The Gateway Through Which They Came (14 page)

I hush her gently. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

My hand brushes against hers, releasing it from the wall, and she grabs hold as if it’s a life preserver. Slowly, I step away, my hand in hers, and wait for her to follow. I guide her, walking backward steadily, keeping my eyes trained on hers. Few take notice of what’s happening near the back of the room, but for those who do, they shrug it off. Her other hand cups mine, keeping it palmed tight in both of hers. My fingers cling tighter, assuring her that I’m not going anywhere.

Father Williams begins the processional as we take our seat in the back row, and through the duration of Mass, Koren’s hand remains clasped to mine. She shakes so badly, the motion causes my whole body to shake along with her. I can’t take my eyes off her as I wonder what could frighten her so badly. Did something happen before school? Did Justin hurt her? A million explanations come one by one, and I’m left unable to ask her myself. All I know is I’m going to kill Justin when this is over.

Her eyes are closed as she focuses on her heavy breaths. The rapid rise and fall of her chest gives no indication that she has calmed. I hold back from reaching out, from pulling her into me and holding her. Would she let me? Afraid of crossing the line of whatever it is going on between us, I do the only thing I can do. With her hand in mine, I silently promise,
I’ll never let you go.

oren didn’t speak a word about what happened in the chapel. She left a second before anyone else, fleeing before I could get an explanation. First period has come and gone with no sign of her, and in the back of my mind I can’t let go. Maybe she went home, escaping the trouble that awaited her here. I have half a mind to confront Justin in theater and demand he confess. To what? Who knows. Someone did something to Koren, and with their past record, Justin is at the top of my list.

Clumsily, I make my way through the halls, bumping shoulders with every person I pass.

“Watch where you’re going, jackass!”

I don’t know who says it, but I don’t care. I have to find Koren.

“Hi, Aiden!” Julie Martin waves to me as I pass her locker. If my mind wasn’t so preoccupied, I’d ask her if everything was all right with her uncle, but I don’t. Her smile drops as I pass her without a word.

“Sorry, in a hurry!”
I should say. It forms on my tongue, but never finds its way out.

I feel rotten. Julie and I bonded over the summer after all the time I spent refurnishing Saint Christopher. Her uncle, Father Martin, persuaded her to help, though knowing Julie, I don’t think it took much. When it came to helping out any way she could, she’d do it. She listened as I droned on about spotting Izzie in a used car lot on the other side of town, and how I swore up and down she’d be mine by the beginning of the school year. Julie even listened as I poured my heart out about Koren, which is definitely not my usual thing. Feelings and all that mushy stuff is not something a guy talks openly about, but Julie has that way about her. You start talking and she listens. By the end of the day, or summer, she knows someone’s entire life story.

I have to confess, I actually miss talking to her. A part of me has a change of heart and considers turning back, but the other part is more determined and continues on its path. All I can think about is Koren and where she could be.

Justin never shows up to theater, and I’m stuck seething in my seat as the others practice their roles for the Christmas play. Mr. Townsend made me an understudy for Scrooge, which we both know is a joke. There’s no way in hell Lawrence Young is gonna miss his chance at fifteen minutes of fame. I think he might take this high school drama class a little too seriously. Whatever the case, I’m grateful for getting to sit this one out.

I sit alone in the third row acting as their audience. Trevor got the role of Tiny Tim and seems to be enjoying it more than he should. He’ll never live this down.

My mind races. I’m worried about the fact that Koren and Justin are missing, and I have no clue what could be going on. With all the time they’ve been spending together, there’s no telling how much drama has surfaced between them. Their relationship is toxic and it’s not exactly a secret.

Regardless, they’re both strangely absent and I’m stuck wondering what the hell is going on. How is it that they both happen to be gone on the same day? Was there a senior ditch day memo I missed out on?

Class ends and I spot Julie at the foot of the stage preparing to leave. I can’t let her go thinking I completely blew her off.

“Hey, Jules.” I say it like it’s no big deal, like I didn’t give her the cold shoulder before class.

She shoves the script into her backpack and zips it up. “Aiden.”

Yep. She’s pissed.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I was distracted and I didn’t mean to make you feel—”

“You were looking for Koren. I get it.”

“How…?”

Julie tugs her bag from the stage and places it over her shoulder. “Everyone else might be blind, but I’m not. I saw what happened today in the chapel.”

I’m embarrassed. Not for me, but for Koren. She’s going through enough; she doesn’t need anyone else knowing her business.

“About that. She’s just having a hard time adjusting to being back.”

Julie’s not convinced. She lifts a brow and stares at me like I just don’t get it. And maybe I don’t, but that was
my
business.

“Don’t be fooled, Aiden. You and I both know that we’re chasing after two people who want nothing to do with us. At least, not like that.” Her cheeks redden a little with frustration. Of course she’s bitter. Her chance with Justin went from hopeful to none the second Koren showed up. All these years, I never expected Julie to go for someone like him. She’s too sweet and innocent, and Justin’s, well, a dick.

I catch Trevor standing by the door, lifting his hands like he’s asking:
What’s taking so long?
I wave him off and his shoulders dramatically heave a sigh, but he waits.

“You’re wrong about Koren.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself. “She’s just confused right now, and Justin is the one thing she’s familiar with. Give it time.” I try to ignore the ping of jealousy stemming from my words. I should be the one Koren relies on, not Justin.

Julie gives me a look of disgust. “You don’t get it, do you? You don’t see the things in her that I do.”

I take offense. “Yeah, and what’s that?”

Julie lets out a laugh, which is at my expense, I’m sure. “You should be careful of the people you let into your life. Sometimes when people leave it’s for the best. Believe me.”

She shoves past me and I bite my tongue. There’s so much I want to say in my defense, but what would be the point? She’s already made up her mind and arguing with Julie isn’t exactly on my list of priorities. For a girl I’d spent hours upon hours with, never dreading a second, this side of her is one I never thought existed. I want to let it go, to forget this happened, but all I can hear are these words:
You don’t see the things in her that I do.

I almost spit something out before she makes it to the door, but I’m too damn distracted by the vibration thrumming through my skin. The thrum of another Gateway close by.

“Problems with the girlfriend?”

It’s strange to hear Evan’s voice as I enter the locker room after school. I’m astonished. Evan being the bigger man? This one’s for the books.

“Are you talking to me now?” I ask.

To be fair, it should have been me making the first step. But damn, am I glad he did. It makes for one less thing to worry about.

Evan scratches the back of his neck, proving he finds this just as awkward as I do.

“Well… I saw Koren run out of Mass this morning. I thought maybe you two had a lover’s quarrel.” He chuckles like he doesn’t even take himself seriously when he says it.

I turn the dial and pop open my locker, ready to gear up for a night on the track. The last period of gym is beginning to clear out and some of the guys watch us like they’re waiting for a brawl. It’s not surprising that people know about our drama. In our school, people live for that type of stuff. Guess that’s what you get with a school so buttoned down, even the slightest argument spikes excitement. Mostly, I think they enjoy the idea of Evan beating up the freak who hides away from everyone.

I ignore their snickering as I change out of my shirt and wonder how much longer they plan to wait. After a few seconds of us saying nothing, the bystanders lose interest and leave.

When they’re out of sight, Evan finally says, “So, what happened?”

He straddles the metal bench in front of my locker and looks away as I change into my track gear. Despite the rain, I need a night to clear my mind.

“Nothing really. I don’t know. She sort of freaked out for no reason.”

“Something to do with Justin, I assume?”

I press my foot against the bench and tie my laces. “Most likely,” I say.

Evan lifts himself off the bench. “We’re heading to Trevor’s tonight. Wanna join?”

Guess we’re done with small talk.

Whatever he saw in me that day, he’s forgotten, or he’s pretending that he has. He doesn’t realize I’ve noticed he can’t look me in the eye. I worry how this will change our friendship, but I can’t bother with that now. There’s enough going on in my head at the moment. If I know Evan, things will be back to normal in a few days, I hope.

Evan stands near the exit, tossing his keys in the air like he’s eager to leave. A part of me wants to go and somehow make things right, but I know he’s only being polite.

“I think I’ll stick around here and practice my time tonight.”

He removes the keys from his pocket. “Sure, man. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He sounds a little disappointed and partly relieved.

I barely have a chance to respond before he turns and walks out the door.

There are a handful of people occupying the bleachers after school as I make my way to the field. Two guys who look like freshmen are chatting about their disappointment over the cancellation of some space western TV show. The conversation is loud enough to show their inner nerd.

“I’m telling you. Spaceships and cowboys? It was way before its time. I can’t believe they cancelled it midseason!” The kid throws his hands up in exaggeration.