Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Jeff you’re an Idiot.

 

The next week at school went by quickly and true to Tisha’s words Jeff’s actions had made him a social leper at school.  No one from that group of friends spoke to him except Joel and Dwayne.  Friday had finally arrived and we were getting piles of home work because June was just around the corner which meant finals were only 3 weeks away.  I was walking down the hall towards my locker when Jeff approached me.

“Anna?”

“What do you want Jeff?  I have to get to class,” I said, my voice emotionless.

“Please, I’m sorry about the way I acted.  I admit that I’m jealous of you and Alex and I know you’ve made your choice.  I know now I should have spoken up a long time ago, and I won’t bother you anymore.  I know you don’t want to be friends right now, but maybe in the new school year you’ll reconsider,” he shrugged and looked at his feet. 

I felt really bad for him; he looked so dejected and really, he wasn’t a bad looking guy.  I just didn’t know him well enough to know if he was my type or not.  I looked at him as I thought about my response.  After all, I didn’t want him to get his hopes up for the wrong reasons.

“Jeff, you’re a great guy and I’m sure you’ll find a girlfriend soon.  I admit that I think you are attractive, but I just fell for a different guy.  You need to understand that he’s good to me, and so is his family.  I don’t think I could ask for more.  In fact, I think I’m lucky to have met so many wonderful people here considering that eight months ago I was a stranger.  Everyone has made me feel so welcome that I feel like I’ve lived here for years instead of only a short time,” I tried to explain to Jeff how I felt to him.

He nodded sadly, his shoulders hunched forward.

“Thanks Anna.  I’m glad you’re happy here.  I just wish...”he trailed off and dropped his head dejected as he turned and walked away.  My heart ached for his sadness, but what could I do?  He wasn’t the one for me and every fibre of my being told me that.  I shook my head slowly and turned to open my locker.

“You okay?” Lizzy asked quietly as she placed a supportive arm across my shoulders.

“Yeah, Jeff just looks so sad.  He apologized to me and I just feel so awful for him,” I looked at her sadly.

“He’ll get over his crush soon enough.  Don’t worry,” she said smiling softly.

I nodded and smiled back at Lizzy appreciative of her understanding.

“Well Anna, we better get to class.  She’s going over exam material today.”

We both dashed off to class. 

I spent the weekend with James it was a nice change; I missed his house by the water.  We spent all weekend doing yard work and getting the dock ready.  He was planning to put the dock into the water next weekend when Will and George were home.  Things had been unusually quiet lately which worried me.  We hadn’t heard anything from my father or his men in a while and I wasn’t sure what that meant.  I asked Alex and Will what they thought and they both said he was waiting, but for what we didn’t know.  We weren’t even sure if he had figured out which school I had been attending yet and I was lost in my thoughts when Christine called out of the blue.

“Anna,” she said shaken.

“Yes Christine, what’s wrong?” I asked with concern.

“I just thought I should let you know that there is a guy who is showing a picture of you to the local kids and asking questions,” she sounded worried.

“Did they ask you anything?  Did you tell them anything?” I demanded.

“No, of course I didn’t, but I think that someone else might have told them something.”

“Who?” I asked, feeling the panic rising in my stomach.

“It was Jeff.  They gave him money, Anna!  I don’t know what this is all about but these guys looked kinda creepy,” Christine reported anxiously.  I could tell by her voice that she was scared.

“Thank you Christine, I’m glad you told me,” My mind was going at a thousand miles per hour; I had to think, I had to tell the others.  I had to confront Jeff.  Damn, I was in big trouble especially if he told them who I lived with.

“Are you in trouble Anna?” Christine asked concerned breaking into my whirling thoughts.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.  Do you have Jeff’s number?  I have to talk to him,” I snapped, extremely annoyed.  She gave me his number quickly and I thanked her again and hung up the phone.  I looked at James and he saw the expression in my eyes and immediately got on the phone as I dialled Jeff’s number.

Jeff picked up after one ring.

“Hello”

“Hello Jeff this is Anna.  I need to talk to you do you have a minute?” I asked mildly, keeping my budding anger at bay for the time being.

“Yeah, what do ya want?” He sounded edgy and anxious.

“I need to know who paid you for information about me?” I demanded.

“How the hell did you find out about that?” he asked shocked.

“It doesn’t matter.  Who was it?”

“Some Spanish guy, he gave me twenty bucks to tell him what school you went to.”

“Did you tell him the truth or did you lie, Jeff?  It’s important,” I asked urgently.

“I told him the truth.  Why?” he asked starting to sound worried.

“You IDIOT!  Now they can find me!  Damn it!  If you want to get yourself killed then go ahead and speak to them again.  Those guys are very bad news and you’ve just told them how to find me.  I know you’re pissed at me, but that doesn’t give you the right to tell complete strangers where to find a fellow classmate.  You are such and idiot it’s amazing you’re still walking on two legs!” I screamed at him.

“Sorry, I didn’t think it was such a big deal!” he snapped.

“Well, it is a big deal, Jeff and you could get yourself killed because of this.  Now I have to figure out how to protect a mindless fool on top of everything else.  Damn it.”

“I’m sorry Anna, I needed the money and I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong,” Jeff said shakily.

“That’s right Jeff, you didn’t think! Did you tell them anything else?” I demanded.

“No, I swear! I didn’t tell them anything else,” Jeff was starting to sound scared.

“Jeff, I would suggest that you stay away from me and never tell anyone anything about me or any other student ever again.  You just might have gotten me and everyone I love killed, you stupid idiot!” I snapped the phone shut in frustration.

I turned and focused all my energy on the dock; on moving it.  I concentrated as hard as I could, filtering the anger into energy.  As the waves of energy started to ripple off me, James stood stock still watching me.  I reached out with my mind and lifted the dock into the air, slowly moving it into position, then lowered it with perfect control.  Then I tried something different.  Usually I could move large things, but I had never tried more intricate movements. I tried to hook the dock to the platform using my mental ability and I managed to get the side closest to me attached because I could see it, but I couldn’t latch the far side. That’s when I learned that I had to be able to see what I wanted to do.  If I couldn’t see the object, I couldn’t move or manipulate it.  I walked down the wooden walkway to the dock and manually attached the far side.  I felt better after the exertion of using my gift; not really tired, but happy that I had done something productive instead of destroying things like I usually did when I was angry.  I was clearly gaining better control over this aspect of my abilities which gave me some hope despite the serious complications that had transpired.  As I had been latching the dock, James had called Stephan who arrived only minutes later.

“What’s going on?” he asked us concerned.

“Jeff went and told one of my father’s thugs where I go to school for twenty bucks!” I snapped, scowling.

“Oh, shit!” he swore rolling his eyes.

“No kidding.  The idiot is going to get himself killed, as well as me and everyone else I know because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut!” I said bitterly. I was so angry I started shaking.  I was loosing control again and I need to focus on something.  I looked around and through the red haze of my anger I focused my energy on the wood that needed to be staked.  I moved each log into place in a matter of seconds.  Stephan and James watched me carefully knowing that my anger coupled with my increasing abilities was very dangerous.

“Alex will rip him apart.  You know that Anna,” Stephan said angrily.

“Jeff is an idiot!  Alex needs to stay in control; and I need him and his sister to keep me calm.  My temper is causing me issues as you can see, and I need to be able to focus on something productive so I don’t hurt anyone.  The problem is school.  We have finals in three weeks and I need to be in class,” I replied thinking more clearly now.

“I know it will be more dangerous for me and, once my father figures out who’s helping me it’ll be dangerous for you and everyone else I care about.  This is going to be one dangerous game and I really don’t know what we can do to win it.”  I looked at each of them, my fear growing.

“We can take care of ourselves Anna.  What’s important is your safety,” Stephan said reassuringly.

“I need to get you back to our house as soon as possible.  Alex went crazy when he felt your fear and anger and he and Lizzy are heading here now.  George is already watching your father; he’ll be back at the house shortly too as we’ve managed to bug your father’s room, car and cell phone, thanks to James. We can monitor him and all of his men safely from the house.”

“James, are you going to be okay here?  My father will try to kill you if he finds out that you’ve been helping me.  Not only that but he may realize who you are to me, and if I lost you James, I don’t know what I would do,” I said looking at James, the love I felt for this man who had taken me in evident in my voice and eyes.

“I’ll be fine kid.  Stephan get her back to your place now.  That scum bag could be on his way here.  Anna, pack your stuff, move it, now.” he commanded as he gently placed his hand on my cheek, the look in his eyes tempering the gruffness of his words.  I gave him a quick hug before running into the house and gathering my things.  I was ready to go in less than ten minutes, my packing slung onto my back.

Stephan swung me on his back quickly.  He stopped and looked at James for a brief moment, a knowing look passed between them. 

“I’ll get her there safely I promise,” he said to James. 

“I’ll call you as soon as I’m at the house.  I love you,” I said looking at James, tears in my eyes.

“I love you to kid.” I could see the torment and frustration in his eyes, and I saw him grab a small remote from the hood of his truck before Stephan took off.  It felt like we were flying.  Alex was fast but this was unbelievable. Stephan moved with such speed and agility that I was breathless with the sensation of his movements.  The trees blew past us as we reached the Worthington house in minutes. He didn’t stop until he had me safely inside.

“What happened?” Alex demanded angrily as I jumped down from Stephan and ran into his protective embrace.  It was only then that I slowly started to relax as Alex’s arms tightened around me as he felt my fear.

“Your friend Jeff spilt the beans for a twenty,” Stephan said sarcastically. 

“That idiot! Is he trying to get killed?  Is he trying to get her killed?” Alex spat keeping me cocooned safely within his arms.

“Apparently he is,” Stephan replied mater of factly.

“He didn’t realize what he was doing, Alex.  Stephan, is it possible to protect that idiot?” I asked my voice trembling slightly.

“We can’t protect everyone Anna,” Lizzy said quietly as she entered the room with the others.

“I know that, but I don’t know what to do.  Exams are in less than a month.  How can I go to school and avoid my father and his men?” I asked the fear and frustration showing in my voice.

“We keep doing exactly what we’re doing,” Alex said gently as he stroked my hair, my arms, my back, trying to calm my fears.

“That’s right,” Lizzy stated.  “You keep going to school until there is no choice but for you to stay here until finals.”  She started pacing, thinking to herself.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Max questioned with quiet concern.  Alex looked up from his ministrations.

“Our fear is that people will talk if she isn’t there and Jeff will probably go running to her father for more money.” He was angry, that was evident, and I started thinking about the situation again and how hopeless it seemed.  I started shaking in Alex’s arms, the tears about to spill over. He tightened his arms around me trying to comfort me as he could feel my anguish. 

“I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me again, but I can’t stop that can I?” I stated heartbroken.

“Unfortunately, no you can’t,” George said quietly as Cassy squeezed my hand.

“We’ll do our best.  We can’t make you any promises though,” she said quietly.

“I know.  I’m glad I have all of you on my side, but I don’t think I could bear it if anything happened to any of you,” I chocked as the tears finally spilled over a product of my anger, fear, and frustration.

“We need to make some plans.  I’ll coordinate with James,” Max stated as he left the room.

“Are you okay?” Alex whispered into my ear.  I buried my head in his chest and managed to choke out “No.” I was so confused with anger and fear that I didn’t know what to do so I just clung to him in desperation.  He swung me up into his arms and walked outside taking me to the hidden garden; one of the few places he knew I felt safe.  He kept me cradled in his arms protectively as we sat on one of the benches.

“Anna, you know I won’t let anything happen to you.  I don’t think I could live without you now,” he confessed gazing at me lovingly.  I looked back at him, the tears still running down my face, my voice shaking with emotion.

“Alex, I don’t know what I would do if anything were to happen to you, James, Lizzy or the rest of your family.  I know how I react when someone slanders you or your family, what do you think I would do if they really tried to hurt one of you? If I got angry enough, I might kill!”

“Don’t worry about that now, whatever happens will happen.  We can only wait for your father to make a move.  Until then we have plans in place and we will do everything to keep you and James safe,” Alex said reassuringly.

I sobbed quietly as he rocked me back and forth in his arms.  I was afraid for myself, my loved ones and my friends, but at the same time I knew that I couldn’t let my fears rule me.  At that moment I decided to let all my fears go.  I vowed that I would not cry again until this was over, I would be strong, I would put up my protective walls, and I would be fearless once again.  I would deal with each situation as it evolved, but I wondered how could I keep my father away for just a few more weeks?  My thoughts swirled around like a tornado.

Alex stroked my hair until he sensed I was finished.  He kissed my forehead gently.

“Are you ready to go back inside?” he asked quietly.  I nodded my head buried it in his shoulder.  He stood up in a fluid movement without jostling me at all and walked back to the house, carrying me straight to his room.  The others watched worriedly as we passed them in the kitchen.  They knew I was scared and they weren’t sure how to comfort me, only Alex could do that now.  Alex set me down on the bed gently. 

“I’ll leave you a moment for some privacy to change while I get you something to eat.  Don’t worry, I’ll be gone less than five minutes Anna,” he said softly caressing my cheek with his hand.

“Thank you,” I choked out.

He was gone in a flash.  I went to the washroom to wash my face and got changed.  Then I went back to sit on the bed.  Alex was back with a small plate of food and a glass of water.

“Thank you Alex, I’m sorry for being a mush puddle but I needed to get that out,” I said quietly.

“You don’t have to apologise Anna, we know that you’re scared and we, no I, want to protect you.  I want to keep you safe, for myself,” Alex said looking at me lovingly.  “I’m actually afraid to let you see what a selfish creature I am.  I’m more vampire than human, you know, but my sister is the opposite.  I’m not sure what I would do if anyone were to harm you Anna.”

I raised my hand and touched his face my love for him shining in my eyes.  I leaned forward and kissed his lips gently then I settled back down on the bed and curled up falling asleep immediately.