Slowly, students started laughing and conversing again, seemingly ignoring the quietly sobbing student as she was being led away. I could still hear her mumbling at the shadows to leave her alone. As she walked by, a faint glimmer of a golden spiraling sigil began just below the skin under her right ear and branched out into what looked like several different tree roots, dipping below her uniform jacket collar.
“What the hell was that about?” Sara-Kate mumbled under her breath, watching the girl get dragged away. “That’s not like Ashe at all.”
“You know her?” I asked, as I tugged at my Nana’s amulet, feeling a strange sort of comfort to have it so close.
“Yeah, sort of. We’re in drama club together, but she’s been MIA at the last few meetings. Odd, since she’s the president and all . . .” Sara-Kate explained, finally turning her attention back to her food. “I hope she’s okay.”
“Yeah, I hope so too,” I agreed, looking to change the subject. “But that was a cool tattoo she had on her neck. I’m surprised they let students have body art at a school like this.”
Sara-Kate hooked one eyebrow up in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“That tattoo,” I explained, miming with my hands on my neck to show her what I meant. “She had this golden tattoothat started just below her neck and disappeared down to her shoulder.”
“Huh.” Sara-Kate swallowed and shrugged. “Didn’t notice that. Must be new.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I turned in my seat, hoping to catch one more glimpse of Ashe to prove I wasn’t crazy. But Ashe was already gone, and standing in the shadows of the courtyard staring directly at me was Alaric Gaines, his dark green eyes narrowed in confusion and what seemed like anger.
Chapter Four
The rest of the week flew by with a series of classes, homework, and study sessions with Sara-Kate. But not with Alaric. I had waited after school for over an hour before I finally realized that he had either forgotten or decided his notes were a good enough study buddy. Or maybe he had actually gotten back with his girlfriend, and she made it clear that helping the new girl was out of the question.
But I couldn’t help but think that he was mad at me for some reason. About what, I had no idea. When I had looked over at him during lunch after Ashe had been taken away, he had seemed so intense, his dark green eyes almost turning black. He seemed even more the stranger, the Dr. Jekyll to my courteous lab partner who had made copies of all his notes for me. I was sure I must have offended him in some way, to the point where ghosting me was his only response. He didn’t even speak to me in class, even when I got up the nerve to say “hello” each morning.
So we sat in awkward silence for the remainder of the week, him glaring at me like I had personally spit in hisCheerios that morning. I would love to say that was the only weird thing that week, but Ashe, the girl who lost it in the courtyard, hadn’t been back to school either. Rumors circulated that she was in some rehab or mental hospital. When I asked Sara-Kate about it, she just shrugged, hinting that every couple of years a kid would get too in their heads about staying ahead of the curve, taking too many APs, and trying to get into an Ivy League school and just lose it. It wasn’t unheard of for someone to just snap under the pressure.
I tried to shake off all thoughts of angry loner boys, murdered girls in locker rooms, and drama club presidents who may or may not have gone crazy as I rolled out of bed half-past eight on Saturday. Today, Sara-Kate had promised to show me around New York to all the touristy places I hadn’t had time to see yet, plus all the cool hidden gems that were worth it.
I stumbled into my en suite bathroom, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I grabbed my toothbrush and started the shower. Sara-Kate and I were meeting for breakfast at The Grey Dog in Chelsea Market to begin our day of sightseeing. After my shower, I pulled my hair back into a braid, pulling on my new jeans, winter boots, and dark gray cashmere sweater with a red and black plaid scarf. I headed into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water to throw in my bag since I knew we would be doing a lot of walking and riding the subway.
“Are you sure you don’t want Mr. Lewis to drive you girls around?” Tiffany asked as I closed the fridge door. She was sitting at the breakfast nook, sipping her morning coffee while looking over some blueprints for a historical site she had been commissioned to renovate. Iris stood at the kitchen sink, washing dishes as she hummed a Christmas carol under her breath.
“No, Sara-Kate wanted to show me how to use the subway, so we’ll use that to get around.”
Tiffany wrinkled her nose at the idea. “The subway? Are you sure? It would be much more comfortable to drive through the city.”
I laughed as I slung my bag over my shoulder, “But I want therealNew York experience and Sara-Kate said she would deliver.”
“Okay, just keep your phone on you and don’t hesitate to text me if you change your mind,” she insisted, sounding more like a parent than a brand-new step-aunt. It made me wonder why she and Uncle Dan hadn’t started a family of their own yet. They certainly could afford it.
“I will!” I called out as I made my way toward the door. “Will Uncle Dan be home for dinner?”
“He better be!” Tiffany and Iris called back in unison as I headed out.
I chuckled as I made my way down the elevator, anxious to get on the subway and meet Sara-Kate. As I exited the apartment building and walked to the closest subwaystation, a deep throbbing hum began at the base of my skull. I rubbed the back of my neck gingerly, attempting to alleviate some of the pain. This was my fifth headache this week. They were coming on stronger and lasting longer, usually once I left the apartment. I honestly should probably see a doctor. Knowing my luck, I’ve got a tumor making itself at home within my brain. The last thing I needed.
As I got off at the appropriate stop in the Chelsea Market thanks to Sara-Kate’s meticulous step-by-step text directions, I immediately pinpointed her standing on the sidewalk, glancing into a storefront window, admiring the new Christmas decorations in her black tights, mini-plaid skirt, and navy blue peacoat. Another woman stood at her side, laughing and pointing at something within the window as she got her phone out to take a picture. She seemed to be close to Tiffany’s age, with black braided hair pulled into a top-knot on her head. Her skin was a rich ebony, and just like Sara- Kate, she had the same warm copper-brown eyes. She wore an ivory cashmere sweater and dark jeans underneath her long winter coat. I made my way over, waving hesitantly when Sara-Kate turned to see me.
“Mari!” she squealed, leaving who I presumed to be her mom as she barreled towards me and enveloped me in a loving, but suffocating bear hug. “You didn’t get lost or anything! I’m so proud!”
“I can’t breathe,” I wheezed. Sara-Kate laughed, pulling me forward to meet her mom.
“Mom, this is Mari, my new best friend. Mari, this is my mom, Karen Johnson, the woman who gave me life,” Sara-Kate introduced. I glanced at Sara-Kate, surprised by her casual announcement as her best friend. A flush crept up my cheeks, warming my face even in the middle of a cold New York street.
“Hi there, Mari,” Karen stretched out her hand, her handshake firm but gentle. “It is so nice to meet you. Sara-Kate hasn’t stopped yapping about you since you started school this week.”
“Oh, really?” I asked, elbowing Sara-Kate playfully.
“It’s not my fault we vibed instantly.” Sara-Kate feigned insult. “In fact, we should just blame you for being so cute and helpless on that first day. Otherwise, I never would have come up to you.”
