Lost ☆ Spirits
~Ripley M. Dennison
Chapter 2
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"Oh Gods! Dude, you've got to tell what happened." Brian flipped his shoulder length black hair out of his face and walked backwards in front of Mikhael.
"I will. Calm down." Mikhael and Erik grinned at each other. "There's no reason to get so excited. Damn."
"Yeah calm down you mutt, or you'll pee yourself." Erik jested and bounced the basket ball he was holding to his not-so-elated-now brother.
Brian gave Erik the finger but calmed down some. He bounced the ball a few times facing the basket a few feet behind the three point line. Knowing it was an impossible shot for him he spun the ball three times in the air and took the shot saying 'swish' at the last moment. As expected the ball was all net and he gave himself praise for a good shot, even with a little help. Turning back to his brother and Mikhael, he saw a string of light shoot in his direction. He swore and quickly threw up his arm to block the attack with an energy absorbing shield surrounding his arm. The bracelet he wore started tingling with magic.
Mikhael lowered his hand and turned to Erik. "Think perhaps he's adopted?" Erik let out a laugh. "Yeah so I've been telling myself since birth." He answered Mikhael, ignoring his brothers mutinous curses as he walked towards them with the ball cradled in his arms. "Of course," he added quietly, "then I have to reason with the fact he looks like me and has some pretty good energy bursts when he wants to. But don't tell him I said that." Laughing despite himself Mikhael dismissed his annoyance at Brian's lack of discipline and stuck his hands back into his pockets.
"Here," Brian shoved the ball at his brother and turned to Mikhael, "you didn't have to attack me. You could have just told me not to use magic." he said pointedly but relaxed. "So-o. Are you going to tell us what the gorgeous Adrian said to you or what?"
Remembering it was him who brought this on and that Brian and Erik were his best friends, he nodded solemnly. "Yeah." he said smiling brilliantly from the flashback.
*****♥*****
Mikhael had gotten out of Algebra early. Figuring it was too soon to be in the school yard where he usually ate, he headed to the library. He didn't usually need a pass as he was friends with the Librarian and she almost never asked for one, it helped that he was in there at least twice every day. So far every one trusted him, except his peers, which was fine by him.He glanced through the Library windows at the usual six rows of bookshelves and two rows of computers that ran along the back of the Library. Only a couple of people were on the computers and the same with people browsing the books.
The school Library was strangely placed and was surrounded by windows, even the half that was on the inside of the building. One corner faced the outside and the rest was open to the large blocky hallways. The only other door to go through went towards the school office. Passing window after window reached the library door directly in front of the Circulation Desk. When he walked in the Head Librarian looked up from her seat and nodded somberly at him. He smiled and nodded back.
Mikhael wondered over to the computer station furthest away from people and logged in his Student ID. He wanted to check his email and then randomly Google things to waist time until the lunch bell rang so he could head outside.
It wasn't long before he got bored. No one emailed him of interest, just a crud load of sponsors and money grubbing sites. Even Google got boring. He ran out of random topics to search. It was probably best if he stayed in the Library so he didn't get into trouble, he thought bitterly. He checked his watch for the hundredth time.
Only 11:47. He sighed, "Damn." He logged off and went spend the last thirteen minutes looking at books.
The Library at Wakefield High school was a good one. The shelves towered and Mikhael thought they were worthy of a real library, like the ones that you saw in the old eighteenth century movies. Multiple coloured books stood upright on the shelves, proudly displaying their knowledge. The book cases touched the ceiling and filled half of the windows surrounding them.
Mikhael wondered if he would ever find a library that smelled and looked as old as this one did during his lifetime. He reached the third isle which at a glance read G-H. Green eyes sifted through all the spine labels, his hands trailing past book after book. Finally he reached the author he was looking for; Holly Genivar, his favourite Irish author. Her tales of sorcery had always entranced him.
He pulled a very interesting title out of the many books Genivar had written. It was labeled 'Lancelot's Mistress' in gold print against a blue binding, a sword was planted on the background. Mikhael flipped to the back. Liking the description on the back of the little book, he brought it with him to the check out counter.
He was amazed at how a writer could incorporate their own name into a book. The authoress Genivar used the old Welsh spelling of Gwenhwyfar, to be her main character. It was one of the facts that caught his interest to the amazing writer.
Lydia the Librarian smiled. "Hello. How are you today, Mik?" she asked over the head of another student. "Fine, thanks." he answered, lips quirking at the nickname.
The person in front of him turned around to glance at him. Vague recognition crossed the two boys faces.
It was a Sophomore boy that sat near Mikhael in Spanish class. Even if Mikhael and him didn't talk much, every one knew that the older boy was Class President material and the second most popular student in school. Everyone loved him. Even Mikhael didn't mind him, he wasn't stuck up like the other popular kids.
Bentley smiled and gave a small wave.
Mikhael smiled and jerked his head in a friendly nod. "Hey."
"Sup," the boy responded. A book was pushed in Bentley's direction by the librarian. "Ireland?" Mikhael's curiosity became him.
"Uh, yeah. History project."
"Ah, green hills, Faerie creatures, and potato famine." The blond teen was well accustomed to being a smart ass.
"Sorta." the older boy smirked. "Later." He grabbed his book and left.
"You're a dreamer Mikhael." The Librarian told him fondly. Smiling, he didn't disagree with her.
Book check out happens rather quickly since he never had late fees and always turned in his books a week after he got them if not sooner.
"Its only been 9 minutes. " He whispered to himself in disbelief. ~oh well.~ He pushed his hand through his locks. At a quick glance around he spotted an empty wall that wasn't covered by windows or books. The perfect little niche. He leaned against it and propped his foot up on the bricks as he got comfortable reading.
He hadn't even finished reading page three of the prologue before he sensed a person walking towards him. He peeked over the top of the paperback and felt his stomach drop quickly. The same feeling he had when his mum or dad drove over a small hill and back up from the dips of narrow roads and his stomach suddenly went light and his heart raced. Only ten times more than that.
A tall, dark, and brown haired male was sauntering down the aisle of books. His tall lanky frame was unsuccessfully hidden by baggy clothes. Mikhael could see the way his body fit neatly inside the cloth. The boy moved very gracefully and with purpose. Mikhael stared amazed at the long elegant hand the boy used to tilt a book off the shelf.
Other than the boys hand, he could see a very proud and straight nose, as well as pursed lips and a near cleft chin tinted with dark stubble, a shadow of facial hair. The only features Mikhael could see with the boys neck length dark straight hair covering the rest of his face.
Mikhael, entranced, found he couldn't look away from the figure he knew as Adrian Mathews, a Junior and the hottest Goth in school. The only other thing Mikhael knew about him was that he was deadly infatuated with the black wearing model.
Aware he was openly staring he quickly composed his face and demurely returned his gaze to his book. He concentrated some energy and opened his mind to his second chakra to watched Adrian with his third eye. To his surprise he found he couldn't see a thing; everything was covered in darkness. Bewildered he closed his mind and returned his attention to his real surroundings.
His eyes were trained on the book and his breath was slow and steady in a meditative way. He also knew that it had taken little more than a full minute to enter and exit the astral realm. More than enough time for his quarry to move or worse notice him.
Slowly he glanced up from his book and thanked the gods he knew how to keep a straight face and didn't startle easily.
From the top of his book he saw Adrian giving him a very curious look from only five feet in front of him. Mikhael's breath faltered, the only sign to give him away, other than his hearts flutter at the sight of Adrian's wonderful grey eyes. Uneasily his stomach dropped again as he watched Adrian walk towards him.
Mikhael straightened so he was standing instead of leaning and resumed his meditative rhythm to keep his mind and emotions in check.
The dark haired older boy put both his hands in his pockets and stopped in front of Mikhael's silent form. "Hey Mikhael." Adrian's deep voice said lightly, a small smile playing on his lips. "I haven't seen you or the twins around the school lately."
"Uh, yeah," Mikhael blinked and made his mouth form real words instead of focusing on the way his name sounded on Adrian's lips. "Me an the twins usually just hang out around outside during lunch. Sometimes before school too." Mikhael replied evenly.
"Outside?" Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Not across the street I hope."
He frowned. "Really? you think. Oh nah. " He waved his hand incredulously. "We don't smoke. No normally we just go out to the soccer field and sit around watching Jocks and punks do face plants!" He laughed.
Mikhael could not believe the immediate dislike in Adrian's voice when he had said they went outside for lunch. It wasn't as if he didn't have friends over there, but he himself would never go just to give himself cancer for pleasure.
Adrian visibly relaxed, " Oh okay, so -" he looked behind him for a second, "You headed there when the bell rings?"
His heart flipped again, "Uh yeah." ~Yay more intelligent words.~ A voice in his head thought darkly.
Smiling Adrian turned away and called over his shoulder. "Cool. The 'Punks' and I are going to be doing some more face plants." A laugh followed his footsteps as the gothic model left.
The blush filled Mikhael's cheeks before he could even think to close his mouth in his astonishment. He walked slowly back to the computer desk where he had left his bag all the while shaking his head.
Of all the things he'd said or could have said, he had to say they watched the punks face plant. Even knowing full well that Adrian was a part of that group. And truthfully Mikhael had spent time more than just watching the punks skate. But just watching Adrian and his hot group of friends was a great pastime, he added to himself.
In the background a dull bell rang four times. After that everything was a mad scramble. Students picked up their bags and books and belongings, then crowded in the Halls ready to eat or just take a break from teachers and work.
Now begins the decent of the wolves Mikhael mused, and went directly to find his friends on the school grounds so they could watch the punks and Goths in their black guises do face plants and more.
*****♥*****
Mikhael turned to face the goal and did a quick jump shot pushing the memory away with the ball. When he got back from retrieving the basketball he saw Brian giving him a speculating look and Erik a quiet smirk. "So- ?"
"Why haven't you told us about all this stuff before?" Brian demanded holding a hand in front of Erik's face. A flash of irritation showed in the gingers eyes then nothing before looking at Mikhael.
Mikhael spun the ball in his hands without looking at his friends. "I just didn't want to say anything." A pair of hands reached out and grabbed the ball. He looked up into Erik's kind green eyes , then blushed. "You guys don't really want to know how my non-existent love life is."
"Of course we do butthead." Erik told him matter-of-factly. "As your friends we are allowed to know who you are being bullied by, and or crushing on."
There was a reason Mikhael considered Erik a really good friend.
"Hello?" Brian wave his hands between the two boys. "Can we get over this now? Marcy is on her way and we can set up a barrier before she gets here."
Incredulous both Erik and Mikhael stared at him. "Are you ADHD?" Mikhael asked him. "Because if you don't remember, you were the one who wanted to know about Adrian."
Erik sighed. "Come on." he brought his hand up and companionably patted Mikhael on the arm. "The dweeb is just anxious to use magick, he thinks it'll make him smarter."
Laughing Mikhael shook his head and helped the twins set up the magick wards around the court. Once they were up no one could see exactly what they were doing and no would be caught in a stream of stray energy.
When they were finished he could see a large box of light in his minds eye. To passers-by it would look like an ordinary basketball court, but they wouldn't want to come near it.
Impulsively Mikhael tilted his head to the sky and let out the words in his mind.
"Ave Maria,
gratsia plena dominus tecum,
benedicta tu mulieribus,
et benedictus, fructus ventris tui, Jesus
Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Maria,
ora pro nobis, nobis peccatoribus,
Nunc et in hora, in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen."
He sang under his breath. A catholic prayer; never the less to the Goddess and in Latin, a language full of power for him. Feeling proud about having done his part he looked to where Brian and Erik were a few yards behind him metaphysically cleaning the space.
"Ah.. the familiarities of ritual," a poetic voice announced.
Mikhael glanced over and watched a small pony tailed girl step through the light-barrier after drawing it aside like a curtain.
"Hey Marcy, " He waved. "Brian called ya?" She skipped over to him. "Yep. I was just finishing my homework when he reached me." She tilted her head back and looked behind Mikhael at the twins. "He's an excitable one but you'll find he's also caring in the best situations."
The blonde just looked at her blankly not having a clue what she meant. She smiled at him and told him not to worry, "You'll see soon enough," she added happily.
Amused Mikhael laughed and shook his head. Marcy was the seer of the group and would spat random phrases, warnings, and prophesies that nobody understood till it ended up happening.
"So what's this about Mathews?" she asked knowingly.
"You heard? Or you probably know more about it than I do." he smirked, then told her about his day.
Marcy gave him a puzzled look when he finished, "That's weird."
"What is?" he asked seeing the disappointment in her eyes. "I don't know," she shrugged and smiled suddenly.
"Oh well, lets play while we can." Looking heaven ward, Mikhael let the petite girl pull him to the center of the ball court. "Since we're all here why don't we have some real fun?" Marcy sang out.
Erik, Brian, and Mikhael exchanged glances and conspicuously looked in different directions.
"Give it a rest pervs." She rolled her eyes at their interpretation of her words. "Am I the only un-crooked one here?" she asked in an exasperated tone.
Erik held up his hand. "Hey I'm straight." pointed to his brother, "They are the crooked ones."
"Hey!" Brian and Mikhael protested together. They grinned at each other. Brian bounced the ball to Mikhael, "Are we crooked?"
Mikhael grabbed the ball and scoffed, "Of course not. They're just weird." he bounced the ball a few times and looked at each of his friends in turn. "So who wants to test themselves first?"
Silence and conspiratorial glances past around.
"I will," Marcy chimed in. "No cheating I promise, and I've been working on my aim." she added savagely.
"Well then, lets see if it works," Mikhael passed her the ball.
It was simply a battle of skills. A battle in which Marcy would not be found lacking. She set her converse in perfect stance, and with practiced skill shot the ball into the hoop. After bowing to an encore of whistles she called the ball back to her. It came rolling across the concrete only to stop at her feet.
"So?" she inquired mockingly.
"Point taken." Mikhael admitted.
He walked behind her a yard and telekinetically grabbed the ball. In a flash he grabbed it and sent it flying again. He was making a longer shot than Marcy but he knew it was an easy shot for him. The orange ball bounced off the rim; perfectly knocking it into the net.
They played ball testing each others skills with and without magick till dusk settled.
Erik rubbed at a small lightening burn on his wrist. He was lying on the grass semi drifting into sleep while he listening to Marcy's mantras and the laughter of Mikhael and his younger by two minutes twin brother.
Those two were always up to something and constantly flirting. He smirked to himself. It would surprise him if the Moon shone her beams on them in light of love. As if to prove his small foreshadow, a cloud moved leaving the smiling waning moon in its wake. Knowing an omen when he saw one he chuckled. The ginger shifted his back against the ground trying to get comfortable when someone called out to him.
"What?" He leaned his head back to look behind him.
"What time is it Stargazer?" Mikhael's voice drifted from the shadows.
Digging in his pockets he checked his the glowing screen of his cell. "7:27," he read loudly.
"Damn," was the quiet reply.
"You supposed to be home soon?" Marcy called.
"Unfortunately." Mikhael told her, standing three feet away.
Erik yawned. Pushing himself to his feet he pulled out his keys. "Alright, we're going." He glanced back at Mikhael and Marcy, "So ya'll wanna go to the mall tomorrow?"
Mikhael kicked a rock out of his way to the Jeep. "Sure, How about noon."
"I'll pick you up Mikhael if you need me to." Marcy chimed in.
He grinned at her. "All right." Thinking of something stupidly important he stopped walking, "Hold on." He turned around and kneeled on the grass. Placing his hands palms down in the dirt he whispered. "Great Mother from above, release this circle with our love. Thank you for your generosity, As we will so mote it be."
"So mote it be." Chorused behind him.
The invisible light barrier disappeared as he straightened up.
"Let's go blue eyes." Brian taunted. "Or you'll be late." Mikhael cuffed him on the back of the head lightly. "Don't call me blue eyes."
Brian snorted and opened the Jeep door. "I could have called you 'Blondie'" he tossed his hair in a flippant manner before climbing up. "Bye Marcy" he called over the top of the vehicle.
"Night Marcy." Mikhael said to her as well before getting into the hoodless Jeep.
"Night Boys," Marcy replied from her car window and peeled out in her hippie Volkswagen.
Erik winced visibly from the drivers seat. "Damn, she's really gonna ruin that bug like that."
*****♥*****
A couple hours later Mikhael fell asleep thinking of what had happened during the day and what he would be doing tomorrow, as well as his conversation with the dark, broody, and gold-grey eyed Adrian.
He had said his nightly prayers and blessings to the Goddess before going to bed and still his mind was full of Adrian when full sleep hit him.
