Ember Rising Light (Book One) Read online

  Chapter Fourteen

  The school nurse told me to come back during my lunch break. I guess since I’m not contagious, she feels like I can wait. She obviously believes that I don’t need to eat, either. After filling out a late slip, she sent me to class.

  Krista was very excited to see me. She had this unknowable smile on her face as I offered the nurse’s note to my teacher. My best friend was sitting in the back of the class. I was located conspicuously in the second row from the front. Somehow, she still managed to pass me a note. It read, “I’ve gotta talk to you after class – LIFE & DEATH STUFF”.

  The last line would’ve had me panicked, but the silly smiley face at the bottom of the note suggested that everything was fine. I was very curious, though. I nodded my head to acknowledge her request.

  The class continued into a loud, whining infinity. I could actually feel my best friend fidgeting behind me. By the time the bell finally rang, I had already gathered my stuff together. I ran toward the door and pretended not to hear my teacher calling me to pick up the sheet I had missed this morning.

  We only had ten minutes between class changes. I had no idea how much of that time Krista would need to fill me in on whatever the ‘life or death’ situation was. Intrigued to the point of near desperation, I can’t afford to get distracted by some teacher…

  Noisy teenagers filled the hallway, but I had to keep moving. Krista must have some kind of super powers because she somehow, managed to catch me through the crowd. She led me through the masses, easily.

  “Did you see him??” she squealed in excitement once we were outside.

  Her high pitched voice made my ears whine even louder.

  “Him, who?” I asked in a low whisper.

  “Well, I don’t know his name yet – that’s why I just asked if you’d seen him! He was in the office this morning and since you came in late I thought you might have crossed paths. I tried to hang around the front desk area and find out something, but the vice principal told me to beat it.

  “So I accessed my large network before class started. They were useless. No one seems to know anything about him, at all. It’s so annoying – all my contacts and still I got NADA on him. What good does it do to maintain all these connections?? It takes a lot of effort to…”

  “Whoa, slow down…” I finally interrupted her.

  “Help me!” she exclaimed.

  “I take it that this guy is someone you want to know…” I inquired, feeling a little impish despite the head splitting pounding.

  “DUH, want to know, need to know, panting in anticipation at this point…it’s dire, Ember because all I have right now is a memory and nothing else…how can I possibly exist if I don’t know what to call him…it’s not like I can just say something like ‘hey you gorgeous new guy’ although that’s the truth of the matter and…” my best friend continued to ramble on.

  The warning bell rang out and everyone was scattering quickly. Krista still held my arm in a vice grip and continued to talk over the ringing. She was determined to extract the information from me somehow, although I didn’t have any to give her.

  “Okay, okay – I will find out what I can, but you have to let go of my arm. I’ve gotta do something before our next class starts. I’ve already used my tardy for the day,” I stated urgently and she released me.

  I ran down the side of the building and almost collided with a group of guys as I hurried through the doorway. They were forced to jump out of my way and then they muttered something under their breath. I said, “Sorry” and kept on running. The whining in my ears increased in intensity from my mad dash. Blood painfully, gushed behind my ears.

  Tray was leaning against the wall, just outside of his next class. I was breathless by the time I reached him. His eyes were wide with alarm.

  “Whoa, Ember…what’s wrong?? Why are…” Tray asked in a panic and prepared to continue hurling questions at me.

  I motioned for him to stop, because I didn’t have time for his usual inquest.

  “No…nothing’s wrong…just need…your help…who’s…new guy…” I choked out between gasps.

  “What? I can’t understand you??”

  “Find out about the new guy, please – for Krista…” I stated breathlessly.

  “New guy grilling – you got it,” Tray replied happily when he understood that I simply need a favor.

  I kissed his cheek and bolted to my second period class. I squeaked in under the wire.

  Krista managed to catch me between every class period, although her other morning classes are on the opposite side of campus. I told her that I won’t know anything until at least, lunch time, but she couldn’t contain her excitement. She found me, anyway. Since she never gave me a chance to speak, she would have no idea how I’m getting the information.

  Tray has a ‘way’ with the administrative staff. I figure the vice principal won’t tell him to leave like he did with Krista. By lunch time he should have the information.

  I sure hope my best friend can maintain that long without it…