Chapter 14

A shadow hung over Josh’s face. His smile never reached his eyes, nor did they sparkle. Empty that’s what they were, hanging on to life by a thread.
Paige gave Jenna looks, you know the ones that let you know that someone doesn’t like you, it is written on their face. The look of disgust, yet there was something else to her look. The way she narrowed her eyes. Hate maybe, Jenna wasn’t sure.
Soon the café came into sight, Dell’Oways, there wasn’t anything fancy about it. Just plain fonts on a decaying sign. You could pick the place up and send it back thirty years.
Still, it wouldn’t look out of place. They were silent as they walked over the cracked and uneven car park.
That kind of silence that makes you fidget. You want to say something, but you’re scared.
You know if you do it may come out wrong then that silence will become something else. So, Jenna kept a step back from Paige and Josh, thoughts of running. Just turning around and heading home crossed her mind. Her feet followed them while her head told her it was the wrong thing to do.
Jenna could hear the music, before they entered. Some kind of jazz song that was playing on an ancient juke box, the place should have been knocked down years ago. But the High School kids kept it alive. It was there hanged out spot.
Donna, Chelsea and a few of the Jocks and Cheerleaders were already seated, drinking milkshakes, and eating ice cream.
Donna waved and gave Jenna a thumbs up. Jenna waved back with a small smile. Donna had been trying for so long and hard to get Jenna into the inn crowd. She didn’t want to disappoint her.
They all took an empty seat each. Paige pulled up a chair beside her. Jenna felt like she couldn’t breathe. She was sandwiched between Paige and Alex, one of the jocks.
The boys, one more so Zack, he zeroed in on Paige.
“Hay, is your name Google?” Zack asked Paige.
“No why?” she replied giving him a flirty smile, where she licked her lips first.
“Because you have everything I am looking for,” he winked at her.
“Knock it off Zack,” Josh said, in a voice that was harsh yet demanding.
“Why, she your girl? You do know sharing is caring right?”
“Leave my sister alone Zack,” it wasn’t a warning. You could tell with the tone of his voice. It was a threat one where consequence would be paid if he didn’t listen.
“Whatever man,” Zack held up his hands. The table had gone quiet. They were each watching the interaction. The protectiveness of Josh sent a chill down Jenna’s spine. It was a side of him she didn’t like at all. The way his eyes had gown darker and how he held his jaw firm. It made Jenna feel uncomfortable.
Then like nothing had happened, there was laughter and chatter. It was odd to Jenna, she was one to sit out of a crowd, been this close, the way they socialized and interacted.
She didn’t understand. One minute they were mean. The next they were all smiles and friendly faces.
“God man, didn’t you shower? You smell like a pig!” Mitch moaned at Dane while holding his nose.
“It’s all-natural man,” Dane grinned.
“Oh my god! Did you see Jessica’s hair today? Seriously she looks like a troll!” Chelsea laughed.
“Maci is a bitch, who flashes their thong! Nothing but a slut that is what she is. Ben’s eyes were attached to her arse!” Mona groaned slapping Ben’s arm. She was one of the cheerleaders.
“Yeah, that’s why you girls are always grumpy. Who wouldn’t be with a constant wedgy?” Dane pointed his finger at Chelsea.
Jenna looked at Donna, she was smiling and talking to Chelsea.
Donna didn’t really belong in the group. She wasn’t like the rest. She wasn’t mean. She didn’t throw insults to get what she wanted or think she was better than anyone else because she was on the cheerleading squad. She treated people with care.
Jenna didn’t belong in the group. The way they pulled the other students down, from their clothes to the way they had done their hair. She didn’t want to be a part of it. So, what if neither she, nor some of the other kids wore designer clothes.
Why did that matter? The clothes you wear, the way you dress. It didn’t determine the person you were.
Paige gave Jenna a smirk. She looked away. It was one of them smirks where you know something bad is going to happen.
“So, my brother here, for God only knows what reason, seems to like Jenna. Zack you’re a guy, please explain to me,” Paige sang while rubbing Zack’s arm, she leaned over the table to bring her face closer to his. Zack was lapping up the attention. Jenna gulped as her heart picked up speed. She could feel the heat in her cheeks. Paige wanted to embarrass her.
“I don’t know, maybe it is the hair, a wild animal that needs to be tamed,” Zack shrugged. Jenna could feel the burning of tears. She couldn’t look at anyone.
“Your dad is a scientist right, messes around with genetics. Why can’t they leave what they don’t know alone,” The way Paige made the remark about her dad hit a nerve. Jenna jumped up from the table and ran. She wasn’t the only one who thought something more was going on at the lab.
She could hear her name being called, yet she didn’t care. She wasn’t going back in there. She had been stupid. For as long as she could remember she had wanted to be a part of that group. Now she wondered why? If that was what it was like, then she would rather be alone.
The trees came into view. She had plenty of time before the sun would set. She wouldn’t go far. Everyone knew not to stray deep within the forest. Just to stay on the outskirts. Close to the road. Jenna wanted to hide. She didn’t want to be seen. So, she walked into the forest to be swallowed by the trees. She followed an overgrown path. It was beautiful. She watched butterflies dance in the air and birds glide in the sky. They were free, free to fly and spread their wings. She wondered if they had problems. If sometimes they got lonely. Did they have secrets to hide?
The flowers were bright. They swayed in the gentle breeze, like they were dancing to their own melody. Jenna watched them. Memorized with the way they moved.
Things were happening. Things she couldn’t explain. Everything was simple once. Now it was different. Since the attack, she had changed. She wasn’t the same girl. Maybe the chemicals had messed with her mind. Or maybe she was in a coma, and it was all a dream. Jenna couldn’t make sense of things. Did she really turn into a cat? Or was it just her imagination? Maybe crazy ran in the family, after all her Grandmother Rose was insane.
She needed answers. Before she completely lost her mind. There was only one place she could think of that could hold the answers. Her dad’s lab. She just needed a way in. Some excuse to snoop around.