Pure Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #3) (13 page)

Rising that morning, he felt his agitation
grow and couldn’t argue his way out of it. Rosie’s chipper chatter
distracted him a little on the way to school, but the sensation of
dread filled his entire system when he pulled into the lot.

Cutting the engine, he gazed through the
windshield in stunned silence as he watched a male model dismount
his girlfriend’s bike, taking her helmet and flashing her a
twinkling smile. She grinned back at him and let her gaze drop to
the tarmac.

Harrison slammed his way out of the car,
reminding himself to be calm as there was probably a very simple
explanation. Gemma caught his eye as he approached and shot him a
warning look before subtly shaking her head and walking away from
him as if he didn’t exist. He thought he might disintegrate the
strap of his bag he was gripping it so tightly. Gritting his teeth,
he entered the school beneath a black cloud and remained there
until he managed to catch Gemma alone after first period.

Dragging her towards the girls’ bathroom, he
looked both ways before hauling her into the end stall and locking
the door.

“What is going on? Who is that guy?”

“His name’s Simeon.” She drew in a shaky
breath. “He’s an exchange student from out west and is going be
living with our family for the rest of the year.” Her eyes welled.
“I’m so sorry I had to ignore you this morning. I just can’t have
my parents finding out about you. If your name’s even mentioned at
home they’ll figure it out.”

“What, so you’re just going to ignore me for
the rest of the year?”

“I don’t know.” A few tears escaped and he
wiped them away with a gentle finger. “It’s worse than that. Mom
said last night that he’s my match.”

“Your match?” His confusion dissipated as he
caught her helpless look. “No. No way.”

“They control every aspect of my life,” her
voice shook. “Did we honestly think they wouldn’t try this as well?
Who the hell were we kidding?!”

Her tears were falling in rapid succession
now and Harrison couldn’t keep up. Ripping off some toilet paper,
he dabbed her cheeks then rested her head in his palms.

“You and me. That’s what’s going to happen at
the end of the day.”

Her head bobbed, but he could tell she didn’t
believe him. Sniffing loudly, she blew her nose once then caught
sight of her watch. “I have to go. I can’t skip class. He’ll know
and my parents… I just have to go.”

She brushed his cheek with a soft kiss before
pushing past him. He remained in the stall, frozen by bad luck.
Closing his eyes, he whacked his head against the tiles and cursed.
One thing was for sure, he wasn’t spending the rest of the year
watching his girlfriend be polite to some guy her parents had hand
picked for her.

The rest of the morning was hell and didn’t
get any better when lunch rolled around. He ignored Gemma’s
pleading glances and sat at her table anyway. He got a questioning
look from Darren, but shook it off. Hopefully the guy would deduce
that it was just plain jealousy, which he couldn’t deny was part of
it. Simeon was as smooth as coffee. His laughter was rich, his
smile was scintillating and girls were being drawn towards him from
every corner of the cafeteria.

Harrison sat in disgusted silence watching
him entertain the overflowing table. Gemma sat beside him meekly,
smiling politely and laughing when appropriate. She did everything
not to look at Harrison, which was driving him crazy since he
couldn’t take his eyes off her.

The lunch bell rang and the hoard dispersed.
Simeon left for the one class he and Gemma didn’t share. Harrison
loitered in the background while he watched her give him
instructions then caught his wink.

“I’ll see you in History.”

“See ya,” she mumbled with a wave.

“Oh my gosh!” Rosie grabbed her shoulder; her
eyes alight with pure idolization.

“Yeah, he’s pretty… He’s…”

“Perfect.” Rosie breathed before floating out
the door after him.

Harrison sidled up beside Gem and wove his
fingers into the hair at the base of her neck. She usually smiled
indulgently when he kneaded her neck, but much to his
disappointment, her eyes stay focused on the zipper of her bag.

“Perfect,” she repeated with a whisper.

“What? You think so too?” Harrison pulled his
hand away.

“No, that’s what my parents were talking
about.” She briefly relayed her eavesdropping from the week before,
reaching for his hand as they headed to class.

“Why didn’t you tell me this?” He pulled her
to a stop in the hallway.

“You’ve been kind of distracted.”

“Yeah, but not too distracted for you.” He
kissed her knuckles and she gifted him a warm smile.

“I didn’t want to ruin your high.”

“It’s my fault.” He shook his head, annoyed.
“I knew something was bugging you and I was just so wrapped up in
my stuff that I didn’t ask. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She pecked his lips.
“It doesn’t really make any difference now. I just…” She nibbled
her cheek.

“What?”

“Do you think there’s more at play here than
just my parents finding me a new boyfriend?”

“You’re wondering if it’s got to do with the
box?”

“Yeah, but I guess it doesn’t matter now…
since they won’t be able to find that last piece.” They continued
their reluctant walk to class.

“It could just be another way to keep an eye
on you.”

“I
know
it is!” Her groan was a
mixture of disgust and agony. “I just wasn’t sure if there was more
to it. My father did say he wanted to make the trip beforehand.
Well we haven’t gone anywhere, but… I’m sure they don’t have that
last piece. I just don’t know what to do.”

“We should stay wary. Whatever your parents
are up to, I don’t have a great feeling about this Simeon guy.”

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with the
fact my parents want me to marry him would it?” She tipped her head
with a droll look.

He sniffed out a chuckle before turning
serious. “They think you’re single, so…”

“But I’m not?”

“Does he know that?”

Gemma’s face puckered with irritation. “What
am I supposed to do, Harrison? If they find out about you, I don’t
know what they’ll do. I’m guessing it won’t be pretty.”

“Gem, we have to do something.” He forced his
voice to remain soft. “I’m not spending the rest of my school year
pretending not to know you. My name will come up in conversation.
Whether you like it or not he’s going to find out I exist.”

“I know.” Her shoulders slumped and she
stopped walking. She nibbled her cheek then squeezed his hand.
“Come on. I’ve got an idea.”

“Is it a good one?”

“I guess we’ll find out in a minute.” She
pulled him down the hallway and came to a halt outside Mr.
Glayson’s Physics class.

Knocking twice, she opened the door and asked
if Simeon could be excused for a moment as she forgot to tell him
some “first day” details. Her dazzling smile somehow gave
plausibility to her pathetic reasoning and they were soon all
standing outside the classroom.

Simeon eyed him with dark curiosity before
turning his charming gaze on Gemma.

“Is everything okay?” His voice was
silky.

Thankfully it didn’t turn Gemma to mush like
it did all the other girls. She got straight to the point.

“Here’s the thing. This is Harrison.” She
flicked her thumb towards him.

Simeon’s eyebrow rose, his eyes unable to
mask his disdain. Unaware, she ploughed on with her speech.

“He’s my boyfriend, but my parents don’t know
that. They think we broke up and they will freak out if they know
I’m back with him. I need you to not say anything. In fact I need
you to never mention his name, as though he doesn’t even exist. Got
it?”

“Yeah.” Simeon’s eyes flickered back to her
and softened with a smile.

“This is
really
important, Simeon.
I’ll know if you’ve told.”

“Why would I risk telling them and losing you
as a friend. You’re the only person I know in St Augustine.” His
smile was dream like, making Harrison’s stomach churn.

“Trust me, by the end of the day you’ll
probably have a flock of swooning females following you home.”

Simeon leaned forward, his nose just inches
from Gemma’s. “I’ve only got my eye on one.”

Scarlet red flashed before Harrison’s eyes as
he stepped in and wrapped a firm arm around Gemma’s shoulders.

“She’s taken.” He barely got the words out,
his teeth were clenched so tightly. Simeon nodded, unfazed, and
shone them both a confident smile.

“See you after school, Gem.”

Harrison’s grip tightened as he watched the
guy leaving.

“Okay, that actually hurts now.” Gemma’s
voice was calm.

He quickly released her. “Sorry.”

Stepping right up to him, so their bodies
were touching, she ran her hand over his cheek.

“I love
you
, not him… just you. So
please, don’t get jealous. Trust what I just told you and
don’t
get jealous.”

She then lavished him with an affirming kiss.
His body sparked with flames the whole way to class, but it did
nothing to ward off the icy chill of foreboding.

Chapter
Eighteen

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – 2011AD

Gemma returned her surfboard to its home in
the garage. Turning back, she took Simeon’s and leant it against
the wall next to hers.

“That was a good swell today. I got some
pretty decent rides in.”

Gemma nodded with a smile. She didn’t want to
admit how much fun she’d had. Simeon was an able surfer and it
reminded her of some fun times with Dom.

“Did you two have a good time?” Penelope
greeted them with a grin as she danced down the steps.

According to Gemma’s mother things couldn’t
be going better. Simeon’s first two days at school had been a huge
success. He had fitted easily into her group of friends and he
seemed to enjoy all his classes. Thankfully he’d kept his mouth
shut about Harrison, but Gemma was on edge waiting for him to slip
up.

Once the weekend had arrived, Penelope went
into full match making mode, prompting the two teens to go out and
have fun at every available opportunity. Gemma had tried to suggest
a few group outings in the vain hope of seeing her boyfriend, but
her mother had shunned the idea and suggested Simeon might like
some one-on-one attention for a change. Gemma had obliged and the
weekend had been filled with two surf trips, a hike, a movie and
three meals out. As much as she fought enjoying Simeon’s company
for the sake of Harrison she had found herself laughing at the
Californian’s jokes and entering into some easy conversations. He
was a movie fanatic like Dom so Gemma was able to immerse herself
in those long discussions without too much stress.

The weekend was coming to an end and for the
first time in forty-eight hours she was getting a little over it.
She missed Harrison. All she felt like was a long shower, some
comfy PJs and a secret cell phone chat with her boyfriend. A smile
fluttered across her lips.

Squeezing the water from her ponytail, she
wrung her hand dry and was about to announce her shower
intentions.

“Hey Gem, you want to watch a movie after
dinner? We could choose from Dom’s collection.”

“Actually…”

“She’d love to.” Penelope’s grin was
triumphant. “Why don’t you go shower up and I’ll get some food
ready. You can eat while you watch. How fun!”

Gemma tried to scorch her mother with a
searing look, but she dodged the rays and waltzed into the house
oblivious. Turning to Simeon, she forced a resigned smile.

"Here, I'll take your towel."

"That's cool. I was just going to put it in
the laundry."

Gemma winced. "I wouldn't do that if I were
you."

"Huh?" Simeon's dark brows bunched
together.

She shook her head with a grin. "We're not
allowed in there. Something about my father turning everything pink
once and Mom getting super territorial over her precious washing
machine." She rolled her eyes. "Trust me, I'll just drop our towels
in the basket upstairs. It's the way it's done around here."

He looked as though it was the weirdest thing
he'd ever heard and he probably was right. Gemma was just used to
the way things were and didn't think to question it when she
dropped the salty towels into her laundry basket before taking a
shower.

She soaked in the hot spray until her mother
pounded on the door telling her to hurry up. Shutting off the water
with an irate flick, she stomped out of her sanctuary and ordered
her emotions to settle. What she wanted to do was tell her mother
where to go and ride down to Harrison’s house. What she was going
to do was paste on a sweet smile and sit through a movie she’d
probably seen already.

The idea was irritating, but not completely
hideous. She dried off and decided to at least go for comfy
pajamas. Slouching into the movie room, she slumped down on the
couch while Simeon inspected the huge collection. She noticed he
had gone for comfy clothes too. His sweats and white t-shirt
outlined his near perfect form. Gemma could see why all the girls
swooned and was grateful she didn’t feel aroused. I mean, sure, he
was nice to look at, but he wasn’t Harrison. She smiled as she
thought of her streamline boyfriend. She was looking forward to
clocking up a few kisses at school the next day.

“What do you feel like watching?”

“Whatever.” She shrugged and reached for a
bottle of peach iced tea. Her mother had assembled an impressive
array of crackers, cheeses, dips and fresh fruit.

Would pizza really be that bad?

Gemma picked off a green grape and popped it
in her mouth resigned to the fact fast food would never exist in
this house.