The next thing I know, there is someone at the door delivering flowers. The teacher opens the door, takes the flowers, and reads the card. She’s actually blushing. She hands me the flowers and the card, “You really should put this someplace private.”
Jude looks up and says, “I told the florist to put the card in an envelope.”
I start to protest, “they’re not mine. We’re not—” I feel the card tugged out of my hand by Keith, the kid who sits next to me. He reads it out loud, “Megan, my Mouse, Thanks for making my first time so special. Can’t wait to see you alone this weekend, Love Jude, your lion.”
The damage is done. Jude has managed to ruin my reputation at this school in one planned gesture. I am so hurt by this gossip, I want to cry. By lunch tomorrow everyone except Vania, Johnny, and Carrie is going to believe I slept with Jude. During the rest of class, I’m sure he’s sending me loving looks. I pray and do my best to ignore it.
When the bell rings I get up to leave. “Megan,” the teacher says, “Don’t forget your flowers.” I want to cry. It’s so embarrassing. The teacher makes me carry the flowers out of the classroom. I dump them in the nearest trash can. I go to the nearest restroom, rip up the card, and flush it.
***
After school, I go up to Johnny and Vania and tell them what happened in math class. Vania looks horrified. I can barely hold back tears. I’m afraid if I cry, Jude will show up and know that his strategy is working, which will make my situation worse.
Johnny says, “He has figured out what you value most, your reputation and your values. This is where he is working hardest to destroy you. You must not look weak. Deny him calmly. Let Seth know what has happened as far as the rumor. Even tell your parents. If you try to keep it hidden from people they will be more likely to believe the rumor. You can’t worry about what others are thinking. You must carry on as if nothing has happened. Gossip cannot change who you are. Only you can change who you are.”
Vania looks at me and smiles, “I know who you are.”
Johnny says, “So do I.”
I take a deep breath, “I’m still me. I know who I am and so does Seth.”
Johnny also adds, “Go tell your pastor too. Set up a support system. You are not alone Megan.”
When I get home, I tell my parents about the vicious rumor Jude is spreading. My mom tells me, “Well honey, we know it hurts. Within a month the kids will be listening to gossip about someone else and they’ll forget. You’ll see. In the meantime, you’re dealing with it the right way.”
“Johnny, Carrie, and Vania know it’s not true, too.” I say, “I have to call Seth and tell him,” I continue, “and Pastor Bill, I need all the support I can get.”
“Honey, we’re proud of how you’re handling this, we know it seems like the end of the world right now. We know it’s embarrassing that so many kids are willing to believe a lie. But this really will end. In a few months, no one will remember,” my dad says as he gives me a hug.
First, I call Pastor Bill and tell him about the lie Jude is spreading. “Believe it or not, you are not the first girl a guy has lied and bragged about sleeping with to his friends. Try your best to avoid him. Let everyone know he is lying. Eventually his character will catch up with him. People will put together all the lies he’s told and see him for what he is.”
“Thanks Pastor.” We say a quick prayer for God to give me the strength to deal with this assault on my character.
I hang up and call Seth. He answers on the first ring.
“Hi, are you hanging around the phone waiting for me to call?” I ask.
“I’m so glad you called, your homecoming is only two weeks away and I need to know what you’re going to wear.”
My heart hurts from what I have to tell him, “I don’t know if you’re going to want to come anymore. There’s this guy at school spreading a nasty lie that I slept with him.” I can’t help myself, I start to cry. “It’s not true! I’ve never had anything to do with him! Carrie, Vania, and Johnny know the truth. You can speak to them. I love you Seth. I’m afraid he’s trying to break us apart.”
“Hey Megs, don’t cry. I know it’s not true. I know how you are when I hold you. I don’t believe some stupid rumor. Of course, I’m coming to homecoming with you. When everyone sees us together, they’ll see how in love we are and know he’s a liar. It’s okay Megs, everything’s okay,” Seth says. Seth makes me feel better. But everything is not okay. As long as Judas is here to ruin people and capture souls.
I spend the night barely sleeping. I wonder if I should transfer out of my classes. At least having Judas in some of my courses, I can keep an eye on him and stop him from doing as much damage. If I transfer out, I have no way of knowing what’s going on. I am the best one to deal with him because I know what he is. This might be a blessing in disguise. Maybe by sticking close to me he’ll do less damage to others. Judas might be limiting his effectiveness.
While I’m strategizing how I’m going to deal with Judas, I begin to feel more in control and less like a victim. It doesn’t make everything okay, but at least I can face tomorrow.
The next day I see Mandy in the hall. I walk up to her with a smile on my face. I’ve missed hanging out with her. Mandy walks up to me, grabs my arm, and pulls me into an empty classroom. She closes the door. She turns to me with a look of anger on her face, “How dare you be all preachy to me about not sleeping with Alex and here you are sleeping with Jude! Are you doing it to be popular? That’s it! You’re jealous of me and my friends so you’re sleeping with Jude to get ‘in’. You’re such a hypocrite.”
I look at Mandy with shock on my face. It never dawned on me that she would believe a lie like that.
“Mandy, I have not slept with Jude! I love Seth and would never cheat on him. Come on, think! You know me, I’m waiting for marriage.”
Mandy looks at me puzzled. “Both Alex and Jude say you did. Why would he lie?”
“Jude is mad at me for breaking up his party the other night. Alex would love for the rumor to be true, because he wants to sleep with you. Carrie, Vania, and Johnny know I didn’t sleep with Jude. I was either with them or with my parents the whole weekend. They can vouch for me. I also called Seth and told him about it. He’s still taking me to homecoming. Mandy, please be careful around Jude. He’s dangerous.”
Mandy looks at me, “I’m sorry. I should’ve figured this out. When I first heard I was so shocked because it didn’t sound like something you would do. Don’t worry. I’ll let Alex know Jude is lying. Guys know guys lie about these things all the time to seem more manly.”
“Thanks Mandy. I could use your help living this rumor down,” I give her a hug. The bell rings and we both head off to our classes. I’m starting to feel better. Yesterday, my world was one of embarrassment. Today, it’s about taking it back.
CHAPTER 8 - FRIENDS AND FRENEMIES
In English class, I try to forget about Jude. The teacher asks us to write a five-hundred word paper on any topic we like. I was going to write about being a Goth for a night, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m writing about when a lie is spread to damage someone’s reputation. I will use my own experience as an example. I hope we get asked to read them out loud.
In science class we are going to be dissecting a frog. The frogs arrive already soaked in formaldehyde. The sickly sweet smell fills the classroom quickly. One of the students is assigned to hand out lab coats and gloves. The teacher hands out the frogs. Jude and I get our frog.
I ask him, “Would you like to do the dissecting?”
“Absolutely, I love cutting things up.”
For once, I believe he’s telling the truth. I take up my notebook and start identifying the internal organs. I stand as far away from him as I can. I’m afraid he might cut me with the scalpel if he gets a chance.
“You can stand closer. I won’t bite,” Jude says as he smiles.
“No thank you.” I don’t believe him for a minute. I know how dangerous he is.
I manage to keep my attention on the job at hand. Jude tries to get me to mislabel a couple of the organs. I pretend he’s not even here and just take my notes. I’m thankful for when the bell rings. Two more classes and the day is done. Today tickets for the homecoming game and dance go on sale so most of the buzz is about who’s going with whom. Several girls I barely know ask if I’m going with Jude. I take the time to explain he’s mad at me about breaking up his party and that I never slept with him. I also let them know I’m going with my boyfriend, Seth.
They all seem happy that they might have a chance with Jude. I just shake my head amazed they don’t seem to be fazed about his lying. I have to remember, life isn’t always fair. Sometimes those who are idolized get a free pass on bad behavior, for now.
When I run into Vania at lunch I ask, “Did you get a new phone number? I tried to call you and they said the number was disconnected.”
“No. Sometimes my mom forgets to pay the bill.” I wonder if Vania’s mom is having money problems. I keep it to myself and change the subject.
“Are you guys going to the game and dance?” I ask Vania and Johnny.
Johnny answers, “Yes, of course. We’ll be on the look out for more of Jude’s games.”
Carrie looks up from her salad, “Boy you guys are quite the crime fighting duo.”
Carrie still doesn’t know Johnny’s an angel.
Johnny looks at her, “I basically live for that kind of stuff.”
Carrie answers honestly, “You’ll probably go into law enforcement when you graduate.”
Johnny just nods his head in agreement.
I change the subject, “Carrie, I spoke to Seth last night and they’re all set to drive down next weekend. Pastor Bill has agreed to put them both up at his house.”
“I know. I can’t wait. Maybe we can get Robby to set Jude straight,” Carrie says.
“Let’s try and keep them apart. I don’t want to cause a scene. You know how Robby is, it wouldn’t take much to set him off.”
Vania looks at me, “How are you surviving the rumor mill?”
“I can’t believe how many girls want to go out with Jude, even with the lies he’s been spreading about me. Aren’t they afraid the same thing would happen to them, or even worse?” I answer. “I only have one more class to suffer through today with him. It hasn’t been as bad as it could be.” With homecoming preparations underway people are more concerned with their own social life than mine.
As we’re leaving the cafeteria I hear my name paged, “Megan Laughlin to the front office, Megan Laughlin to the front office.”
Several people tease me on my way to the front office, “Oh, you’re in trouble now.” “Uh, Oh, what’d you do?”
I get there and Mrs. Wilcox, one of the counselors, invites me into her office. “Have a seat, Megan.”
She gestures to one of two chairs in front of her desk. Mrs. Wilcox closes the door and sits behind her desk. The office is so small it feels claustrophobic.
“How do you know Samuel Donner?”
“Samuel Donner?” I say. “I don’t know him.” I’ve never heard the name before.
“He specifically asked to speak to you,” she looks at me and folds her hands. It’s like she’s expecting me to reveal something.
“I don’t know anyone named Sam Donner.” Now I’m puzzled. I have no clue what this conversation is about or where it’s going. “Should I know Samuel Donner?” I ask Mrs. Wilcox.
She sighs and sits back in her chair, “He said he didn’t know you. In twenty years of counseling I’ve never run into anything like this before.”
Mrs. Wilcox leans forward onto her desk and says, “This is going to sound a little crazy. But he says he saw you in a dream and he needs to speak to you. Alone.”
“Okay. I still have no idea who Sam Donner is. If you want to bring him in I’ll speak to him,” I say.
“That won’t be possible. Sam is still in the ICU at the hospital. He woke up out of a three-day coma this morning. He was one of three kids dropped off at the hospital unconscious after suffering from an overdose at a party this last weekend. He woke up asking to speak to you. Sam said it was a matter of life or death,” Mrs. Wilcox continues, “I called your parents and spoke to the principal. Because of the unusual circumstances of the case they have given me permission to take you to speak to him, if it’s okay with you. Do you have any idea what this is about?”
“I’m not sure,” I answer truthfully, “But I’m willing to find out.”
Mrs. Wilcox and I walk out to her car. We get in and drive most of the way in silence.
“I’ve heard of things like this happening before, but thought they were made up or exaggerated. So you’ve never met him before?” She asks, then adds, “He does go to school here.”
“No. I haven’t. I have no idea why he would dream about me or how I could possibly help him.”
Mrs. Wilcox pulls in the parking lot a few minutes later. We walk up to the volunteer at the front desk who directs us up to the second floor. We get off the elevator in the ICU. Mrs. Wilcox takes a seat to wait for me while a nurse takes me back to Sam’s room. I walk in. He appears to be sleeping. The nurse says softly, “Sam you have a visitor.” She looks at me, “I’ll close the door to give the two of you some privacy. Just hit the buzzer on his bed if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
When I look back at Sam I see he’s watching me. He looks terrible. His lips are chapped and dried out. There’s almost no color in his face. We got those kids out so fast that night I had no chance to look at them. I couldn’t have picked his face out of a line up.
“You look exactly the same as in my dream. You’re even wearing the same clothes I described to the nurse.” Sam’s voice is raspy, like it’s hard for him to talk.
“I don’t know you,” I say stating the obvious.
“I know,” he tries to chuckle, “Can you hold up the water cup so I can have a drink?”
He takes a sip and just watches me. “Are you an angel?” Sam asks.
“No,” I pause trying to think of something to say, “I go to your school.”
“I need to tell you what I saw in my dream. When I got to the party with Bebe and Vaughn, I only had one Coke. They’re telling me someone slipped me GHB in my drink. Enough to die. It’s weird. Why would someone want me dead?” Sam pauses to take a sip of water, “My throat is killing me,” he says.
I don’t think he caught the irony of what he just said.
“After I came to the hospital, my heart stopped. It wasn’t beautiful like people say. I didn’t see a white light,” Sam shudders. “It was dark and I was lost. Someone kept whispering, ‘you’re dead, you’re mine,’ over and over. I kept walking to get away from the voice until I fell into this dark tunnel. It led into a ring of fire and coming up to me, I could see this lake of fire. I held my hands out trying to push myself away and that’s when I got this.”
He holds up his hands. They’re bandaged up. “My palms are all blistered from a bad burn.”
He continues, “I didn’t have these burns when they admitted me. They happened when I almost died on the table. The doctors brought me back. It really freaked them out. They say I had a reaction to the medication, but I know the truth. I saw hell.” Sam pauses and shudders again. “They must have started my heart one second before I fell into that lake of fire. One more second and I would be going to hell,” Sam wipes a tear away with the back of his hand. Sam is losing his voice; I give him another sip of water.
“After they started my heart, I had a dream. I could feel my palms burning. I know how close I came. I called out to God to save me, please save me. That’s when I saw you. Dressed in the same clothes you’re wearing right now. You said, ‘I know how you can be saved.’ Please tell me how.”
I sit in shock for a minute, “Of course.” So this is what he needs from me, “Do you know what it means to be saved?”
“Yes. I was christened when I was
a baby. I should be saved. I thought I was. My parents and my pastor always told me I was.” His voice cracks on this last revelation, and Sam wipes at his eyes with the back of his hand. “I go to church sometimes. I’m a good person. Why did this happen to me?” Sam starts to cry.
I nod my head, “I’m sorry Sam. It’s more than going to church and being a good person. ” I reach over to his side table and give him a tissue. He can’t grab it. He shakes his head no, and just uses the back of his bandaged hands to wipe at his eyes instead.
I go on, “You have to consciously choose. Choose to love Him and follow Him.”
I wait while he gains his composure back. “Sam, you have a choice to make.”
He nods, “I know. I‘m making it now.” He smiles at me.
There’s a knock followed by the door opening. A nurse sticks her head in the door, “Your parents are back. Do you want me to send them in?”
“Can you have them wait ten minutes?”
“Sure thing, Hon,”
I ask, “Did you tell them about me? That you saw me in your dream, I mean.”
“No,” Sam answers sheepishly, “I didn’t want them to think I was crazy.”
“I understand. I wouldn’t have told anyone either.” Of course, I have a secret of my own that only Vania knows.
Sam looks at me, his face is troubled again. “There’s something I saw when I was falling to the lake of fire. I don’t know if you can help or if you should know for your own safety.”
“What is it Sam?” My stomach is suddenly tied in knots.
“Jude was with me on the way down, smiling, leading me toward the lake of fire, then pushing me towards it when I said I shouldn’t be going there. But he wasn’t alone. Jude was laughing and he had his arm around my buddy.”
“Who? Sam? Who?”
“Brody. My friend Brody, he was at the party with me.” Sam looks like he’s going to cry.
“Hold on Sam let me check with the nurse. Maybe he’s alive. Maybe it’s not too late.”
I walk out to the nurse’s station.
“Hi. I was just visiting with Samuel Donner?”
“Oh yes,” the nurse says as she puts notes on a chart.
“He’s very worried about his friend Brody. Is he still alive?”
“You can tell him Brody is fine. He’s scheduled to be released some time this afternoon.”