Define Normal

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

I just stared at him, stunned as I battled with my urge to flee. There were only a handful of people who knew what my mother was and even fewer who knew that I had the skills to be an assassin.

When Shaun groaned, Richard shifted his gaze to him. “We’ll talk about this later, Jade.”

I turned and ran silently up to my room, closing the door behind me. I was breathing heavily but not because of the run up the stairs. I looked around the room in panic, not knowing what to do which was a very uncomfortable feeling for me. I prided myself on always being in control and having a plan. Now here I was in this suburban town that was so far away from everything I’d ever known and my big plan was to act normal.

So far, the plan was a failure.

I eyed my still packed bag sitting on my bed. It would be so easy to just grab it and lower myself out of the second story window. I knew how to land so that I wouldn’t hurt myself and from there I could run. I was reaching out for my bag when there was a sharp knock on my door. “Jade, can I come in?” Richard asked.

I pulled my hand, which had been reaching for my bag, back and swallowed. “Normal girls don’t jump out windows,” I mumbled as I strode towards the door and pulled it open.

My father gave me a wary look while I stepped back and allowed him to come inside. I closed the door and for a minute we just stood there awkwardly. He pushed a hand through his hair, making a few pieces fall out of the ponytail and stand on end. “I’m not mad.”

“Okay,” I said, putting my back to the wall, keeping my eyes on Richard.

“Of course, now that you’re here I don’t want you to continue your previous…work.” His eyes were disapproving as he looked at me.

“I’ve never killed anyone,” I said quietly.

He breathed out a sigh of relief at my confession. “Good. I think that will make it easier for you to adjust to living here.”

“Yeah,” I said, not believing it for a second. How could I possibly have a normal life when up until now, I’d dedicated every moment to becoming a cold hearted killer? That’s not really the sort of thing that makes you popular in high school.

He came closer to me and gave me an awkward hug. I stood stiffly in his embrace, not used to much contact from anyone, even my mother. We’d never been very touchy feely. “You’re going to be fine,” he whispered and part of me really wanted to believe it.

I cleared my throat when he moved back and I had to work to stifle the grin that wanted to spread across my face. “How’s Shaun?”

As it turned out, Shaun was perfectly fine but now he thought I was more of a freak than ever. He wasn’t exactly sure what happened to him but he knew that the last thing he saw was me. So, the next day when Shaun, Abby and I drove to school together, he wasted no time at all abandoning me in the parking lot. Abby quickly followed him, casting quick glances around her to make sure no one had seen her arrive with the new kid.

I shook my head and gazed up at the building in front of me. It was huge and horribly daunting. I’d backed my mother up in some pretty dangerous situations before. We’ve been known to go the extra mile just to get intel on our target and I’ve never let my nerves take over before. So why was something as insignificant as high school making my heart beat faster?

I shook my head, trying to clear my mind and calm my racing thoughts. Resolutely, I made my way through the parking lot and to the front door. The bell rang before I could get there and I darted through the doors just as the last few students scurried into their classrooms. Surely no one would mind if I was late? I was new, after all. My paperwork had probably only arrived about an hour ago, anyway. I made my way through the now deserted hallways following the signs that pointed towards the main office. I walked in the front door and made my way towards the lady behind the desk. She had short curly hair and was filing her nails when I walked in. She looked up at me above her reading glasses and I swear she rolled her eyes.