Page 4 of Mercy & Malice

“Whatever.” Cain laughs as he drapes his arm over my shoulder. “You could ace all of them in your sleep, Miss Valedictorian.”

The statement stings. “That’s not on the table anymore.”

Cain looks at me like I just told him Bigfoot is real before I explain something that won’t be that shocking. “After everything, I lost focus and my grades slipped a little.” Not much. But enough that it’ll be impossible for me to graduate at the top of my class. Vivienne and I have been neck and neck every year. But she made sure to let me know by her calculation (which is unfortunately accurate) that I could get perfect scores for the rest of the school year, but it wouldn’t be enough to catch up if she maintains her GPA. At first, I was disappointed. Today I’m just annoyed that she was so smug about it, not knowing that the first test I ever received a B on was the day after Mercy killed Remy, someone I cared about. How was I expected to ace a test when I played a part in his death. We all did. Those of us who were there.

“Yeah, it’s been rough, but we’ll get through it. You’re still the smartest person I know.”

Cain smiles at me as Ivy says, “Agreed,” before heading towards Luca.

I watch the Montclair twin for a little too long. But seeing the person who is a carbon copy of Micah, yet so different at the same time, reminds me that he still exists.

“Hey, what’s going on with you?” Cain asks, bumping his shoulder into mine.

“Have you heard from Micah?”

“No.” His expression grows solemn as his gaze drops to the ground. “I get why he needed to get away. But I figured he’d be back by now.”

“Me too.” I really thought he would be back if only just to yell and curse at me for deceiving him. “Do you think he’ll ever come back?”

“Yeah, he will.” Cain attempts to give me a reassuring smile then nods as he repeats, “He will.”

“You think he’s gone forever too, don’t you?” I want him to tell me the truth as long as it’s not what I’m fearing to be my new reality … life without Micah.

Cain shifts in front of me, blocking my view of Luca as he holds both of his hands on my shoulders. “He’ll be back. And everything will get back to normal.”

“I hope so.” Is there even such a thing as normal anymore? “He missed my birthday.” Ever since we were kids, he’d always jump out and scare me wearing some demented clown mask (even if for the last few occasions he added a chain saw to the mix) at some point during the day. He’d realized at a school festival that I was deathly afraid of clowns. So, it was his favorite way to pester me … and one I never looked forward too until this year. The entire day I waited for him to appear. But he never did for the first time in ten years.

“Don’t worry.” Cain pulls me into a hug. “He’ll be back terrifying you with crazy clown costumes before you know it.”

Please let that be true.

A throat clearing sounds behind us as Mr. LeBlanc appears. “Keep it appropriate for school.”

I step back from Cain as he laughs, “Bro, chill out. It was a hug.”

“My name isn’t bro, Mr. Louviere.”

“I promise everything will be okay.” Cain is still smiling as he playfully taps his index finger on the tip of my nose. “Let me know what time to meet you in the gym, I want to help make it perfect for my date and maybe impress her with my decorating skills. She deserves a fun, carefree night to enjoy her hard work on the event.”

The comment brings a genuine smile to my face because I’m his date. “She’s already impressed and grateful.”

I turn and see Mr. LeBlanc’s sights are set on me, but he quickly looks away as he asks, “You’re going to the winter masquerade with Mr. Louviere?”

“Yes, we’re going together,” I respond.

“That’ll be fun.” The tone he says it in doesn’t seem like he actually believes it’ll be a fun time. But I know it will be.

“That’s the plan.” Cain and I agreed to go as friends since we both didn’t have a date. There’s never been anything romantic between us. But for some reason, I don’t want to relay that information to Mr. LeBlanc.

“Well, right now the plan is acing an AP Calculus final.” He motions for me to take a seat.

Ivy and Luca are walking into the classroom as Ivy mutters, “Not likely, dude.”

Mr. LeBlanc sighs. “My name is not dude, Miss Walker.”

“Fine. But don’t call me Miss Walker.”

Following behind her, I take my seat and get out my pencil, extra eraser, and everything else I felt like I needed to be prepared. As soon as the exam is passed out, I get started. A few questions in, my head feels heavier than it should. Extending my left arm across my desk, I prop my head against it and continue working through the problems. I drift off at some point because I feel a poke on my side as Ivy whispers, “Wake up.”