Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 7

Gillian mat up triumph, wild excitement-and something deeper. An emotion she couldnt pull in becauset present werent any ordinary words for it. David was looking at her, and it was more or less as if she could f every last(predicate) upon finished his dark eyeball. As if she could see privileged him see the centering things looked to himWhat she felt was a fiddling engross stripping and a little handle deja vu and a little akin light up and unawaresrealizing its Christmas. Or like being a barbarian muddled in a strange place, cold and bewildered, and hencesuddenly regarding your m differents voice. solely it re bothy wasnt like any of those things it was more.Unexpected give rise strange recognition the jar of belongingShe couldnt quite put it all to produceher, becausethere was nothing like it in her experience. Shed n of all time hear of anything like this. al wiz(a) she had the feelingthat when David kissed her, shed figure it all divulge and it would be the manifestation of her life.It was deviation to happen- instanter. He was woful clser to her, not fast, but as if slowly compelled bysomething he couldnt control. Gillian had to look d hold, but she didnt move back or turn her face past.He was close enough now that she could hear his breath and feel him. Her eyes shut of their own accord.She waited to feel the pass on of impregnableth on her lips And then something in her mind stirred. A minute whisper, so far back that she could barely hear it, and shecouldnt tell where it came from.Tanya.The shock went through Gillian like ice on bare skin. Part of her seek to ignore it, but she was alreadypulling aside, putting a slip away up, turning to stare at the window.Not out the window. It was too riled up now to see anything outside. They were in their owncocoon of whiteness.Gillian articulate, I shadowt. I mean, not like this. I mean-it isnt fair, because you already-and you havent Imean Tanya.I know. David sounded as i f hed been hit with ice on bare skin, or as if hed perform up from deep waterand was looking around dazedly. I mean, youre respec submit. I dont know what I wasIt just-it was like I forgot Look, Im sure that sounds stupid. You dont imagine me.I do believe you. At least he sounded as incoherent as she did. He wouldnt think she was a total adopther facade wasnt broken.Im not that kind of guy. I mean, it looks like I am, obligation here, it looks exactly like I am. But Im not. Imean I never-Im not like Bruce Faber. I dont do that. I dottye a promise to Tanya and Oh, God, Gillian thought. And then a discriminate of inward scream (Help)(I was inquire when youd remember me.)(He half-bakede her a promise)(Im sure he did. Theyve been going together a while.)(But thats terrible)(No, its admirable. What a guy. Now say youve got to get to train.)(I cant. I cant think. How are we going to-)(School first.)Dully, Gillian state, I guess wed better get moving.Yeah. There was a pause, and then David put the car in gear.They pack in silence, and Gillian sank deeper and deeper into depression. Shed thought it would be soeasy-just show David her new self-importance and everything would fall into place. But it wasnt like that. He couldntjust dump Tanya.(Dont worry about it, kid. I have a cunning plan.) (But what?)(Ill tell you when its time.)( nonsuch-are you mad at me? Because I forgot about you?)(Of course not. Im here to arrange things so you can forget me.)(Then-because I forgot about Tanya for a while? I dont want to do anything thats wrong)(Im not mad Heads up. Youre there.)Gillian couldnt push away the feeling that he was mad, though. Or at least surprised. As if something unhoped had happened.But she didnt have time to dwell on it. She had to get out of Davids car and gather herself and face thehigh school.I guess-Ill see you later, David verbalise as she reached for the inlet handle. His voice made it a question.Yeah. Later, Gillian said. She didnt have the nil for anything more. She glanced back- once-to seehim stare at the steering wheel.She could see mess staring at her as she walked to the school building. It was a new sensation and itgave her a spasm of anxiety.Were they express feelingsing at her? Did she look silly, was she walking wrong in some way?(Just breathe and walk.) Angels voice soundedamused. (Breathe-walk- calculate up-breathe)Gillian somehow got through halls and up stairs to her U.S. level class without meeting anotherstudents eyes once.There, arriving just as the price rang, she realized she had a problem. Her history textbook, along with allher notes, was floating someplace down toward West Virginia.With relief, she caught Amys eye and headed toward the back of the classroom.Can I fate your book? My whole backpack went in the creek. She was a little hydrophobic Amy might bemiffed or jealous at the way shed run off with David, but Amy didnt face to be either. She seemedmore-awed-as if Gillian were some su perpower like a tornado that you might fear, but that you couldnt get madat.Sure. Amy waited until Gillian had scooted her desk closer, then whispered, How come it took youso long to get to school? What were you and David doing?Gillian rummaged for a pen. How do you know we werent find faulting up Tanya?Because Tanya was here at school looking for David. Gillians heart flip-flopped. She pretended to be very interested in history.But she gradually noticed that some of the other students were looking at her. Especially the boys. It wasthe sort of look shed never imagined getting from a boy.But these were all juniors, and none of them was in the actually normal clique. All that would alter inGillians next class, biology. Half a dozen of the to the highest degree popular kids would be there. David would bethere-and Tanya.Gillian felt, with a sudden chill, that she might not really care anymore. What did it matter what otherpeople thought of her if she couldnt have David? But she ha d a fundamental faith in Angel. Somehowthings had to work out-if she just stayed calm and played her part.When the ships bell rang, she hurried away from Amys questioning eyes and into the bathroom. She consumeed amoment to herself.(Do something to your lip rouge. It seems to have gone away somehow.) Angel sounded as puzzled asany human boy.Gillian fixed the lipstick. She ran a comb through her hair. She was somewhat reassured by the sight ofherself in the mirror. The girl there wasnt Gillian at all, but a slender, insubstantial femme fatale coverlike a dagger in black. The girls hair was silky, the palest of all mathematical golds. Her violet eyes weresubtly shadowed so they looked mysterious, haunting. Her sassing was soft, red, and full-of-the-moon perfect, like themouth of a model in a lipstick commercial. Against the stark black of her clothing, her skin had the slightlytranslucent look of orchard apple tree blossoms.Shes well-favoured, Gillian thought. And then to Angel (I mean, I am. But I need a Look, dont you think?An carriage for when people arestaring at me. Like, am I Bored or Slightly Amused or remote or Completely Oblivious or what?)(How about Thoughtful? As if youve got your own inner world to pay attention to. Its true, you know.You do.)Gillian was pleased. Thoughtful, absorbed in herself, listening to the music of the spheres-or the music ofAngels voice. She could do that. She settled the canvas wallet on her shoulder and started toward herlocker.(Uh, where are you going?) (To get my biology book. I still have that.) (No, you dont.)Gillian maintained her Thoughtful expression, while noting that heads turned as she walked down the hall.(Yes, I do.)(No, you dont. Due to circumstances entirely beyond your control, you lost your biology book and allyour notes. You need to sit with somebody else and piece of land his.)Gillian blinked. (I-oh. Oh, yeah, youre right. I lost my biology book.)The door of the biology lab loomed like the gate to hell, and Gillian had trouble keeping Thoughtfulpinned to her face. But she managed to walk through it and into the quiet buzz that was a class before a bell was about to ring.(Okay, kid. Go up front and tell Mr. Wizard you need a new book. Hell take care of the rest.)Gillian did as Angel said. As she stood beside Mr. Leveret and told her story she sensed a newquietness in the classroom underside her. She didnt look back and she didnt raise her voice. By the timeshe was done, Mr. Leverets pouchy, pleasantly ugly face had gone from a startled Who are you?expression (he had to look in the class register to make sure of her name) to one of pained sympathy.Ive got an extra textbook, he said. And some outlines of my lectures on transparencies. But as fornotes-He turned to the class at large. Okay, people. Jill-uh, Gillian- ineluctably a little help. She needs somebodywhos willing to share their notes, maybe xerox them-Before he could finish his sentence, hands went up all over the room .Somehow that brought everything into focus for Gillian. She was standing in front of a classroom witheveryone staring at her-that in itself would have been enough to terrify her in the old days. And sittingthere in front was David, wearing an unreadable expression, and Tanya, looking stiff shocked. Andother people whod never looked directly at her before, and who were now wafture their handsenthusiastically.All boys.She recognized Bruce Faber, who shed unceasingly thought of as Bruce the Athlete, with his chromatic hair andhis blue-gray eyes and his tall football build. Normally he looked as if he were acknowledging theapplause of a crowd. Just now helooked as if he were graciously extending an invitation to Gillian.And Macon Kingsley, who she called Macon the Wallet because he was so rich. His hair was brownedand styled, his eyes hooded, and there was something cruel to the sensual loaf of his mouth. But hewore a Rolex and had a new sports car and right now he was looking a t Gillian as if hed pay a lot ofmoney for her.And Cory Zablinski-who was Cory the fellowship Guy because he constantly seemed to be arranging, goingto, or just recovering from parties. Cory was wiry and hyper, with foxy brown hair and dartingfox-colored eyes. He had more personality than looks, but he was always in the middle of things, and atthis moment he was waving devilish at Gillian.Even Amys new boyfriend Eugene, who didnt have looks or personality in Gillians opinion, waswiggling his fingers eagerly.David had his hand up, too, despite Tanyas cold expression. He looked polite and stubborn. Gillianwondered if hed told Tanya he was just trying to help a poor junior out.(Pick Macon.) The phantasmal voice in Gillians ear was thoughtful.(Macon? I thought maybe Cory.) She couldnt pick David, of course, not with Tanya looking daggers at her. And she felt uncomfortable about pickax Bruce for the same reason-his girlfriend Amanda Spenglerwas sitting right beside him.Cory was frien dly and, well, accessible. Macon, on the other hand, was vaguely creepy.This time the voice in her head was patient. (Have I ever steered you wrong? Macon.)(Corys the one who always knows about parties) But Gillian was already moving toward Macon.The nigh important thing in life, she was discovering quickly, was to trust Angel absolutely.Thanks, she said softly to Macon as she perched on an empty stool behind him. She repeated afterAngel Ill bet you take good notes. You seem like a good observer.Macon the Wallet barely tend his head. She noticed that his hooded eyes were moss green, anunusual, almost disturbing color.But he was nice to her all period. He promised to have his fathers secretary photocopy the thick pileof biology notes in his spiral-bound notebook. He lent her a highlighter. And he unploughed looking at her as ifshe were some interesting piece of art.That wasnt all. Cory the Party Guy dropped a ball of paper on the lab table as he walked past to get ridof his gum in the trash can. When Gillian unfolded it she found a Hersheys kiss and a questionnaire R Unew? Do U like music? Whats yr address ? And Bruce the Athlete tried to catch her eye whenever sheglanced in his direction.A sore and heady glow was starting somewhere inside Gillian.But the most amazing part was yet to come. Mr. Leveret, pacing in the front, asked for somebody to examine the five kingdoms used to categorize living things.(Raise your hand, kid.) (But I dont remember-) (Trust me.)Gillians hand went up. The warm feeling had changed to a sense of dread. She never answeredquestions in class. She almost hoped Mr. Leveret wouldnt see her, but he spotted her right away andnodded. Gillian?(Now just say after me) The soft voice in her head went on.Okay, the five classes would be, from most advanced to most primitive, Animalia, Plantae, Fungi,Protista and Eugene. Gillian ticked them off on her fingers and glanced sideways at Eugene as shefinished.(But thats not nice. I mean-) She nev er got to what she meant. The entire class was bellowing withlaughter. Even Mr. Leveret rolled his eyes at the ceiling and shook his head tolerantly.They thought she was hysterical. Witty. One of those types who could break up a whole classroom.(But Eugene-) (Look at him.) Eugene was blushing pink, ducking his head.Grinning. He didnt look embarrassed or abide he actually looked pleased at the attention.Its still wrong, a piddling voice that wasnt Angels seemed to whisper. But it was drowned out by the laughter and the rising fondness inside Gillian. Shed never felt so accepted, so included. She had thefeeling that now people would laugh whenever she said something even marginally funny. Because theywanted to laugh they wanted to be pleased by her-and to please her.(Rule One, dragonfly. A elegant girl can tease any guy and make him like it. No matter what the jokeis. Am I right or am I right?)(Angel, youre always right.) She meant it with all her heart. She had never imagined th at guardian angelscould be like this, but she was glad beyond words that they were and that she had one on her side.At break the miracles continued. Instead of hurrying out the door as she normally did, she found herselfwalking slowly and lingering in the hall. She couldnt help it, both Macon and Cory were in front of her,talking to her.I can have the notes ready for you this weekend, Macon the Wallet was saying. Maybe I should dropthem by your house. His heavy-lidded eyes seemed to bore into her and the sensual droop to his mouthbecame more pronounced.No, Ive got a better idea, Cory was saying, almost dancing around the two of them. Mac, mman,dont you think its about time you hadanother party? I mean, its been weeks, and youve got that sizable house How about Saturday, and Illround up a keg and we can all get to know Jill better. He gestured expansively.Good idea, Bruce the Athlete said cheerfully from behind Gillian. Im free Saturday. What aboutyou-Jill? He draped a casual arm a round her shoulder.Ask me Friday, Gillian said with a smile, repeat the whispered words in her mind. She shrugged offthe arm on her own volition. Bruce belonged to Amanda.A party for me, Gillian thought dazedly. All shed wanted was to get invited to a party given by thesekids-shed never imagined being the focus of one. She felt a stinging in her nose and eyes and a sort ofdesperation in her stomach. Things were happening almost too fast.Other people were gathering around curiously. Incredibly, she was at the center of a crowd andeveryone seemed to be either talking to her or about her.Hey, are you new?Thats Gillian Lennox. Shes been here for years.I never saw her before.You just never noticed her before,Hey, Jill, how come you lost your biology book?Didnt you hear? She fell in a creek trying to save some kid. Almost drowned.I heard David Blackburn pulled her out and had to give her artificial respiration. 1 heard they were parked on Hillcrest Road this morning.It was intoxicating, e xhilarating. And it wasnt just guys who were gathered around her. She would havethought that the girls would be jealous, spiteful, that theyd glare at her or even all walk away from her inone mass snub.But there was Kimberlee Cherry, Kim the Gymnast, the bubbly, sparkly little dynamo with hersun-blond curls and her baby-blue eyes. She was laughing and chattering. And there was Steffi Lockhartthe Singer, with her cafe au lait skin and her soulful brownish-yellow eyes, waving an expressive hand and beaming.Even Amanda the Cheerleader, Bruce Fabers girlfriend, was in the group. She was flashing her healthy, dewy-eyed smile and tossing her shiny brown hair, her fresh face glowing.Gillian understood suddenly. The girls couldnt abominate her, or couldnt show it if they did. Because Gillianhad status, the instant and unassailable status that came from being beautiful and having guys fall all overthemselves for her. She was a rising star, a force, a power to be reckoned with. And any girl whosnubbed her was risking a nick in her own popularity if Gillian should decide to retaliate. They wereafraid not to be nice to her.It was dizzying, all right. Gillian felt as beautifulas an angel and as risky as a serpent. She was riding on waves of energy and adulation.But then she saw something that made her feel as if she had suddenly stepped off a cliff.Tanya had David by the arm and they were walking away down the hall.