Small Blue Thing (11 page)

“I want to know everything about you!” He smiled. “Your friends, what you like to do, what your school’s like, everything.”

“Wow. Where shall I start?”

“Family. Tell me all about them. You obviously love them all very much.”

So I told him all about us, our fights and celebrations, our holidays, the house. We talked about Josh, and how much I relied on him, even if he was horrible to me from time to time. I could see a sad look in Callum’s eye, and I guessed that he wished his sister felt that way about him. He carried on asking questions, and I found myself talking all about my friends, particularly about Grace and the bond we had forged after so many years at school together.

He seemed to love hearing about school, though he thought that my plans to study to be a vet were hilarious, given that I was continually getting distracted by the wildlife that was still settling around us. I told him all about my childhood ambitions to be an actress, about the singing lessons I was still taking and how dull Grade 5 Theory was. His questions slowed as the afternoon wore on, and he spent more and more time nestled behind me, sending gentle flickers of electricity through me as he stroked my hair. I was beginning to think that it was time to return home, when his tone became more careful.

“How about boyfriends?” he asked casually. “I can’t imagine
that someone as lovely as you doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

It was my turn to be careful. The memory of Rob came back to me, and I realised with shock that I had been out with him only the previous night. It felt a lifetime away.

“Well,” I started, wondering exactly how much I should reveal, “there was someone I had been out with a couple of times, but it had pretty much ended before it even got going. That was why I was upset when you found me last night.”

His face was suddenly full of concern. “You must have cared for him a lot to be so miserable.”

“Actually it turned out he was a bit … horrible, which was why I was so upset.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you trying to save my feelings. I’ll … I’ll understand if he is someone special to you.” His face was controlled, but I could sense the urgency behind the words; he really didn’t want Rob to be significant to me.

I gave a harsh laugh. “Special? Rob? I don’t think so!”

Callum gave me a sharp look.

“No,
really
,” I tried to reassure him. “He thinks he’s so great, but he absolutely isn’t.”

“What did he do to you?” Callum asked suddenly. “Did he hurt you?” The look on his face was so old-fashioned I could almost have laughed. But this wasn’t a conversation I much wanted to have.

“It was nothing. He just wasn’t very … nice.” I paused for a second, but I could see he wasn’t about to let it drop. “Please, I’d rather not talk about it.”

He hesitated briefly, and then sighed. “Whatever you want.” I could see him pondering something for a moment. “Do you want me to go and scare him a bit?”

I had to laugh. “No I don’t!” I didn’t want the two of them anywhere near each other. “Anyway, what would you do? Aren’t I the only person who can see you?”

“Well, technically, yes,” he admitted grudgingly. “But I’m sure I could manage something. And he must have some memories he wants to keep hold of. I’m sure I could erase you from his mind completely if I worked at it. He wouldn’t know anything about it.”

“Honestly, he’s not worth the bother. Why spend time with him when you could spend it with me?”

“You do have a point,” he agreed, wrapping his arm around my waist again.

“So do you often scare people?”

“Hardly ever!” he laughed, and then dropped his voice. “Actually I’ve never done it. But I know from the others how you might do it.”

I was relieved; I didn’t enjoy the thought of him being vindictive. It really didn’t fit the picture I had formed of him in my head.

“Why do they do it? What good can it do to them?” I asked, curious to learn more about the people he spent his time with.

“Well, some of them are just not very nice people. They don’t like the fact that they are stuck in misery and others are having a good time.” His voice was disgusted. “Anyway, I don’t want to waste any more of the day talking about them.”

I looked up and realised that the sun was now low in the sky. We had talked nearly all day.

“Actually, I’m starving,” I realised, stretching my legs. “I seem to have forgotten to have any lunch. Let’s get back and you can tell me more later, otherwise my parents are going to be sending out a search party.”

I got up off the grass, realising that even in the warm weather sitting for so long on the ground had made my trousers slightly damp. I brushed myself down and slipped the mirror into my pocket. Callum settled into step with me as we left the glade and started the long walk back home.

True Colours

I was back just in time: Mum and Dad were beginning to worry. They were obviously concerned that I was still upset about Rob, but they were too tactful to ask about it. I found it really hard to contain myself over dinner. I wanted to tell them all about the strange and exciting things I had learned, but I knew that it was impossible. I ended up being really jumpy and Dad kept looking at me strangely. He was always much more perceptive than anyone else about how I was feeling, and I hated keeping things from him.

When the meal was finished, he asked me to help him clear up, and I knew it was time for questions. He surprised me by saying almost nothing about it, as we washed up all the big pans from the roast beef.

“So,” he asked as the last pan was dried, “would you like a lift to Grace’s house? I expect you two have a lot of gossiping to do.”

“Um, you know, not tonight. But thanks for the offer. I think I got a bit too much sunshine today, so I’d rather stay in.”

“OK, but if you change your mind in the next half an hour or so let me know. I don’t mind running you over and picking you up later.” He was clearly taken aback; I don’t think I could remember a time when I had refused a lift to Grace’s. As I went up to my room I could hear him talking in hushed tones to Mum. That would mean that she would be up for a chat before too long. I quickly went to start running a bath.

Back in my room I put on my headset and sat in front of the mirror.

“Callum?” I called gently. “Are you there?” Within a few minutes my arm was tingling and he was back by my side. I was distracted all over again by his astounding good looks and almost forgot what I wanted to tell him.

“I have to have a bath now to avoid my mother. Will you be here later?”

“I’m going to have to go back into London. Catherine will make a fuss and I have to decide exactly how much to tell her.” He looked dispirited. “And also I’m hungry, if you see what I mean.” He glanced at his amulet.

I was immediately contrite. I hadn’t considered the fact that he had needs of his own that I didn’t really understand. I felt guilty that I had asked him to stay around until after I had eaten. “I’m so sorry. I’ve kept you here and risked you getting miserable.”

“It’s not exactly been a hardship. If I can find a cinema or theatre on the way into town I won’t even get that uncomfortable. I’ve been so happy today I guess I just feel the downside more acutely.” His glorious blue eyes melted as he gazed at me.

I felt my heart lurch. “I wouldn’t have missed today for the world. You will come back tomorrow, won’t you?” I couldn’t help remembering that he had promised to come back before and then gone missing for days. I couldn’t bear not being able to see him all day.

“You try and keep me away. I don’t remember being at school, so I might come with you to a few lessons.”

“Don’t you dare distract me! I could do without another detention.”

“You’ll have to practise self-control then – I’m not sure I
will be able to resist doing this to you…” With one hand he gently smoothed my hair to one side, and in the mirror I could see him bending down to kiss the side and back of my neck. A shiver of excitement ran through me.

“That’ll definitely ruin physics for me,” I gasped, as he gathered all my hair together and moved to the other side of my neck. I could feel gentle tickles of electricity through my skin, and a slight pressure on my hair where he had swept it up on his side. Suddenly, there was an angry banging on my bedroom door.

“Alex Walker! Get off that phone! That bath has nearly run over!” bellowed Mum.

“Oops, I’m going to have to go right now,” I whispered to him, then loudly, “Thanks, Mum. I’ll be right there.” I looked at him longingly. “Come back … please?”

“Tomorrow, I promise.”

I had to tell him again how I felt. “I know this is a weird situation, and that it’s too sudden, but I can’t help it: I love you.”

I don’t think I’d ever seen anyone look so happy. “I love you too,” he whispered. “You … you give meaning to my existence.” He paused. “And if you don’t go now, your mother will kill you.”

He flashed one last smile and was gone.

The next morning I went to school full of nervous anticipation. I wasn’t sure when Callum was going to turn up, and what he was going to do to me when he did. I could hardly wait.

The coach ride was difficult. Grace was offended because I had chosen not to give her all the details about Rob in our phone conversation the previous day. She was positively short with me and spent most of the trip listening to her iPod. But I was too happy to care. I spent the time imagining what Callum and I could do if we were in the same dimension.

The first lesson was maths, and I took my usual seat cautiously, not sure where and when Callum might appear. It was a small class now, as several girls had stopped attending after the last exams and the plan seemed to be to recap on some of the basics before setting the homework for the long summer break.

He appeared halfway through the lesson. We were doing differentiation, and I was having real trouble keeping awake. Some of the class were struggling with the concepts so Mr Pasciuta was explaining it all
again
. I was doodling on the margin of my paper and realised that I was sketching the rest of a face around a pair of dark, brooding eyes. I was scrubbing it out quickly before anyone noticed when there was a chuckle in my head. Simultaneously I felt the tingle.

“Pity. It wasn’t a bad likeness.”

I couldn’t speak, so I just snorted gently. That would tell him what I thought of his tactics. He laughed again.

“I quite like this. I get to say whatever I want, and you just have to listen to me, no butting in and no questions.” His tone was teasing, so I sighed again.

“I’ve been listening to this guy for a while now. It’s a bit dull isn’t it?”

I nodded almost imperceptibly. Mr Pasciuta was writing out a long proof on the whiteboard, and my classmates were all diligently copying it down.

“Do you understand much of what he is on about? I can’t understand a word.”

It was my time to smile. Luckily I wasn’t sitting that close to anyone else so I pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and scrawled,

“OK, OK. No need to show off. I guess I wasn’t a mathematician in my former life. Maybe I was good at history. Do you do that?”

“Oh, OK. Well, I have to say that sounds dull. I can’t possibly sit here and listen to all these lectures. How about you skip class?”

“Well, in that case, I’m just going to have to distract you.” With that he started to stroke my hair, occasionally letting his fingers trace delicate paths down my bare arms. It was electrifying. I quickly reached for the paper.

“But I thought you liked it.” His voice was slightly muffled as he was kissing my collarbone.

He laughed. I realised that my heart was racing and I was breathing heavily. I also realised as I focused on the room around me that no one was talking and every head was turned in my direction.

“Alex, come on, you know the answer to this one.” Mr Pasciuta was using his exasperated tone. Then it changed: “Are you alright? You look a little … flushed.”

I could hear Callum’s laughter.

“I am feeling a little dizzy, Mr Pasciuta. I think maybe I
need to go to the bathroom and get some cold water.”

“Yes, yes, of course. Are you faint? Do you need someone to go with you?” A number of my friends looked up hopefully, seeing an opportunity to escape from the class.

“No, I’ll be fine, thank you.” I needed to talk to Callum, and an audience wouldn’t be helpful.

As I got to my feet to leave, a screeching bell suddenly erupted in the corridor outside, the sound echoing around the school. Mr Pasciuta swore under his breath.

“OK, girls: fire alarm. You know the drill: straight outside to the pitches, no bags, and NO TALKING!” he bellowed, as everyone abandoned the lesson and headed out towards the sunshine.

As we waited on the netball pitches two huge fire engines came racing up, and a wave of excitement swept through the crowd. There were plenty of my classmates who would cheerfully see the school go up in plume of smoke. But it wasn’t going to happen today: the alarms had been set off by the girls in the common room burning toast in the toaster, and the Chief Fire Officer was not amused. I could see him giving Miss Harvey a stern talking-to.

We all lapped it up. Miss Harvey was the headmistress, and usually dished out the punishments. But our fun was short-lived. As soon as the fire engines had gone, she called the school to order. Even outside and with no PA system her voice carried across the field.

“Luckily, today it was only toast, but never forget that at any time it could be a real fire. Your evacuation today was a shambles. It took twice as long as it should to get you all out here, and half of you clearly stopped to get your belongings.” Everyone started to look a bit shifty at this point, nudging their bags behind them.

“I expect a much better response next time, girls,” she continued, “and I expect you to be more careful in the common room, or I will have to consider withdrawing some of your privileges. Now please return to your lessons in an orderly manner.”

Callum had kept quiet while all this had been going on. In fact, I was sure that I had lost him in the scrum to get out of the school. I guessed he was taking the opportunity to have a bit more of a look around. As we started to walk back in I felt him reach me, so I slowed slightly to let the others get ahead.

“Where have you been? Find anything exciting?” I whispered out of the side of my mouth.

“Just checking out the facilities. Not bad. I can’t believe my school was as great as this. Do you get to do an art lesson today? That studio is awesome.”

“’Fraid not. Later in the week though, for my project.”

“Come on, Alex, what are you doing?” called Alia from up ahead.

“Coming,” I called. I got out a tissue out to hide my mouth. “This is really tricky. Can you come back later? I’m not sure I can keep this up for much longer.”

He sounded as if he was pouting. “We were just getting to the fun bit, too.”

I felt myself blush again. “Really, it doesn’t work for you to be with me in lessons. But please, come back later and we can talk tonight, OK?”

“OK,” he grumbled. “I’ll see you later,” I could hear the smile in his voice, “when it’s more … private.” With that he was gone again, leaving me with an empty feeling. I ran to catch up with the others and then we ambled back to maths.

Grace stayed unnaturally quiet all morning and avoided me
at break time, but I managed to catch up with her in the corridor on the way to physics. Her long dark hair was down so I couldn’t see her face but I knew her so well that I could tell that she wasn’t happy.

“Are you OK today? You’ve not said much to me.”

“It’s about time you noticed. Some best friend you are,” she snapped.

“Has something happened with Jack?” I guessed. It must be something big to upset her so much. It couldn’t just be the fact that I hadn’t given her all the details on Rob.

“I thought
you
would know the answer to that.”

“What on earth are you talking about? How could I possibly know anything?”

“That’s not what Rob has been telling everyone.”

I was stunned. What had he done now?

“I’ve not said anything to Rob, and after the way he behaved on Saturday I’ve no intention of speaking to him ever again. What’s happened? Is there something wrong with you and Jack?”

“Jack doesn’t want to go out with me after all, apparently,” she sniffed miserably.

“What? But he was so keen the other night. What’s changed his mind?”

She stopped just outside the door of the physics lab and turned to face me. Her lips were pressed together in a hard line. “You!” she hissed and stomped into the classroom. She picked a seat away from our usual corner and got out her bags with a thump. Miss Deeley was already there, so there was no more opportunity to find out what she meant.

I was completely stunned. How could it possibly be my fault if Jack didn’t want to go out with Grace any more? I knew I
had been a bit self-absorbed over the last few days, but I also knew I had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately though, Grace thought that I had. I couldn’t bear it that she would think that I would do anything to hurt her. I had to concentrate on helping her sort it out, and I was rather relieved that I had asked Callum to leave for a while. This wasn’t going to be a great spectator event, and, especially if it had anything to do with Rob, I would feel a lot less self-conscious knowing that he wasn’t standing behind me.