Page 40 of The Claiming

I turn away because I am determined never to be one of them, no matter how much I want to experience what that would be like.

TWENTY

FRANKIE

Cassie is avoiding me. I haven’t seen her since the party, but I’m not concerned about that. She is trying to figure out her emotions because it’s obvious she’s intrigued by me. We are so alike and she hates that.

When she left, so did I and ended up watching the game in my room, spread out on my couch as the party thumped below my feet. She was the only reason I stayed and when she left, I had no interest in anyone else.

However, tonight is The Claiming and excitement is reaching fever pitch among the students.

It’s the unknown and the sheer wickedness of it that has captured everyone’s attention, and I don’t miss the whispers as I pass through campus with my friends. It’s as if a storm is coming and there will be no shelter from the deadly effects of it, and I can’t fucking wait.

We head to art and as we enter the classroom, Miss Sloane catches my attention with her tight pink dress and soft smile.

Jesse whispers, “I’ve died and gone to teacher heaven.”

She smiles and I don’t miss the interest flare in her eyes as she angles her head to one side and, for a brief second, I believe she is flirting with us. Her gaze shifts between us as if she’s considering something and then she turns away, effectively cutting the moment, and Jesse groans.

“I’m having inappropriate thoughts of a woman who is dressed in red flags.”

“She’s wearing pink. What, are you color blind now?”

He nudges me hard. “I’m guessing her underwear is red, though. Fuck me, I’m guessing she’s a trip worth having.”

“Possibly.”

For some reason, my interest in our delectable teacher is fading and I wonder if it has anything to do with my interest in a certain wild spirit who goes by the name of Cassandra. I’ve never met anyone like her before. It’s as if we are meant to be here together. She is a breath of fresh air in a stale room and has become a craving that won’t diminish and a scratch that won’t stop itching. She is a challenge I have yet to conquer—but I will. Tonight. When darkness falls and candlelight replaces sunlight.

Art offers me a creative outlet in the guise of structured education, and I use my time in the studio effectively to unleash the madness inside my mind. My brush strokes are bold, dark and crafted from a twisted imagination and as Miss Sloane peers over my shoulder, she says with admiration, “Your interpretation of the subject is creative, Frankie.”

She chuckles softly because we are tasked with sketching a bowl of fruit and as I regard my work, a self-satisfied smile threatens to crack my severity as I gaze at the bowl of fruit that is very different to the one set before us. Mine is rotting, with creatures crawling from inside the various pieces. Worms, spiders and rotting flesh. The carcass of an apple crumbling as it falls.

“Is there anything you want to tell me? A private word, perhaps?” She whispers out of hearing of my fellow students and I shake my head.

“I’m good, thanks.”

She sighs. “You possess a rare talent, Frankie. Art is a medium that demonstrates it more than any other. It’s open to interpretation and there is no right or wrong answer to that. Have you ever considered making a career of it? I’ve a feeling you could be a considerable talent at whatever you turn your hand to.”

“I have no interest in a career involving art.”

I dismiss her with a slight shake of my head.

“What are you interested in?” She whispers against my ear and I pull back a little and say dismissively, “Nothing you would know anything about.”

The bell rings and as the class scrambles to leave, she says quickly, “If you ever want extra tuition, come and find me.”

As she leaves, I don’t miss the smile she directs at Jesse, or the way his gaze trails after her as she disappears into the supply cupboard.

“Do you need a minute?” I tease him and he nods, a thoughtful gleam in his eye.

“I’ll catch you up.”

I say no more because if Jesse wants to trip down the rabbit hole, she will provide an extremely soft landing, and if I wasn’t so fixated on Cassie, I would probably jump right in after him.

* * *

As I head to lunch,I notice Kennedy and her friends in front of me and groan inwardly. I almost consider ducking into an open classroom door, but as she catches my eye, I’m positive she would consider that an invitation, so I fix a blank expression on my face as she turns to me and smiles flirtatiously.

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