Mesmerized (3 page)

Samantha turned towards Lily and said, “You’ll never fit in here especially if you keep hanging around lardo over there.”

Lily felt the anger rise in her body. Glancing at Hannah who was stricken in her seat, she leaned forward and loudly said, "I don't believe we have properly met. From the looks of you, I would say you are the school whore?"  

Samantha's jaw dropped open. She closed it, crossed her arms, and faced the front of the room. Lily figured no one had ever dared talk back to her, so she didn't know how to react. 

The door flung open and in walked the boy from the courtyard. Once again, Lily’s heart skipped a few beats. She quickly looked away; she didn't want to make eye contact with him. 

The teacher looked up. “Nice of you to join us, Mr. O'Connor. Please try to be on time.”

He muttered an apology to the teacher and hurried to his desk. He sat diagonal from Lily and across from Samantha. 

"Hi, Jake." Samantha bit her lip coyly. 

Lily wanted to puke. Much to Lily's surprise, Jake ignored Samantha. She had to admit it made her happy. Jake glanced over his shoulder at Lily, but quickly turned around. 

This was not good. She couldn't focus at all during class. She kept staring at the boy. He had a perfect profile with his aquiline nose and high cheekbones. He reminded her of a Greek statue. Lily looked down at her paper and noticed she had been drawing hearts in her notebook. She crumpled up the paper appalled at herself. Maybe she should call her mother and tell her this wasn't such a good idea. 

Somehow she made it through class without attacking the poor boy. She wondered for the hundredth time what made him so different. There were plenty of good-looking boys, and none had ever affected her in this way. Maybe it was just because she was getting older and her powers were getting stronger? That still didn't explain why one boy out of hundreds was making her have crazy sexual thoughts. 

P.E. was at the end of the day. Lily dreaded gym class it was her least favorite. Getting changed in front of all the other girls was a nightmare. The school uniform hid her curves, but there wasn't anyway to hide anything in the small t-shirt and short shorts they had to wear for gym class. The white t-shirt stretched snuggly across her chest and the shorts covered very little of her long legs. She saw the other girls glare at her in the mirror. Lily sighed. It wasn't as if she asked to look like this. She would change bodies with Hannah in a heartbeat to live a normal life. 

As she walked out of the locker room, one of the guys whistled and others started shouting out rude comments. The gym teacher yelled at them to shut up or they were getting detention. Lily gave her a grateful smile. 

She was so relieved to get back to her room after the day was over. She marked a day off of her calendar. Lily wondered how long she would last at this school. 

After dinner, Lily decided to take a walk even though it was cold. She needed to clear her head. The fallen leaves crunched under her feet as she walked around campus. It was a clear evening and the moon was almost full. Many stars were visible in the night sky. They twinkled as if to say hi to her. She loved gazing at the stars; it made her feel at peace. 

It was pretty here, she begrudgingly admitted. The part of Texas she lived in didn’t have much of a season change. It went from hot and humid to cold and humid quickly. The leaves didn’t change colors. It didn’t snow. It was quite boring if she was honest with herself. She could get used to it here. But, what if she got kicked out? Not only would she be sent home, but also she’d lose her newfound friendship with Hannah.

“Hey, you’re the new girl,” a deep, male voice said behind her. 

She spun around, coming face to face with a dark-haired boy. The wild look in his hazel eyes sent fear through her body. “What do you want?”

He reached out and touched her face. “You’re so beautiful.”

She quickly slapped his hand away. “Go away!”

Lily turned to walk away, but he grabbed her by the arm, and spun her back around. Without another word, he pressed his body and lips against hers. She tried to push him away, but he held on tightly. She knew she had to make him stop or he’d get hurt. She was too late. Before she could do anything more about him, his body went limp and he fell to the ground. 

Quickly, she knelt down next to him and checked his pulse. Thank goodness! He was still breathing. She let out a sigh of relief. She hadn’t killed him. Standing up, she ran off before anyone could see her.

***

Jake wasn't sure what to do. He was out on a jog when he noticed the new girl talking to Ben. He slowed to a jog to watch the interaction. He was too far away to hear and couldn't tell what was really going on. Jealousy surged through his body when Ben reached down to kiss her. 

Next thing he knew, Ben dropped to the ground and she took off running.
What in the world just happened?
Jake looked around. He wasn't sure if he should check on Ben or go after the girl to make sure she was okay. 

On impulse he went after the girl. His eyes darted left and right searching for her. Where was she? She couldn't have gotten too far. He heard what sounded like a whimper coming from behind the building and turned the corner. There she was, sitting with her knees pulled up and her face in her hands. Oddly, he felt relieved at finding her. Jake felt a deep urge to protect her. 

He approached her slowly, not wanting to startle her. When he was a few feet away he cleared his throat. "Are you okay?"

She looked up surprised. Even when she was crying, the girl was breathtaking. She quickly wiped away the tears from her cheeks. “I’m fine.”

"I saw what happened back there with Ben. Was he bothering you?"

"It was nothing." She avoided his eyes.

Jake took a couple steps closer. Her brown hair shimmered under the lamplight. "Nothing, huh? What did you do to make him crumple to the ground like a rag doll?”

Her eyes widened, and she leaned slightly away from him. She looked like she was ready to flee the area. 

Quickly, he added, "It's okay. He's a jerk and probably deserved it." 

Lily's mind raced for an explanation. "It was just a self-defense move. My dad wanted to make sure I could protect myself." 

After a brief silence, Jake said, "Your father is a wise man. Do you want me to walk you to your room?"

"No, thank you for asking. I just want to stay out here a little longer."

"I'd feel better knowing you were safely back in your room. I can sit here with you if you want?"

Lily was surprised he was being so friendly and not acting like an idiot like most boys did. She did feel safer and calmer with him there. Without thinking, she nodded her head. 

He sat down beside her and caught a whiff of her sweet vanilla scent.

"I don't even know your name," Lily said shyly.

"Jake O'Connor." He gave her a lopsided grin and her heart felt like it was going to explode. 

"I'm Lily."

"I know. You’re the talk of the school. I've never seen a new student get so much attention before." 

"I don't like attention." Picking up a blade of grass, she absently started pulling it apart nervously. This was the longest conversation she'd had with a boy in a long time. She usually cut them off quickly—afraid of leading them on. She should leave, but she couldn't convince her body to listen to her mind. 

"Where did you move here from? I know this is going to sound like a corny pick up line, and I promise it's not.” He paused. “Have we met before? I'm sure I would have remembered. But, I just can't shake the feeling that I’ve seen you before."

"Have you ever been to Texas?" Lily asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"No, I haven't.” He shrugged.
At least not in the last fifty years or so.
“Maybe it was someone that looked like you."

She doubted that, but said, “Maybe.” After a moment, Lily stood up and brushed the leaves from her skirt. "I think I'm ready to go in now. Thank you for staying with me. Can you do me a favor and make sure Ben is okay? I hope I didn't hurt him too badly."

"I'm sure he's fine. He’s a big boy, but I'll check on him if it will make you feel better."

“It would.”

They walked in silence to her building. Lily had to fight the urge to wrap her arms around him. She desperately wanted to feel his lips on hers. Where was this coming from?

At the door to her building, Jake turned to Lily. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.

Lily leaned in with a desperate need to kiss him, to feel him. 

Jake raised his hands to touch her arms and he leaned forward. 

"Thank you for walking me back!" Lily quickly ran inside before anything else happened. 

Chapter Four

That night, Jake lay in bed tossing and turning. He saw Lily’s face every time he closed his eyes. There was something about her, something not quite normal…he couldn’t put his finger on it. When he finally did fall asleep, he dreamed of her. Dressed in that beautiful white dress again, she came up to him, and put her arm around his neck tousling his hair. He was so close to her that he could feel her breath on his lips. She giggled, turned, and ran away. 

Jake woke up in a sweat. Sitting up in bed, he ran his hand through his hair. What was happening to him? Why did he keep dreaming of her? He looked over to make sure his roommate, Matt, was still sleeping. He was. Throwing on his sweats, Jake decided to go for another run. Hopefully, the fresh air would clear his head. 

***

Lily’s cell phone rang before breakfast. “Hey Mom,” she answered.

“How are things going?”

“Just like always.” 

Her mother sighed. “How bad?”

Thinking of Ben, she replied, “Nothing I can’t handle…yet.”

“You have to be careful, Lily. We’re running out of options.”

Lily wanted to say,
you should have thought about that before you had kids
, but she refrained. “I have to get to class, Mom.”

“Okay. Hey, listen, your dad and I want to visit for Thanksgiving.”

“Fine. I gotta go.” Lily hung up the phone and picked up her books.

“Everything okay?” Hannah asked, zipping up her jacket.

“Yeah. My parents want to come for Thanksgiving.”

“Isn’t that good?”

“I guess. Let’s go.”

Lily and Hannah walked out of the dorm. It was overcast with grey clouds. Lily wondered if it would rain. Thunder rumbled in the distance answering her question. 

Once inside the dining hall, four different boys tried to give her their spot in the line. She politely refused and stayed with Hannah. 

The brown-haired boy with glasses who was in front of her handed her a tray. “What do you want to eat?” he asked. 

“I can get my own food.”

“Of course you can,” he said hurriedly. 

Lily took the tan tray from him and reached over to scoop some eggs on her plate. The boy excitedly took the spoon from her hand and started dumping eggs on her plate. 

“Hey!” she yelled. “Cut it out.”

The boy blushed. “Sorry. Just trying to help.”

Annoyed, Lily grabbed the spoon back and finished getting her own breakfast. She and Hannah walked past Samantha and her clique and sat down at a corner booth. 

In the past couple of days, Hannah had learned not to say anything about the way the boys reacted to Lily. She could tell Lily didn’t like it, although sometimes it was amusing. She looked out the window. “It’s raining. I love storms.”

Lily followed her gaze. “There goes our walk.” She ate a few bites of her food. “What do you want to do instead?”

“I need to return a book at the library. We could go do that.”

Lily nodded. “Sure.”

When they finished eating, they went to the door. It was raining harder now. Not pouring, but hard enough they were going to get wet walking to the library. Lily didn’t mind. She liked the rain; it relaxed her for some reason.

Suddenly, a handful of boys met Lily at the door, shoving their umbrellas at her. “Thanks guys…really, but we’re good. I'm not sugar. I promise I won’t melt.” She pushed passed them and hurried to the library, Hannah at her heels.

***

Jake had watched the scene in the breakfast line and the one at the door. He curled his lip in disgust. What makes a boy turn into an idiot like that?  Even though he found it revolting that they were falling all over Lily, he couldn’t help but want to be the one opening the door and sharing his umbrella with her. 

Jake knocked his head on the wall a few times. What was wrong with him? He couldn't allow a girl to get to him. Last time he allowed himself to feel for someone it tore him apart. That was over a hundred years ago and he still wasn't over the loss of Laura. To watch the person you love die…he wouldn't wish it on anyone.

***

A few hours later, Lily made a mad dash from the main building to the dining hall for lunch, where she was meeting Hannah for lunch. 

It was pouring now. Lily made a mental note to buy an umbrella soon. Bursting into the doors to the dining hall, she barely stopped before crashing into Jake.

She smiled, even as her heart was racing. “Hi Jake.”

He nodded a hello. “You’re soaking wet.”

“It is raining out.” She grinned. 

“Right,” he stuttered.

Ugh! Why was he so tongue-tied? God, how was she so beautiful when she was dripping wet? 

“Here take my coat." He gently placed it around her shoulders. 

“Thank you,” she said and took a step closer to him. She stood there, staring at him for a minute. Intimate thoughts filled her mind. All she wanted to do was press her body against his, but she couldn’t. She shivered and pulled the jacket tighter. "I'll get your jacket back to you tomorrow. Thanks again." She forced herself to walk away and join Hannah. 

Hannah had seen the way Jake and Lily were looking at each other. Even now, tables apart, they were stealing glances at each other. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she said, “Ya know, he’s bad news.”