Free Psych Investigation Episodes: Episode 1 (A Young Adult Scifi / Fantasy) by Kevin Weinberg Page B

Where do you wanna go now? Do you
want to head back, or should we walk somewhere else?”
    Melissa twitched at the question. “I think we
should stay here for a few more minutes. It’s really comforting
near the fountain.”
    Jack shrugged and leaned back against the
stone. At first, he had been nervous, but now he was relaxing and
enjoying her company. There was something special about her,
something that drew him to her like a magnet.
    “ You know, Melissa, you’re a really
great person. You helped me with my math without asking for
anything in return, and then you hang out with a loser like me when
I’m sure there’s a zillion other guys that would die for your
company. I really appreciate it all.”
    Melissa shook her head and sighed. Jack
couldn’t understand why she looked so bummed.
    Did my remark make her uncomfortable? Was I
too forward? I just blew it, didn’t I? Damn it all! I totally just
freaked her out. Okay, calm down, Jack, we can recover from this. I
just need to change the conversation. What is it that girls like
more than anything? Is it flowers? There’s gotta be something I can
talk about to connect with her. Think Jack, think! Girls, what do
they like? Oh, wait! I know. Why didn’t I think of this
before?
    “ So, Melissa, how about that
Twilight? You know, I gotta say, all the other guys in school are
all like ‘Twilight is so stupid, and vampires aren’t like that.’
But you know what? I think vampires
should
get all sparkly
and glittery when they’re in the sun. In fact, I like that better
than normal vampires. Cause like, if I were a vampire, I’d save a
ton of money on art supplies. Who needs CVS, right? When you can
just shave and have enough glitter to last you a
lifetime!”
    Hah! That oughta do it.
    Melissa remained silent and motionless, save
for flipping open her phone and checking the time every few
seconds. Jack’s confusion doubled. Where had he gone wrong? She
didn’t appear to be upset with him. Rather, she seemed lost in
thought. She rested her elbows on her knees and her head on top of
her palms. Her golden hair dangled back and forth like the swing of
a pendulum in sway with the cool breeze.
    Thinking of the time, Jack wondered what it
was. He reached into the left pocket of his black jeans. The bright
screen cast surprisingly far shadows in the darkness as Jack
glanced downward.
    Whoa, it’s almost midnight.
    Being alone with Melissa was nothing short of a
dream come true. Were it up to him, Jack would spend an eternity
resting next to her on a warm, beautiful night, as the whispering
breeze rustled the leaves and blew upwards into the trees. But his
mother was expecting him home soon, and he didn’t want her to
worry.
    “ Melissa, I can’t tell you just how
much fun it was to hang out with you tonight, but I’ve
really
gotta get going. You don’t know my mom. If I’m home
even a minute later than I promised, she worries herself sick. I
don’t know what your friend said on the phone that’s got ya all
worried, but I promise whatever it is, I’ll talk about it with you
tomorrow. Adam says I can sometimes be a good guy to talk to when
something’s bothering you, so don’t ever look to anyone else, okay?
It’s the least I can do.”
    Jack dusted off his pants and began to rise.
Without warning, Melissa, as if snapping out of a trance, shot
upward from the fountain and grabbed Jack by the elbow. Her eyes
held a dangerous glare.
    “ Jack, wait! What are a few more
minutes?” Hearing this, Jack beamed with delight.
    Whoa, she’s totally into me! She doesn’t
even want me to leave.
    “ You have no idea how much I’d love
to stay, Melissa, but I really, really need to get going. My mom’s
crazy when it comes to being home on time. I’m sixteen and she
treats me like I’m ten. Don’t worry, I’m free all week, so we can
hang out any time you want.”
    Jack knew he should be more concerned with her
worrisome glances, but he was too happy at seeing how