When Lightning Strikes [COMPLETED]

Chapter 5: Moving Memories (Part 3):

Julie stomped upstairs. She ignored the last plea from her mom to stay and noted that her dad didn't even bother.

"Let her go, Andromeda. She needs some time."

Stopping in front of her brothers' door, she knocked.

"Come on in."

She looked him square in the face. His brilliant blue eyes met hers. He looked worried.

"Did you know?" Her eyes dared him to lie to her about this.

His eyes flicked away. "Yes."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"No." He still wouldn't look at her. One of his baseball posters on the wall seemed to have all of his attention. "Mom and Dad asked me not to tell you anything."

"And you decided this one time to listen to them?" Her voice wavered. They had always been so close, more like best friends than typical brother and sister. Never again. "I knew that we haven't been spending as much time together lately since we have both been busy, but you have changed. I don't like it."

He still didn't look at her, but his Adam's apple moved up and down as he held back tears. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen him this upset. He was always laughing and joking, never showing any deeper feelings. Maybe he wasn't as happy about this as she thought.

She felt some of the tension leave her. Something had to be wrong. She went into the room and sat down next to him. "What is going on, Jamie?"

She stared at her feet, not wanting to watch him lie if he didn't tell her the truth this time.

He sat quietly and worked to get himself under control. After a while, he finally replied, "I don't know."

She stiffened, feeling sick. He was lying.

"Jamie," she said with an edge, "I know that there is something going. I mean, come on. Moving to the island because it is safer?  Since you have apparently been discussing this with Mom and Dad behind my back, I think you know. Why won't you tell me?"

"We have to move, Jules." She flinched as he used her nickname. He looked at her, his eyes large and watery. "We don't have a choice. It's too dangerous for us here now."

She snorted. "Atlanta has never been safe. There are always shootings, muggings, and stuff. It's a big city. It is a part of living here. Why now?"

"I think that the hotel was too much for them. You getting attacked two weeks ago was bad enough. This was too much." He leaned towards her earnestly and put an arm around her. "Jules, I believe that this is for the best. It's for all of our safety."

She narrowed her eyes. He was telling the truth, but it still didn't feel right. There was something missing. What was going on? It was like all her family had suddenly morphed into complete strangers.

"None of this makes any sense. Mom and Dad have transferred their jobs. They did that before last night. I don't believe you. I don't believe any of you. What is going on?" She pulled herself up and away from him, hugging her arms to her chest.

It was too uncomfortable there with him trying to make her feel better, while he lied to her at the same time. She blinked back tears.

Jamie's eyes bore into her. He opened his mouth and closed it again before looking down. "Nothing, Jules. It's like they said. They want us to move to the island. It will be safer for us there."

His words had to sound lame to him too.

"So you are okay with this?" she asked again, still trying to get him to talk to her.

"Yes, I know we have to." He looked at her earnestly.

"So you are okay with leaving Ethan—your best friend—leaving all our friends, leaving school, and leaving the baseball team with no warning? Tomorrow?" Her voice rose to a shout.

He nodded under her glare. His eyes were wide.

"What is wrong with you? I don't even know who you are anymore."

She wheeled around to leave, running into a solid, warm wall. Her dad put his arm around her and tried to lead her out of Jamie's room. She threw his arm off. "Don't. I don't want anything to do with any of you! This is wrong! You are all just...wrong." She was even angrier not able to find words that fit how she felt.

"I'm sorry, Jules," Jamie said quietly.

She didn't know what he was sorry for. She slammed the door to his room behind her.

Stomping to her room, she couldn't help to look back. The door to her brother's room had bounced back open. She stopped short and stared with her mouth open in disbelief. Her chest clenched.

Her father was sitting next to Jamie on the bed, his arm around her brother like he was sheltering him. Her brother was shaking. Her father looked up. His warm gray eyes were troubled as they met hers. "Julie, please close the door to your room behind you."

She flinched as if he'd hit her.

 "Fine! I get it." She slammed her brother's door again. She stood looking at the closed door for a moment, not sure what she was waiting for. No one came out after her. She was aching from the inside out.

She went to her room, slammed her door, and flopped down on the bed. All the tears she was holding in flooded out. She threw a few pillows. She wasn't sure if she was confused or mad.

Her dad had comforted Jamie. He was okay with all of this—why did he need help?

Why wouldn't anyone listen to her?

She cried for what felt like hours. Still no one came to check on her. They were all leaving her alone. She wasn't sure if she was happy or mad about that.

Exhausted, she fell into a fitful sleep. Her dreams were annoying, filled with a search for a guy with blond hair and blue eyes that made her shiver all over. She couldn't figure out who he was, but she knew he would make everything right somehow. If she could only figure out who he was.

Finally, she had a blurry moment where she was half-awake. Her dad seemed to be crouched over her. One of his fingertips lightly touched the temple on the side of her face. Her body relaxed, as all her tension suddenly melted away. Her eyes fluttered as she started to fall back to sleep.

"Are you sure you have to do this, Lir?" her mother asked.

"I know you didn't want to, but I don't think we have a choice. Sleep peacefully, sweetheart. I promise we will make this up to you one day."