Wicked Hungry

I sit down at a table, and Jonathan walks in.

“What’s up, Stan my man?” he asks me, plunking down next to me. He’s got a hair pick stuck in his afro and a manga book out and he’s reading as he talks to me. He wears a lot of black. Some kids think he’s goth, or a skater, but really he’s just into anything Japanese: manga, anime, electronics. People, too, although we don’t have many Asians here in our suburb.

Is something going on? Because everyone seems strange to me today, and when I look at Jonathan, there’s something there, too.

“You look different,” I tell him.

“I think I’m turning Japanese,” he says, smiling.

“No,” I say, “This is something new.”

Jonathan shrugs, giving me his full attention. “I did have this weird dream last night. It was sick. I was in the forest and I had these powers, and I was running around close to the ground.”

“In the forest?”

He smiles. “Crazy, huh?”

It is crazy, but he smells musky. And when I look in his eyes, he looks away.

“Jonathan,” I say quietly. “Have you been taking vitamins?”

He nods. “Me and Enrique got ours the same day; they were left on our doorsteps. They’ve completely cleared up my carpal tunnel syndrome. I can draw like I used to, and still play with my DS for li

ke three hours a day. But hey, I hear you got some action.”

“Shut up,” I say, and I glare at him just as Meredith and Carolina come into the classroom. They glance at me, but Ms. Mayer seats them on the other side of the room.

“How was the party?” Jonathan asks.

“Good,” I say.

“And Carolina’s parents? Did you meet them?” Jonathan asks.

I nod. “Why?”

“Her dad’s the owner of the new health store–Natural Magic on North Main. They’re even going to have a second shop in the mall when it opens. Another Natural Magic, if you can believe that.”

“Are you serious?”

He nods. “They sell a lot of vitamin supplements and herbs, but I hear they have stranger things, too.”

“Like what?” I ask, intrigued.

“Herbs. Tarot cards. Ceremonial daggers. All kinds of stuff. The guy’s wife is some kind of Wicca priestess or something. Dude, I think she’s in your mom’s church. A Unitarian. She’s even supposed to sell love potions.”

Chapter 20: GARY FRUMBERG AND HIS NEW PET PITBULL

The rest of the day passes in a blur; even the hunger and thirst are forgotten, as it seems impossible to focus on anything except talking to Jonathan and Enrique. Finally I’m saved by the bell and make it outside. It’s dark and cloudy like it’s going to rain. I walk toward my bus, then stop. Meredith and Carolina are waiting to get on. Maybe they feel my eyes on them, because as I stand there, frozen, they turn toward me. They’re about to say something when suddenly my arm is seized by a cold hand and I’m pulled away into some bushes, moving so fast my vision blurs.

When I can refocus, she’s standing there, still holding my arm. A tall girl dressed all in black with fiery red hair. It’s Karen. And she isn’t smiling either. More like snarling, showing some canines.

“What’s going on?” I ask her. Her hand is cold on my arm.

“I’m burning myself out here just to find that out. I hear you’re running track. What about your knee?”

“I don’t know. It’s better.”

“Don’t you even wonder what’s going on?”