"Hey Luke!" She greeted in her bubbly warm voice, then proceeded to plop her tray down on my table. "Good morning to you too Rebecca." I glanced at the girl, taking in her beauty, her confidence, she was perfect for Tobias. Many days had passed since the encounter at the cafe. I resumed school the day after my short rest without any incidence. A few things had changed since then, my whole lunch dynamic changed.
Jonathan had been awfully quiet after that day, we hadn't spoken much and even at the bus stop I was left alone. The change was expected, but it was still strange, he wasn't well known for being cold, even the other students noticed it and found it odd. I'd been busy these past few weeks, turns out DeLark has more family history than expected, though it still couldn't find any photos. I've also successfully pissed Mr Milton out of his pants, my constant visits to the library always left him infuriated.
I glanced at Tobias, he was locked in conversation with his girlfriend. Why did they have to do this at my table, Rebecca just sat here one bleak day without invitation and now they do this everyday. Dance around each other and shove their love in my face, '*sigh* Jonathan should do something already.'. I'm getting bored waiting for him, I can't advance my plans if he keeps idle. I turned away from the loving couple to look at DeLark, he was chatting with his friends smiling ang laughing along with them. No one would know the real cold, strange and utterly wrong being hiding underneath his pale skin.
I expanded my veil stretching it forward towards Jonathan's table. It encased everything but him, in a way I was also present at their table, though I refrained from ease dropping. I'd done it before, nothing noteworthy was said, just normal teenagers discussing mundane things. It didn't feel right to listen in on their conversation again, though I tried to read Jess' lips on occasion. She talked a lot, it was a good way to practice my lip-reading skills, I hadn't gone far yet though. I could do it faster but not without using more invasive viewing.
I gradually grazed Jonathan's hand with the veil, the cold sick feeling came over me instantaneously, albeit less intense than the first time it happened to me. Jonathan paused his conversation to look my way briefly before resuming. I taunted him like this everyday, it helped me build resistance and also irritate him. I used my ability to also knock down his cutlery to the floor, he paused again to look at me before bending over to pick it up. I also started playing small pranks on him throughout the day, just small things like his pen going missing, a page of his books getting turned, his shoe laces getting untied or his cutlery falling on the floor. Simple things just to irk him, just like he irked me with his inaction. For the most part he was stoic seemingly unresponsive to my provocation, other times he indulged me, we even had another 'staring' contest. The mental clash was more heated this time and it earned us weird looks from the students.
Like I suspected he was holding back the first time, much to my horror, I didn't know how much he could truly give, I had to engage in more clashes to tests his limit.
"Hey Luke, you zoned out again." She said as she snapped her fingers in front of my face, calling my attention. "How can I help you Rebecca." I'd come to learn that Tobias' girl was very adamant when she wanted something and Tobias always pressured me to humor her. "I was wondering if it was a good idea to visit your home, I've been very curious about it." She said and I looked at Tobias for confirmation, his expression told me he wasn't in support. "I, not we?" I said in response hoping to pass the conversation back to Tobias.
She looked at me a frown settling on her face, glancing back at Tobias all she got as a deadpan expression. I didn't really see the issue with Miss Semorre visiting, Tobias wouldn't be the first to bring a love interest over, as long as she got along with the kids and they were supervised nothing noteworthy would happen. Then again it was just normal couple chatter, I reasoned that it was time I cut down on 'sleep' entirely and upscale my training regiment by a large margin. Instead of portioning my mind into two parts like I usually did during the night, I would divide it into four, each part taking a rest within equal time frames. I also had to leave the house at night to get a proper place to practice, the weights at home weren't as challenging anymore.
All this would happen while I observed Jonathan's property for a portion of the night.
The plan was mostly set, work in the late afternoon, meal and study time with the children in the evening, surveillance three hours at most, then training for the rest of the night. The only thing I had to worry about was Tobias, there's a possibility for him to discover my absence and make a huge deal out of it. 'I will give him a reasonable excuse.' I glanced at the lovestruck fool again, despite the fact that he was arguing with Rebecca about following us home, his lack of resolve and desire to swoon were clear in his eyes. '*Sigh* sometimes you embarrass me Tobias, how deeply does she have you hooked.'
We finished our meal and prepared to depart for our remaining classes but just as we were leaving a bright, bubbly girl came over. Jess walked up to me a smile on her face, I glanced back at her group, their eyes gleaming with interest, even Jonathan seemed mildly intrigued. "Hey Luke... ,hey Tobias, hey Rebecca" she greeted us, though Tobias and Rebecca's felt more like an after thought. "Good morning, how can I help you Jess." "A couple of things" her smile broadened "but I'll ask just one. I was wondering if you're free this afternoon.".
I looked behind her, Jonathan didn't give much away, but this felt oddly suspicious, what would Jess possibly want to discuss with me, we had no meaningful interaction before the cafe. "I'm sorry Jess I am very busy during the afternoons, as you've observed I work a part-time job." I'd made my decision, although I agreed to play into Jonathan's games, I wouldn't want anyone involved if possible. "Oh yes, I observed although I assumed you didn't work every afternoon." She said disappointment clear in her voice. Was I missing something here, why would she be disappointed, did DeLark compel her to do this. "How about the weekend?" She peeped up again. I was free on weekends but I didn't want to. "Yeah Luke you're free on weekends, you should be able to make time." Tobias steeped in before I could answer. 'Thank you again Tobias, you finally contribute when I don't need you.'
The anticipation was literally rolling off her, now I couldn't reject, I didn't have a good excuse to give thanks to certain loudmouth. "I'll adjust my schedule for the weekend." I shoot a quick glance at Tobias, I would make my disappointment known later. The pastel colored girl smiled, why did she smile so often? This was a glorified recon mission, 'I guess I should expect much, much worse from Jonathan.'
"Cool where and when can we meet up?" "Milford subway station, there's a wide variety of restaurants and cafes to choose from, I'll see you there on Saturday does 2pm work for you?" That was the most ideal location, open, busy and multiple access points for a quick escape. "Yeah 2pm is perfect, can I have your number, just in case anything comes up?" She said pulling out a notebook and pen from her bag. "I don't have a phone, you can take Tobias', contact him and I'll get the message."she looked at me bewildered, was having a phone a big deal now "Ohh... really, n-no problem then. You really should get a mobile, what if something urgent happens." Her voice had lost its usual enthusiasm again, I started to wander if Jonathan was responsible for her sudden mood. The lack of cold, soulless energy poking at my veil shut that theory down for now. "I have a landline, I can give it to you if you want, when someone answers just ask for me." That was the alternative though it wasn't the best for matters of privacy. "I'll take both." After giving her the landline and Tobias' number we said our goodbyes and left to our classes, but not before tripping Jonathan again on his way out.
'Change of plans, more precautions to take.' I now had to scout out the area before the meeting.