Part 6 (1/2)

Lewis glanced at me, a quick glance, but I didn't miss the look. Something was there in his eyes. Something I'd never seen before. A hardness, a darkness that frightened and thrilled me at the same time, although why, I wasn't sure.

”Really? Because Cameron doesn't look like she's enjoying the subject of conversation.”

”I think I know Cameron better than you.” Trevor turned back to me. ”As I was saying...”

Lewis gripped the man's shoulder and spun him away from me so fast I barely had time to register the movement. Before I could even blink, Trevor-big, tall, strong Trevor-was pinned against the wall.

”You touch her again, you'll regret it,” Lewis said softy, yet the quietness of his voice only somehow added to the threat.

”Back off, man,” Trevor said.

Was it my imagination or had his voice quivered? How the h.e.l.l was Lewis, preppy Lewis, holding Trevor immobile? But then I noticed it, the hardness of Lewis' body, the muscles that bulged under his s.h.i.+rt, the way he held Trevor's arm pinned behind the idiot's back. In that moment I realized two things: Lewis was much stronger than I'd first thought and Lewis knew some sort of martial arts. I was no Kung Fu expert, but I knew a trained person when I saw one.

”I'll back off when you swear never to touch her again.” Lewis' voice was calm, as if he was in complete control. And he was. I wasn't sure whether I should find his protective nature sweet or ridiculous. Shocked, I just stood there like I was watching a movie.

”Fine,” Trevor snapped, grimacing as he struggled in Lewis' hold.

Finally Lewis released the man and stepped back.

Trevor didn't say a thing as he rushed down the hall. Silence lengthened between us, an odd, uneasy silence. The only sound was the soft murmur of teacher's voices behind closed doors. ”You didn't have to do that.”

”Maybe I wanted to.”

”Oh.” For one long moment we just stared at each other. My body felt odd, hot and trembling. My heart raced and in my mind was this desperate need to be closer to him. ”Thanks.”

He nodded, a short, curt nod.

”Annabeth told everyone,” I blurted out, because he needed to know and because I wanted him to stay with me.

”I know,” he said, his blue eyes softening. ”Emily's helping spread the rumor.

”To get back at me,” I whispered. It was bad enough having Annabeth as an enemy, but Emily would be a million times worse. ”Why is she doing this to me?”

”Annabeth?”

I nodded and sank back against the wall.

”Self preservation.” Lewis leaned next to me, so close I could feel his warm breath. ”Humans will always try to protect themselves; always throw another under the bus if it will save them. She's hurting, to her you're the cause of that hurt. Plus, if people are whispering about you then they aren't about her.”

I clutched my French book tightly to my chest. ”I don't believe that. People can't be that horrible.”

”You've read their minds.” He shrugged. ”You know how dark their thoughts can be.”

He was right; I'd heard things that would make people question the whole of society. Was it true, would people always think about themselves over others? Mom didn't care about me, she'd dumped me first chance she got. What kind of parent would do that? Grandma wasn't any better, keeping me under her constant control. Maybe Lewis was right.

”I am.” He grinned.

I sniffed, finding no amus.e.m.e.nt in the fact that he could read my mind. It wasn't fair. In the span of a week my life had completely changed, and why? Because I'd tried to help someone. Grandma was right about one thing, it was best to keep your powers hidden. And Lewis was right...you couldn't trust anyone. I wasn't even sure I could trust him.

”Lewis, why can't I read your thoughts?”

”Cam,” Lewis sighed and leaned closer to me. ”It doesn't have to be like this. There's a way to be able to use your powers and at the same time feel safe and protected. There's a way to be around others like us.”

Startled, I looked up at him. ”How?”

”The cafe,” he said, taking a few steps backward. ”Where you go after school-”

”How'd you know about that place?”

He grinned. ”I know a lot about you. You think my being here is just a coincidence?”

I started toward him, my heart racing. ”You knew about me even before you arrived?”

He shrugged. The hall was empty so we didn't have to worry about being overheard. ”Meet me after school at the cafe. We'll discuss things.” He turned and started toward the exit, apparently skipping his last cla.s.s.

”Lewis!”

”We'll talk later,” he called over his shoulder.

And with that he was gone, leaving me in the hall frustrated and alone. But I knew one thing, for the first time in days, I felt hopeful.

Chapter 7.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I-wet, cold and miserable- entered the cafe. The place had been closed for a week after the shooting and they'd lost plenty of business. It wasn't nearly as crowded as it had been and I knew the owner was worried about business. Poor guy had a family to support.

I raked my damp hair back and easily found Lewis sitting at a table by the windows. His hair was damp, the ends curled over the collar of his dark jacket. For one moment I stood just inside the doorway, watching him. He certainly must have felt my presence and if not, seen me walk up the sidewalk. But he kept his head bent, his gaze on the cup in his hands.

He was so cute it almost hurt. But it was more than his good looks that attracted me to him. Finally I had someone who understood me. Someone who didn't think I was a freak. Someone I admired. He'd given me hope when I had none left. He wasn't afraid to get involved. He'd called the cops, which had led to George's arrest over the weekend. He was a freaking hero, while I was...

He looked up and smiled at me.

Giddy warmth swept through my body. This was welcoming. This was someone I could trust. This was someone I could completely fall in love with. I moved across the room, eager to be closer to him.

”Chai tea with cinnamon.” He pushed the cup toward me as I settled in the chair across from him.

I dropped my backpack on the floor. ”How'd you...” But I didn't need to finish that sentence. I flushed. Of course he knew. ”Thanks.”

He gave me a sheepish grin. Outside, rain pelted the windows. It was a cold, dour afternoon, but I felt warm. I didn't have a clue what Lewis had to say, but knowing what I did about him, I prayed it was going to change my life for the better.

I sipped the spicy liquid, my insides heating for once. It felt good, so very good to be here, settled in a cafe on a cold autumn day with this guy who understood me like no other did.

”You want to know?” he laughed.

”Yeah,” I admitted. I was use to Grandma being able to read my mind, but no one else. It was a bit disconcerting. He knew I was eager to learn the truth. He obviously knew I was attracted to him and even as the thought entered my mind, I looked down horrified I'd thought the words.

He leaned forward, his blue gaze intense. ”Alright. The truth?”