CAN'T FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT

CHAPTER ONE-THE NEW GIRL

I nervously stood outside H.G Wells Junior/High School. I took a deep breath.

Students were already walking up the stairs.

You can do this. I thought to myself.

I began walking up the stairs.

I entered the building. Chatter and laughter rang down the corridors.

I nervously looked around.

The hallways were teeming with a mixture of junior high students and high school students. I stood completely unsure of where the principal's office was. I had transferred here to Pickford from Maine. My Dad and I had to move from our old town because of a little 'problem' I have. I was dressed in a red plaid skirt that reached my knees, white knee high socks, black Mary Jane shoes and a white poplin shirt. Around my neck was a small diamond stud necklace and in my ears were matching diamond studs. My name is Gabrielle Morris. I'm 16 years old and I have shoulder length dark, brown hair and blue eyes. My hair was slightly curly with spiral curls.

I shifted my red backpack on my shoulder and went to take a step forward when someone bumped into me knocking me against the wall.

"I'm so sorry," a blond haired girl said looking upset. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," I said smiling as I regained my balance.

The girl studied me.

"You're new here aren't you?" she asked.

I nodded. "Just transferred here,"

"I'm Keely Teslow," the girl said brightly, extending her hand.

I shook it. "Gabrielle Morris,"

She was dressed in jeans and a pink peasant style blouse. Her blond hair was pulled into a ponytail. Around her neck was a pretty pearl necklace and she had pink chandelier earrings in her ears. Her blue eyes were twinkling.

"I love your outfit. Like a school girl huh?" Keely grinned.

"Yeah," I said grinning back. "Listen, do you know where the principal's office is? I need to pick up my schedule."

"Sure," Keely said. "Come on. I'll take you myself."

"Thanks," I said gratefully.

We began walking down the corridor. A guy with short dark brown hair and honey brown eyes approached us.

"Hey Keely," the guy said brightly. His eyes moved onto me. "Who's this?"

"Hi Phil," Keely said. "This is Gabrielle. She's new here…just transferred."

"Oh. Hello. I'm Phil Diffy," he said extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you," I said smiling.

"We're on our way to the Principal's office. She needs to get her schedule," Keely explained.

"Oh sure," Phil said.

He walked with us to the office.

I entered the office and picked up my schedule.

When I left, both Phil and Keely were waiting outside.

"So let's see," Keely said eagerly as I handed her the class schedule.

She scanned it.

"English with Miss Browning, 3rd period…that's with Phil…Science…Mr. Ambrose...4th period…Phil again…Lunch…oh, the middle two neither Phil or I are in them, but the last two are with both of us,"

"Great," I said eagerly. "At least I will be with familiar faces on the first day."

"So where did you transfer here from?" Phil asked as we headed back up the hallway to the lockers.

"Maine," I replied. "Dad and I had to move."

"Where's your mom?" Keely asked as we stopped in front of a locker and Phil opened it. Immediately a small long table slid out.

"A little break during the day," Phil grinned as he poured soda into two glasses and handed them to Keely and I.

"My mom died when I was little," I said quietly. "She was hit by a car."

"Oh," Keely said looking upset. "I'm so sorry."

Phil also looked upset.

"Thanks," I said.

Just then, a girl about the age of 12 walked up to Phil. Her blond hair was pulled into pigtails. She was dressed in jeans and a red shirt.

"What do you want, Pim?" Phil asked.

"Oh nothing much," the girl replied sweetly. "Just wanted to tell you that Mom hit the roof because you forgot to take out the garbage this morning."

She was grinning.

"Oh man," Phil said sighing.

The girl bounced away merrily.

"She loves to get you into trouble doesn't she?" Keely asked taking a sip of soda.

"She enjoys delivering news to me that I'm in trouble," Phil said. "And yes."

"Who was that?" I asked.

"My little sister, Pim," Phil replied.

We finished our sodas and Phil closed the locker door.

"Well, we'd best head to English," Phil said to me. "See you later, Keely."

"See ya," I said brightly.

Keely nodded and waved as Phil and I headed to the classroom.

Phil was dressed in jeans and a dark blue shirt.

We entered the classroom and Phil took a seat toward the back. I sat in an empty seat beside him.

The teacher entered the room.

He was a middle aged man with a kind face, slightly overweight and was in a suit and tie. He had dark blond hair and green eyes.

He put a briefcase down on the desk and looked up, scanning the students.

"I see we have a new student here with us," he said softly. He picked up the roster and consulted it.

"Gabrielle Morris," he said.

I smiled as students turned around in their seats to look at me.

"Welcome Miss Morris," Mr. Ambrose said.

I nodded.

"Today we're going to be learning about the human body," Mr. Ambrose said.

Several of the boys cheered and whistled and high fived one another.

"Sorry," Mr. Ambrose said grinning. "Not that. We're going to be learning about cells."

Moans went around as everyone took out their textbooks.

"Open to page 193,"

Phil scooted his desk closer to mine.

"You can share with me," he said.

"Thanks," I said smiling gratefully.

Phil's eyes lingered on me for a bit before lowering to the textbook.

Mr. Ambrose began talking about the cells and the different jobs they had.

I stared at the page. Suddenly, the words began blurring before my eyes. I shut my eyes, praying that it would go away.

I reopened them. The words and book were in a different color. My vision was black and yellow.

"Gabby? Are you okay?" Phil whispered leaning close. "You're eyes are weird."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a small mirror. I looked into it.

My eyes had changed into a jaundice/amber color.

"Oh no," I whispered.

I flew out of my seat and tore from the classroom, heading toward the girls' bathroom.

I rushed over to the sink and put both hands on the edge of the porcelain and looked into the mirror.

The amber color slowly began fading until my normal blue eyes returned and so did my vision.

I leaned over slightly so my hair fell over my face.

"Hey," a voice said beside me. "You okay?"

I looked up. It was Pim, Phil's sister.

"Oh yeah," I said swallowing. "Just a case of nerves I guess."

Pim turned on the faucet and washed her hands.

"You're new here huh?" Pim asked.

I nodded.

"Ah," Pim said. "I thought so. Just be aware of the Fashion Zombies."

I looked at her utterly confused.

"Fashion Zombies?"

"Yeah," Pim replied. "They'll make your life a living nightmare but I'm this close to teaching them a lesson they'll never forget."

She laughed evilly.

I had to chuckle too.

"I'm Pim,"

"I'm Gabrielle,"

"See you around," Pim said as she tossed a wadded up tissue into the wastebasket and headed out of the bathroom.

Why did my eyes change? They aren't supposed to yet. What could've set it off?

Sighing, I left the bathroom and bumped into Phil waiting outside the girls' bathroom.

"You alright? What happened?" Phil asked concerned.

"Oh," I said. "It's nothing."

Phil studied me for a bit.

"You sure you're okay?"

I nodded.

"Let's head back to class,"

"Class is over," Phil said as he held up my bag. "We're off to lunch. Keely is meeting us."

"Thanks," I said gratefully as I took my bag and swung it onto my back.

We headed to the cafeteria and then outside into the bright sunshine to eat.

Keely waved at us as Phil and I carried our trays over to her.

Just then, a group of girl's stepped in front of us, blocking our way. One girl had long blond hair.

"You must be new," the girl said. She scanned my outfit. "That is a like a fashion 'creep out'."

The rest of the girls snickered.

"I think she looks fine," Phil said firmly.

"You must be the Fashion Zombies," I said smoothly. "I knew I smelled something foul walking toward us."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Phil turn his head and let out a cough that sounded like a laugh.

The blond haired girl bristled.

"Well, I just wanted to welcome you to H.G Wells," she said as she picked up the fruit punch on my tray and dumped it on the front of my shirt.

"Welcome."

Laughing, she dropped the empty container onto my tray and sauntered off laughing.

I clutched the edge of my tray forcing the anger to subside.

"I'm so sorry," Phil apologized as we walked over to Keely.

"She can be really cruel," Keely said glaring after the group of girls.

I set my tray down and sat down beside Keely.

"Erm, here," Phil said as he handed me several tissues.

I dabbed at the red stain on my shirt.

"This will never come out," I sighed.

Keely and Phil looked at each other.

"Hey, I think Pim is calling you," Phil said quickly.

"Huh?" I asked turning around and scanning the outside courtyard.

When I turned back around, the stain was gone.

"Weird," I muttered. "Where'd it go?"

"Maybe your shirt was super absorbent?" Keely suggested.

"Maybe," I said uncertainly, but I dug into my hamburger and fries.

I saw them exchange winks before they too, dug into their lunch.

The rest of the day went smoothly. Phil invited Keely and I over to his house.

We entered the house.

"Mom? We're home," Phil called.

"Great!" I heard a woman's voice say from the living room. A woman with short dark auburn hair and green eyes walked in from the living room to the kitchen where we were.

"Phil, did you forget something this morning?" she demanded.

"Yeah," Phil said sheepishly. "Sorry mom. This is Gabrielle. She's new to Pickford."

"Oh," the woman said brightly. "Hello. I'm Mrs. Diffy."

She extended her hand.

"Nice to meet you," I said beaming.

"Hello, Keely," Mrs. Diffy said kindly. "Would you guys like something to munch on?"

"Sure," Keely said brightly as we sat at the large kitchen table.

"So Gabrielle," Mrs. Diffy asked as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out homemade brownies. "Where did you transfer from?"

"Maine," I replied.

Suddenly, panic settled in.

"Oh no! Mrs. Diffy, do you think I could use your phone? I need to call my father to let him know where I am," I said quickly getting to my feet.

Mrs. Diffy looked confused for the moment.

"You know mom," Phil said meaningfully. "The phone."

"Oh right! Sorry," Mrs. Diffy said laughing. "It's in the living room and sure."

"Thanks," I said as I quickly hurried into the living room.

I dialed home.

KEELY.

"Mom," Phil said lowering his voice. "You had me scared for a moment."

"I know," Mrs. Diffy admitted. "I scared myself too."

"Me want brownie!" Curtis' voice called from the living room.

I heard Gabrielle talking and then she screamed.

We looked at each other before hurrying into the living room.

Curtis was hugging Gabrielle, who had the look of utmost terror on her face.

"Oh, Curtis, let her go," Mrs. Diffy said. "He's our cousin."

"I see," Gabrielle said nervously.

"He's just saying hello," Phil said struggling not to break into laughter.

"Tunga! Hello!" Curtis said as he released Gabrielle.

"Hi," Gabrielle said scanning Curtis outfit. He still wore the caveman outfit in the house, but when he goes outside, he dresses 'normal'.

"He loves the stone age," I explained. "He's fascinated by it."

Gabrielle nodded and wrinkled her nose. He still smelled a bit.

"Pim come home yet?" Curtis asked.

"Any moment," Mrs. Diffy said eyeing Curtis warily. "Why?"

"No reason. Just wondering," Curtis said shrugging.

Curtis headed off into the backyard.

"Did you call your father?" Mrs. Diffy asked kindly.

"Yeah," Gabrielle said nodding. "He said to be home before dark."

We nodded.

GABRIELLE.

Dad had made it clear that I had to be home before dark. So I stayed with the Diffy's until it was sunset.

We lived only a block from them so I was able to walk home.

Around midnight, I woke up, sweating and a sharp pain shot across my abdomen. I cried out and slid off the bed.

PHIL.

Around midnight, I was awoken by a howl rising up. I jumped awake and tossed off the sheets. I went over to the window and peered out.

A beautiful gray dog was sitting on its haunches on our lawn. Its amber eyes reflected the moonlight.