Dark Calling by Cheryl McIntyre Page A

the hallway, they’ re quiet.  Strange emotions are rumbling around inside of Keely.  She has dated boys in the p ast, but none since the attack .  She hasn’t even though t of boys like that since.  But she likes Nick.  And she actually thinks she trusts him.  Believes he will keep her safe.  Hopes he’ll help her find her parents.  An idea has been brewing since last night.  Nick had told her that it’s all her choice.  The Sussurro Demons told her to give herself to save her mom.  It was the best idea she could think of.  So this morning, while she was in the bathroom, and Nick still slept, she left a message on her mom’s c ell phone.  Her hands had shook , but her voice was smooth, confident.  She asked for a meeting place where she could exchange herself for her parents’ safe return.  Keely is hoping Nick will go alo n g with this plan.  That he will hel p her trick her father.  She has no real intentions of actually going with him anywhere.   Not unless it comes to that, but th at’s where Nick’s help really co me s in.  She i s counting on him to bring her back.
    Nick pauses by the door to World H istory.  Keely feels awkward as she enters the room.  Does Mr. Giordano know that she knows about who he really is?  Actually, now that she thinks about it, she doesn’t really know who he is.  All she knows is he’s somehow involved.  At least he’ s one of the good guys. 
    Mr. Giordano ignores her as thoroughly as he did yesterday.  Nick moves past her and takes his se at in the back.  Bryon walks briskly into the room wearing his gray beanie despite the fact it is way too warm for it .  He s i ts at the empty desk behind her though this is not his seat .
    “Hey.”
    “Hey,” Keely says.  She t ucks a strand of hair behind her ear .  Ignores him .
    “All right.  I can’t take it anymore.  I can’ t stand you being mad at me, Kie m. I can’t take not talkin g to you.  It’s only been a day and I’m going crazy. If I could do it all over, I would do it all differently.  I’m sorry.  I was wrong.  Please forgive me.”  He jumps out o f his s eat.  Kneels beside her on the dusty tiled floor.  His slender hands folded around themselves as if he’ s praying.  No.  As if he’s begging. Everyone is staring at him.   Twenty sets of eyes focus on him. Part of Keely wants to laugh; the other part is reminded of how he had been playing the part of her best friend for the past year .  He takes her foot in his hand and kisses the top of her shoe.  “Please, please, please forgive me.  I was a stupid asshole, but I have learned my lesson and I swear on my mother’s life, I will never lie to you again.”  He crosses his heart with the hand not still holding her foot.   Holds two fingers up, scout’s honor.
    “No.”  She pulls her foot back.   Pushes h is knee with it.  He falls back, flat on his behind.   “I can’ t forgive you. I don’t know who you are, Bryon.”
    He moves back to his seat.  He may be down, but he’s not out.  Leaning forward, he whispers desperately in her ear. “I’m the same guy I’ve always been.  I didn’t pretend to be somebody different.  It’s just...your first day here—when you wouldn’t talk to anyone—do you remember?”  She nods stiffly.  “I gave it a try and you laughed.  You laughed and you actually spoke to me.  I may have pushed the friendship, I may have lied about my age, p retended like I belonged at this school, but I never lied about who I was.  Who I really am.  A nd our friendship wasn’t a lie.  You are a very likeable person.”   He smiles sideways though she doesn’t see it .  “ I have known Nick and Lila and Dustin my whole life, but you are my best friend Keely.  I’ve t old you things that I haven’t told any of them.  And the t hings you told me , I swear I didn’t tell them.  Only what was pertinent to keeping you safe.  I was brought on this job to help you, but