Seers (6 page)

I stared at my white ceiling—one of the most colorless places left in my life. “Not a normal one. He’s outlined in silver.” I could hear Lee turn off the TV, and I knew now I had her complete attention. “No colors?” She asked.

“None.”

“But that’s like. . ”

“Patrick. I know.”

“That doesn’t make sense, though,” she protested. “I mean, I can see Patrick. They aren’t the same.”

“But they both have strange auras—strange auras that match.”

“This is getting kind of weird.”

There was a short silence, then Lee spoke again; more firmly than before. “Have you tried talking to the Hispanic? I mean, can he talk?”

“He looks real, if that’s what you mean. And no, I haven’t had the chance. Jenna was with me in the driveway, and I didn’t want to freak her out.”

“Maybe we should talk to Patrick.”

“And say what?” I exhaled heavily, allowing my frustration to show. “Ask about his aura? See if he knows any invisible people?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t be so pointed. We can treat it more like an undercover mission.”

“You’re serious?”

“Aren’t you?” She asked, sounding almost offended. “You’re my best friend, and you’re being haunted. I think we should take this seriously.”

“Don’t you like Patrick?”

“I still have a hard time believing he could be evil or anything, but if he has the same aura as this invisible guy I think we’d be stupid to not ask questions. Look, my mom’s going to be home 38 K • • •

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soon—I better go. Let me know how your date goes tonight, and call me if you see that guy again.”

“‘Kay. Thanks, Lee.”

“Not a problem. Talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

I ended the call but continued to stare up at the ceiling for a long time. I wasn’t thinking of one thing in particular—just my life in general. Then, versus now. Before the accident, my life had been so simple. So normal. I played the piano, I sketched, I read books, and I loved my friends and family. Now I was a psychic, being haunted by a man only I could see and stalked by an Irishman who may or may not be dangerous.

My college experience was going to be great. I could tell.

A couple hours later I was checking my email when there was a knock on the bedroom door.

“Come in,” I called, barely glancing away from the screen.

The knob jiggled, then I heard Grandpa’s muffled voice. “It’s locked.”

I sighed, clicked back to my inbox, then stood and crossed the room in a few long strides. I turned the lock quickly and pulled the door open. “Sorry, Grandpa.”

His thin face was lifted in his usual smile and he waved my apology aside as he stepped into the room. “A girl needs her space, I suppose.” He moved for my bed, then lowered himself onto it with a groan. “Your grandmother is a slave driver. The backyard’s looking good, though. Have you seen it?”

“Not yet,” I admitted, sitting at my desk but turned toward him.

“Well, it may be my last work, so I hope she enjoys it.” I smiled, and he slapped his hands against his knees. “So, how was the first day?”

I lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Good. It was nice to get back into a routine.”

His kind eyes shined behind his glasses, and the similarity

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between him and my dad nearly took my breath away. “You know,” he said lowly, “I’m glad you can lie and be brave for your sisters, but you can tell me what you’re really feeling.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, stalling.

He regarded me firmly. “Sweety, you’re your father’s daughter.

That boy had so many thoughts in his head; he rarely told everyone what he was thinking. He learned to trust me, though. I want you to know that you can, too.”

I sighed and turned back to my laptop. I knew it was rude, but I didn’t really want to talk right now. “I’m fine, Grandpa.” I could imagine him bobbing his head, the light catching the lenses of his glasses. “Well, you know where to find me if you need me.”

I nodded silently, still staring at the bright screen.

“You know,” he said broadly. “I’m glad you’re going out with the Phelps boy tonight. He’s a good kid.”

“Yeah. I’m really lucky to have someone like him. My mom really approved.”

“Are you . . . you know . . . serious with him?” I blinked, then turned to face him. He was actually blushing a little. “Grandpa, how much is Grandma paying you to talk to me?”

“Nonsense! I can’t talk to my granddaughter?”

“About my boyfriend?”

“Maybe she promised me another cookie before bed.” I smiled with him, but then he reached across the small space to take my hand. “Just because your parents approved doesn’t mean you have to love him. You understand that, right?” Sometimes my grandfather’s perception shocked me. This was one of those times.

He released my hand, patted my knee, then wished me good luck on my date before closing the door.

40 K • • •

Five

Aaron was there right on time. The twins made kissy noises from the kitchen as I called a good night to my grandma. There was a time my sisters would have embarrassed me like crazy, but not tonight. Maybe that was because I knew Aaron was used to them, or maybe it was just because I didn’t care so much anymore.

I shut the door firmly behind us and walked with Aaron to his car. The warm early evening breeze rippled through my loose hair, tossing it back over my shoulders. I noticed that Aaron had showered and changed into nicer clothes for our date. Dark jeans and a black button-up shirt opening to reveal a white T underneath.

I was wearing exactly what I’d worn to school; Light jeans, frayed at the bottoms, and a simple red themed top. I hadn’t even worn any jewelry, or body spray. I hoped he didn’t notice, because I didn’t want him to realize I wasn’t really trying.

As was usual, he opened the door for me and I slipped into his family’s SUV. He hurried around, and then we were on our way, driving out of the residential area.

“How’s your afternoon been?” He asked, eager to fill the silence.

“Pretty good. Yours?”

“Yeah, it was all right. I got work off so I could help my dad fix the fence. I told you Derek backed into it with the car, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you told me.”

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“Dad was pretty upset. Luckily the fence took most of the damage, or dad would’ve really killed him.” I nodded, but couldn’t think of anything else to say. Once upon a time it hadn’t been like this between us. Words had come easily, and those rare times when there was a silence it hadn’t been awkward. I knew that I was the one to blame. I was the one who was seeing things differently—auras aside, even.

Aaron turned left onto a busier street and I searched desperately for something to say. “You’re going to Lee’s party this weekend, right?” I asked the first thing that came to mind.

He nodded, glancing over at me before focusing more firmly on traffic. “I was planning on it. She always makes ‘em fun. A good way to break into school again.”

The silence stretched between us, tense and deep. I was about to reach for the volume on his stereo, intent on filling the deepening void, when Aaron spoke at last.

“Hey, I wanted to apologize—for those things I said last week.” His voice was halting but sincere.

I forced a smile and pulled in a deep breath. “Yeah—don’t worry about it. I was just having a rough day.”

“I was a real jerk,” he insisted, eyes trained firmly ahead. “I didn’t mean any of it. I had no right to tell you how much time you need.”

“It’s fine. Let’s just forget it.” His lips pressed together and he nodded, braking at the red light. Once stopped, he reached for my hand, which I easily surrendered. His warm fingers wrapped around mine were comforting, but nothing more. For me, at least. But watching Aaron’s aura become overpowered with yellow, I guessed he viewed the contact a bit differently.

While we waited for the light to change I glanced out my window, and wished immediately that I hadn’t. Standing on the sidewalk was the invisible man. He was leaning against a light pole, grinning in at me. His teeth seemed whiter in the coming 42 K • • •

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darkness, but his silver outline was just as mystifying as ever.

Our eyes met, and slowly my eyes grew into slits. Whoever he was, I wanted him to get a message: I wasn’t intimidated.

His smile widened, and he offered me a sweeping bow.

“What are you looking at?” Aaron asked, peering around me with interest.

“Uh—nothing.” I stammered, forcing my eyes away from the invisible man. “Green,” I hinted, just before the car behind us honked. As Aaron pressed the accelerator and we crossed the intersection, I glanced into my side mirror.

The sidewalk was empty, except for the growing yellow circle of light on the cement.

s

As we waited in line to order I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Lee. Saw him again.

I knew she’d know who I meant.

Aaron ordered for me—a double cheeseburger, cheese fries, and a Sprite. He then got the same for himself, except he exchanged the Sprite for a root beer.

It irked me that he didn’t even ask what I wanted, but I sighed when I realized it was exactly what I would have ordered for myself, if given the chance.

“Something wrong?” He asked, catching my expression as he turned away from the cashier.

I shook my head. “Nope. Want some ketchup?”

“You bet,” he grinned. “I’ll get our table.” I slipped my phone back into my pocket and moved for the condiment counter. I grabbed a few small paper cups off the large stack, and then held the first under the ketchup dispenser.

“Hello,” a lilting voice said beside me.

I pushed too hard on the pump and ketchup overflowed the cup and covered my hand. I turned quickly, my eyes darting up to meet Patrick’s clear blue ones right beside me.

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“What are you doing here?” I demanded. The fact that I’d been caught off guard made my voice rougher than I’d intended it to be.

He blinked once, then held up the empty cup in his hand. “I think I’m waiting in line for the ketchup—if there’s any left,” he added, gesturing with his chin toward my dripping palm.

I ignored him while I jerked a handful of napkins free of the dispenser and hurried to clean up the mess on my hand. I tossed the pile of ketchup and napkins into the trash beside me, and I then reached for a new cup.

“Want me to do that?” He asked.

“No, I don’t need your help.” I knew I was growing snappy, but it felt good. I had a lot I wanted to snap about, and it seemed that fate had conveniently placed a target in my path. That, or he really was stalking me.

“Do you come here often?” I asked, focusing on the pump as I filled first one cup, then another.

“No. This is my first.”

“Hmm.”

I filled a couple more, intent on letting that be the end of the conversation. But before I could finish he was speaking again.

“So, it’s Kate, isn’t it?”

I didn’t answer him.

“Don’t we have two classes together, or something?”

“Try every single one,” I hinted meanly, scooping up the four cups of sauce and refusing to look at him.

“Really?” He sounded surprised, but when I glanced up at him it seemed like his eyes were laughing at me.

“Really,” I stated. My phone vibrated as I turned away sharply and marched toward the corner table, where Aaron and I always sat. He was waiting with our drinks, and he stood to help me juggle the ketchup. I sat down across from him and pulled out my phone while Aaron sipped his drink.

Which one? Lee had asked.

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Both. I tapped out.

“So,” Aaron said loudly, “Lee told me you’re thinking about applying to some school back east?” I shut my phone and sat it on the bench beside me. Internally, I was groaning. What had possessed Lee to mention that bit of information to Aaron of all people? This was not an argument I wanted to take on tonight.

I pulled in a deep breath and forced a smile. “Yeah,” I said, reaching for my drink. “But I’m still not sure. I just think it would be cool to live out that way.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I always pictured us staying local.

State, or something. They have a pretty good art department here, don’t they?”

“They do,” I agreed. “I’m just not sure that’s what I want to do anymore.”

“You’ve always wanted to teach art,” he protested. “Wait,” he cut me off. “You’re thinking of going professional? I always told you your sketches were amazing.”

“No,” I broke in. “I’m just not sure I want to focus on art anymore.”

He stared at me, like he wondered who I was. I’d broken the perfect picture he’d crafted in his head, and I could easily see that it bothered him. “But, what else would you do?” He nearly stammered.

I shrugged and played with my straw, pulling it out, and then pushing it back into the ice cubes. “I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about a writing career. I thought I might talk to Mr. Benson about an English Major.”

Aaron’s stare grew even more disbelieving. I stared right back at him, unwilling to apologize or take back my words.

Eventually Aaron cleared his throat and nodded. I guess he decided that he didn’t want to argue about this either. “That sounds good. It’s good to have multiple options.” He took another sip of root beer, but I could tell he was still bugged.

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A waitress arrived with our food and we began eating without further discussion.

I kept glancing around, but I couldn’t see where Patrick had gone. In all honesty, I was surprised he wasn’t sitting in the booth next to us.

Aaron and I didn’t talk much, but when we did we kept it simple.

Just before I finished my burger, I caught sight of Patrick again, heading for the door this time. His head was bowed and he held a slim silver phone to his ear. I watched him intently as he moved, because something was different about him. At first, I couldn’t tell exactly what. But a split second later, I began to get an idea.