“The disrespect these men will have for her body is something we can’t allow. I’ve dealt with the dead so I will do it. I’m not waiting for their permission. Maggie asked us to help her, so I say we do it.”
“Okay so then when do we leave?” Asha asked.
“What about your classes and–––”
“Fuck this school.” she said with her hands coming together. “What up?”
“Before you make a rash and foolish move, you all need to be aware of the growing Coven Council,” Clementine said. “With everything happening to our previous Dean and Maggie now going missing with another student, they have begun to prey on the fear and are slowly taking over. Drew Collins is not going to want this type of bad press associated with this school so move carefully. Especially before the games so let’s be smart about this for once..”
…
Clementine never gave us a heads up on when she was going to do the fireworks, and we really hadn’t heard from her since. Asha was to attend class as usual. Isis was to remain our loving free spirit, being friendly to those who are friendly to her. Harvey was going to do research on my behalf in his spare time and I never spoke a word to Namir or Solomon. School was meant to continue on in Maggie’s absence as Xavier’s influence continued to grow.
“Coven Council, meeting tonight on the Grounds at 9pm!” Someone shouted as a flyer was slapped down on our table. The first dining hall was packed with students coming in for the first round of dinner. From the young students dragging their feet with their book bags. To the elders who were either getting off work and grabbing their meal before attending their late-night classes or on the phone still handling business. I could see Harvey in line with his brother Cedric as they blended in with the other men surrounding them in suits and ties.
Dress for Success Wednesdays and Fridays. Something the dean was attempting to reinforce here at Drew Collins. I pulled at my blazer that was a size or two too long and too big for my arms. It was the best Jean could do at such a last-minute request. I just hope he didn’t steal this from the Goodwill, that would be a new low for us.
“Ughhhh!” Asha groaned as she slammed her tray down on the table. She dropped her bags at her side while Isis quickly followed and quietly pulled out a chair to sit. Quan hadn’t been around lately, and I hadn’t seen him lingering with any other students. It was beginning to become strange, his whereabouts but maybe it was for the best.
“We need to leave tonight,” I said with an undertone of impatience. Isis’s eyes became impossibly wider, startled at my declaration.
“What like…tonight, tonight?”
“Yes. It’s the weekend. We’ll have two days to do this. I just…I can’t understand where Maggie could possibly be and at this point, Ayira is forgotten…or took advantage because she is a lot more than whatever she claims to be..”
“I’ve been saying this,” Asha muttered as she picked over her food with a frown. “I hate that we didn’t help her when she asked. Shit eats me up every time.”
“It doesn’t matter. We can do it now. We can speak with her mother. We can–––”
“You know what I thought about?” Isis cut in as I grew quiet. “What if Maggie has been trying to get in contact with us?”
We both looked at her just as Harvey dropped his tray down beside me. He reached underneath my chair to bring me closer to him as he began to dig into his food.
“Hi Harvey,” I greeted softly.
“Hi baby,” he replied, tearing apart the dinner roll before using his knuckles to lift his glasses for a quick adjustment. “How goes the planning, Charlie’s Angels?”
Asha sneered at him with a roll of her eyes while Isis shook her head.
“We were just thinking, what if Maggie or Ayira have been attempting to communicate with us?” Isis whispered as she leaned in. “I mean…What if she’s in danger?”
“What if Hillary can tell us where she is?” I countered, trying not to be annoyed but I felt like we’ve wasted enough time. “I can have Jean come pick us up tonight and take us to Atlanta if we can come up with some gas money.”
“And then what are you going to do? Just knock on her mother’s door and say what?”
“We will figure it out when it comes to that but–––”
The doors to the dining hall opened as this short man looked no taller than a middle schooler but you could see the age in his face.
“They’re announcing the players!” He shouted. Just as soon as he said it, you could hear the band playing outside as everyone made their way out in a single wave. It showed the difference in ages from the ones who ran out with excitement to those who took their time. A group of women cackling together as they shuffled their feet in their long matching skirts. A few teachers scurried off to grab their trays while the lines were empty. Somestudents stayed to themselves, listening to music or reading while eating but our table remained the same.
“Her mom has to know about us, right? Maggie had to mention us to her family before everything went down,” Isis said.
“I don’t think she got the chance,” I told her as I pulled out my phone. “I have her address where she and Namir live. It’s close to her parents’ house. We’re going to have to stop by there and get something from Maggie to offer to Hillary.”
“Wait, what?” Asha let out. “Like…asking Namir first–––”
“We’re not asking for a mothafucking thing,” I stated. Harvey grinned with an approving nod.
