The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) (4 page)

I focus back on my work but every couple of minutes I gaze around me unable to shake this sensation of someone watching me.
 

"Ryder Mason, to the main office please." A deep voice comes over the loud speaker, signaling my summons to the entire school. I groan as I gather my things and pack them in my backpack.

"Bye, Mary. See you tomorrow." I say as I exit the library. I bee line for the office and wait on an uncomfortable brown arm chair. I start jiggling my legs, nervous of why I'm being called in. Breaking me out of the thoughts, the secretary invites me into my guidance counselor's room.
 

"Hello Ryder. Please, have a seat." A tall nerdy looking man says. I sit across from him in yet another stiff chair. "I'm Dr. Keaveny, your guidance counselor. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay." He says.

"Yes, everything's fine." I say unsure of what he's getting at.

"I'm new here but I looked over your transcript and Dr. Maven mentioned you were one of the top students prior to the start of the year. It says here that you've never skipped a class before, yet today you did." He says and continues, "Will this be a pattern?" He asks condescendingly.

"Of course not. I was feeling ill and went outside to get some air. It won't happen again." I assure him, not liking being in trouble at school. This is a new experience for me.
 

"Well, to make sure this won't happen again, you'll have detention after school all week." He brings down my punishment.

"Okay, I understand." I say having to hold back a groan.
 

"That'll be all for today. Make sure this doesn't happen again." He stands and I follow him. He leads me out the door and then gives me a final command. "We'll meet again at the end of the week to discuss the next course of action."
 

"Great." I mutter, all but running out of the office. I start walking to my car figuring Junior can meet me there since I agreed to drive him home.
 

Halfway there, the final bell rings of the day and people start filing out of the brick school. My pocket vibrates so I whip my phone out of my pocket and check to see who it is.
 

Need 2 get drum set. meet me @ stage! JR

The last thing I want is to go back into hell but I owe Junior. After I drop my backpack off in my car, I start to walk back inside twirling my key chain in my hand. He probably needs help carrying all of his stuff. Drums are the most awkward instrument to carry.
 

I walk to the stage finding the back door that leads to the band closet. I hear some voices coming from inside the room. It's Junior for sure and some other guy. I figure it must be Aaron or Steve, his band mates.

"Junior, you in here?" I ask out as I barge in the closet.

"Yup, over here. Come help me with my stuff." He responds almost instantly.
 

"Ready to go?" I ask him as I walk in and then I spot Ollie next to him. Junior notices my expression change and inches closer to me.
 

"Ryder…" Junior says slowly, like I'm going to erupt. "This is Ollie, he's new here." Junior gives the formal introductions. Ollie's eyes wander to me and he flashes me a genuine, teethy smile.
 

"Yeah, I know him." I bite out dismissively. "He's in my class." Junior acts confused by my rudeness. I really am not a complete bitch all of the time.
 

"You are?" Junior asks Ollie.

"Yeah. English class, fourth period." Ollie says back like it's no big deal.
 

"Let's go Junior." I grab on his forearm and tug. He doesn't budge so I give him a disapproving glare. "You know Ollie is friends with Becca. They sit together in class." I further explain. Hello! The entire reason for my melt down today is right here!

Junior genuinely seems confused. "You're friends with Becca?" He sounds almost hurt, like he could have had a new friend but I crushed his hopes.
 

"I don't have any friends yet. This my first day here." Ollie states giving Junior a sincere, honest look.
 

"Yes, you do. You were all over Becca in class!" I cut in yelling out to them. I am done with this whole conversation. We are leaving now. I want to go home already!

"I really wasn't." Ollie finishes exhaustedly clearly tired of this whole exchange. I must look like a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum.
 

"Ryder, give him a break, okay." Junior pleads to me—scolding me for being a bitch. His eyes are sympathetic but his voice is stern. He is under this guys spell. What a traitor. I decide to just go along with the charade.
 

I sigh. "I'm Ryder." I hold out my hand to him like it's an olive branch faking a small smile. If it'll make Junior happy—I'll do it. He takes my hand and heat spreads within me. Butterflies flutter up my stomach and into my throat rendering me star struck.
 

"I know." Ollie says.

CHAPTER TWO

new friends

Sept 3

It's weird Junior's becoming so buddy buddy with Ollie.
 

He usually doesn't let new people in—not by choice.
 

I think he does it more for my sake.
 

What sort of charm is Ollie putting on us?
 

He's just so confident. Not to mention his inhuman appearance.
 

Just the fact that he can put Becca into submission is suspect.
 

Something is between us—whether it is raw passion or some connection, it's evident.
 

Should I let him pass by and save myself the heart ache I know will be waiting for me?
 

It happened again, more frequently now too.
 

I broke a cup, a plate and ripped my jeans last night.
 

I've been getting dizzy too. I think I should tell someone.
 

This can't be normal.
 

Who can I tell?
 

I have no one.
 

Day two of high school hell, commencing in thirty minutes. I slept like a rock last night so I'm awake and right on time. I smell bacon, which sends me into high gear. After getting dressed, I gather my bag and run downstairs to check what's cooking—literally.
 

"Hey dad. What ya making?" I ask investigating the kitchen. He's making up for not being around on my first day. We've been close my whole life. He's kind of all I've had since mom walked out on us both.

She left before I can remember. My dad never told me exactly how long she stuck around but I can tell from his answers, she didn't stick around long. She didn't leave my dad a note or any sort of explanation. Honestly even if she walked through the door right now, I'd hate her.
 

Dad never talks about her but he is definitely still hung up on her. I think he needs closure to get over her. I've tried to get him to date but without any luck. He's just about as stubborn as me.
 

"I made your favorite, Ryder." He comes over to my side kissing my cheek before motioning me to take a seat at the island.
 

You can tell by looking at him, he's had a rough life. He has grey in his dark brown hair, constant dark bags under his eyes, and wrinkles all around them. He puts on a good show for my sake but he's not fooling me.
 

"How was your fancy pants trip?" I ask him gulping down a glass of orange juice.

My dad works for an advertising agency. He had to go to some conference in California. Only three days away but still. I've never even left the East Coast.

"Oh, you know. The usual. I'm exhausted so I took today off. I thought we could hang out tonight. Sound okay?" He asks me, continuing to cook at the stove. He starts rummaging through drawers so I take this as my opening.
 

"You know, you should go on a date with the lady from work." I try to make it sound like his dating life is no big deal but he always hates talking about it. It really isn't as awkward as he makes it seem.
 

"Ryder, it's too early for this." Dad rubs his temples being a tad dramatic, acting like I'm questioning him on his political views. He turns his back to me, refusing to talk.
 

"Dad, you need to put yourself out there. What's her name? Cindy or whatever. She's hot." I argue, trying to persuade him. I feel bad for him. I need to get him some friends or a girlfriend before I leave next year.
 

"Later. You and me tonight. Got it, kid?" He suggests quickly changing the subject.
 

"Fine." I relent agreeing to our date. I smile ear to ear thinking about our predictable night ahead. It's always the same with my dad—football and take out. I glance at the clock in the kitchen and panic. Here I am chatting away—I can't be late to school!

"Hey dad, you think I can take this to go? I promised Junior I'd drive him to school today." I ask him. He me made this amazing breakfast and I don't want to run out on him, but I don't want to be late either.
 

I have a huge serving of bacon, half of which is on a large roll sitting in front of me. He made two fried eggs and put gooey cheese on top on the bun. If I could, I would eat a bacon, egg and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner—all day, every day.
 

"No problem, baby. Just call me Mickey D's." Dad jokes shooting me a wide smile.

"Dad, you're way better than some cheap Egg McMuffin."
 

Junior and I walk into school a little early since I made the drive to his house then school super fast. I didn't hit any lights and sped like the Tasmanian Devil. I've been told time and time again that my lead foot gets me in trouble.
 

I decide to go to my locker now, this way I can avoid the mad rush later. I don't want to chance an encounter with Becca in the halls. I immediately notice Ollie when I round the corner.
 

 
I do not want the day to start off with him. My brain is all sorts of screwed up—all because of this new guy. I decide to put up a cold front. If he thinks I'm a bitch maybe he'll leave me alone.
 

"Can I help you?" I ask him as I confidently stride closer to my locker acting like his good looks don't faze me.
 

"Actually, you can." He turns facing me, a sneaky smile turning up on his face. Like usual, I am pulled into his words as my heart rate spikes.

For a second, I fall into his trap but then remember who I'm talking to. I turn my face from mesmerized into a scowl and glare up at him. I can't crush on this guy! How do I tell my hormones to take a chill pill?
 

"Okay. Well, can I at least get into my stuff?" I ask pushing him a little so I can pop open my locker. Big mistake there, I find. Instead of pushing him a little, my hand grasps his arm lingering to feel his muscle.

I rub my thumb against the lump again realizing I am fondling him. I retract my hand and immediately turn to face my locker so he can't see my crimson face.

Honestly, I can't tell what it is about this guy. I want to dislike him so badly. I want to ignore him. He's gorgeous, yeah but I'm not a girl who likes a guy only for his looks.

"I was wondering if you could tutor me?" He asks leaning against the lockers next to mine. I gaze over at him questioning why he's asking me. His arms are crossed over his chest and his head rests against the cold metal looking like he's posing for a photo opt. He interrupts my thoughts, "I moved here not too long ago and didn't realize you had summer work here."
 

I can't shake the suspicion that he's doing this for other reasons. Becca and her crew could've put him up to this. Maybe I'm just being paranoid and he really needs help. Trust has always been an issue with me.
 

"Why don't you ask Becca? She's in our class too." I stress to him turning my attention to my Algebra book.