(2) For Me To Love You, Would Be to Kill You

8:35 homeroom, Elenore High. 21/02/08

"So, tell me about your parents." Ruth asked.

I shrugged, "Nothing much to tell, they’re dead."

"I’m so sorry."

"Don’t be. I can’t remember them anyways."

"How….how did they..?"

"Car crash."

"Miss Osborne, the principal would like to see you now." The teacher called.

I gave Ruth a smile, "Got to go now."

I walked out of the classroom, fully aware of gazes boring into my back.

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8:36 Principal’s office, Elenore High. 21/02/08

"Have a seat Miss Osborne."

I sat.

"I don’t like to beat around the bush so I’ll get straight to the point. I take it you know Vandike?"

I froze, "I do not know what you are talking about."

"Don’t play dumb with me Miss Osborne. I know who you are and why you are here. You were sent here to, ‘play nice with my son’ were you not?"

"Your son?"

"Jack."

I shot up, "You’re Mr. Peyton?"

The Principal chuckled, "Vandike, has given me a number of nicknames. But that’s a first for me… Let’s just say, he and I are old… acquaintances. We worked on a number of cases together. One included the ‘Peyton’ robbings, I take it he thinks that I’ve stolen something of his, and therefore named me and my son Peyton. I always knew that Vandike was ambitious, but I never thought he didn’t have loyalty."

"Why are you telling me all of this?"

He cocked his head, "From the way you….’entered’ the school this morning, I saw something that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I can’t exactly name it, but the fire, the loneliness, and the fierce loyalty reminds me of someone…. There are many crooked agents out there, and I think that you could be the agent to set things right. You should re-think your current situation; I am not the enemy Miss Osborne."
"Why should I believe anything you say?"

"I know how Vandike works. When I was working with him, he started talk about recruiting… orphans. Children that had no parents, so that they would have no suspicions on them. Do you have parents Miss Osborne?"

"Not anymore."

He nodded as if he knew, "You were taken as a baby. Vandike raised you as his own. From a young age, I would suspect he was already training you, brainwashing you."

"NEVER!" I shouted, "I am complete and in full control of myself. There are others!" I hissed.

He froze, "Others?"

"Yes! Other….people that work for him. They’re the only family I know. There are other….other agents there as well!"

He stalked over to me and grabbed me by my arms, "You must get them out of there now. Vandike is dangerous, he is absolutely lethal. He thinks I’ve stolen something from him, but it was never in his possession in the first place. The thing he seeks is very dangerous, and could harm you and the others. I am not the enemy here Miss Osborne, he is. Why do you think I am in charge of this school? I don’t know if he’s told you, but most of the students here are students whose parents couldn’t care less about what happened to them. I became principal here, so that he couldn’t take what wasn’t his!"

I became limp. Is what he says true?

"What’s your real name then?"

He hesitated, "Timothy Sanders."

"Your son?" I urged.

"I cannot tell you more about him, until I know you are fully on my side Miss Osborne. I’m sure even you could understand that."

"I understand clearly. Mr…..Sanders, and I would like for you to also understand, that until I know more about you," I pointed a finger at him, "you should be able to see the… the complications I am going through."

He let go of me, "I understand Miss Osborne. But let me warn you first about Vandike. Do not tell him of what we talked about today, until he is stopped, you’re just going to have to trust my word."

"Of course Mr. Sanders. I understand perfectly."

"Do I have your word not to tell Vandike about this meeting?"

"You have my word. Spy’s honor."

"Very well then, thank you, you should be getting to class now."

I walked to wards the door.

"Oh, and Miss Osborne?"

I turned around, "Yes?"

"Try to keep my student’s faces in one piece. No matter how irritating they can be."

I had to smile at that one, "Of course sir."

I walked out of the principal’s office with my head full of doubts. Who could I trust? More importantly, who was the real enemy here?

I bumped into somebody on my way out, "Sorry," I mumbled.

"Hey, you’re the girl who punched cheerleader Brittney aren’t you?"

I looked up and saw sandy blond hair.

Jack.

"Um, yes?"

"Not bad, I do a bit of martial arts myself."

"Interesting…."

A smile lit on his face, "Very."

Before warning, his fist came out of nowhere and I ducked instinctively. I kicked him in the stomach but he quickly twisted away. I punched, he ducked. He kicked, I twirled. We came to a draw. I couldn’t move without him attacking, and he couldn’t move without me attacking. Jack dropped out of his fighting stance.

"Not bad…not bad at all…." His eyes raked me, "it’s nice knowing that all girls aren’t the same. I’ll…. See you around…" he turned and walked back down the corridor whistling tunelessly.

I was shocked and amazed at the same time.

Jack Peyton….Jack Sanders, if he really was the principal’s son. Was he in on it? Or just an innocent pawn in a deadly game of chess?
I turned and went back to homeroom.

School passed by without anything special. The cheerleaders(Brittney) stayed clear of my path and I stayed clear of theirs. Life seemed simple.

Until lunch came.

I was sitting down with Ruth at a table. I was fully aware of everyone starring at me, but didn’t bother to take notice on it.

"Tammy! Hey Tammy!" I recognized that voice.

I turned around.

Mark.

What was he doing here? He wasn’t supposed to be….

"Hey Tammy." He said as he stopped at my table.

"Mark," I hissed, "What are you doing here?"

Everyone was looking this way now. Embarrassing.

I smiled weakly at Ruth, "Excuse us."

Everyone’s eyes were glued to us as I pulled him out of the cafeteria’s doors.

"Would everyone mind their own damned business?" I snapped. Eyes darted in all directions. All except Jack’s. His eyes narrowed at me.
I hurled Mark against the wall, "What. Do. You. Think. You’re. Doing?" I said against gritted teeth.

Mark blinked, "I think I’m supposed to be helping you with this mission."

"Vandike sent you didn’t he?" I griped is collar harder, "Didn’t he!?"

"Yes, ok, ok, he did, but sheesh Tammy, you don’t have to take it out on my shirt."

"Why did he send you?" I hissed.

"What do you mea- ow! Ow! Ow!" he said as I pinched his skin. "I didn’t know you were this violent. Vandike thought you might need some help. Ok? By the way, I need to tell you where you’ll be staying for this mission. Your address is 42 Lola street. You have an apartment at Marquiette Hotel. Room 1127 floor 14, here’s the key. Look I’ll stay out of your hair ok?"

I took the key. It wasn’t like Vandike to forget to tell me something, but I could always use the extra help. I released him, "Never mind my hair. Things have changed."

Mark, now rubbing his crinkled shirt, "Tammy, you’ve only been here for like what? One day? And things have already changed?"

I rubbed my forehead, "Yes…. Mark, do you have any parents?"

His forehead crinkled, "Of course. They live in London now. But they send me emails every week."

I breathed out slowly. Then that means, what Mr. Sanders told me wasn’t true, Vandike wasn’t recruiting orphans… but that didn’t necessarily make it false either. "Listen Mark, I can’t explain this properly, but, today, I was sent to the principal’s office and I-"

"On your first day too? Can’t you keep your hands to yourself for one day Tammy?"

I smiled, "Apparently, no. This school is different, anyway, it turns out, Jack Peyton, may not be a Jack Peyton after all. Even his father’s name is fake!"

Mark moved closer to me, "What are you talking about, Tammy? I mean, heck, it’s only been, what? 4 hours since you were supposed to arrive here, and you think you’ve finished cracking the case?"

"I was sent to the Principals office. And there, we had, a… very long talk. But anyway, I found out that… that Vandike, may not be all that he seems. He’s after something, something dangerous. Mr. Sander’s has it, he told me…. Not to tell Vandike about what he said. So don’t tell him ok? Don’t tell him until I have this whole thing sorted out. He said that me, you, the others are in danger of Vandike, like, he’ll do something to us and I-"

"And what Tammy? You believe him? For crying out loud, he isn’t called the enemy for nothing! He WILL lie to you. You can’t believe everything he says!"

"But I cannot ignore it either. Something’s going on Mark, something that…something big. I’m not sure who I can trust anymore."

Mark sighed and pulled me into his arms. Mark was a muscular guy with curly red hair and freckles on his face. Also, my dearest friend. He was there for me ever since I could remember. I could trust him….

He kissed the top of my head, "Everything will be alright little sister."

"Whatever you say big brother." We both chuckled.

"Am I interrupting something?"

We sprang apart instantly. I turned around.

"What do you want Jack?"

"Jack? Mmm…. I don’t recall telling you my name…. Word about me must get along fast." He smirked.

Mark looked back and forth from me to him, "I’ll uh," he cleared his throat, "I’ll go tell the Principal your new address… See you later then Tammy…"

I nodded.

Jack leaned against the wall, "I take it you’re taken then?"

"Taken?"

"Unavailable?"

"I’m talking to you right now aren’t I?"

He chuckled, "You know, for a girl who has fast fists, her brain’s pretty slow. Are you dating him?"

This idea was so ridiculous I had to laugh. I mean Me? Dating MARK? Sure he was my closest friend, but definitely not boyfriend material. Well, for me anyway.

"Let me in on the Joke?"

"Just the thought that you-!" more giggles, "Think that..that- I’m dating Mark!"

Jack looked thoughtful, "You’re pretty when you laugh."

That stopped my laughter immediately.

"So I take it you’re not dating....Mark?"

"You wish." I shot back.

"Temper..temper… and actually that would be the last thing in the world for me to wish. For it now means you can have dinner with me tonight."

"Dinner? Tonight? With you?"

He sighed again, "Do you have hearing problems?" I spluttered for a quick reply, "Or maybe, you’re just so flattered that I asked you."

I grimaced, "Hardly."

"Oh well, a guy can dream."

"Infatuated with the new girl already Jack?" I asked him.

He rubbed his chin, "Infatuation? I intend it to last longer than that."
"Don’t you think this is a bit….fast? I mean, I’ve only just got here today. I only just met you, I’m just an ordinary new girl."

He stepped closer to me. I wanted to run, but felt that I couldn’t. His warm brown eyes held me in his gaze. His finger skimmed down the side of my neck and leaned in closer to me. Jack bent down closer to my ear, "All the things you said would be true…but I’ll just bet you’re anything but an ordinary girl aren’t you Tammy Osborne?"

I almost closed my eyes….

"I’ll pick you up at seven then." My eyes snapped open and he was already walking away. "Don’t worry I’ll get your address, after all my dad’s the principal isn’t he. I’ll look forward to it…Tammy."

I stared wordlessly after him.

Jack Peyton?

Jack Sanders?

Son of the devil?

Or

Son of an angel?

Just who is he?

Who can I trust? Who is the enemy?

This wasn’t going to end well….

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It disturbs me that some people think that this isn't my story. That it is a lot like another, I'll have to read the book to find out. But this story Is definitely mine. I came up with it and am now writing it. I am hurt to think that people would think that I would plagiarized. If people don't like this series, I will end this series. But this is MOST DEFINITELY my own story. I don't know how else I can prove it to you. Well all in all, just tell me if you want me to end this series, but at the same time tell me what you think of this chapter. Thank you.

Happy Reading.