The Chosen - 5. Beginnings

[Chapter 5]

The car ride was silent except for the radio turned down low in the background. Kevin was still pretty out of it. I took my eyes from the road and glanced at Kevin. He was slumped in the passenger seat, head resting against the window and looking more tired than I have ever seen. I felt a pang in my heart. I hated to see anyone I cared about hurt in any way. This was the reason I fought. If the world were overrun by creatures from the Ever After then Hell itself would be unleashed upon Earth. There was no way I could let that happen. Not if I had the power to prevent it.

I glanced in the rearview mirror. Ryan sat in the backseat quiet and lost in thought. He gazed out the window no doubt trying to make sense of the sudden events. I sighed silently. I knew exactly what he was going through. I went through it two weeks ago.

I pulled up in front of Kevin's house and shook the sleeping boy's shoulder. "Hey, wake up, Kev," I said softly.

He awoke with a groan, opening his eyes and looking at me with an unfocused stare. "What? Oh, we're already here."

I frowned. "Are you going to be okay?"

He nodded, waving off my concern. "I'll be fine, bro. I just feel really tired. A little sleep and I'll be alright." He opened the door and stepped out. "I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Definitely."

Ryan got out of the back and came around to the passenger side. He shut the door for Kevin and I watched my best friend like a hawk as he made his way up the front porch. I didn't look away until Kevin waved at us and walked into his house. I prayed he would be okay. I hoped some sleep would do him good but I was still worried. It wasn't every day somebody I cared about got the energy sucked from them by a being from another realm. In television shows: all the time. Real life: not so much.

Ryan took off his glasses and slowly rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So we're going to your house next?"

I spared him a brief glance before returning my eyes on the road. "Nope. We're going to talk with the man who can answer all the questions I know you have."

He didn't ask anything else after that. I turned up the radio and let the soothing melody of a slow tempo song fill the silence. The Ruiz Estate was beautiful at night with its lawn lights shining muted lighting upon the grounds. I keyed in the code at the gate and drove up the drive leading to the mansion. Ryan studied the large estate that loomed ahead of us. He looked impressed. I felt the same way the first time I saw the sprawling grounds.

I parked in my usual spot near the garage. He followed along silently as I lead him into the house through the front door. I heard footsteps heading toward us as we entered the foyer. Nathaniel appeared from the hallway leading to the kitchen.

"Chad, I saw you pull up on the monitors is something..." Nathaniel trailed off when he saw I wasn't alone. "Oh, you brought company." He looked at Ryan, then really inspected him in earnest. Recognition was apparent in the widening of his eyes. "I see why."

Doing a very bad drum roll, I announced, "I introduce to you, Ryan Spencer. The champion of soul has awakened."

Nathaniel gave me a nonplussed look. He requested us to follow him before leading into one of the many living rooms the mansion had. This one was done with a tranquil theme in mind. The furniture was all white or cream I guess the color would be called. The paintings on the wall were of clouds and sandy beaches. Two large windows let in the moonlight from outside. I plopped down on the couch and Ryan sat beside me. Nathaniel took a seat in the armchair and there was an overall aura of tranquility about him.

"My name's Nathaniel Ruiz," he smiled gently. "Or that's my name in this life. I'm sure that you have many questions."

Ryan ran a shaky hand through his long dark hair. "I don't understand what the hell is going on. I have these memories that I didn't have this morning. They seem fresh but at the same time old," he said frustrated. "I'm just so confused."

Nathaniel's expression was sympathetic. "I think it's best if I start at the beginning."

"And God said let there be light," Ryan suggested with an almost shrug.

I shook my head. "The light didn't come for a long time, my friend."

A mirthless laugh left Nathaniel's mouth. "He's right. Darkness was here before the light. Eons ago, the world was ruled by demons, monsters, and things that people still remember in nightmares. They roamed this world unbidden, supreme in their cruelty and might. Humanity was beneath their notice since they saw mankind as little more than muck birthed from the primordial ooze."

"They were here before humans?" Ryan asked incredulously, trying to fathom it all. "Are you talking about the Jurassic period?"

I completely understood his skepticism. "The Earth's older than humans know. Before humanity learned to walk on two legs they were ruling their empires."

Nathaniel smiled at me in approval. "In their shadow, a species of human advanced to unimaginable heights. Before cavemen mastered fire this race crafted and built wonders surpassing even modern society. They were cousins of today's humans if you would like to think of them so."

What the jolly green giant? This was new. I hadn't heard this bit before. A race of humans that surpassed our level of evolution that lived alongside the ancient Homo erectus? It was mind-boggling. The knowledge would play havoc with the history books. It would throw the world for a loop. Speaking of people finding out stuff, why in the hell hadn't I heard any of this before. Nathaniel was normally tight-lipped about our past because I only got the watered down version of this story.

"These advanced humans lived in a city specifically created to protect and hide them from the evil creatures of the world," Nathaniel continued the elaborate tale. "The city was called Atlantis."

"Atlantis, as in the mythical city?" Ryan blurted out, his jaw looking like it was going to hit the floor.

Nathaniel nodded. "The very same. The Atlanteans ventured out of the city to teach the race of Men how to use tools, impart survival knowledge, and fight. And they began to thrive. The dark creatures eventually noticed that mankind was becoming a bothersome breed. They made war with each other, rising and falling in power, and eventually began a simultaneous war on Men. A war that mankind was not ready for. Scores of humans perished underneath the heels of the dark creatures of old until hope waned. Then They Above All, the collective deities who created the universe, stepped in."

"They endowed four humans with powers to fight back the darkness," I said, finishing for him. I felt a stirring within me. This sounded more familiar with every word. "They created the Chosen. Us."

They both looked at me. Nathaniel was surprised but pleased, and Ryan blinked at me with dawning understanding. I swallowed, my throat feeling suddenly dry. I was starting to remember more lately, especially when I slept. That was when my subconscious really went to work restoring memories in the form of dreams.

Nathaniel smiled. "Yes, the Chosen. They gave to the four of you powers greater than Men has ever seen."

"I was given the power of magic," I said slowly, reaching for the memory. It came to me as more of remembered feelings than anything of substance. "They Above All ordained me their champion of magic. I was an enchanter of the highest order. Not even the sorcerers could match me."

Nathaniel looked at Ryan who was concentrating very hard on what we were saying, as if he was, too, remembering.

"They Above All named you the champion of soul. You were gifted with an empowered spirit that gave your body enhanced abilities. You're faster and stronger than anything on this planet. At the height of your power, I witnessed you rip through a Goliath class tank with your bare hands. You have accelerated healing and a brilliant mind that blazes with a sage's wisdom."

I patted Ryan on the shoulder, who began to pale as each ability was ticked off. "Don't worry, buddy. We aren't the only freaks in the world. They're many people who are psychic and stuff. We're just the ones who have a destiny."

"So they gave us this power and then what?" Ryan asked, shooting me a wan smile.

"The war waged between mortals and the dark ones until Atlantis was conquered. In a desperate gamble, the Chosen used their combined power to send every demon, monster and dark creature to another dimension. They sealed it off and it has been for millennia. That feat killed you four. But your last act was to send your souls to the future to be reborn if ever the barrier would weaken and fail."

Ryan licked his lips, slowly, and said, "I can remember demons. Some were taller than skyscrapers and they were insanely powerful." He shook his head as if clearing his thoughts. He looked at Nathaniel and then me. "They're real," he said with conviction, his gaze turned inward. "Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, ghouls, banshees, mercreatures, trolls..."

Nathaniel nodded. "Yes, all of it is true."

"You're Nat'ahn," Ryan murmured, cocking his head. "You used to be our advisor, our trainer, our teacher."

"Your memories are better than mine," I muttered, crossing my arms. God, could I do anything freaking right? I couldn't even do the reincarnation thing well. I looked at Nathaniel curiously. "How were you reincarnated with us?"

"Everyone is eventually reincarnated," Nathaniel answered. "You four specifically threw your souls forward tied to the event of the barrier failing. But really souls tend to travel in the same circle of family, friends, and even enemies throughout our various lives. And that's why our souls recognize each other. So we can keep finding each other. That's what soul mates mean."

That sounded kind of Charmed-ish but I decided to let that go. Who knows maybe one of the writers was really a reborn Atlantean or something. I leaned back on the couch and stared out of the window. How had my life changed so much in such a short time? Getting my homework done on time used to be the only big concern. Now I have the world on my shoulders and billions of lives depend on me, on us now.

I hoped I was strong enough for this. I felt a tugging on my sleeve and I looked at Ryan. He and Nathaniel were watching me expectantly. Did I have something on my face? I almost reached up to the wipe my mouth.

"I called your name but you didn't answer," Ryan said, saving me from looking like an idiot. I wondered if I could make that his full time job. He seemed excelled at thinking on his feet.

Nathaniel frowned disapprovingly at my zone out. "I asked you about the creature you faced at the store. Ryan has told me his version of events."

I shrugged. What did he want me to say? "It was immune to my light magic. If I was in an open space I could've used some darker spells but there were too many people around." I thought about it some more and frowned. "I think he was some type of demon but it had human form. It talked like it had been formless before."

I watched as Nathaniel tapped his chin with his finger. He tended to do that when he was doing thinking heavily.

"Hmm... Some essences of demons have the ability to live on even if their bodies are destroyed. I suppose since it took human energy to incarnate then that's the body it was contained to."

Ryan nodded. He was doing that thoughtful face too. He didn't look lost or confused anymore. Where I was still feeling like I a fish out of water all of this seemed to have just clicked for him. I wanted to pout. Figured the gay superhero would suck ass. Man, I was really a statistic.

"It also mentioned the Coming?" I added, remembering the arrogant voice proclaiming his intentions like a bad supervillain. "Abholo said he was sent to reap souls or something. I honestly started to tune him out after a while."

"That doesn't ring any bells," Nathaniel muttered, thoughtfully. "The demon was obviously just a soldier. We can assume the Coming is the breaking of the barrier and the return of the dark ones."

Ryan frowned heavily. "Hell on Earth."

"Just like Pinhead wanted in Hellraiser three," I added jokingly.

They both stared at me. I looked down at the floor. Sheesh. Tough crowd in here tonight. I thought we moved on past the severity of the situation just for a brief moment. My timing was never right.

"So what do we do now?" Ryan asked, wringing his hands together.

I stared at those hands wondering if this was a habit just as Nathaniel tapped his chin when in thought. I had to really concentrate to stop staring and pay attention to the conversation. My attention span was frighteningly short. That should be noted on a record somewhere.

"I think for now you should start freeing up your afterschool schedule," Nathaniel proposed.

I couldn't resist putting in, "Because it's training time."

Ryan grimaced at seeing the evil smile on my face. "Training to use my abilities as the Executioner, I guess?"

Nathaniel nodded. "That's correct. You need to be prepared in case you come against any beings from the Ever After. They can crossover at any point and time. And our standing mission, for now, is to locate the two other Chosen."

"Speaking of finding the other Chosen," I said turning to Nathaniel. "How did you find me? I hadn't met you before that day at the mall and you knew me by name..."

"A witch in a coven near Portland had a prophetic dream of our meeting," he replied with a shrug. "One of them happened to be an old friend of mine."

A coven of witches. Wow. I had to start getting used to hearing strange things like that. I glanced at Ryan and he seemed to be taking it in stride. He must really be bonding well with the memories available to him. I knew from the little memories that I had the world used to be one freaky place and that really didn't sit well with me. God, I was such a wuss. I hope that soon I would get the hang of this past life stuff. My memories only wanted to kick in at the most random times.

I couldn't help asking the question that ran through my earlier thoughts. "Um... Not that I'm unhappy with this recent divulgence of the truth but why now?" I asked with a hint of suspicion. "Usually when I ask about our past lives you get all broody and a little emo. Just like the Kardashians whenever someone mentions Khloe maybe having a different father than the other siblings."

Nathaniel lowered his head, eyes turning dark with suppressed emotions. He looked at me and his sorrow was clear now. "I regret not telling you the entire truth, but my memories are more complete than yours," he sighed heavily. "For me, the grief is still too near." He smiled a small, thin smile. "But I can't keep you in the dark any longer."

"So you have all of Nat'ahn's memories?" Ryan asked intrigued.

Nathaniel answered solemnly, "I'm Nathaniel Ruiz but also Nat'ahn, advisor of the Chosen. There is no distinction. All that he was I am now. We're one and the same."

That made a lot of sense. It explained why he spoke so formally at times. Nathaniel normally talked like your modern Englishman, complete with accent, but it was times like this when his voice became stronger and more regal that his past self was in the forefront of his consciousness. In a few years, my memories would be complete too and eventually merge with my own mind. It was worrisome but Nathaniel seemed fine. It's not like his mind had been overwritten with his former memories. My soul was what made me, well me, and that wouldn't change, so I wasn't worried. Much.

A beeping jarred me from my musing. I started at the sound and looked at Ryan who was checking his phone. From the look on his face, I figured he was reading a text.

"My dad sent me a text message," Ryan answered our inquisitive looks. "He just got called in at the hospital and wants me home."

I nodded and stood up. Ryan rose also and we made our way to the front door with Nathaniel seeing us out. He suggested we return tomorrow for training. I stuck out my lip in a pout hoping for at least a day off but Nathaniel just smirked. I guess that was a big no. Heartless bastard.

"So your dad's a doctor?" I asked Ryan as I turned onto the freeway.

Ryan smiled and nodded. "Yeah. He's pretty great. Dad and mom are divorced. She works in D.C."

"Washington?"

"Yeah," he answered, gazing out the window at the passing cars. "She's a federal marshal."

I raised both eyebrows. I had to remember to keep my eyes on the road or I would have turned to him grinning like an idiot. I didn't know anyone with a job like that outside of movies like The Fugitive or Con Air.

"That's so cool," I smiled, with so much admiration in my voice one would think it was Ryan who was the marshal and not his mother.

Ryan shrugged losing his smile. "Its okay," he muttered, almost bitterly. "She's never home so when it came time to choose which parent to live with I chose dad. He works crazy hours but at least he doesn't leave for months at a time."

Ouch. I obviously hit upon a sore subject. I felt a little like an ass but how was I supposed to know that his home life was a mess. My name wasn't Shawn Spencer and this wasn't an episode Psych.

"So what do your parents do?" Ryan asked suddenly.

Change of subject. Thank you.

"Well, mom is a journalist and so was my dad before he died," I said, calmly without any hitch in my voice at mentioning my father. It took years to work through and I was proud. Go team me. "They were partners. He died in a car accident when I was younger."

Ryan looked at me with wide eyes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

I waved off his apology. I had heard it before. "Nothing to be sorry for. It was a long time ago. Not like you knew." I decided to change the
subject before it got silent again. "I have a pain in the ass little sister. What about you? Any brothers or sisters?"

Ryan shook his head shrugging a little. "I'm an only child."

"Lucky," I breathed out in a low, awe filled voice. "Take it from me, dude. Siblings are a pain and you're better off."

He laughed and it was the first time I had really heard him laugh. It made me laugh too. Not like my joke was that funny but the laughter was just contagious. Must be the steam we still needed to blow off from the fight earlier. Ryan pointed to an exit marker and I got off the highway. I had to admit that being a doctor really paid off. We drove past a row of houses situated on the edge of a sandy beach, prime location and easily worth six figures. In the distance glinting off the light of the stars and moonlight was the ocean. The real estate market in Centennial was not cheap anywhere, especially not the beach.

Ryan's house was a large colonial-style villa that lawned just above the beach. It was a pristine white even in the night. I could make out dark shutters and a large wraparound porch.

"I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow," I said.

He sighed, looking unsure and determined. How that was possible I don't know. I guess it was his natural shyness plus the fact he now knew we weren't just ordinary friends, but brothers in arms. I touched his shoulder. I knew what he was feeling. It was a lot to think about. Hell, he had gone through way more than I did when I was first awakened, so the overwhelming feeling was magnified for him. At least he had a better grip on his memories than I did to help him. I was still grasping at straws with this whole hero business.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Ryan mumbled, getting out of the blazer. "I think I'm going to have some interesting dreams." He smiled that small shy smile and waved as I drove off.

I glanced at the time on the dashboard as I turned onto the highway and merged with traffic. It was going on midnight. I told my mom I would be back before eleven. I swore. Loudly. It was a school night too. Fuck.

"My ass is grass," I groaned, slapping my palm against the steering wheel. "She's going to forking kill me."

I prayed to God and even They Above All, the deities Nathaniel always mentioned, when I parked in the driveway. Mom's room was on the first floor and her bedroom light was on through the window. Dammit. Mom was still up but at least she was in her room. That meant all I had to do was sneak into the house, up the stairs to my room, and be in bed before she walked around the house in jail warden mode. Here I go.

I got out of the car, said a silent Hail Mary, and sprinted across the lawn, ducking behind the hedges in front of the windows. I crawled on my hands and knees to the front door. Just a yard to go. Easy as pie. I slowly stood up, looking around to make sure no one was watching. I could do this. Just had to be sneaky. I eased my key into the lock holding my breath as the door opened squeak free. Success. Light illuminated from the hallway to my right that led to the master bedroom, mom's room. I did a barrel roll that would have made a Power Ranger proud and hopped to my feet right before the stairs. I was practically home free. I gyrated my body a little, pop and locked and grinned like an idiot. Tom Cruise and Mission Impossible better take notes.

Light suddenly poured into the living room and I froze mid ass shake. Morgan leaned against the doorjamb of the kitchen smiling evilly. No. She wouldn't. Who the hell was I kidding? This was Satan's little helper, his shepherd. I met her eyes and they gleamed in triumph. I squared my shoulders knowing doom was at hand.

I shook my head and muttered, "You bitch," just as she smirked at me and called out, "MOM, CHAD JUST GOT HOME!" drowning out my voice and making my heart speed up with the thoughts of what was to come.

Morgan blew a kiss and skipped up the stairs, as the sound of footsteps came from the direction of my mother's bedroom.

I glared at her. Sometimes I have dreams about her. In them dark things happen. Things that make me smile.

"So you know they're calling it a terrorist attack?"

I was interrupted from my musing to see Kevin looking at me expectantly. We were in Geometry and Mr. Reece had allowed us to work in pairs. It was one of those goofy assignments where we analyzed rulers and shapes, and whatnot just plain wasting time, which was exactly what he was going for. I loved the teacher's fresh from college. They were so easy and laid back. They were practically students themselves only with authority.

"Who is calling what a terrorist attack?" I asked bending the little plastic ruler Mr. Reece had given us.

Did I mention I had issues with my attention span? If it was something related to science fiction I was attention boy, anything else and I was off buying a ticket to a train headed to la-la land. It usually wasn't a round trip ticket.

Kevin sighed, looking at me nonplussed. After a night of sleep, he was fine and the effects from the attack were nonexistent, which I was glad to hear.

"I'm talking about everything that happened at Barnes & Noble yesterday, genius," he reminded me, hitting my hand with his pencil.

I stopped playing with the ruler to give him my full undivided attention. Which was why he had hit me in the first place. See, I knew when to take a hint. I wasn't that unfocused. My gaze strayed to the silver bracelet dangling from Kevin's wrist. Shiny. Kevin slapped my fingers that tangled themselves in the links of his bracelet. This was abuse.

"Chad, lunch is in twenty minutes," he told me patiently. "You always get spacey whenever you skip breakfast." He reached into his backpack and slid a Pop-tart onto my desk. "Here you go. That should hold you until then. Now pay attention, asshole."

I popped a piece of the Pop-tart into my mouth and grinned sheepishly at him. He rolled his eyes seeing that I had given him my full attention now. He muttered something about my stomach eating my body or my head being fat but I couldn't hear him that well. He whispered lower than Selena Gomez's vocal range.

Kevin gave me an exasperated look and tried again. "I heard on the news they're calling what happened at the store a targeted terrorist attack."

This was news to me. "Really? I think it was the extreme temperature caused everyone to just fall out," I lied, crossing my fingers underneath the desk. What was I five? Old habits die hard. "It was freezing."

Kevin snorted. "Then what happened to the store?" he asked skeptically. "It looked like a war had gone on."

"Earthquake?" I suggested with wide eyes full of innocence. Or what I hope was innocence. I always got my guilty and innocent expressions mixed up. I had to work on that.

A raised eyebrow was the response to my answer. "Yeah right," he muttered. "Like an earthquake did all that. Something happened and it's bugging me because I don't have a clue even though I was there."

This was bad. I never expected Kevin to wind up in the middle of my extra-curricular activities. It was just my luck at the first sign of something out of the ordinary that he went and turned into a fucking Hardy Boy.

"Kevin," I called getting his attention. "It was just a freak accident. Let it go, man. No need to get all Horatio Caine on me. Everything is a mystery if you really think about it. Life, death, earth, the sun, hot pockets," I rambled on trying to make some kind of sense. Where in the hell was I going with this? "Let this just be another one." I finished lamely.

Another scrutinizing look was directed at me. "I guess I could let it go," he said slowly, staring at me as if I were a body snatcher. I suppose rambling wasn't a positive sign of honesty. "I figured you more than anybody would want to know what happened. You're always going on about your mystery soaps on TV."

"Mystery dramas," I corrected, narrowing my eyes. The bastard knew I hated soap operas with the passion of a thousand burning suns. "This is real life and not TV. Curiosity killed the cat."

He smirked, honey brown eyes twinkling. "But satisfaction brought him back."

I rolled my eyes. "Kevin?"

"Yes, friend dearest to my heart," he said, sugary sweet, batting his eyelashes at me.

I gave him an equally sweet smile. "Please go play in traffic."

The bell rang and I jumped. Lunchtime already. I was grateful that Kevin had transferred into my geometry class. It made the time go by so much faster. We originally didn't have any classes together this semester but Kevin had been sure that his old geometry teacher was intentionally failing him, so a word to his parents, and then a conference with the principle, and here we are, presto change-o. That boy was ingenious when he put his mind to something. Sometimes it was like he was playing chess while the rest of us played checkers.

"Lunchtime!" I shouted gleefully clapping my hands, bouncing a little on the balls of my heels as everyone made their way toward the classroom door.

Kevin blinked at me. Then he blinked again. "Sometimes I think you would sell our friendship or your soul for just a donut..."

"Of course," I answered promptly, shooting him an offended expression.

"You bitch!" Kevin shot back, leaping at me.

A sound that sounded a bit dolphin-like left my lips. I ducked out of his grasp with a swiftness that had him baffled. I laughed at his dumbfounded look. All that training was paying off in my civilian life. I stuck my tongue out at him and he growled at me when I laughed in his face. Giving him a smart salute, I jogged out of the door and sprinted down the hallway with Kevin right on my heels.

Our school had a cafeteria but for the most part, everyone ate outside. Tables were setup up circling around a huge courtyard. More tables sitting on a higher level overlooked those tables in the center courtyard. Like in every high school all the cliques sat together at their own table. I tended to think Centennial High had an unknown but acknowledged social ranking system in place. Those that were loners were at the bottom-level five. They had no friends and kept to themselves.

Kids with no one outside of their grade knowing their name were at a level four. Level three was the kids that were known by those in and below their grade level. Those at level two, Kevin, and myself were known by those by all those in our grade, below it, and by a handful of older students in the junior and senior level.

"Hey, guys."

We returned the greeting and sat down in the empty spots. Then you have Killian Morris, a level one. Those that were level one were so popular that everyone in the school and even kids at other schools knew their name. People talked about Killian as if he were the local equivalent of a Hollywood celebrity. Of course, you could consider him famous. His face had graced dozens of Calvin Klein ads. He had over one million followers on Instagram and even dedicated fan pages. He had strawberry blond hair with hints of red, stunningly green eyes and his tanned skin was blemish free. Years of playing soccer had given his tall frame a perfect athletic build.

Kevin slapped Killian a five. "Hey, dude. Thanks for saving us a seat."

Killian smiled a bright smile that made me want to reach for sunglasses. I rolled my eyes and said hi to our other friends sitting at the table. Our table could be considered a popular table. I never thought of it as such, since I had known these kids my whole life. The table was made up of what colleges like to call "well rounded" students. We all participated in clubs, athletics, and school organizations.

"Chad," greeted Killian, his smile a little fixed and looking frozen on his face.

My smile was equally forced. "Killian," I replied neutrally.

Kevin looked back and forth between us, frustrated. He sighed and rolled his eyes. I could see our friends make similar exasperated expressions as they carried on their own conversations. Someone brought up a topic, creating an open discussion and breaking the tension that sizzled in the air. I stabbed at the meatloaf on my plate. Did I forget to mention that while being the most popular boy in school, Killian Morris was also my frenemy? Let me break that down. While being friends, we were also enemies. Sounded like some Gossip Girl shit but it is what it is.

It started in middle school. I went with Killian, Kevin and a few of our friends to see a movie after school. The movie was some cheesy action movie. I thought the lead actor sucked and I made my displeasure known. Killian got all uptight and started defending the guy. Not just defending but two inches from my face swearing and yelling.

Turned out the guy was his uncle. Small world. Instead of backing down and apologizing, I laughed and told him his uncle was a "no talent actor who really needed a refresher course in the fundamentals of life". What can I say; I get a little bitchy when people cuss me out. It just brings out my inner bitch like no other. Long story short, Killian pushed me so I hauled off and punched him in the face. His eye ended up turning a very unattractive shade of green and black.

Somebody failed to mention that Killian had a photo shoot the next day for a new ad campaign for Gap jeans. Make up can do wonders but only so much. He lost the ad and all like of everything Chad Summers. Did I care? Nope. If the conceited asshole wanted to act like my better, he could go right ahead, I disliked him just as much. The only reason we never came to blows again was only due to Kevin. He played mediator and buffered our arguments so the rest of our friends didn't have to deal with our drama. Plus, Kevin really didn't want to have to fight his friend. Everyone knew that if I got into a fight Kevin was jumping in to have my back. It was a given.

"Anyone ready for Friday's football game?" Liam asked, barely glancing up from his phone. His fingers were flying rapidly through the Snapchat app so he wouldn't lose his streak. Obsessed.

Kevin nodded, grinning. When the topic of sports comes up and the boy turned into a hyperactive puppy. "I'm really excited. It's the first one of the year."

"Who are we playing again?" Ashley asked, twirling a strand of her long, and very straight black hair.

Matt snorted and gave her a patronizing look. "And you made the cheerleading team and student council how again?"

"Easy," giggled Kim, her best friend, and fellow varsity cheerleader. "She has friends in high places." She puffed her ample chest out and pointed at herself. "Me."

"We're playing West High," Matt answered, playfully rolling his eyes. He was second-string cornerback on Varsity. He was built with enough muscle for two people. But with his rounded features, curly afro, and deep brown eyes he looked too friendly to appear intimidating.

"If anyone needs a ride I'm offering," I threw in, taking a bite of meatloaf.

Killian made a sound in his throat and muttered softly, "I would rather die."

My jaw clenched and my eyes bored into him. "Please do."

"You first," he shot back, his voice dripping with ice.

I smiled at him. "Sure. I'll save you a place in hell so you can sit with your no acting ass uncle."

"Oh my, God," Kevin snapped, glaring. "Will you two shut up. Now rein in your inner Taylor Swift and Katy Perry."

Killian's green eyes turned back to me. "One day it's going to be just you and me, asshole."

I smiled sweetly, cocking my head. "Bring it, bitch."

Kevin turned his head to look at Killian. His gaze once annoyed and frustrated turned a little harder. It was odd and disconcerting to see on his usually smiling and friendly face. It caused all conversation at our table to stop and even I held my breath. It was freaky. He should teach a class on glaring, cause right now if I didn't know him I probably would have peed my pants.

"If you fight Chad you fight me, Killian," Kevin intoned, voice hard as stone. "So don't write checks with your mouth that your ass can't cash."

I felt prouder than ever to have Kevin as a friend at this moment. Killian rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath. Nobody said anything for half a minute. Gradually the silence filled and the brief argument was forgotten. As long as Killian and I didn't say anything directly to each other there was peace at the table.

I looked across the courtyard taking in the sights of all the other kids eating their lunches when I spotted a lone figure sitting at a table near us. I took in the black hair and the familiar thin glasses. The boy brushed a length of hair behind his ear and I knew who it was. I frowned. Why was Ryan sitting by himself? I knew he was a little shy, but he had to have some friends.

"Ryan!" I called without giving it a second thought.

His head along with a great number of other curious people snapped their gazes at me. I blushed a little but ignored the stares. Ryan smiled that timid smile and gave a half wave. He turned back to his lunch but I was having none of that. I called his name again and waved him over. He looked at me with a weird stare. Disbelief, gratification and confusion were the most prominent emotions I could see play across his pale face as he stood up and made his way over.

"Chad have you lost your mind!" Killian hissed. "We can't have him sit with us. It will be social suicide."

Kim made a face. "Sometimes you're just so dramatic, Killian." She looked at me curiously. "What he meant was Chad, what's with the outreach program? Since when do you know this kid."

"We met him yesterday at Barnes & Noble," Kevin said, shooting me a confused expression but coming to my rescue anyway.

Ashley gasped. "You guys were there at the attack?"

I nodded. "We'll tell you about it."

Matt held Killian with a hard look as Ryan neared the table. "Don't be an ass, Killian. He was in the attack yesterday and doesn't need your shit. None of them do so don't start anything."

"I won't say anything mean," Killian said, seriously. "I'm a little harsh sometimes but I'm not the devil."

That remains to be seen. But this was the reason that all of us never wrote Killian off. Beneath his self absorbed and shallow shell there was a slightly less self-absorbed and shallow person beneath.

"Hey, Ryan," I smiled and motioned for him to sit down.

He looked at us through his bangs, smiling timidly, hesitating slightly before sitting in the empty chair in front of me. He shyly met the watchful eyes and I could see the confused expressions fade replaced by more warm and easing smiles. All of us were naturally easygoing people. It wasn't in our nature to be naturally mean to anyone. Not even Killian was an outright bastard. I might be just a little be biased toward him so excuse me.

"Hey there, dude," Liam said, his bright smile visibly setting Ryan more at ease.

Ryan smiled back bashfully. "Hi."

I could practically read Kim and Ashley's minds. They thought he was adorable judging by their dopey smiles and shiny eyes. One by one my friends traded back questions with Ryan trying to get put him more at ease and open. We touched lightly on the attack and then moved on. They got to know him and I could see their smiles became more real the further they talked to him. They really liked him. Ryan, while still a little shy and awkward, was more open once he realized none of us were going to make fun or something. Once you got him talking we all realized that he had a very dry sense of humor that cracked us up whenever he joked offhandedly.

Killian studied Ryan silently for a minute and we all noticed. I held my breath and I could see the others tense up preparing for a cutting retort. If he so much as raised his voice I was ready to kick him in the throat.

"You know what," Killian said slowly, still staring at Ryan. "I was all ready to dislike you and wish you were elsewhere, but I've decided to like you. You should definitely sit with us more often."

Kevin practically beamed at Killian. He nodded at Ryan. "Definitely. You're stuck with us now, man."

Ryan blushed and ducked his head. "Cool."

I smiled. Cool indeed.

Training later today. Not cool.