Enchanted by a Siren

Chapter 4: Amnesia

The next day Calum’s Mom dropped him off at school just as the bell was about to ring. “Calum, I know getting older can make you want more independence and I understand that you miss Ryan.”

“Mom, please. Don’t worry about it. I said I was sorry. I don’t know what happened last night.” It was true. He remembered he was looking for something, but thinking back he honestly didn’t know what came over him or what he was looking for. He knew Ryan wouldn’t be there. Maybe he was sleepwalking? Who sleepwalks out of their bedroom window in the middle of the night? It was all just a fuzzy blur.

“I know, Hun. I can’t help it. You can’t go wandering the streets alone at night, okay?” She insisted with a worried look on her face.

“I promise, it won’t happen again.” Calum said with a reassuring smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Okay, Sweetheart.” She gave him a big kiss on the cheek. “Now, don’t forget your phone again. I’ll be here to pick you up straight after school.”

“Mom, that's not necessary. Besides, I have swim practice.” Calum protested at her new desire to watch him like a hawk. He supposed he deserved it. He did go wandering off twice yesterday. Not that going to the beach after school is not something he hadn’t done before. Sneaking out to Ryan’s house in the middle of the night… Definitely something he hadn’t done before.

“Then I’ll be here after swim practice.” She said with a firm, but kind smile. Calum rolled his eyes as he got out of the SUV.

“Have a great day, Hun.” She yelled after him before driving off.

He shook his head. She was acting crazy. First the stupid phone thing and now insisting to drop him off and pick him up from school. He didn’t mind walking home. It only took him like fifteen minutes and he could walk most of it on the beach. In fact, he kind of liked it. 

Ryan used to always walk with him, but no matter. He enjoyed having some time to think. Maybe if he got another walking buddy his Mom would back off a bit. He couldn’t think of anyone that was also close in that direction. Most people lived more towards the city, or far enough that they needed to take the bus.

He sped up into a jog as the school bell rang and he didn’t even have his books yet. When he wanted to start his walk to school this morning his Mother had insisted on driving him. They had argued about it so long that he had to cave, otherwise he would have been late for class.

As the hallway emptied and everyone disappeared into their classrooms Calum sped up and burst into his math class just as Mr. Danvers started speaking, earning him a stern look from the teacher. “Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Mr. Gregory.”

“Sorry, Mr. D, I overslept.” He forced a smile, knowing how stupid of an excuse that was.

“Fine, take a seat, but don’t let it happen again.” Calum has known Mr. Danvers since he was a kid. Their families were close and they very affectionately referred to him as Mr. D.

“Of course. Thank you.” He made his way over to the only open seat, which was way more towards the front of the class than he was comfortable with. Toby wasn’t in this class, but he was happy when he saw Dan’s friendly face next to him.

Mr. Danvers turned to the whiteboard and started writing down a complex equation that he explained as his writing flew over the board.

Calum took out a notebook that he always had in his backpack and tried to copy the equation so that Mr. Danvers wouldn’t question his missing Math book. He was struggling to focus though and it didn’t help that Math really wasn’t his favorite subject. 

He felt something pulling at the back of his head, not physically, but almost like an urge to look back. Like there was something he needed to see. As much as he was trying to keep his focus on the equation he just couldn’t help himself. He had to look back, he didn’t know why, but it was important.

Finally, he caved and while Mr. Danvers had his back towards him he stole a glance behind him. Way back in the farthest corner was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had gorgeous blue hair and turquoise green eyes that almost glowed. She was focusing hard on Mr. Danvers, ignoring his stare, but he wanted her to look at him. She was so mesmerizing, he decided he would introduce himself during lunchtime.

He kept staring at her. He couldn’t help it. He was entranced by her beauty. She tried to keep her eyes focused in front of her for as long as she could until she finally couldn’t ignore his gaze anymore and shot him an annoyed look. It didn’t matter, she looked even cuter annoyed. He smiled at her, hoping she’d smile back, but all she did was gesture to the front of the class where Mr. Danvers was finishing with his explanation.

Calum turned his attention back to Mr. D, but found that he couldn’t really concentrate. For the rest of the class he kept stealing glances at the blue haired girl who did her very best to ignore him. After the class ended he pushed his way through the students trying to catch up to the girl, but she managed to fade away into the sea of students. He stood in the hall, searching the faces for her, but instead, the person he found was Toby.

“Hey.” Toby greeted.

“Hey, did you see a blue haired girl anywhere?” Calum said, still scanning the hallway for her.

“Uh, yeah dude. In Biology yesterday, remember? You were there.” Toby said, giving him a questioning look.

“What?” Calum asked focusing his attention on Toby now.

“How don’t you remember this? The exchange student, Zenobia. She sat behind you!” Toby exclaimed in exasperation. 

Calum tried to remember Biology class from yesterday, but all he remembered was that Toby was being ever so slightly annoying, droning on and on about... Something. It probably wasn't even important enough for him to remember.

“Nah man, must have been a different girl.” He insisted.

“Uh, how many blue haired teenage girls do you know that goes to this school?” Toby inquired sarcastically.

“Whatever, I need to go get my books.” Calum said as he turned on his heel and made his way to his locker. Why couldn’t he remember anything?

Toby trailed after him, chatting his ear off as usual, when suddenly he saw her. Her blue hair standing out like a sore thumb between the cloud of students. She was getting some books out of her locker. He rushed over to her, Toby following close behind.

“Hey, I’m Calum. Sorry if I was being weird earlier.” Calum said to her.

“This is Zenobia. You met her yesterday, you weirdo.” Toby protested, embarrassed for his friend. Zen looked at her locker again, trying to gather her thoughts. He didn't know who she was! She screwed up and literally made him forget her completely. 

The power she wielded over him was much stronger than she had anticipated. Definitely, much stronger than the last time she accidentally enchanted someone.

She took a steadying breath and turned back to them. Calum was looking at Toby in confusion, but before he could open his mouth to say anything Zen chimed in. “Toby. Do you mind giving us a minute?” Zen asked throwing a smile at Toby that made him swallow a little at how pretty it made her look.

“Um, okay…” Toby said hesitantly and looked around, not sure where to go. So, he decided to go back and wait by Calum’s locker.

Zen was frustrated with herself. Couldn’t she get this right? She didn’t know what else to do. She had to break the enchantment with a command somehow. No more telling him to shut up or forget her. 'That command had worked last time, why wasn't it working now?' she thought in exasperation.

“Calum, look at me.” She looked straight into his eyes as she had done before. “We met yesterday, please remember again, but you need stop looking for me everywhere. Stop being enchanted!” She said with more fervor than she had intended.

Calum’s mind flooded with memories of her, meeting her, her winning during swim practice, needing to see her at Ryan’s house and the pool… it was glowing… “The pool, you were in the pool and it was glowing.” Calum recalled with a start as the memories came back.

Zen’s eyes widened as she realized that she’d screwed up again. She grabbed his face in both her hands as she said. “Forget about the pool, forget what you saw last night. You are not enchanted anymore.” She waited until his eyes glazed over, then she let him go and slammed her locker before storming off.

Calum looked after her, confused again. He looked around and saw Toby at his locker. He walked over to him and swung his locker open to get his books.

“What was that all about?” Toby asked.

“I don’t know.” Calum said with a shrug.

“Are you guys like a thing now?” Toby asked.

“No, man. It isn’t like that.” Calum said trying to reassure his friend.

“Okay… Well, I hope not, because I kind of made it clear yesterday that I was into her and you didn’t seem interested at all.” Toby pressed, clearly upset by what he had just witnessed.

“Yeah, I know. I just feel confused and I can’t help but think that it has something to do with her.” Calum answered, deciding to be honest about it.

“Confused?” Toby said trying to suppress a laugh. “Look, how about we go catch a wave after school to clear your head?”

“I have swim practice.” Calum said as he closed his locker.

“Okay, then after.” Toby insisted.

“Sure man.” Calum agreed as they made their way to their next class.