Vision of Shadows (16 page)

Of course, the boys who passed were more interested in his companion. It was the tall, absolutely stunning redhead I’d seen. She
wore a green blouse that did a phenomenal job of bringing out her equally green eyes. Her black skirt was cut above the knees and revealed long, magnificent legs. 

She and Payne seemed to be deep in conversation. Her face was serious, his amused. She
was doing all of the talking. And then she did something that made me want to either run away or descend the stairs and slap the red out of her hair. 

She kissed Payne.

I stopped dead in my tracks and stared, trying to tell myself it was meaningless. Certainly, the kiss held no passion. It was little more than a peck on the cheek. Friendly. Nothing more. But still, her lips lingered on his cheek for more than a half second. I could sense warmness in the kiss. There was genuine emotion behind it. The fact that she had feelings for Payne was far scarier to me than Pricilla’s militant demand that I back off.

How c
ould I hate her for that? Was it fair for me to despise her for liking a boy that was not only beautiful to look at, but who seemed kind and caring as well? To loathe her for the fact that she herself was spectacular looking? Was I petty enough to abhor her when she’s probably known Payne for a lot longer than me?

As it turns out,
yes I was
. 

I was horrified when I realized that Maggie was dragging me right
toward them. I would have thought even Maggie would have at least waited until the redheaded beauty departed, but Maggie just kept pulling me forward.

When Payne glanced in our direction and his eyes locked on mine, I watched the slow smile come across his face. I was overcome with a new desire, one to ignore the stunningly pretty girl by his side and simply launch myself into his arms. Who care
d about her? He wanted to see me!

Still
, I kept my pace steady. There was no backing out now, but I wasn’t going to throw myself at him. I needed to be cool and collected. I needed to walk over to him as casually as possible. That was my plan. To walk, no, not
walk
. I would saunter up to him, looking not the least bit out of place. It was a good plan.

That was when I felt my foot catch on the stairs
, and suddenly I was airborne. My heart lurched as I tumbled forward. Payne quickly shot toward me, and I found myself landing right into his arms. I collided with him, his solid frame gently rescuing me from my flight as I felt his muscular arms embrace me, keeping me from harm.

“Oh my,” the
redhead said. “Are you all right?”

I took a moment to find my legs and support myself again before reluctantly pushing off Payne and looking
toward her. Her beautiful green eyes were filled with concern. Man, she wasn’t making it easy to hate her.

“Yeah, I’m ok
ay,” I answered, looking the redhead up and down while trying not to appear like I was looking her up and down. “Wasn’t my fault. The stairs are defective.”

The
redhead gave me a cautious smile. “Uh-huh. I think you like making an entrance.”

“I trip there all the time,” Maggie interjected. “Hi, I’m Maggie.”

“Hello,” the redhead said. “I’m Hunter. I saw how the two of you stood up to Pricilla. Heard she has an in-school suspension for a week.”

“Really?” I responded. “Am I supposed to feel bad about that?”

Hunter shrugged. “I wouldn’t.”

“I’m sure whatever it was
Pricilla did,” Payne offered, “Bristol was only responding accordingly. I would still like to know what it is she said to you.”

There was an awkward moment of silence as Hunter, Maggie
, and I exchanged glances. Hunter patted Payne’s cheek. “Live in blissful ignorance, cousin.”

“Wait,” I said
. “You and Payne are
cousins
?”

Payne and Hunter nodded collectively. Hunter folded her arms and cocked an eyebrow in my direction. “Of course. Why do you sound so surprised?”

“Well, um.” I hesitated, trying to think of a good response. “It’s just that…”

“Afraid I was the competition?
”

I return
ed the eyebrow arch. “I don’t plan on competing.”

This response earned a strange contemplative stare from Hunter. She was clearly evaluating me. I looked
toward Payne, who was watching Hunter watch me.

“I thought someone told me,” I said, “that the McKnights were made up of boys.”

“For the most part,” Hunter replied. “I guess I’m the exception. I’ve heard the same thing about the Blackburns.”

“Guess that makes me a bit of a freak,” I said. “We have that in common.”

“I suppose so,” Hunter said. “I like to think of myself as unique. You don’t think you’re a freak, do you?”

Without hesitation I said, “
Of course not.”

Hunter frowned. I couldn’t help but feel like I had said something wrong. 

“You know,” Payne said, “Bristol’s been great. She was with me when I found Jared.”

“How’s your aunt?” I asked. “I
s there anything I can do?”

“I want to say she’s ok
ay,” Payne answered. “But I’d be lying. It’s hitting her hard. My Uncle Heathcliff is with her. I’ll check on her soon.”

“Please, pass along my sympathies
,” I said. “If there is anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

Hunter looked
toward me, that same contemplative stare in her eyes. “You know, Blackburns aren’t supposed to care about McKnights. I think there’s a rule.”

I sighed. “I don’t care about any idiotic war between our families.”

Once again, Hunter considered me before responding. When she did, her expression softened considerably. “That’s good to know. I’ve wanted to thank you, Bristol. I’m glad Payne had someone there with him.”

“It was nothing, really,” I said. “I didn’t do anything special.” 

Something flickered on Hunter’s face. I couldn’t tell what, but once again she was reacting oddly to something I had said. 

Payne quickly put his arm around me. “Bristol has been wonderful. She was very supportive and did everything she could to help.” 

I watched as Hunter looked to Payne, considering his words carefully. It was as if she was trying to decide which of us to believe. 

“Really,” Payne insisted
. “Bristol’s shown nothing but compassion for our family.”

“Payne,”
someone shouted.

We looked up to see the geeky boy who’d been tripped by some of Payne and Hunter’s cousins a few weeks back descending the stairs.
His book bag was strapped to his back like he was about to go hiking.

Payne waved to him. Just as I remembered his name was Ian, I saw him stumble in the exact spot I did. I watched as he went tumbling
hard down the stairs. This time, Payne wasn’t fast enough. Ian hit the ground and came rolling to a stop by our feet. 

Payne ran to his side to help him while others around us pointed and laughed.
Both Payne and Hunter shot angry glares at the crowd. 

“Ian, you ok
ay?” Payne asked.

Ian, clearly embarrassed, nodded. “Yeah, I’m used to it. I have…
well, let’s just say gravity issues and leave it at that.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “I did the same thing. I told you guys it was the stairs.”

“I’m beginning to believe that,” Hunter said.

Ian’s eyes dart
ed from Hunter to Maggie, back to Hunter then to me, and then to Hunter again.

Payne quickly introduced us.

“I heard about your cousin,” Ian said. “I’m so sorry.”

Payne and Hunter thanked him.

“Oh,” Hunter said. “You’re hurt. That must sting.”

Ian’s pants were torn by his right knee
, and there was a trickle of blood. Ian looked surprised.

“Oh, uh
.” Ian’s face took on a greenish hue as he looked away. “I hadn’t noticed. I must have been… uh… distracted.”

“Does it hurt?” I asked.

“Not bad,” Ian answered. “It stings now that I realize it’s there. I just, uh…” 

“What’s the matter?” Payne asked.

Ian looked embarrassed. “I uh… I don’t like the sight of blood.”

Ian chanced another glance. When his eyes found his knee, he cringed
, looking like he might faint. 

“Sorry,” Ian said. “I’m a wimp.”

I wanted to agree but refrained. 

“Don’t worry,” Hunter said. “I appreciate the honesty. Why don’t we go inside? I’m sure the school nurse can fix that up.”

After a quick goodbye, Hunter led Ian back into the school, his eyes very much off of his knee and on Hunter. He seemed very happy to have her hold his hand.

“Well, I’ve got to go,” Maggie announced. “Payne, all the best to your family
, and if there’s anything I can do, just ask.”

With a wave she was off, leaving me alone with Payne. Which
was, I was sure, exactly what she intended. 

“Did I say something wrong to Hunter before?” I asked.

Payne thought about my question, which was annoying. 

“No, I don’t think so,”
he said. “Hunter and I are very close. She’s my cousin, but in many ways, she’s more like a sister to me. She knows me better than anyone else.”

“I see,” I said. “So, did I pass the audition?”

“You don’t have to prove anything to anybody, Bristol,” Payne said. “I want to talk to you about last night. I can’t imagine what you might have thought happened, but…”

“Payne, I saw it,” I said. “I saw the argument you had. I saw him walk out of the room. I saw you start to clean up the mess
he
made, and then I saw him come back in with that shotgun. I saw it!”

Payne face went pale. “What did you see?” 

“That’s it,” I said. “I was sure you’d been shot. I woke up feeling pain like you had been…”

Payne grabbed me. “You what?”

I goggled. There was anger in his eyes but not at me. He was mad at himself.

Suddenly, he was pulling me away from the front of the school until we were around the side of the building, away from where others could overhear us. We were standing under the shade of a big oak tree, the sun on the opposite side of the school building.

“Does that happen often?” he asked. “Feeling pain like that?”

“No, not usually,” I answered. “Not from a vision. Usually only when something happens in front of me, when it’s for real.
Clearly
,
you weren’t shot.”

I watched his eyes burn. There was something he wanted to say, but he didn’t.

“Payne,” I said, “we need to go talk to my uncle. The next time your father might not miss.”

“Look,” Payne replied
. “My family life is complicated, but it’s nothing. Really.”

“Nothing?” I said, not believing my ears. “Payne, he had a shotgun
. Do I need to wait until he pulls a bazooka on you before I’m allowed to worry?”

Payne smiled. “I like the fact that you’re worried about me.”

“Stop it,” I complained. “This is serious. And who said I was worried about you?”

“You just did,” Payne said.

“Oh shut up,” I ordered. “Payne, your father could have killed you last night.”

Payne laughed at the thought. He actually laughed
. I
so
wanted to hit him.

“Bristol,” Payne said, “I can guarantee, I was in no danger last night. None. I know it must have seemed like that, but I was never in any danger of being hurt by my father.”

“You can’t be serious?” I responded. “Payne, you can’t defend what he did. Maybe he isn’t as bad when he hasn’t been drinking but…”

“The last thing I want to do is defend my father,” Payne said. “Bristol, my life is complicated. My family’s different. But my father is incapable of harming me.”

“Of course you would say that,” I said. “You think you’re invincible. I’ve heard of the reckless things you’ve done. My uncle told me. Skateboarding on the roof of a building? Payne, you’re insane.”

“No,” Payne said. “I’m not. And I’m ok
ay.”

“For now,” I said.
“Payne, I’m afraid when you go back home, you won’t be so lucky.”

“Then I won’t go,” Payne said.
“I’ll move in permanently with my grandfather. Grandpa even talked about that last night.”

“You mean that?”

“It’ll be fun. Hunter lives there, too, ever since her parents died a few years ago. I’ll talk to Grandpa tonight.”

“If you don’t,” I said
, “I will.”

“You will what?” Payne asked. “You’re going to talk to my grandfather? Most people find him a little intimidating.”