Strangely, my life did not alter much after discovering Chris's secret. The only thing that changed was Chris refused to see me after the sun went down, he said because his senses were sharper then, it was too dangerous to be near.
Chris found it a little harder to slip back into his own routine. I suppose it's difficult to fit into human life when you're the outsider. The predator.
He had however assured me that he had not had any urges to kill or eat anyone yet (Except maybe Samuel O'Conner or one of his brothers. They all hated each other.)
Their mutual hatred was always expressed with jeers and glares whenever the O'Conners passed us in the corridors.
Samuel had three other siblings at school with him. Joseph was the youngest at fourteen, and I had to admit he seemed like a nice kid, unlike his brothers. He often drowned out the murderous glares with a shy smile, hiding his green eyes behind a fringe of sandy hair.
It was Samuel's other two brothers that really made me shiver.
The oldest at seventeen, Darren, was a massive black eyed guy built like an ox. His thick bands of muscle around his arms looked like they packed enough power to lift a JCB over his head. He leered at the group from behind his long, dark hair, and was the only one to ever sneer at us.
He once saw Chris's guitar case leaning against the music room door. He kicked it over on the way by, whistling innocently as he passed. The guitar hit the floor with a loud 'gong' and it sounded as if something was damaged. If there was one thing Chris was possessive over, it was his guitar. He actually dragged me across the room towards Darren in a rage, even though I was pulling him back with all my might to stop a fight breaking out. Thankfully, a teacher gave Darren a ribbing about messing with people's property, and Chris seemed satisfied with that.
Neil was considerably less scary than Darren. It was more because he didn't jeer or kick our property, he just lingered behind the others scanning and analysing everything he saw with equally dark eyes as Darren. He was the same age as Chris and I but his height was staggering, and his cold stares were enough to send shivers down my spine.
We quizzed Chris about it, Jess especially wanted to know why Samuel wouldn't come near her if Chris was in a ten meter radius of her position. But all he would say on the matter was, "We just don't get on well."
I had laughed and told him that was the biggest under statement of the year, but he just looked at me, his liquid grey eyes apprehensive.
I was slouched at my desk in Maths, thinking of all this. I really had nothing else to do. Did I really want to know about the stupid value of x? Did I, Mr. Montgomery?
Mr. Montgomery failed to see the expressions of the pupils, some looked like they were in pain, others looked sleepy, and some even looked ready to die from boredom.
A girl sitting in front of me was texting someone, not even bothering to hide her phone. Another pupil in the front row seemed to be sleeping. My suspicion was confirmed when a large rumbling snore emitted from deep in his throat. Mr Montgomery paused mid-sentence.
"So therefore the value of x is-" His fluffy, grey cotton bud like eyebrows pulled together, but he continued after a moments pause. Mr Montgomery was not only as blind as a bat, but he also seemed to be as deaf as door nails.
When the bell went, I was out of there faster than you could say quadratic equation, so fast that I failed to see the dusty pot plant beside the door. I tripped over it, and was sent reeling through the door, landing on the ground.
I ignored Darren Samuel and Neil's cackling laughter as they trooped by with a scowl. I was picking myself up of the floor when I looked up to see Joseph. He looked furious. First I flinched and was scared he was about to initiate some sort of verbal attack, but he offered a hand out to help me up.
"Thanks," I said sheepishly, brushing myself down.
"Did they trip you?" he asked, frowning deeply.
"No, don't worry about it. I just tripped myself."
He shot an angry look at the retreating figures of his older brothers.
"Just ignore them April. I'm sorry that they bring you into this as well," he added, his emerald eyes apologetic.
"It's fine really." I lifted my folder off the floor, and tucked it under my arm. "Well, thanks. See you."
Poor kid, I thought as I scurried through the tiny corridor, squeezing past other pupils. I was a little late for my next class, music. I apologised to the teacher, and I took a seat in my usual spot beside the window. Class started and I wondered where Chris must be. The desk felt cold and empty without him.
Half way through the class, there was a knock at the door and Chris slipped through it. I gave him a massive grin and he returned it as he headed for the teacher's desk.
"Glad you joined us, Mr. Masen," the teacher droned from behind her desk.
"Sorry miss, I was at an appointment," Chris said politely, handing her a note. She took it from him and he quietly slipped into the seat beside me.
I noticed the black case in his hand. He opened it and took out a pair of shiny, black glasses and gingerly slipped them on.
"What do you think?" he said, winking.
"They make you look really smart. I like them."
He didn't really look convinced though. "I look like a geek."
"Hey! Geeks are cool," I retorted, defending the geeks.
"Well, I suppose it's better than stumbling around, half blind. At least I'll be able to read music now."
He frowned slightly but was smiling at the same time.
I felt a little crestfallen. Though it was great, it meant I wouldn't have to come to Chris's house any more to help him with his music. I came to his house and read it out for him almost every day. He had a grade exam coming up, and needed to practice.
"So you won't be needing me then?"
"I still want you to come round. I like playing for you," he admitted, and I was shocked to see his pale face flush ever so slightly.
The shrill call of the bell interrupted us however signalling the end of the day. The class hastily packed their things away, leaving a trail of tipped over chairs and scraps of paper everywhere.
"Chris?" a teacher popped his head out from behind the neighbouring music room as we passed it. "Could I speak to you a sec? It's just about your guitar lessons."
He nodded and made for the door. "Catch up with you later." He slipped through the classroom door and shut it behind him.
I made my way to the exit of the school, keeping an eye out for Danny or Jess.
I jumped slightly when I felt someone poke me in between my shoulder blades, and wheeled round to see Danny grinning at me.
"Hey. Did you see Chris's new glasses?" he said as we continued through the skinny corridor.
"Yes. I think they're awesome."
"Thought you might say that. You wouldn't say a bad thing about anyone. You're a wee goody two shoes."
I didn't even have a chance to say anything else. I saw the leg of another pupil being thrust outwards to cut through my path, but I was too slow to save myself. My feet caught on his instep and I fell to the floor for the second time today with a painful thud.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I heard Danny growl from above me, his tone absolutely furious. I wasn't sure whether he was speaking to me at first. but then I saw them. The O'Conners faced Danny, their mocking, smug grins instantly making me angry. Why did they always pick on me?
My anger disappeared suddenly like a light being switched off. When I saw the face of Darren looming over me, anger was instantly replaced with fear.
He leered down at me with hateful, malignant eyes. His height blocked the dingy light out from my eyes, and I squinted in the eclipse. I jumped to my feet and took myself as far away as I could from him in one shaky stride.
He cackled at me, his throaty laugh more like a bark.
"Sorry, Weir. My leg twitched." Samuel and Neil snickered behind his back, but Joseph looked twice as furious as Danny was. He stepped out in front of Darren, craning his neck to look him straight in the eye. I thought it very brave of him.
"Leave her alone," he said firmly. Darren looked down at his little brother, his thick brows coming together in an irritated frown.
"Shut your face you little twerp. Move outta my way so I can get at Brownlee's little boyfriend here," he sneered, poking him in the chest. Danny automatically squared his shoulders, his fists raised. But little Joseph wouldn't hear any of it.
"I mean it Darren!" he spat in a rage. I suddenly feared for him, as Darren's patience seemed to be wearing out. A circle of pupils surrounded us, creating a ring. More like a bullring, I thought. It was unfortunate that this time that Danny, Joseph and I seemed to be like inexperienced matadors. In short, we were squaring up for a fight we'd never win.
Darren raised his massive paw, and clouted Joseph over the back of the head, and immediately anger exploded from inside me like lemonade bursting out of a shaken bottle. It bubbled over the surface, and I managed to convert it into courage.
"Back the hell off!" I yelled at him, lunging straight for him without any thought as to what could happen.
I didn't get very far. I felt his cold hands grasp me by the arms, pulling me back.
"Let me handle this." His voice was as sharp as the slash from a knife, and I obeyed automatically.
He squared up to the O'Conners, and they formed a semi circle around him, all eyes wary.
"Don't even think about it Masen. I'd soon kill you as look at you," jeered Samuel.
My hand reached for Chris's wrist, my fingers folding around it slowly.
"Chris, let's go. They're not worth it." I tugged once, but he was statuesque under my hand, impossible to shift. His gaze was like daggers being shot across the room and the O'Conners returned it. Even without uttering one word, Chris's message was clear: Don't mess with me. His sinister glare frightened me slightly. It made him look like a real zombie, the way the dingy lights cast dark shadows under his eyes.
With one final look, he turned away from him. I shot an apologetic look to Joseph, who was rubbing the back of his head where Darren had hit him.
"Joseph..." I began, but he shook his head, signalling to keep my mouth shut before there was any more trouble.
"Danny?" I jerked my head towards Chris, and Danny clapped him on the back.
"C'mon mate, forget about it. Let's get outta here." We all turned, and walked away from the fight, Chris slinging his arm over my shoulders protectively. Walking away from a fight was a lot braver than getting into one, and I felt a great deal of respect for Danny and Chris, and a great deal of shame for me jumping straight into the fray. My hot headedness could have caused a fight, and someone on our side could have gotten badly hurt. Darren's heavy muscles were not just a figment of my imagination, I had to learn to keep my head if he was around.
"Are you okay?" Chris murmured in my ear, his cold breath cooling my neck.
"No, I'm not. I'm such a jackass for jumping at Darren." I was surprised to feel salty tears prick my eyes but I angrily forced them back down. I was desperate for answers, but all my searching had proved fruitless. My head throbbed angrily against the irritated beat of my heart.
"No you're not. If you hadn't have, I would have done. He's the jackass."
We said goodbye to Danny, who trudged off in the other direction with an inaudible mumble. Above us in the thick boughs of an oak, a starling poured out his repertoire for all the pupils to hear. I listened to his song, and the peaceful melodies smoothed out the jagged angry thoughts that rioted in my head. He tilted his feathered head, the sun glinting off the metalic sheen it gave off, and lifted into flight over our heads. I sighed, leaning into Chris's shoulder as we walked, watching the starling disappear over a leafy hedge.
I felt considerable better, and my head ceased to hurt due to the clarity I had managed to receive.
It only lasted a few seconds though, because I heard an excited half scream behind me. One so familiar, a couldn't stop a smile from escaping.
We turned, and there she was. Jess's face was bright pink with excitement as she looked at Chris's arm, which was still around my shoulders. She half skipped, half bounced over to us.
"Hi guys!" she squeaked, and Chris's arm slipped off my shoulder. Damn you Jess, I cursed her. The simple gesture had succeeded in making me feel better. But Chris knew better not to do so much as touch me in the company of Jess, as she would nearly explode with excitement.
"So, where are you guys going, huh?" she grinned, and her tone could not have been more suggestive. She curled a strand of honey coloured hair around her finger.
"We're going to my house," Chris said.
"Yeah so I'll see you later," I replied, and Jess waved ecstatically, before bouncing off to her parents car waiting for her beside the curb.
"We're going to your house?" I asked quizzically as we headed for the bus stop.
"Yeah, I want to show you something," he said, as we hopped onto the crowded bus. We managed to find a double seat as the bus pulled away from the curb and started towards our village. When I saw the excited smile on his face, I couldn't help but get excited myself.
--
"Okay, here we go," Chris, said, slipping on his glasses again and pulling his guitar out of its case by the neck.
We were sitting in his garden, enjoying the buttery sunlight on our faces as the sun began to set, and the beautiful scenery of the country side. Our top buttons of our shirts were undone and ties were loosened. Both our school blazers were strewn across the grass.
Chris's place was one of my favourite places that I knew. It was isolated on it's own on a little road that was rarely used, except by farmers carting sheep and cattle to and fro from fields. The teal sky was unspoiled by clouds, and cattle grazed lazily in the field next to us, some coming up to the wooden fence to spy on us curiously. We got a fantastic view of the Irish coast, and from this spot you could see Scotland on a clear day.
Chris gave the guitar a quick tune, while I waited patiently. The wind tousled his brown hair as I waited.
Chris had two acoustic guitars, one he had gotten we had begun to learn to play when he was ten. It wasn't really special, it was just an old second hand one from the music shop. Chris had done chores for months to get it. His newest and favourite however, was one that Jess, Danny and I had saved up together for and bought for Chris's seventeenth, about two months ago. I had saw it in the music shop in town, and the more I looked at the black sheen on its top the more I knew Chris would love it.
"Okay, it's ready," he announced, and I snapped from my thoughts and turned to listen. "It's not great, but..." He cleared his throat, hesitating with the guitar pick in his hand, and then began to play.
It was usual for Chris to learn how to learn songs that I like and play them for me, but this one I did not recognise. It started slow and quiet, but got louder and a little faster after a few seconds. It fitted the peaceful scene of the countryside perfectly. Then, something unexpected happened.
Chris was singing, singing about many beautiful things. Life, love, loss, city lights and hazel eyes. I had never once heard him sing before in my life. He had a voice that was totally unique, completely his own. His hand slid up and down the fret board, and he did not once break eye contact with me. His eyes seemed to colour, and they lightened and darkened depending on what he was singing about. When Hazel Eyes was mentioned, his own eyes were bright and happy. I felt slightly jealous, and I wondered who she must be. But then I realised, Chris was singing to me, not for me. Hazel Eyes was me!
When the song finally came to an end with a lingering last note, there was tears in my eyes again. The song may have ended but the sweet melody played on in my head; I knew it would stick with me forever.
I spoke but my voice was thickened by the tears on the edge of my eyes. "Not great? Chris... it's wonderful. Beautiful. You wrote that?" I said, brushing the tears away, feeling stupid.
He was unable to hide a grin, but I could see the sheepishness in it.
"Yeah I did. Here's the sheet music..." He reached into his guitar case and produced a crumpled sheet of paper. It was old looking, and the paper felt soft under my fingers as he passed it to me. I immediately recognised his untidy scrawl at the top of the page:
April's song:
Hazel Eyes
The notes were scribbled across the manuscript and occasionally some were crossed out and replaced with something else. Clearly, a lot of thought and work had been put into it.
"It's like part of your birthday present. But I wanted to cheer you up." He brushed the plectrum against the strings, chagrin creeping into his expression, peering at me from under his eyelashes.
"Thank you. It was very sweet of you." I reached across the picnic blanket and pecked him on the cheek.
He smiled very slightly, still not looking up. Then suddenly, he looked up, his eyes serious.
"April, I-"
The call of my mobile phone playing Stereophonics' 'Have a Nice Day' interrupted what he was going to say.
"I wanted to tell you-”
"-Da, da da, da da da da da!" rang my phone, and I wrestled with the pocket of my blazer to get it out.
When I managed to locate the little rectangle, I peered at the caller ID.
"It's Danny."
"You'd better answer it then," Chris sighed, a strange look upon his face. It was a mixture of annoyance and disappointment.
"Hello?" I said into the phone.
"April!" Danny yelled fearfully on the other end of the line. "Something bad has happened, it's… it's-"
"Danny, calm down. What is it?" I asked, my heart picking up pace. I stood and began to pace. Chris's expression was also that of worry, he could hear everything that was being said of course.
My heart stilled and the phone slipped from my suddenly slick hands when I heard the following line.
"It's Jess! She's in a bad way. Somebody attacked her. Some bastard attacked her!"
