Shifted

“Excuse me, I’m here to pickup an order to go?”

“Name?”

“Graves.”

“Let me check.”

Theo sighed, his fingers tapping impatiently on the counter. “Bloody Americans.”

He was standing inside Rizzo’s Pizza & Pasta, where it seemed everyone and their grandmother decided to dine tonight. He’d nearly been mowed down by seven different people just on his way to the counter. Not a single one even bothering to say “Sorry” and instead looking at him as if it was his fault for just existing. Apparently, the rumors were true. Americans were rude. The worst being one particularly giant blonde nitwit in a muscle shirt. It seemed his grandfather was the only exception.

“Oh!”

Another person bumped into Theo’s side. He stifled a groan and turned his head, ready to curse at whoever did so this time, only for the words to die in his mouth. It wasn’t another man or roided-out jock. No. It was a girl. One that only came up to Theo’s shoulders, with long and luscious brown locks and beautiful charcoal-eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” the girl blushed. “The one time I wasn’t paying attention, right?”

She chuckled slightly, her nose crinkling. Theo grinned nervously, running a hand through his short, wavy dark hair. His insides churning anxiously. Sound cool. Don’t be an arse. Just say something like the blokes on all those shows Yanks go crazy over.

“No harm, no foul,” Theo replied. Also I’m a bloody idiot.

“Cool,” the girl replied, raising her eyebrow slightly. “Nice accent. Take it you’re not from around here, huh?”

“Not in the slightest,” Theo replied.

“London?”

“Wales, actually.”

“You here on vacation or…?”

“The latter,” Theo sighed. “My mum, got a job here. Change of scenery and all that. So, this sleepy little Hamlet is our new home.”

“Don’t sound so thrilled,” the girl half-laughed.

“It’s just… different than what I’m used to, y’know?” Theo sighed. “The people, the places, the roads… but I finally quit yapping to mum in the car— ’What are you doing? We’re on the wrong side! We’re gonna die!’”

The girl bit her lip.

“Sorry, bad jokes are my kryptonite,” Theo muttered, his cheeks turning red.

The girl smiled. “No. It wasn’t that — I’m with someone and they’re getting a little impatient.”

“How can you tell?”

“Intuition.”

“Well, that’s not mysterious at all,” Theo chuckled.

“Says the guy, who hasn’t even introduced himself,” the girl smirked. “I thought Brits were supposed to be polite and all gentlemen-like or whatever.”

“Gentlemen-like?” Theo raised an eyebrow. “Is that really a term over here?”

“That depends,” the girl replied playfully, “how many Americans have you talked to?”

“You’re the first. But I have been knocked down by quite a few, if that helps.”

“Don’t I feel special,” said the girl. “But yeah — it’s totally a term.”

“Order for Graves!” the waiter finally returned, slapping the pizza on the counter.

“Right, thanks,” Theo replied, digging in his pocket for some cash.

“Hey, Miles,” the girl interrupted. “Add his to my bill.”

“You sure, Artemis?” the waiter frowned.

The girl, Artemis, looked at Theo appraisingly before saying, “Doesn’t look like he bites, so I’m pretty sure.”

Miles nodded and walked off, his shoulders slumped. Theo turned to Artemis, his eyes widened with bemusement. “Not to sound ungrateful… but what was that about?”

Artemis shrugged as she walked off. “Just wanted to show you not all Americans are so ’bloody’.”

“How — you heard that?” Theo’s face turned bright-red.

“Intuition, remember? See you around, Graves.”

“You too… Artemis,” Theo grinned, despite himself, leaving Rizzo’s Pizza & Pasta much happier than when he arrived.

“GET UP AND FEEL GOOD! GOOD! GOOD…!”

Theo stifled a yawn as he silenced the alarm on his phone and stretched out of bed. He stumbled past the maze of unpacked cardboard boxes that still held most of his belongings in the rather cramped room and pulled out an orange t-shirt, smelling it to make sure it was cleaned prior to the move.

“Eh. Close enough.”

For three months, Theo had put off unpacking. All to deny the fact he was gone. Theo glanced at the framed photo of him and his grandfather back in Wales, his heart wrenching at the sight of his nine-year-old self latched onto his grandfather’s neck happily as they both laughed.

Theo tried to shake off his grief, pushing it to the back of his mind and pulled on the t-shirt along with the jeans and blue-hoodie he had on the night before. How long was he supposed to feel this way? How long was he supposed to wake up every damn morning and feel like the world should’ve ended along with his grandfather’s life? And yet, just act like nothing ever bothered him. Just keep on going through life with a forced smile and a snarky quip? Because he’d almost rather punch a glass window than live through this fresh hell everyday.

He was just about finished tying his sneakers, when he heard his mother call out — “Theo, hurry up. Or you’ll be late for your first day!”

“Because that would be just awful,” Theo muttered as he stood up, pocketing his phone and slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

Theo entered the kitchenette/den combo of their apartment and saw his mother, Mariah, putting on her badge, fastening it to her holster.

“At least I’m not the only one who’s running late,” said Theo, cheekily.

“No, you’re just the only one not in a hurry,” Mariah shook her head impatiently.

“You know I hate that word, Mum,” Theo groaned. “If I could snap my fingers and magically erase the word ’Hurry’ from the dictionary, I would.”

“Take it up with your English teacher.”

“Sure, then maybe she’ll chuck me out,” Theo mused. “That way I can just skip the whole ‘Breakfast Club’ experience. Maybe take up online schooling or something.”

Mariah sighed, placing her hand on Theo’s shoulder. “Sweetie, I know you weren’t crazy about the idea of moving here.”

“I’m still not, but yet here we are.”

“Yes. We are. I know this is a big change for us —”

“For me, Mum. You grew up here, at least.”

“Then trust me when I tell you that Grovington isn’t so bad when you give it a chance. Is it perfect? No. But no place really is.”

DING! DING!

“Hell!” Mariah muttered. “I have to go, sweetie. Just promise me you’ll at least try to —!”

“Yeah. Of course.” Theo sighed.

“That’s my boy,” Mariah smiled sweetly. “I’ll be working the late shift, so remember that the leftovers are in fridge.”

“I will.”

“I love you.”

“Luv you too, Mum.”

Theo loved riding his skateboard. At least that was one thing life couldn’t take away from him. Even as he approached Grovington High, for a short lapse of time, he could let all his troubles drift away into the wind that blew gently through his hair. So, when he came to a halt and kicked-up his board it was only a mild feeling of dread that lined his stomach.

Theo walked up the cracked steps and through the solid-oak doors. His eyes greeted with the sight of a hallway crowded with students either talking, snogging, texting, or Theo’s least favorite pastime… bullying.

Five guys were over near the lockers, knocking over a blind kid and shredding the papers of the slightly round-esque girl he was with. “That was my history essay, assholes!”

“I don’t see any essay. Just confetti!” One of the five said as the others guffawed stupidly. With a rush of dread, Theo recognized him as the blonde wanker he’d bumped into the other night. Well, looks like I had him pegged, thought Theo mirthlessly.

“Really? Because all I see are five jocks drastically overcompensating. Let me guess… size issues?”

The five stopped laughing at once. “What’d you say?”

“How small is your wanger?” Theo smirked. Because, I’m picturing the size of a cocktail weenie? Am I close?”

“What?”

“Oh, come now,” Theo replied. “It’s not that hard. To answer a question, you simply need to say more than one syllable.”

POW!

One of the five kicked Theo in his chest, pinning him against the lockers. “You get two free shots, Fish and Shits. Next time — the beating won’t stop.”

The five then strutted off, but not before throwing Theo to the floor with loud roar of laughter.

“Arsehat,” Theo muttered as he pushed himself back up.

“Thanks for that,” said the blind boy to Theo, his hair long and shaggy with a scar visible on the right side of nose. The girl handed her friend his white cane.

“Anytime, mate,” Theo grinned, rubbing his chest. “Never did care for bullies. You two alright…?”

“Chase,” the blind boy replied.

“Theo.”

“So, what was shot number one?” asked Chase.

“Bumping into the oaf after leaving a pizza place, I guess,” Theo chuckled, then turning his attention to the girl. “What’s your name?”

The girl looked down at her feet, before finally saying, “Melissa.”

“You’ll have to excuse Melissa,” Chase shrugged. “You must have a six-pack or something, because she only gets flustered around hot guys… well, that and hot girls.”

“Chase!” Melissa snapped, her face flushing red. “That is so not — I mean, not that you’re — but it’s not like —!”

“Anyone ever teach you what assume means, mate?” said Theo, as Melissa smiled at him gratefully and Chase chuckled to himself.

“Something about an ass, along with a you and a me, right? Because I gotta stop you right there, I don’t do that until the second date.”

Theo laughed, while Melissa face-palmed. “It’s nice to meet some people who aren’t so full of themselves.”

“Oh, so you’ve met Grovington’s elite already?” Chase laughed.

“Pretty much,” Theo chuckled.

“That’s Grovington for you,” Melissa sighed. “Come for the kicks and stay despite of the pricks.”

“They should put that on the brochure,” Theo smiled, shaking his head. “Really draw in the tourists.”

“Definitely,” smirked Chase. “Who you got for homeroom?”

Theo pulled out his phone, checking his notes. “Some wanker by the name of Michelson.”

“Awesome,” Chase replied. “We’ll save you a seat.”

“Can’t I just walk there with you?” Theo asked, bemusedly.

“Dude, you’re the new kid,” said Chase.

“So?”

“So, that means you get a welcome buddy,” Melissa frowned. “It’s mandatory for the most exemplary student in our year to show you around the school before class starts. It’s a whole thing. Just go to the principal’s office and whoever it is will be waiting for you.”

“Seriously?” Theo asked. “In this small of a school? You two aren’t screwing with me, are you?”

“You kidding?” said Chase. “Melissa never jokes about things. Now, this and that she’ll joke about. Maybe even who and what. But never things. Oh, man, you never want to get her started on things.”

“Damn straight,” said Melissa in mock seriousness.

“Catch you two in class then,” Theo replied as he walked down the hall. Luckily, it was so small of a school, within two turns he’d arrived at the principal’s office. Where a familiar girl was already waiting for him with a patient grin.

“Artemis?” Theo half-grinned.

“Hey, Graves,” said Artemis, smugly. “Welcome to Grovington High. I’ll be your welcome buddy.”

“…Okay,” said Theo, his voice ringing with a bit of nervousness.

“By the way, you’re late,” said Artemis playfully, as she strode past him. “Looks like you’re not the type to hurry. So, try to keep up.”

Theo bit back a retort and followed her out the door.

“… And that’s the science lab?” Artemis finished twenty minutes later, the two of them walking down the now empty hallways. “Any questions?”

“Not particularly,” Theo shrugged.

“Good, because I have one,” said Artemis.

“I didn’t know the Welcome Buddy thing worked that way,” Theo raised his eyebrow.

“It’s an ever changing job,” Artemis replied. “Why the skateboard?”

“Beg your pardon?”

“I mean, it’s fun and all — but why pick it over a bike or skates?” Artemis asked.

“Why don’t you just ask your intuition?” Theo smirked.

“Maybe because I want to hear it from you instead,” said Artemis, “and avoid my algebra test just a little longer.”

“Well, in that case, how could I possibly say no,” said Theo. “I guess the answer is my family? You see, I got my first board from my grandfather, he was from here. Raised my mum in this town and everything before she moved to Wales a bit after I was born. A few times a year, he would come by and bring some boards. The two of us would skate around this old, drained pool outside our flat. We’d do it for hours at a time. Just cutting up and him trying his best to teach me new moves. Which most of the time ended with me flat on my arse. That’s why my mum and I moved back here during the summer, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. We tried bringing him to every specialist we could afford, but it was all for not. He… passed on last July. After that, instead of selling his flat… or I guess you’d call it an apartment here… my mum decided to just stay. And we’ve been here ever since. …Whoa. Heh. Sorry, got a bit heavy there for moment.”

“No… no, not at all,” said Artemis, grasping his hand. “I think you needed to be heavy with someone… that sounded way less weird in my head, I swear.”

“It wasn’t,” said Theo. “It was kind.”

“Thanks.”

“I should probably be thinking you, actually,” said Theo. “Out of everyone I’ve met in this town in past three months, you’ve helped me out more than any of them.”

“By paying for a pizza and talking?” Artemis raised her eyebrow.

“Granted, everyone else set the bar pretty low,” said Theo. “I guess, it’s just nice to talk with someone who cares about people in general. A person who doesn’t judge. Even the ones they just met.”

“Don’t worry, I only dish out very harsh and vengeful judgement on my closest friends.”

“Well, I hope I can be in the running for that someday,” said Theo.

“Something tells me you’ll get there,” Artemis smiled, pushing a strand of her long-locks back.

“Ahem.”

Theo and Artemis turned around to see a tall, burly blonde man in his forties standing behind them. He was leaning on a cart filled with cleaning supplies, his piercing blue eyes narrowed at them in irritation.

“Uhm, Theo, this the school janitor,” said Artemis, her cheeks slightly red. “Mr. Lawson.”

“You kids done talking, so I can do my job and you can… let’s see… get to class?” asked Mr. Law, his voice rough and gravely.

“Right, class,” Artemis sighed. “I have that algebra test and you have home room. See you around, Theo.”

“You too, Artemis,” Theo replied with a grin, watching her walk to class.

“You need to be careful, kid,” said Mr. Lawson.

“About what, Sir?” Theo asked.

“The girl’s more trouble than she’s worth,” said Mr. Lawson.

“How’s that?” said Theo, frowning.

“She’s dating John Crocks,” Mr. Lawson sighed.

“I didn’t know she had a boyfriend,” Theo replied. “But it’s not like I did anything with her, besides we just met. We’re barely friends, if anything.”

“Tell that to John,” Mr. Lawson pointed at a nearby classroom door, where Theo could just make out one of the five guys who attacked him earlier, through the tiny window on it — who was now glaring at him with a passion that if described as fury wouldn’t do the expression justice.

“That’s John?” asked Theo.

“Uh-huh. He’s also the star player of the school’s baseball team. Got a hell of an arm.”

“Bollocks.” Well, at least I know what the first strike really was… dammit! Could Artemis find anyone bigger?

“If were you, I’d call someone to pick me up after school and go straight home,” said Mr. Lawson. “Because if he catches you… well, I think you have a good idea of what’ll happen.”

The rest of the day passed by in a blur, as Theo kept looking over his shoulder anticipating an attack at any moment. In fact, Theo almost hoped John and his goons would attack him during school hours, but like always he wasn’t so lucky.

When the final bell rang, Theo made his way through the crowd of students. Once outside, he slammed his skateboard to the ground and took off. Just briefly noticing Mr. Lawson watching him do so as he emptied waste baskets.

Theo rode the board through the town, he was only a mile from his complex. So far so good. He needed to make it just a little further.

WHAM!

A baseball hit Theo straight in the jaw, knocking him from his board and onto the pavement. Theo struggled to stand up as he heard ten footsteps approach him. He could just make out John’s blurry outline as the bully grabbed Theo by his hoodie and slammed him into an alley.

“Well… wasn’t that ballsey…?” Theo muttered.

“Laugh while you still can! Because I told you, Fish and Shits — you’d only get two free shots! And what’d you do five seconds later?” John kicked Theo’s chest repeatedly as blood spurted out of his mouth. “You went after my girl! Again!”

“…Didn’t know you could own girls… in this country… little outdated… if you ask me…”

John kicked Theo in the head. Shit! Probably shouldn’t have said that, Theo thought. Theo struggled up and tried to focus his increasingly blurred vision, forming his hands into fists.

“Stay down, Fish and Shits!”

“Again… with the name calling… are you sure you don’t have… a tiny wanger…?” Theo smirked through the blood covering his teeth.

POW!

John hit him on the nose. Great! More blood. And tossed him into the alley’s brick wall.

SNAP!

Dammit! Well, if something wasn’t broken before…

“Why won’t you stay down?” John shouted. “You got a death wish or something?”

Not a bad question, thought Theo. Why not just give up and live to walk away… he might even leave me alone after all this… but then again… why stop smiling now? Especially since, I still got some damn good quips in me.

“Piss off,” Theo spit a mouth full of blood on John’s face. Okay. So, maybe they weren’t damn good after all… oh, screw it.

Theo used all of his remaining strength to tackle John. But before he could get even a single punch in — John kicked Theo off him. With Theo landing in the middle of the road. The last sound Theo heard was a horn honking loudly and tires squealing, before a rush pain like nothing he’d ever felt before overcame him.

When Theo came too, it was pitch black. His eyes were straining to make out his surroundings. But instead of sight, a wave of sounds hit his ears instead — music, people screaming, coffee machines turning on, pots and pans rattling. It was almost too much. He tried to scream, begging it to stop, but found his throat was too sore to speak… until finally his eyes fluttered open, his vision now like a flawed kaleidoscope — colors and flashing lights making him queazy.Theo tried blinking to no affect, and then rubbed his eyes until his vision returned to normal.

He was back in his apartment, in his bedroom to be precise… and he wasn’t alone. Mr. Lawson sat across from him on one of the many packed boxes surrounding them.

“Easy kid,” Mr. Lawson frowned. “You’ve been through the shitter. And right now, you need to rest. If… when you wake tomorrow, meet me a few blocks down at the old hardware store after school. I’ll tell you what you need to know then.”

Mr. Lawson stood up. “By the way, if you need proof that this wasn’t all some damn nightmare — look under the bed for your skateboard.”

Just as Mr. Lawson was about to leave, Theo grabbed his arm weakly. “Cold…” he managed to wheeze. “So… cold…”

“Get used to it, kid,” Mr. Lawson sighed, his eyes changing for a brief second from their piercing blue to a harsh yellow and black that resembled a serpent’s. “From now on… you’re always going to be cold.” Without another word, Mr. Lawson left Theo’s room as the boy in question drifted off into a restless slumber he couldn’t resist… no matter how much his heart raced with fear.

NEXT UP... Chapter 2: Friday Night Bites