When I pulled into the the place where the trail into the woods was I paused. I wanted to go into the forest but something told me I should wait. I scanned the trees wishing it would be the bear. I reached for my backpack only to realize I didn't have a gun.
I shoved the backpack away in frustration and stared at the forest until my eyesight started to get funky. I finally put the car in reverse and was starting to back up when I saw a man walk out of the trees. I stopped the car and stared at him.
There was something off about him. Aside from the fact that I had never seen him before in my life. Maybe it was the way he walked. He walked like a predator, like someone who could seriously harm you. Or even kill you. I got out my map and marked the spot where he had walked out of the woods.
The man had come out of the woods five feet from the entrance to the trail. I stared at the expanse of trees trying to see past their thickness. I was focusing so hard that when my phone rang I jumped and hit my head on the ceiling of the car. I checked the number and gave it a sour look. I answered the phone and was immediately bombarded with questions.
"Jace where the hell have you been? Do you know what time it is? Annie is pissed really pissed." Alice paused to catch her breath. I took a minute debating as usual if I should tell her the truth.
"I got caught up with something." I finally said. "I'm heading back now. Can you tell her I'm sorry and I'll explain when I get back to school?"
I could all but see Alice's head going up and down. "Okay, hurry up though the teachers are getting suspicious already. Annie's been telling them all sorts of things to get them off your ass." There was a pause. "
Wait did you just say you'll explain to her but not me?" I shook my head and grinned like an idiot. "Don't worry about it okay?" I replied. She mumbled something and hung up. Putting my cell phone down I backed up onto the road and started to drive back to school.
I drove faster than I usually did making it back to school by lunch time. After parking my car I got out and headed into school. I stopped at Annie's locker but she wasn't there. So I headed to the cafeteria.
I couldn't believe he missed math. I stared at my food deep in thought. "Can I join you?" I took my time as I turned in my seat. Jace stood in front of me with a guilty look on his face. I glared at him and got up to clear my tray. He followed me.
"Oh come on Annie, I'm sorry, I really am." I ignored him as I headed out of the cafeteria. He reached out and grabbed my arm and jerked me to face him. "What!?" I demanded as I stared into his eyes. A very nice shade of green.
He started to laugh. I shook his hand off and glared at him trying not to smile. "You're a jerk you know that?" My words didn't have much of an effect since I too had started laughing. We stood there grinning at each other like a couple of idiots until a student walked by and looked at us like we were crazy. I looked at Jace and burst into laughter again.
I turned and headed towards me locker. "So you're not mad at me?" The question made me smile.
"I haven't decided yet. After all you did miss math. That and I went through a lot of trouble to save your sorry ass from suspension so again, I don't know."
I busied myself with the things in my locker. When I finally closed the door Jace was still standing there but with a haunted look in his eyes. I froze.
"Maybe we should skip this period." I said, sensing something was off.
He nodded and turned and walked away. I rolled my eyes. "Jeez thanks just leave me here." Jace kept walking. I clutched my books to my chest and ran after him.
I finally found him on the bleachers. I sat next to him. "You know when someone is following you, it's nice to know where they are heading." I said.
Jace didn't respond. I looked around and took the bait that he was obviously dangling in front of me. "Okay, what happened?" I asked.
He finally looked at me. "I don't know exactly, all I know is that what I saw didn't feel right." I took a deep breath.
"Okay, what did you see?" I looked at him. After a minute his eyes met mine.
"I saw a man coming out of the woods." I huffed and looked away.
He gave a shallow laugh. "I know what your thinking, but he came out of the woods five feet from the trail entrance. Not only that but he gave me the impression that he was a dangerous male."
Jace looked at me while I tried to process what he was saying. "So you're saying what?" I asked slowly.
Jace looked away. "I have puzzled over my father's death for a while. Every time I go into the woods there is never any sign of a bear. No sign at all. Like it just vanished or it was never there at all."
I stared at Jace with a stupid expression on my face. "You think your dad was murdered." I said. He nodded.
I threw my hands up. "Okay, now you got my attention. You think your dad was murdered not slaughtered by a bear?"
Jace nodded again. I sighed. "Now that may very well be true. The only problem is no one would believe you. Heck even if I backed you up, they still wouldn't believe us. Your the flunking hunter's son who can't handle his dad's death and skips school constantly. Me, I'm the transfer student with a bad rap sheet."
Jace just looked out onto the field. "I mean c'mon we're not exactly believable material. No one believes teens like us. Your folks will just think its just another stage of grief because of your dad's death, and my folks will think I'm on crack."
Jace had started to grin. I smiled and looked away. "you need to stop doing that." He gave me an innocent look.
"Stop doing what?" I gave him a pointed look.
"I think you know damn well what i am talking about." He kept staring at me. "I don't think i do. Why don't you explain it to me?"
I slapped his arm and he caught my hand and pulled me towards him. I stiffened as our faces became so close together our breath mingled. I swallowed hard.
I stared into Jace's eyes for what seemed like ages. "Mr. Montgomery, Miss Black what are you doing?"
I jumped away from Jace willing my blush to go away. "Nothing Mrs. Tenton we were uh just..." I bit my lip. "Report to the principal office at once both of you."
I started to protest. "No buts Miss Black." I grabbed my backpack and glared at Jace. I stepped down off the bleachers and headed to the principal's office. The gym group walked out right then and the students stared at us pointing and whispering. Jace walked closer and put his arm around my waist pulling me closer.
I glanced at him. "I hate you right now and the only reason I'm not breaking your arm is because I don't want to be suspended." I felt Jace shake with silent laughter.