4 Amelioration

I was in the library when I heard a commotion. I headed towards it and saw two girls talking.

"Did you see him? Oh my gosh he is so damn hot."

"I know. And to think he is joining our school."

"Did you hear his handsome brother is gonna be our new counselor. I'm so excited."

Two new recruits at the same time. There is no harm in checking it out.

I headed towards the principle office. I wanted to go in when the lady outside stopped me. "There are people inside."

"The new student and counselor?"

"Geez girl, if you are here to just get a glimpse, go away. There has been so many since the morning."

"No I had some of my files in the counselor office I just wanted to tell the new one that I needed them."

"Fine. Then wait here."

I waited right outside the office waiting for them to come out. Fifteen minutes had passed, when I heard the door open. I saw two guys coming out, Edward and Mike. I couldn't help but smile at him. I never thought he would change his decision. But I'm glad he did. He didn't smile back he just ignored me and went away. I ran towards Michael and he turned back with a smile. I smiled back.

"What are you doing here? You aren't supposed to know me so act like that?" he said with a fake smile pasted on his face. I too had it on.

"I know, don't worry, I'm supposed to be talking with the new councillor about my file in his office. What brings you both here?"

"Mr. Big Mouth here" he pointed towards Edward, I smiled at him too and nodded even though I was now facing Edward I was still talking to Mike, "said no to you and asked me to help him get in school so I posed as his elder brother. That way we all can stay in each other's reach twenty four seven."

Now I was really talking to Edward. "I am glad you changed your mind. So by what names are you here?"

"I am Gerrard Hopkins and he is my younger brother Edward Hopkins." Mike said.

I laughed, "That's a nice name. Anyways, see you around Hopkins."

I laughed through the whole way to my class.

***********

Today was Edward's first day in school. I waited outside the school to see everything goes well. I was loosing my patience when I saw him coming. He was coming towards the school when I saw Ned and his football team punks with their bitches standing right there. I just prayed they didn't do anything to him. He passed right beside them. I sighed in relief but the problem wasn't over yet. I noticed Ned taking an aim at Edward. If he hits him, he's dead meat. I ran towards them but I was late he had already kicked the ball. Before I could do anything Edward turned around and caught it. He then gave him a hard look and tossed it back. This made Ned very angry. He was the best player of the football team. I could understand his feelings. As apparently, Edward had a bad habit of treating the bests like kids.

He kicked the ball at him again harder this time. Edward caught it again and tossed it back to him. But this time he didn't give an angry look like before. He just smiled at him as if telling him to do that again and it will be the last. That really pissed Ned off. He saw him as a challenger who was there to take his high school kingdom away. He kicked the ball putting his all in this last one. And Edward caught it again. He put it down and kicked it in Ned's stomach. He groaned in pain and sat down on the ground.

The coach saw it all. He went to Ned and scolded him for his behaviour with the new kid and threw him out of the team. Throwing out the best player, what is he thinking. Then he came to Edward and asked him to join the school team.

***********

I ran towards the gym as soon as the school ended. I knew the practice would be over by now. I waited for Edward in the locker room. I had already texted him to come.

"What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk." I said pressing my teeth together.

"You look angry."

"That's coz I am."

We heard some footsteps outside. I held his hand and we both ran into a shower. I closed the door behind us. When turned back he was smiling at me. He came closer and put his hands on both of my sides and he kept on staring at me. I was growing self conscious, "What?"

"I didn't know that you would refuse to kiss me and then invite me in a shower with you." he said coyly.

"I am not here to flirt. I said to talk."

He stepped beck and had his expressionless face again.

"What is it then?"

"The commotion you caused in the morning was a nuisance. You should try blending in."

He let out a sigh and went to open the door and I stopped him. "Are you out of your mind? The whole team is right outside."

"So" he shrugged his shoulder.

He opened the door and stepped outside. I stood right where I was and refused to move. He took my hand and brought me outside. All of them stared at me taken aback. "So that's what brought you here first." one of them teased. "The new guy already has a girl on the first day of school." said another. Edward just smiled and placed his hand on my waist. I played along and blushed. They all laughed at my reaction. One came closer, "Don't worry we were just kidding. But it's good to know that our team already has a first lady."

"Guys, I'll just go drop her outside."

Edward said that and took my hand. We both walked out of the gym like that. As soon as we stepped outside I shook his hand away.

"What was that just now?" I barely managed to suppress my anger.

"Was there any other way?"

"I remember telling you to wait."

"And that wouldn't have made them suspicious. Me being in the shower that long. It would have taken so much time for all of them to leave."

Now that I think about it he is right. That really would have raised suspicion. He saw that I was agreeing with him.

"You really should improve your wits." He said smiling. I was so infuriated with that comment. But I knew that I did something stupid so keeping quiet would be better. I bid him farewell and headed home. I could still hear their laughter across the hall. He really is starting to get on my nerves.

I returned home and made arrangements for my new teams training.

I know exactly who needs what and this training will be custom style.

***********

Two months have passed since Edward and Mike joined the school. Training of the team is also complete. I knew it won't take much time. They were raw diamonds waiting to be shaped.

I was sitting in the class when I saw Rach heading towards Phoebe. She was a new student. She shifted here a few months ago and joined the school this year, PHOEBE BENNINGTON.

Rach seems to have a new friend. She is a very sweet and intelligent girl. We all liked her too. She went to her seat and motioned me to join too. She called Maddy and Alex to come over too.

"I was thinking about a camping trip this weekend. Just us girls, it will be fun." Rach said.

"Yay. I'm in." Maddy cried.

"Me too." Alex said.

"Alright then. We are going camping." I yelled.

"Who will bring the car though?" Rach said.

"Why don't you ask Edward for his car? He is your boyfriend, right?" Phoebe asked.

This rumour had spread throughout the school like a fire in last two months. And I told Maddy and Alex about it but Rach was a bit confused.

I told her that he moved in my neighbourhood after we came back from the beach trip. I helped them move and we came closer during the break. In that famous shower incident of ours I confessed and we started dating. It was a bit difficult for her to take in the confession part. She never thought I was brave enough for that. She reminds me of the scaredy cat Jessica of high school. I must admit I'm great with covers.

"Um, I'll try." I smiled at them all. Inside I was trying to figure out how I might pull this one off.

***********

I patiently waited for Edward in the locker room. He came in chatting with the team, discussing their play. As soon as they all saw me standing they all moved away from him and went to their lockers.

"Hey" Ed said as he came to me.

"Ed, can we talk?"

"Sure"

"One shower room is still free if you want it." Drake teased. He was the second best player, after Ed of course. I blushed and looked away. They all started laughing.

"Guys, stop it." Ed said with a smile on.

He held my hand and we came out of there. Everyone loved to see us together. The boring, infamous yet sweet Jess with the new, popular guy Ed; to everyone it seemed like a fantasy.

"I said you will like it once you get used to it." I said with a smile on.

"Get used to what?" he asked confused.

"High school, teenagers I mean."

He let out a laugh. He is so attractive. He really is a catch. I smiled and looked away before he catches me eyeing him.

"Is that why you came over? To see if I was getting used to high school yet." He said with a smirk on.

"That's a nice sentiment but no. I need a favour from my supposedly boyfriend." I said smiling.

"Is that so? Well, what might that be?"

"I...uh...We are going out for camp, all girls. So, um, we need a car. And Phoebe suggested asking my boyfriend."

Before he could say anything we were interrupted by Drake. He called him in. And he left without answering me.

I went back to the girls not sure of what to tell them. They were waiting for me.

"Did you ask him?" Rach asked.

I nodded to say yes. "What did he say?"

I didn't know what to tell them as I got no answer either. Just then, I heard someone call out from behind, "Jess"

And I saw Ed coming towards us. "Sorry sweetheart. It was an emergency, so I couldn't say anything." He took out the keys and handed them to me. "Here. And girls, drive safe. Have a good time."

"Thanks Ed" they all said and then I looked at him and said, "thanks".

He held my waist and pulled me towards him. He gave me a short kiss in front of everyone. It was embarrassing. I blushed as usual. I would have punched him in his face if we weren't in public.

"Bye guys." He waved at us and left.

"Your boyfriend is awesome." Rach said.

***********

I came out of the tent and saw Maddy and Rach preparing the campfire. Phoebe and Alex went to get some more firewood. Phoebe came out to be quite an expert. She knew a lot about the trees around us. There was tree with leaves that work as mosquito repellant when burnt.

I was told to set up the tents, Phoebe and Alex were told to get some firewood.

They returned and we started the campfire. We all talked and sang songs. It was a great night. I was tired so I went in first. I was changing in my tent when I saw a shadow of a woman. I ran outside but there was no one. I went to the see the girls, they were all there and talking.

If it wasn't them, then who was it?

I went in but I didn't sleep. After the girls slept I climbed up a tree and kept watch the whole night. Waited for something to happen, the dawn was breaking now. I should get down before everyone wakes up. I was just getting down when I saw a run-down mansion hidden among the trees. I must have missed it in the night. It was painted white and was huge.

I came down and woke everyone up.

"Guys, I found something. Wanna come and check it out."

"What?" asked everyone.

"It's amazing. Come, I'll show you."

I took them towards the mansion. I remembered seeing it from the top. But I had no idea; it would be this beautiful up close. We headed to its huge wooden entrance. It was locked. We looked around for a something to break it. Alex found a stone and hit the lock a few times. It was an old lock and broke with a few hits. The doors opened with an eerie creak. We went inside and a portrait of a beautiful woman stared at us from half way above the stairs. She must have been in her early thirties, blonde hair, blue eyes filled with fear and her face trying to deny her eyes. She was wearing a blue silk gown. Her eyes seemed to stare at us. We looked around a little.

I went up the stairs and walked through the corridor. Downstairs, it was filled with light but up here it was dark. This must have belonged to a very rich person. I was heading towards the end of the corridor when I heard Rachel scream. I rushed downstairs and saw her hand bleeding. I ran towards her.

"What happened?" I yelled.

I looked at everyone, one by one but they were as unaware as me. I looked at Rach she was confused too. "What happened?"

"I don't know." she said.

"What?"

"There was a bronze statue at a table; I went to see it up close. I tried to pick it up and suddenly my hand started bleeding on its own."

That's absurd, it's impossible. How can she bleed just like that?

"Guys, we shouldn't be staying here anymore. Let's go."

***********

I was in my tent trying to figure out this morning's incident. Thinking what must have happened? I heard Phoebe and Alex outside. I went to see what was happening.

"Jess, come here." Alex cried.

"Yeah, we were just talking about that tall tree right there." Phoebe pointed towards a tree.

"Huh?" I didn't understand what they meant.

"They are going to race to its top." Maddy cut in.

"That will be worth watching." I said excitedly.

"I agree." Rach said.

"How do you feel now?"

"Better" she said smiling.

I looked at her bandaged hand and felt bad about what happened. I felt responsible for it. I wanted to but couldn't react the way I felt right. I can't make them worry; they're not even involved with me.

"Let's begin then." I said.

"One...two...and go."

They both started climbing the tree. It was at least fifty feet tall. Alex was ahead of Phoebe, but Phoebe wasn't lacking behind by much. Alex had now increased her pace and was almost at the top. But suddenly she stopped and stood there like a statue. There is something wrong. "Maddy" I yelled. We both ran and pulled out a sheet. And we spread it right beneath the tree. Alex fell down. Then Phoebe hurried down too.

"Alex...Alex. Open your eyes, please." I shook her as hard as I could. She opened her eyes slowly. I took a breath of relief. Maddy looked at me, I know she has questions but now is not the time.

"What happened up there?" I asked.

"I saw the woman in that portrait standing in the middle of the forest. She was staring at me and she looked kinda' pissed."

This is enough, not anymore.

"Guys, pack your stuff. We're going back home."