sat in our seats talking until the bell rang for class to began. As the bell rang, Evan still wasn’t here. Maybe he really is sick? I questioned to myself. I didn’t wish sickness on anyone, but I didn’t want to sit next to anyone who acted to weird either.

  First period flew by in a blur and then we were off to Chemistry. Walking to class I thought I caught a glimpse of Evan Blake. I started walking faster so I could see if it was him or not. “Is that Evan?” I asked Sami pointed towards the direction I thought I saw him. She looked to where I pointed and strained to see if it was. “I can’t tell.” She said. But it was him! I’d notice that pale beautiful face and eyes anywhere. It seemed the faster I walked, the faster he walked. As if he knew I was trying to follow him. I bobbed and weaved through the crowed hallway before I finally lost sight of him. Once we made it to Chemistry Sami and I took our seats. I couldn’t help but wonder why I saw Evan in the hallway, but he wasn’t in English class. Maybe he changed classes? And if so, was it because of me? I don’t see how it could be. I mean, the boy doesn’t even know me.

  Finally it was lunch period and I found myself sitting in the same seat with Sami and her friends. Brady, Collin and Amy were deep in conversation when I took my seat

  “Hey guys.” I said

  “Hey.”

  “Hey.”

  “So, how do you like Astoria so far?” Collin asked

  “It’s okay. It’s going to take a lot of getting use to all this rain and no sun though.”

  Sami nudged my arm to get my attention “Emma, look.” As she pointed to the table were the Blake’s was sitting. Evan was sitting there with his two brothers and sister. I hadn’t even noticed him walk in. Evan had on a short sleeve button up shirt. His hair was still untidy. He looked every bit as beautiful as he did yesterday. I couldn’t tell you how long I had been staring at him when my trance from this beautiful man was broken when Sami elbowed me slightly in the side and leaned in to whisper “Earth to Emma.” as she waved her hand in front of my face. And then I was horrified to see Evan was staring at me. I quickly dropped my eyes away from his. I could feel my face heat up as my new friends laughed at me. I felt humiliated for sure. I still felt the urge to look over in his direction. I tried to be as subtle as I could by slowly looking over his way and every time he was already looking at me.

  “I wonder why he wasn’t in English this morning?” I asked.

  “Who knows?” Sami said.

  “Think he changed classes?” I asked.

  “I doubt it. Do you know how hard it is to change your classes middle of the semester in your Senior year?” Amy said.

  Turning to catch a glimpse of Evan again, I slowly turned my head so I wasn’t so obvious. Just as I caught sight of him again I noticed he was looking at our table again. His brother and sister looked as though they were trying to give Evan some comforting words, maybe trying to keep him from looking our way. She made a hand gesture to him as if to say “it’s okay” or “don’t let it bother you”. Maybe I was wrong, but I get the feeling he changed classes because of me with that glare he was giving me. It was an unfriendly look, that I was sure.

  Lunch period seemed to go by so slowly. The longer it seemed it took, the more embarrassed I became. Everyone at our table began to notice he was staring at me. I tried not to look in his general direction, because I knew he would be staring at me.

  “Evan keeps looking at you Emma.” Sami said smiling.

  “I know, please, don’t look.” I said embarrassed.

  “He is so gorgeous.” Amy said as her cheeks blushed.

  “Yeah, too bad he is so strange.” Sami said.

  Evan staring at me was embarrassing. Maybe he wasn’t looking at me at all. Maybe he was looking at Sami or Amy. Besides, if he is here in lunch, then that means he changed his first period class from English with me, to somewhere else, anywhere else, away from me. I gave his direction another quick glimpse and noticed he was deep in conversation with his siblings. I turned back towards my new friends and tried to shake the thoughts of him I had out of my head. I needed to stop worrying why this boy changed classes, or why he doesn’t like me. It shouldn’t bother me at all, because this boy does not know me. So what if he changed classes, oh well, it was his problem.

  By the end of the day things seemed to get even stranger. Walking through the halls in between classes, I would see Evans siblings. Each time I got the same strange look from them. Like they knew something about me that I didn’t. Maybe Evan told them something about me why he changed classes? I didn’t know, but I was going to find out what he was saying about me to them. I decided then and there I was going to ask him what his problem was the next time I saw him. The bell rang to dismiss school and I gathered up my things and made my way to my locker. Putting my books I didn’t need away, and getting the ones I would need for homework tonight. I shut my locker and made my way to the exit. That’s when I saw him. Walking the same way I was but a little ways in front of me. I hurried to try to catch him. As I turned the corner he just turned from, I lost sight of him and I couldn’t see him any longer. I thought I’d lost him when all of a sudden he appeared next to me. His face had a look of aggravation on it.

  “Can I help you?” he asked.

  “Um, I was j- just wanting to ask you…” I said as I made contact with his eyes. They flustered me before I could finish my sentence. I just stared into his eyes. Something about them made me feel flustered and I forgot what I was going to say.

  “What?” he barked. That made me jump. I stumbled forward into him by accident. “Can you watch where you are walking?” he snapped in a harsh tone. Now remembering why I was following him I snapped back with my question.

  “Why did you change classes?” I said in a more angry tone than I had wanted.

  “That’s none of you business.” He said as he turned and walked off. I stood there frozen. He was so rude. I didn’t understand what I did to make him hate me so much. But I didn’t have time to worry about it now. I wanted to get out of here before anyone could see the tears welling up in my eyes. I just wanted to go home. And not back home to Grans, to California, to my real home, Where my real friends were.

  I didn’t have to sit outside long for Gran. I sat in my usual spot on the bench out front under the sign that displayed Astoria High School. I watch as all the other students was walking about and talking with each other hurrying home or to their after school jobs. I could see Evan and his siblings over by what I guessed to be their car. It was a light blue 2013 Tesla model S sports car. I couldn’t imagine ever owning a car like that when I was just in high school. His family must be really rich I thought. Evan glanced my way, I quickly looked away. It was clear he didn’t like me. And I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction knowing that I bothered me. I didn’t know this boy, and he didn’t know me, but yet he didn’t like me. But for some reason I did like him. And I don’t know why I did. I didn’t even understand it myself. Why I was drawn to him. It’s only been two day since I first saw him, and he already was stuck in my head.

  Gran pulled up and yelled my name, which broke my train of thought. I gathered my books and got in the car. As Gran pulled out of the school parking lot I looked back at the three strangers standing by their car. They were deep in conversation, but stopped talking long enough to look up and stare as I rode past them. Gran made me jump as she said. “I found you a car today, really cheap.”

  “Really?” I said in an exciting tone still staring back at The Blake’s. “What kind?” I asked excitingly as I turned towards Gran now that The Blake’s was out of my view.

  “It’s a 2001 Pontiac Sunbird.” I tried to imagine what it looked like. But I couldn’t. “I bought it from Marie. She was saving it for when Levi got his drivers’ license, but Levi
decided he didn’t want it.”

  Great, if Levi didn’t like it, I wasn’t going to either. “Thanks.” I said trying to still act excited. I was anxious about seeing what it looked like. How could I hurt Grans feelings if I didn’t like it? I guess I will just have to pretend. Besides, she didn’t have to buy me one. I was grateful she did though. Even if I didn’t like it, I could never hurt her like that.

  As we pulled up to the house, I saw the car. It was a champagne color. The paint look faded but the body looked to be in good shape, there were no obvious dents or dings. It was actually really cool. It was pretty sporty looking in a way. It had half way decent rims on it that could have some potential if I washed them up good. At least Gran didn’t pick me out an old person car like I was afraid she would. “Go, ahead. Take it for a drive.” She said as she handed me the keys. Taking the keys from her with the biggest grin on my face I jumped out of the car running over to my new car, well, new to me. “Thank you, thank you Gran.” I said as I ran towards the car.

  “Emma.” Gran yelled.