Part 3 (1/2)

”With friends?” Penelope looked hopeful.

”Uhh...” Gemma sighed and shook her head.

”Gemma. When we moved up to Ponte Vedra Beach last year you begged us not to pull you out of St. Augustine High. Remember?”

She nodded.

”You said you found it hard enough to make friends and you didn't want to be the new kid again.”

”It wasn't just for me. Dom and Ruby didn't want to leave either.”

”Yes, but you were the only one who convinced your father to buy you that wretched bike to commute with.”

Gemma blushed. Her one triumph. She still couldn't believe her father had said yes.

”The point is, you've been at the same school for nearly three years now and your status remains the same.” Penelope placed a delicate hand on her shoulder. ”You stand out when you're friendless. People think you're weird.”

”I'll go to one of those end of the run arty movies tonight. No one else will even be in the theater.”

Her mother shook her head. ”All I'm asking is that you make a few casual acquaintances. Isn't there anyone you can call?”

Gemma's brow wrinkled as she shook her head. A look of sympathy flickered over Penelope's face as she reached for her daughter's chin.

”You don't need to be afraid. We've raised you to trust your instincts. You can lie as well as the rest of us. We know you won't break the oath.”

”That's not what happened last time.”

Her mother smiled. ”We put out those fires.”

”We moved to the other side of the country and I was grounded for two months.”

”Which I still think was way harsh, it's not like she told on purpose.” Ruby examined her complete effect in the full-length mirror.

Penelope frowned, but let the comment slide. ”Gemma, that was three years ago. You've matured a lot since then. Now stop punis.h.i.+ng yourself.”

”I'm not punis.h.i.+ng myself, I just don't want to screw up again.”

”You won't. If anything, you're s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up by not making any friends. Unless you have aspirations of becoming a hermit, you need to start engaging in human interactions now.”

Gemma frowned.

”We trust you.”

”I don't want to lie to my friends.”

”Well, you don't have any, so that's okay.”

”Ruby! Shhh.” Her mother's stern expression dropped away as she turned back to face Gemma.

”Please, Mom, I'm happier this way.”

”Your father and I are not. We want to see a little more effort. You're not doing us any favors by being the school freak. People just gossip about you and then they get curious.”

”I hardly think anyone's going to guess the truth.”

”That's not the point, Ruby. If the truth gets out, it puts our family in a very dangerous position. Now Gemma, next time you head off to the movies, I want you to be going with a friend.”

”Yes ma'am.” She pasted on that good girl smile that always made her mother nod with satisfaction. It worked.

Chapter Four.

St. Augustine, Florida - 2011 AD It was seven o'clock when Harrison entered the mall. Most of the stores were closed for the night, bar the eateries. He walked past Antonio's and sniffed, wis.h.i.+ng he'd stopped there instead of grabbing a cheeseburger and c.o.ke at Burger King. A thick slice of Italian pizza with the works would have gone down nicely.

Next time.

Stepping onto the escalator, he rode it to the top, enjoying the art of people watching. Behind him, there was a young couple with their hands in each other's back pockets, giggling over a shared milkshake. There was a frazzled father with three exuberant children in front of him. They were all talking at once and squabbling over which movie to see. Harrison didn't bother hiding his grin as he stepped past the man and headed to the ticket counter.

As usual, he had beaten Darren and the girls. He decided to go ahead and buy everyone's tickets so they could at least get good seats. Stepping into line, he scanned the times and t.i.tles. Death's Doorway was playing hourly over the weekend. Checking his watch, he decided to go for the seven-thirty session; everyone should have arrived by then.

He pulled out his wallet and grabbed some cash then glanced up and felt his insides jolt. Two ahead of him in the line was the girl he'd been thinking about all day. He subconsciously rubbed his fingers together as he watched her.

Gemma smoothed back her hair and ran a hand down her long, braided ponytail. It swung down her back like a pendulum. Clearing her throat, she stepped up to the ticket counter and spoke too softly for Harrison to hear.

Please be Death's Doorway.

She gave the teller a shy smile then took her bottled water and headed towards the theaters. Harrison strained to see which way she was heading, annoyed that she disappeared out of sight before his turn.

Changing his mind, he bought just one ticket and raced towards the theaters. There were six doorways to choose from. He'd check everyone if he had to. Harrison opened the first door to a loud scream and squeal of tires. Racing up the ramp, he checked the screen to make sure it wasn't a preview and was happy to eliminate the movie so quickly.

He got lucky in the second theater as well, although glimpsed the end of Death's Doorway. Darren would not be impressed. He had already predicted the ending and he was totally wrong.

Harrison paused outside the third theater and saw it was some foreign film. He nearly skipped over it, but knew it would only take a second to check.

Racing up the ramp, he saw the opening t.i.tles were just beginning so popped his head around the corner. Gemma was sitting near the back, her slender legs perched on the seat in front of her. She had the theater to herself.

Harrison ran his hands through his hair and smiled. Taking a breath, he thought casual and sauntered up the steps. She spotted him immediately. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion then popped wide with recognition.

”Hey.” He sidled down the row and plopped down beside her.

She jerked away when he leant against their shared armrest.

”Are you... Are you stalking me?”

His laughter was rich as he lifted his hands. ”Hey, I like...” he gazed at the screen and squinted. ”Rice... dis... him... him...”

”Risse des Himmels. It means Tears of Heaven.”