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Chapter 116: No-show
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The True Nature Series Chapter 117: Maverick
DAD WAITED IN THE car outside the entrance to the rec center while I dashed inside. Kids streamed into the building, goggles and swim caps in hand, their mothers toting large bags. The automatic doors slid open and the smell of chlorine washed over me like a friendly hello. I smiled in relief to see the very person I was looking for behind the front desk and called out a greeting. He looked up from the computer. "Well, if it isn't Tru Parker," he smiled as I walked up to the counter. "How's school?" Maverick was a cute mix of Irish and Filipino, with brown hair and gray eyes. A smattering of freckles dusted his cheeks and his eyes tilted just enough to make him look like he was smiling even when he wasn't. He was a little taller than me with wide, muscled shoulders."Homework sucks." He laughed, a quiet throaty chuckle that showed off his even white teeth. I leaned an elbow onto the counter. "I thought it would be quieter around here once school started." Over the summer, the plac
The True Nature Series Chapter 118: Knox
KNOX WAS INSIDE HIS crate in the spare bedroom when we got home. Dad told me to stay in the living room until he brought him down. He said it could take a month to get Knox to bond with us, and we couldn't leave him out of his crate while we were away from the house until then. That surprised me. It was going to be a while before he was a full-fledged guard dog for us.I heard a bark, the foreign sound echoing in our house. I wasn't sure if it was a happy bark. Dad had said that everything had gone well between him and Knox today. His friend, Mike, had let Knox stay rather than try to integrate him into our home over several days. It proved what an exceptional dog he was. Dad boasted about how surprised Mike had been when Knox quickly accepted his commands. I had to admit I was impressed with Dad's dog know-how. He'd never told me before today that he'd had dogs growing up. Probably because Mom hadn't wanted to get a dog.I heard the clipping of dog paws against the wood. Excitement
The True Nature Series Chapter 119: Rules, Shmules
ALTHOUGH I STILL HADN'T heard from Zander, I knew he'd been in my room sometime today because his bag and laptop were gone. I'd left my window unlocked, hoping he'd come get his stuff after school. I didn't think he'd miss school. But the fact that he had snuck in to get his stuff made me believe that he was okay. I'd worried that he'd gone off half-cocked and done something stupid, like accuse Peter or his father of all the awful things we'd figured out about them.But my anxiety level rose again when he continued to ignore my text messages. Had I blown it by not telling Zander about his father earlier? Was he somewhere hurt, needing help? At some point, I realized it was the aramusatu doing its thing with me. He had to be feeling it, too. So what would keep him away? I decided to give him another day before tracking him down.I knew one thing that would cheer me up. I hadn't told Ruthie about Maverick yet. As expected, she was thrilled. Ruthie and I spent at least an hour fantasizi
The True Nature Series Chapter 120: Bear Hunting
ZANDER AND PETER YELLED at each other in front of a small kitchenette. One bar stool lay knocked over on the floor."You lied to me!" bellowed Zander."Would you stop already?" Peter hollered back. His eyes were white with surprise. "Nobody lied to you.""You said you didn't know anything about Dante or this Collector!""I don't," Peter said."You knew Dante worked for Father!""I didn't know, until I did a little research on the kid." He had the decency to look a little sheepish.Zander swung at him. Peter ducked just in time and grabbed Zander's arm, twisting it and pinning him against a wall. Zander barked out a dark laugh and pulled away from his brother's stronghold, knocking him to the ground."What the hell, Zander?!" Peter leaped up, looking at him in amazement. "Did you receive the Blessing?" Peter asked in surprise. "Why didn't Father tell me?"Zander ignored him, his face thunderous. "You should have told me about Father," he said. He took a step toward Peter, who b
The True Nature Series Chapter 121: Rocker Chick
WHEN KNOX AND I returned from our run, the wonderful smell of waffles hit us as we opened the front door. Knox's feet made clipping noises as he hunted down Dad. I hung up the leash and stretched before following him into the kitchen."Hey!" I said, catching Dad pinching off the corner of a waffle for Knox. "I thought we had to feed him dog food."Dad popped the waffle piece into his mouth like that was his plan all along. "That's right," he said. "Sorry, buddy," he told Knox who huffed at his heel. "I've got yours right here." He pulled out a bag and poured the dried dog food into the bowl on the floor. Knox hesitated before padding over to eat his breakfast. "That's a good boy," said Dad.I snatched up a fresh waffle and smothered it in butter and syrup. Dad grabbed a whip cream can out of the fridge and waved it in my direction. I took it gleefully and sprayed an artistic pile of white fluff on top of my not so healthy breakfast. "So how was the run?" asked Dad."Fun," I said
The True Nature Series Chapter 122: You-know-what
FOR THE REST OF THE morning, I constantly checked in with Ruthie. I wasn't going to risk Peter hurting her again. I even arranged to cross paths with her between classes. I had to run to make it to mine in time, but it was worth it to know she was okay. When I rushed into Physics, I was glad to see I'd arrived before the new kids. I slid into my normal seat just as they walked through the classroom door. Their eyes zoomed in on me darkly. As they trudged to the last row, their heavy gaze made me feel like I'd done something wrong. What did I ever do to them? All throughout class I felt their eyes burning a hole into my back. I didn't understand their interest in me. When Physics ended, I hurried out, relieved to get away. Shrina greeted me at my locker before lunch. "Hey Tru.""Oh. Hi Shrina. Any news about Bobby?" My stomach twisted."Nope." She pulled on her bag nervously."What's wrong?" I asked.She seemed to be wrestling with something. "Were you and Bobby ..." She hesitat
The True Nature Series Chapter 123: Aramu-sick
FRIDAY FINALLY ARRIVED, AND our plans weren't going as expected. Ruthie's parents were going to Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco, keeping them out late. We planned to sneak out after her brothers went to bed and corner Zander at the party. We'd still have plenty of time to get back before her parents. Anyway, that was the plan until Dad said I couldn't sleep over. I pouted, I whined, I pleaded. And I didn't care that I was being a snot this time. But nothing worked. He took one look at the circles under my eyes and my pale skin and said I needed more rest. It was true that I looked like crap. I even felt achy. But I wasn't sick in the conventional way. I was Zander-deprived. As ridiculous as it sounded, I needed him like I needed air to breathe. It was the aramusatu, aka aramu-sick. But Dad had no idea about that and eventually lost his patience with me. He yelled that the discussion was over, scaring me because it was so out of character for him. At that point I knew all was lo
The True Nature Series Chapter 124: Trap
WHEN WE PULLED ONTO Zena's street, cars lined both sides and we could hear the music blaring. There were only a few houses, which meant it was less likely that neighbors would complain. Plus, I wouldn't have been surprised if the neighbors were as afraid of Mrs. Taylor as everyone else. The huge houses sat on equally large lot sizes. Several kids lounged around the sculpted front lawn, drinking out of plastic cups and laughing. The fact that I didn't see Zander's truck worried me. "Stop scowling, girl," said Ruthie as she touched up my makeup. I tried to smooth out my features, but it was hard when my insides felt like a swarm of bees. When she was done, I heaved one final nervous sigh and stepped out of the car. Ruthie pulled me along with her, practically bouncing with anticipation. She seemed ready to take on a pack of wolves, which was what facing Zena's groupies felt like.The front door of the mansion stood open, allowing the music to flow outside and giving us a preview of
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