Two Paths, One Decision

•Chapter Two•

Three periods later, I am now at lunch and I can't stop thinking of that boy. I didn't even get his name because I rushed out of first period so fast as he was about to talk to me, that I lost him in the crowd of people in the hallway during passing period.

Although I was upset that he wasn't in any of my other two periods, which I don't know why I was gloomy, I met Ranessa who hasn't talked to me yet, but is still in my first and second period, science and math with Mrs. Fergenson who is very jovial. So now I am here, in the cafeteria. I usually don't eat lunch so I exited the cafeteria and headed towards the library with my book bag. As I entered the quiet library I quickly found a corner in which I could read peacefully in. As I reach the spot I take out my iPod Shuffle that's connected to my earbuds and favorite book, Gone With the Wind. I sit down and plug my earbuds in and blasted Centuries by Fall Out Boy. I then start reading the page I was last on while not realizing I was singing quietly under my breath.

"Wow, you're good at singing." Said a voice next to me a few minutes later.

I jumped a little bit, because I hadn't noticed someone sit next to me.

"You should know not to sneak up-" I stopped when I looked up from my book and saw that it was the boy from Science. Ugh, I feel like an idiot I don't even know his name...

"It's Jeremiah, but people call me Jeremy." He responded. Wait, did I say that out loud?

"No, you didn't but that's what I want to talk to you about." He said calmly. Can he not do that? It's irritating, and I think it's a joke to him.

"Sorry that it's irritating but-"

"-Ha-ha very funny, you know what, I've dealt with people like you many times before. Always bully the weaker and newer people." I ramble, "That's one of the many reasons why I'm stuck in this small town in Colorado with my Grandma, and not in Arizona with my 6 other siblings and mom. So please leave me alone, because I'm done being picked on by the so called 'populars'. Goodbye." I said while gathering my books and iPod and putting them in my bag forcefully.

Oh dear, this isn't how I wanted this to start off.

"Can you stop doing that?" I yelled, but then I was quickly shushed by the librarian.

"I am not doing any-" He whispered harshly.

"Hey! Just because she is not drooling all over you like all the other girls in this school doesn't mean you have to bother her so much to the point where she is yelling at you." An unfamiliar female voice said behind me, but when I looked over my shoulder I recognized her as Ranessa.

"Thanks," I gave her a small smile. She just shrugged but smiled back at me, making her lip piercings move.

Even my own sister...

"He's you brother?" I question. And how is he doing that mind trick? It's really starting to tick me off.

"Yes, he is. My brother is the star quarterback of the football team, the most gorgeous guy in school, and not to mention the most popular." She said with fake enthusiasm.

"Can we stop the teasing for a second, Nessa, I think she's the One. My Other." He says frustrated.

"Really? That's nothing to joke around with. You know no one in over a 2 centuries in our family has found their Other." She tells him sternly.

"I'm serious, I can read, or rather hear, all of her thoughts and I know for a fact she can listen to mine." He looks over at me, although I don't understand what is going on right now.

"Huh, then prove it." She points her thumb at him. "He'll tell me what he is thinking about right now, and you have to read his mind to tell me what he really is thinking." Jeremiah whispered something in Ranessa's ear.

The two paths.

"What do you mean two paths?" I inhaled remembering my dreams of the younger Alice. How does he know about my nightmares? What is going on?

"Nessa, she is having dreams about the two paths." She gasped as she heard him say that.

"That must mean she is-"

"Stop." He says as he looks over at me concerned. I don't know what to do. I thought.

"She has to be-" She continued. Please, someone help.

"Ranessa! I said stop!" He yelled at her at the top of his lungs.

Oh god, I'm having an attack! I don't understand, I'm so scared right now, if only he were here. He could help me do something to stop the madness. No one understands. There is only one thing I can do that I've done my whole life. Run. I ran, harder than I have in my life.

With tears in my eyes, I ran out of the library while Jeremiah called my name behind me. As I ran past the clerk in the office sobbing, I realized that these boots are not helping what so ever. Time to take these off, and get away from these people. Okay, good I'm out of the school and in the middle of the parking lot and getting drenched by the rain. Where did I park? I immediately recognized the Jeep and started running for it but just then a firm but gentle hand clasped around my wrist.

The last thing I remember was collapsing to the ground and feeling electric tingles as a muscular person was picking me up and shaking me while saying my name multiple times. I feel safe here, in this person's arms...