Shifting Ground
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The cafeteria was filled with the sound of clattering trays and laughter. At a corner table, Nora picked at her turkey sandwich on wheat bread. She and Edison usually brought their lunches to school instead of eating the greasy food that Salem Creek High called "nutritious fare."
Edison slid into the plastic seat across from Nora. "Are you still mad at me?"
"Not really," she sighed.
"Good. Do you like the hair?" Instead of parting his dark hair on the side and having it fall over one eye, it was now combed back and showed off more of his handsome face.
"It looks great both ways," she answered as she studied him.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," he winked at her and unwrapped his sandwich.
"Sorry," Nora blushed. "I didn't mean to stare."
He laughed. "Just teasing you. You still coming over after school?"
Nora looked confused.
"Remember I promised to help you pass geometry?"
"I completely forgot."
"That's not like you."
Nora noticed a gorgeous blonde girl who kept looking their way. "Anna Devereaux keeps staring at you."
"She never notices me."
"Well, she has lately." Nora hoped that she didn't sound jealous. How weird, to start crushing on your best friend.
Maybe it would wear off sooner or later.
Edison glanced to where Nora gestured.
Anna was standing with Carter and Alex. Alex looked annoyed and Carter looked confused.
Alex was animatedly telling something to Anna, but Anna kept looking at Edison. He finally stalked off, leaving Carter standing next to her. Carter followed her gaze and frowned at Edison.
"I don't think it's me she's looking at."
"It's definitely you that she's looking at," Nora said.
"Whatever," Edison replied and dug into his chocolate pudding with a plastic spoon.
"Hey, I have a serious question."
"Yeah?" Edison said and swallowed.
"What happened at your house this morning? I heard some kids talking about a crash or something."
"Karma is what happened."
"Meaning?"
"He and Alex got what they deserved."
"What did they deserve?"
"To be put in their place for once. Why the third degree?" Edison laid down his spoon and looked at her.
"Just curious."
"A coincidence happened. Nothing more, nothing less."
He reached over with a napkin to dab the side of Nora's mouth. "Mustard."
Nora flinched and pulled back with an odd look in her eyes.
Edison dropped the napkin and sat back in his chair, trying to
hide his hurt.
Nora looked thoughtful for a few moments. "Listen, there's a rumor... that you caused the accident on purpose. With witchcraft or something."
"Losers like Carter and Alex can't use their brains to reason, so they invent things."
"True," Nora agreed. "Hey, so, at your house, I did see something the other night.""
Ghosts don't exist, Nora."
Across the cafeteria, Carter was talking to Anna. "He's into something weird. Like, bizarre things happen when he is around..."
"Sshh," Anna said. "I'm going to talk to him."
"What for?"
Anna waved her hand at him to be quiet.
Just then, Anna stopped by their table. She was wearing jeans and a low-cut ruffled blouse. As she put an arm on Edison's shoulder, Nora could see her cleavage and perfectly manicured nails.
"Hi, Edison," Anna cooed.
"Hey," Edison muttered.
"Carter tells me there was an accident at your house this morning. Are you okay?"
Edison cleared his throat. "I'm fine. Thanks."
"Do you think you could help me with my English homework later?" Anna asked.
"Sorry, can't."
"Another time then." Anna's pink lip gloss sparkled as she smiled at them both and sauntered off with Carter following close behind her, like a puppy dog.
Nora glanced at her watch. "I need to go check on my art project. See you in Geometry."
"See you," Edison replied. Cold loneliness hit him as he watched her walk away. She looked especially pretty today in her long skirt and leather boots.
He caught another guy near the exit doors admiring her, but the guy quickly looked away.
That's right, buddy, look away. She's mine.
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJs07Xg4C0
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What do you think is happening to Edison? Drop your theories in the comments and don't forget to support the story!
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