Chapter Two

I stood there, trying to think of what to say to him. What did he mean by that? That he can't believe I still live here, he thought I would move? Or he wishes that I wasn't here? I just pushed it aside; he's just surprised to see me! It's been way too long. I smiled again, “I can't believe it's you, Hermes. I thought I'd never see you again.”

“Yeah, well, fate has its funny ways of working.” He said.

Oh, you have no idea… I thought, opening my mouth to say something, but he spoke again.

“Why are you wearing glasses?” he asked. “You have perfect vision; you sat in the back of class and still see everything on the board.”

My cheeks blushed hard and I cleared her throat while I slid the fake glasses off my face, “Oh, um, I read a lot of books. But what about you?” I asked. “Do you have contacts now or—”

He cut me off when he closed his locker, “Look, Jaycee, I have to get to class. See you around.” He said as he walked passed me.

I turned around with my mouth hanging open a little, “Oh, um, okay. See you later.” I said a little stunned. No hug? Nothing? We were such great friends, I always imagine us seeing each other again with hugs and smiles and talking about how each other lives have been. But nothing. Nada.

It made me frown. Is my Hermes still the same guy?

*

(Hermes)

I walked into class, trying to seem calm and normal like I haven't just seen the girl who was a good and bad part of my life. Damn girl had always been the nice girl—at least to me. I remember one time on the playground, one kid was messing with me and when he was done and Jaycee found out, she pushed him off the swings and kicked him. She was always getting in trouble because of me.

Because I was a wimp. A loser. A coward. Well, I’m not anymore! I can take care of myself and I don't need Jaycee Russo ever to fight my battle again!

God, it didn't help that I had the hugest crush on her either.

I sat down in the back while more students pile in. Many of them tried to talk to me, but I whispered in Latin a spell for them to not notice me. Not to care for my existence. It worked—on most of them. I still had a few giving me curious glances. I'm not a strong Warlock yet, my powers are still growing. I'm amazed I could grab most of the attention in the hallway. It was pretty cool, wasn't it? How I made them get out of my way. I was already pissed off about the damn bus and dragging my ass into school, I was not going to fight my way through the hallways.

I tried not to think of Jaycee. I didn't think it could be possible, but she just got so much more beautiful? How could some girl be that beautiful? She was so cute—I always thought she would turn into one of those dumb girls who were into their selves, but she just seems so laid back.

I'll have to get in her head later to see what it's been like for the last couple of years. And then I'll cast a spell for her to leave me along for the next two years.

*

(Jaycee)

I stared into the mirror as put some light nude lipstick on my lips. I put it back in my bag and ran my hands through my hair. I looked…okay. Maybe not as pretty as most of the girls here, but I knew I was a good seven or eight out of ten from what most guys would tell me. Not that I ever cared what they think—but I do care when it comes to Hermes. I couldn’t stop thinking of him all of the time, I was so upset when I found out I had no classes with him before lunch. I still got three more classes to go, let him at least be in one of them!

Make him fall in love with you, Jaycee. He feels towards you, he just doesn't give in. I thought. I was always prepared for something like this in case it ever happened. Just like my daddy, I love a good challenge. I may not be his sport loving child like Jace, but I know how to get what I want.

I walked out of the girl’s bathroom and went into the cafeteria, searching around for Hermes. This is the only time where we could actually talk about each other. I was too excited; I just looked harder for him. I was anxiously biting down on my bottom lip as I looked until I found him near the windows.

My smiled dropped.

His table was mostly filled with googly eye girls!

Okay, I get it. Hermes a hunk, he's a real hunk, but come on! He's mine! I thought, my eyes flashing black before I calmed my anger! Ugh! I thought, but I was also growling in the back of my throat.

“Earth to Jaycee!” I heard Jessica's voice and I tuned my head to see her and Louis coming towards me. When they were next to me, Jessica said, “You've been really spacey today. What's up? How do you know that Hermes guy?”

“We were friends a long time ago.” I said.

Her eyes widen , “Oh, so you really do know him?”

“Yeah.” I said. I never talked about Hermes before to anyone but my family. It would be strange to humans, them wondering why I was so obsessed with a boy I haven't seen since I was like ten. I wouldn't be able to explain myself how important he is and why I needed him. I needed him like I needed air or water and I’m not going to lose him ever again.

“Told you.” Louis said. “Jaycee is secretly gay, she wouldn't go up to some guy she didn't need to know.” he said and I gave him a 'shut up' look. Louis always said I might be a gay because it's true. I don't go up to guys and flirt with them like Jessica. I never had a boyfriend and I've never been kissed.

Well actually I did come close once....

I was secretly smiling, remember one time when Hermes and I were together in a small group for a project in class and I was so close, I could kiss him. I wanted to, I wanted to kiss him so bad, but I didn't. Thanks to my dad back then, he always told me I couldn't have a 'boyfriend' because I'm his girl right now until someone comes along. I never understood what he meant by 'someone' until now, but Hermes was always there though. I could have kissed him, but I also didn't want him to think I was weird.

“C'mon, I'm hungry.” Jessica said.

“Oh, I had a big breakfast. You know my mom, she loves to cook on special days and apparently she thinks the first day of our nightmares is big, so I'll meet you at the table.” I said and they nodded before leaving.

I turned back towards were Hermes was and I was grimace when I realized he was flirting with the girls! I began making my ways towards him and the girls before sitting two tables away. I began listen to what they were saying, but also tried to make myself seem like I wasn’t eavesdropping.

“Too bad you had to leave Florida to only end up back coming to this ditch.” Jenny said. “You were a really cool back then, though. Hey, remember when we worked in on that science project about flowers? We did such a great job together.”

What!? Jenny thought he was a total nerd! She was one of them that made fun of him! Hermes’ mother one time gave him a bowl shape hair cut once and even though Hermes hair is curly, is was still noticeable and she made fun of him! I had to push her and I got in trouble! I got in so much trouble cause of Hermes! Ugh!

“You know, Jenny, you always did have the prettiest green eyes.” Hermes said and I could only imagine how close they were!

She giggled, “You think my eyes are pretty? Well, I just love yours; they're like the ocean. No boy here as eyes a pretty as yours.”

I rolled my eyes at that last part.

“And your hair is so amazing.” she said and I could only imagine her running her fake acrylic nails through his hair! My hands balled into a tight fist on my laps as I tried to control my anger. That should be me! I should be telling him how beautiful his eyes were and how great his hair is! I should be the only one touching him! He's mine after all! Why can't I just be alone with him?

The thought made me sad, but oh no! I was not going to let Jenny Crone bring me down! Right when Jessica and Louis reached the table, I jumped up from the chair and made my way over to the table and tapped on Hermes shoulder.

His head turned and he looked up at me, those incredible blue eyes making me freeze for a moment, but I woke snapped myself awake and made a serious face, “Got no time for old friends?”

“Jealous?” Jenny asked, grinning up at me. We have always been rivals. ever since first grade when she kept pulling my hair. I kept complaining to my parents and one time when my Uncle Darien was over, he jokingly told me to pull her hair back or do something that makes it looks like an 'accident', so I tripped her. He never meant it seriously, thinking I would be the good girl I was, but I was tired of the hair pulling! “And it’s first day back, not pajama day.”

I glared at her, “Oh really? At least I didn't get my outfit from the kid side from Wal-Mart, could that skirt be any shorter? Really, Jennifer Mabel, have some respect for yourself, you don't need the attention of guys, have some damn confidence.”

Her eyes widen in the middle when I mentioned her middle name and I was smirking down at her. She hated her middle name and I would have never known it until one time at parent teacher conference and Jenny did something bad and her mother called her that. She hates it so much, so of course I use it a lot. “Freak.”.

“Trailer trash.” I said, so close to getting in her caked-up face!

“Hipster weirdo!”

“Hoe ass, extension wearing—“

“Whoa!” Hermes said, chuckling as he got up and pulled us apart. “Calm down, ladies. People are watching.” He whispered the last part.

*

(Hermes)

 “I need to talk to you.” Jaycee said and I turned to look at her, to tell her later, but those big hazel eyes enchanted me so that I could only nod.

Jenny gave a huff as we walked out. Jaycee lead us outside where a lot of students were eating. She lead us around the building and we sat on a bench. “What can I do ya for, Jaycee?” I asked, playing it cool as I leaned back and put my arms out onto the bench.

She sighed and turned to me, “Hermes, aren't you at least a bit surprised or happy to see me?” She asked and I gave her a confused look. Her light tan cheeks blushed, “I-I mean, we were such great friends when we were younger, I just thought—”

To admit it, I was happy to see her. Something about her always did make me think of her. I thought it was always just cause I had a crush on her and she was nice to me when we were younger. She was my only friend. But then I would remember a lot more of the boys would make fun of me for being friends with a girl and having a girl to defend me.

“You surely made two more friends while I'm gone though.” I said. “And I for one, have made tons.”

She groaned and rolled her eyes, “Hermes! It's me, Jaycee!”

“I know!” I said. I sat up, “I don't know what you want me to tell you!” I gave a fake gasp and smiled, “Oh Jaycee! It's you; it's been such a long time! Let’s give each other our phone numbers and catch back up. Good enough for you?” I asked, dropping the fake reunion.

She frowned at me and while I would find this funny, it made me actually feel a little guilty.

No, no, Hermes, you have no time for normies feelings. I told myself.

“When did you become such an asshole?” she asked. “You used to be so nice.”

He was a little shock to hear someone actually call him an asshole, but he found it amusing a little. “Oh Jaycee, it definitely has been a long time. Bullying sure does change you and it has done wonders for me. I'm stronger.”

“That's not who you are though.” she said, reaching out to touch me, but I pulled away.

“You don't know me, Jaycee. Not anymore.” he said.

“Then I'll learn.” she said. “We can be friends again, like old times and—”

I got up and cut her off, “No, just leave me alone.”, I said, turning away and began walking away when she grabbed my hand and not controlling my powers, I was insistently pulled into her head, seeing her past.

I saw her earliest memories were her fifth birthday, her first surprise party. Her father had taken her out all day doing so many things and when she came home, it was all dark until the light suddenly came on and a lot of people from her family yelled 'surprise!' She was happy; it was one of the happiest moments of her life. Then it flashed to third grade and I was surprised to see myself at a desk and she came over, not sure why I was so interesting or why she seem to like me more then her favorite TV show and her favorite cereal she had that morning. She asked for my name and I told her. She giggled, but wasn't thinking how funny it was, but how unique it was and she asked if she could sit next to me.

Then flashed a few more times of us together and paused one time in class when we were doing a project and we were sitting so close. She wanted to kiss me so bad, but was afraid of what her dad would do if he found out and how I would react.

Flash to little older, it was fifth grade she thought. She was looking for me all day, but I wasn't there. It was when I moved. The pain she felt almost brought me to tears. More quick flashes, too fast for me to even understand until it stopped at some kind of party in the woods.

I heard screaming and she was begging for it to stop, for someone to help her. She thought that her cousin was right cause if she wasn't drunk, it would hurt more. I began to wonder, what's happening? Was someone hurting her? Was someone raping her? I was beginning to panic myself until I heard a howling sound. She was in relieved and thought ‘It’s over; I'm just like the rest.’

Then I saw a giant medium color brown wolf.

I gasped, snapping my hand out of hers. I can't believe, I really can't. I heard the story of a family who were cursed by my people cause of the Salem Witch Trails. Juan Russo did some terrible things and three witches cursed him and his children and their children’s children. It would just go on and on. I have only met about two in my life before. Jaycee couldn't be, she just couldn't. I can't imagine her being a werewolf!

I have a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I heard other things about the family, like how they have special people who they belong with cause of our spirit put them together. Does that make me hers...

No, shut up! I thought.

“Hermes?” Jaycee questioned. Though it felt like ten minutes to me, it's only been a few moments for her.

I snatched my hand out of hers and angrily without looking at her I said, “Stay the hell away from me, Jaycee.” before walking away and I could breathe straighter now.