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and I was losing focus. I thought it was from all the sleep I wasn’t getting, but I also began feeling that horrible sensation that heralded the unwelcome voice. I was really hoping not to have an episode in class. Something was trying to erupt in my mind. I resisted, but I sensed an unspoken warning trying to rise up again. Soon after, my back began tingling in response and my heart rate quickened.
    Maybe I was just coming down with something. I rubbed my neck and rested my head on my other hand.
    I got the sense that Nate and Claire were focusing on me again. But they weren’t—in fact, it struck me how quiet Claire was being. Given the way she acted yesterday when I was about to talk to Avan, I was surprised she hadn’t nudged a hole in my side by now. I tapped on her shoulder and silently ribbed her about being so quiet. History and theology were two of her fortes, and she listened to those lessons with near devotion. But she didn’t look much in the mood for jokes. She had both arms rested on the desk, one hand cupping the other. Her gray eyes were distant, staring into space.
    “ Are you all right?” I whispered. It wasn’t every day that her bubbly, loud personality got this subdued. She shook out of her gaze and looked at me. The corner of her mouth lifted ever so slightly. “You know, that’s a lame excuse for a smile,” I added, looking over at Nate. Were they fighting? No, not likely. I had known them for over three years and had yet to see them fight. Sure, they had disagreements, but sometimes it seemed to be more of a show. His eyes were glued to the chalkboard, and he systematically looked down as he wrote notes. The way he held on to that pen seemed painful.
    I had begun doodling on my notebook when warm fingers tapped my arm. The spot where his fingers touched tingled with his energy, but at least I saw no blinding flash of light this time. Before I looked up at him, I noticed a folded paper beside my arm. As I unfolded the note, I saw a simple sentence that made my insides jump with excitement: “ Would you have lunch with me? ”
    Claire’s chair smashed into my desk with full force, and she walked toward the front of the class.
    “ Excuse me, Miss Wagner, where are you going?” Mr. Morris said, moving to stand in her way.
    She didn’t say anything, just stared at him. I saw his eyes widen just for an instant, and he moved aside, letting Claire walk past.
    Weird.
    “ Nate?” I hissed, my eyes glued to the glass door Claire had just walked out. “What the hell was that? Is everything okay?” I turned back to him just in time to see him nod. His eyes were glued to the door. Just then the bell rang. I stayed in my seat a moment longer. . I looked at the paper in my hand and wrote on it, then passed it back to Avan.
     
    Yes.
    Rain Check?
     
    I got up and began gathering my things; just then Claire came strolling back in. Her features were hard and her body tense as she sat back down in front of me.
    “ What was that all about?” I asked, raising my voice so she could hear me amid the general chatter all around us. I waited for an answer, but none came. Instead, as I stared intently at her I heard her voice in my head. I was sure because her lips never moved.
    “ They’re here. The place is infested.”
    “ Wh-what did you just say?” I asked her.
    She turned to face me, a weak smile on her face. “I didn’t say a word, hon. Hearing things now?”
    Oh, if you only knew. “I heard you say something about the place being infested. What does that mean ?” I looked at both her and Nate. “What is going on?”
    They reacted in unison. Their eyes widened, and although they tried to hide it, the shock on their faces was unmistakable.
    After fourth period, Claire, Nate, and I walked to the cafeteria, barely talking while they dragged me with them at a steady pace. Claire held on to my arm as if she was afraid it might fall off. What was with all this creepiness? Something up ahead made