Angel in the Shadows, Book 1 by Lisa Grace (Angel Series) (17 page)

Vania stands up and says, “Leave her alone!”

Jude looks around at all the kids watching us
and says, “It’s just a lover’s quarrel. Vania stop being so
jealous.”

Jude looks at me, squeezes my shoulders, and
blows me a kiss while walking away. He speaks loudly making sure
he’s the center of attention. “I’ll see you after school, Mouse,
don’t be mad at me for not staying for lunch. I really have to
finish my paper. If only you hadn’t worn me out this weekend. Love
you Megan, bye baby.”

Carrie looks at me and says, “Wow, you’re going
out with the cutest most popular guy in school. What happened to
Seth?”

Vania and I speak up at the same time, “She’s
not.”

“I’m not. Carrie believe me, this is a twisted
game he’s playing. I was with Johnny and Vania most of the weekend
and they know I have nothing to do with him.”

Johnny and Vania both answer, “True.”

Johnny says, “He’s trying to prove a point about
messing with him. We kind of ruined his party this weekend.”

“You’re the ones who called the cops,” Carrie
guesses.

“Sort of,” Johnny takes a bite of his sandwich
and swallows before he continues, “Looks like he’s going to try and
paint Vania as a jealous old girlfriend so Vania and I are going to
pretend we’re dating. Luckily, Seth doesn’t go to school here, but
with the internet, we’re going to have to do some damage control.
Jude has played this game for a long time and he’s good at it.”

Math class I avoid going in until the last
second, my hands full of books. I barely realize Jude’s hand is on
my shoulder, giving the appearance that he’s walking into class
with me, escorting me to my seat just like any other attentive
boyfriend. My situation is unbelievable. If it weren’t happening to
me, I wouldn’t believe it. Jude lets his hand linger on the back of
my chair every chance he gets. I push it off once or twice. It just
makes things worse.

The next thing I know, there is someone at the
door delivering flowers. The teacher opens the door, takes the
flowers, and reads the card. She’s actually blushing. She hands me
the flowers and the card, “You really should put this someplace
private.”

Jude looks up and says, “I told the florist to
put the card in an envelope.”

I start to protest, “they’re not mine. We’re
not—” I feel the card tugged out of my hand by Keith, the kid who
sits next to me. He reads it out loud, “Megan, my Mouse, Thanks for
making my first time so special. Can’t wait to see you alone this
weekend, Love Jude, your lion.”

The damage is done. Jude has managed to ruin my
reputation at this school in one planned gesture. I am so hurt by
this gossip, I want to cry. By lunch tomorrow everyone except
Vania, Johnny, and Carrie is going to believe I slept with Jude.
During the rest of class, I’m sure he’s sending me loving looks. I
pray and do my best to ignore it.

When the bell rings I get up to leave. “Megan,”
the teacher says, “Don’t forget your flowers.” I want to cry. It’s
so embarrassing. The teacher makes me carry the flowers out of the
classroom. I dump them in the nearest trash can. I go to the
nearest restroom, rip up the card, and flush it.

***

After school, I go up to Johnny and Vania and
tell them what happened in math class. Vania looks horrified. I can
barely hold back tears. I’m afraid if I cry, Jude will show up and
know that his strategy is working, which will make my situation
worse.

Johnny says, “He has figured out what you value
most, your reputation and your values. This is where he is working
hardest to destroy you. You must not look weak. Deny him calmly.
Let Seth know what has happened as far as the rumor. Even tell your
parents. If you try to keep it hidden from people they will be more
likely to believe the rumor. You can’t worry about what others are
thinking. You must carry on as if nothing has happened. Gossip
cannot change who you are. Only you can change who you are.”

Vania looks at me and smiles, “I know who you
are.”

Johnny says, “So do I.”

I take a deep breath, “I’m still me. I know who
I am and so does Seth.”

Johnny also adds, “Go tell your pastor too. Set
up a support system. You are not alone Megan.”

When I get home, I tell my parents about the
vicious rumor Jude is spreading. My mom tells me, “Well honey, we
know it hurts. Within a month the kids will be listening to gossip
about someone else and they’ll forget. You’ll see. In the meantime,
you’re dealing with it the right way.”

“Johnny, Carrie, and Vania know it’s not true,
too.” I say, “I have to call Seth and tell him,” I continue, “and
Pastor Bill, I need all the support I can get.”

“Honey, we’re proud of how you’re handling this,
we know it seems like the end of the world right now. We know it’s
embarrassing that so many kids are willing to believe a lie. But
this really will end. In a few months, no one will remember,” my
dad says as he gives me a hug.

First, I call Pastor Bill and tell him about the
lie Jude is spreading. “Believe it or not, you are not the first
girl a guy has lied and bragged about sleeping with to his friends.
Try your best to avoid him. Let everyone know he is lying.
Eventually his character will catch up with him. People will put
together all the lies he’s told and see him for what he is.”

“Thanks Pastor.” We say a quick prayer for God
to give me the strength to deal with this assault on my
character.

I hang up and call Seth. He answers on the first
ring.

“Hi, are you hanging around the phone waiting
for me to call?” I ask.

“I’m so glad you called, your homecoming is only
two weeks away and I need to know what you’re going to wear.”

My heart hurts from what I have to tell him, “I
don’t know if you’re going to want to come anymore. There’s this
guy at school spreading a nasty lie that I slept with him.” I can’t
help myself, I start to cry. “It’s not true! I’ve never had
anything to do with him! Carrie, Vania, and Johnny know the truth.
You can speak to them. I love you Seth. I’m afraid he’s trying to
break us apart.”

“Hey Megs, don’t cry. I know it’s not
true. I know how you are when I hold you. I don’t believe some
stupid rumor. Of course, I’m coming to homecoming with you. When
everyone sees us together, they’ll see how in love we are and know
he’s a liar. It’s okay Megs, everything’s okay,” Seth says. Seth
makes me feel better. But everything is
not
okay. As long as Judas is here to ruin people
and capture souls.

I spend the night barely sleeping. I wonder if I
should transfer out of my classes. At least having Judas in some of
my courses, I can keep an eye on him and stop him from doing as
much damage. If I transfer out, I have no way of knowing what’s
going on. I am the best one to deal with him because I know what he
is. This might be a blessing in disguise. Maybe by sticking close
to me he’ll do less damage to others. Judas might be limiting his
effectiveness.

While I’m strategizing how I’m going to deal
with Judas, I begin to feel more in control and less like a victim.
It doesn’t make everything okay, but at least I can face
tomorrow.

The next day I see Mandy in the hall. I
walk up to her with a smile on my face. I’ve missed hanging out
with her. Mandy walks up to me, grabs my arm, and pulls me into an
empty classroom. She closes the door. She turns to me with a look
of anger on her face, “How dare you be all preachy to me about not
sleeping with Alex and here you are sleeping with Jude! Are you
doing it to be popular? That’s it! You’re
jealous
of me and my friends so you’re sleeping
with Jude to get ‘in’. You’re such a hypocrite.”

I look at Mandy with shock on my face. It never
dawned on me that she would believe a lie like that.

“Mandy, I have not slept with Jude! I love Seth
and would never cheat on him. Come on, think! You know me, I’m
waiting for marriage.”

Mandy looks at me puzzled. “Both Alex and Jude
say you did. Why would he lie?”

“Jude is mad at me for breaking up his party the
other night. Alex would love for the rumor to be true, because he
wants to sleep with you. Carrie, Vania, and Johnny know I didn’t
sleep with Jude. I was either with them or with my parents the
whole weekend. They can vouch for me. I also called Seth and told
him about it. He’s still taking me to homecoming. Mandy, please be
careful around Jude. He’s dangerous.”

Mandy looks at me, “I’m sorry. I should’ve
figured this out. When I first heard I was so shocked because it
didn’t sound like something you would do. Don’t worry. I’ll let
Alex know Jude is lying. Guys know guys lie about these things all
the time to seem more manly.”

“Thanks Mandy. I could use your help living this
rumor down,” I give her a hug. The bell rings and we both head off
to our classes. I’m starting to feel better. Yesterday, my world
was one of embarrassment. Today, it’s about taking it back.

CHAPTER 8 - FRIENDS AND FRENEMIES

In English class, I try to forget about Jude.
The teacher asks us to write a five-hundred word paper on any topic
we like. I was going to write about being a Goth for a night, but
I’ve changed my mind. I’m writing about when a lie is spread to
damage someone’s reputation. I will use my own experience as an
example. I hope we get asked to read them out loud.

In science class we are going to be dissecting a
frog. The frogs arrive already soaked in formaldehyde. The sickly
sweet smell fills the classroom quickly. One of the students is
assigned to hand out lab coats and gloves. The teacher hands out
the frogs. Jude and I get our frog.

I ask him, “Would you like to do the
dissecting?”

“Absolutely, I love cutting things up.”

For once, I believe he’s telling the truth. I
take up my notebook and start identifying the internal organs. I
stand as far away from him as I can. I’m afraid he might cut me
with the scalpel if he gets a chance.

“You can stand closer. I won’t bite,” Jude says
as he smiles.

“No thank you.” I don’t believe him for a
minute. I know how dangerous he is.

I manage to keep my attention on the job at
hand. Jude tries to get me to mislabel a couple of the organs. I
pretend he’s not even here and just take my notes. I’m thankful for
when the bell rings. Two more classes and the day is done. Today
tickets for the homecoming game and dance go on sale so most of the
buzz is about who’s going with whom. Several girls I barely know
ask if I’m going with Jude. I take the time to explain he’s mad at
me about breaking up his party and that I never slept with him. I
also let them know I’m going with my boyfriend, Seth.

They all seem happy that they might have a
chance with Jude. I just shake my head amazed they don’t seem to be
fazed about his lying. I have to remember, life isn’t always fair.
Sometimes those who are idolized get a free pass on bad behavior,
for now.

When I run into Vania at lunch I ask, “Did you
get a new phone number? I tried to call you and they said the
number was disconnected.”

“No. Sometimes my mom forgets to pay the bill.”
I wonder if Vania’s mom is having money problems. I keep it to
myself and change the subject.

“Are you guys going to the game and dance?” I
ask Vania and Johnny.

Johnny answers, “Yes, of course. We’ll be on the
look out for more of Jude’s games.”

Carrie looks up from her salad, “Boy you guys
are quite the crime fighting duo.”

Carrie still doesn’t know Johnny’s an angel.

Johnny looks at her, “I basically live for that
kind of stuff.”

Carrie answers honestly, “You’ll probably go
into law enforcement when you graduate.”

Johnny just nods his head in agreement.

I change the subject, “Carrie, I spoke to Seth
last night and they’re all set to drive down next weekend. Pastor
Bill has agreed to put them both up at his house.”

“I know. I can’t wait. Maybe we can get Robby to
set Jude straight,” Carrie says.

“Let’s try and keep them apart. I don’t want to
cause a scene. You know how Robby is, it wouldn’t take much to set
him off.”

Vania looks at me, “How are you surviving the
rumor mill?”

“I can’t believe how many girls want to go out
with Jude, even with the lies he’s been spreading about me. Aren’t
they afraid the same thing would happen to them, or even worse?” I
answer. “I only have one more class to suffer through today with
him. It hasn’t been as bad as it could be.” With homecoming
preparations underway people are more concerned with their own
social life than mine.

As we’re leaving the cafeteria I hear my name
paged, “Megan Laughlin to the front office, Megan Laughlin to the
front office.”

Several people tease me on my way to the front
office, “Oh, you’re in trouble now.” “Uh, Oh, what’d you do?”

I get there and Mrs. Wilcox, one of the
counselors, invites me into her office. “Have a seat, Megan.”

She gestures to one of two chairs in front of
her desk. Mrs. Wilcox closes the door and sits behind her desk. The
office is so small it feels claustrophobic.

“How do you know Samuel Donner?”

“Samuel Donner?” I say. “I don’t know him.” I’ve
never heard the name before.

“He specifically asked to speak to you,” she
looks at me and folds her hands. It’s like she’s expecting me to
reveal something.

“I don’t know anyone named Sam Donner.” Now I’m
puzzled. I have no clue what this conversation is about or where
it’s going. “Should I know Samuel Donner?” I ask Mrs. Wilcox.

She sighs and sits back in her chair, “He said
he didn’t know you. In twenty years of counseling I’ve never run
into anything like this before.”

Mrs. Wilcox leans forward onto her desk and
says, “This is going to sound a little crazy. But he says he saw
you in a dream and he needs to speak to you. Alone.”