Gods damn it.
11
“We’re not friends anymore.”
Willow and Dunc solemnly look back at me, then nod.
“Very reluctantly, copy that,” Duncan replies.
“But let the record state, we don’t like any of this,” Willow adds.
None of us do, but it’s what has to happen.
I’ve been instructed to be friends with Wes, Cosmo and, shudder, Jordan.
Not the two dear people in front of me.
I’m supposed to avoid ‘lessers’ after all. Ugh.
“So, I guess I’ll get going.” I give them one last, bleak, look then start walking along the path to the dining hall by myself. It feels nothing but wrong.
—Don’t forget we’re still head-friends, Theo!—
That’s true! Having Willow’s thoughts make me instantly feel a little better. —Head friends sounds a little…Maximus-y—
—What about brain buddies? That sounds better-eh?—Nigel comes on the line and adds his two cents—or two loonies, given his nationality.
I click off my friend’s thoughts and beam out telepathy in the direction of the building site.
—We’ll be back as soon as we can, Lu. Just hold on—
Still nothing.
A cold wind whistles across the grounds, and I tuck my brown, school-issued parka closer to my body. Winter is coming alright.
My nose and cheeks pink up as I enter the cafeteria. Nobody pays any attention to me. The student body has more on their minds than tormenting remedial students these days. All around me, groups are huddled together, whispering about riots and injured relatives, curfews and scary guards.
One girl seems still in shock, staring off into the distance while chewing a bagel. Others are very vocal, denouncing the humans for their attack.
People have died, after all.
I keep my head down, fix myself tea and toast, then stand in the corner, staring across the seating.
Where should I go?
Cosmo meets my gaze.—Sit with us—
—Right, and then your fiancee can dunk my head in oatmeal—
Even from here I can sense his eyeroll.
—Come here and sit, Theodora. I’ll control her—
With a sigh, I head towards them then slide into the empty spot across from Cosmo and next to Wes.
Wes immediately turns in my direction. “Theo. We are supposed to be friends now,” he says.
“Yup. I’m friends with you, and Cosmo and Jordan.” I put a dazed-ditz expression on my face. “Isn’t that nice,” I add for good measure.
