Page 106 of Mistaken Magic

"Well,"Isaid, leaning over to kiss her forehead. "IthinkWilderlooks like he's been airbrushed.Theguy is too pretty to be so masculine!"

Shegiggled. "Iknow, right?Andhis big, black eyes."

"Hereminds me of a tree in the snow."Ilet my eyes close asIthought about it. "He'sstark in a way, and crisp, but also elegant in his simplicity."

"He'lllike that," she breathed.

Igasped. "You'renot supposed to tell him!"

"Ok, ok!"Shegiggled, the sound absolutely beautiful. "Keirreminds me of a sunset."

"No, midday,"Icountered. "Allgolden and shiny.Hehas some amazing muscles, too."

"Blech," she huffed, clearly not impressed. "Hehas nice lips, though.Kindalike yours."

"Jack!" the bird snapped, making us both look. "Jack,Jack,Jack!"

"Morebread,"Irealized. "Fine!"

SoIpicked off another chunk and tossed it at him.Whilehe ate,AspenandIkept talking.Forevery guyImentioned,Imade her talk about a girl.Shetried not to, butIwouldn't let up, and we laughed.Thiswas whyIliked her.BeingwithAspenwas so easy.Itwas so natural.

Itwas just so right.

Chapter Forty-Three

Therest of the weekend was just as nice.Aspenbegan going out with me to spoilJack.Thebird liked her, but he made it clear he liked me more.OnSaturday, he began riding on my shoulder, pecking at my hair almost affectionately.Sunday, he tried to follow us back to the school and got pissed off whenIsaid he couldn't come in.

Thebird was just too smart for his own good.MaybeAspenhad something with the whole magical absorption thing.Itwas pretty much all that made sense.Granted,Keirhad mentioned crows were one of the few things that could cross the gates intoFaerie.Orat least they had been before the gates closed.

Ireally liked that idea, but sinceJackclearly had not been around in the seventies, it didn't really work.Still, how cool would it have been to meet a bird who'd been toFaerie?Eitherway, he was special, andIliked howAspenunderstood my fascination with him.

Sadly, the weekend didn't last nearly long enough.BeforeIwas ready, students were coming back to the dorms.Harpermade a scene of it, of course.Towingher stupid little suitcase behind her, she banged on the doors as she passed, yelling, "I'mback, bitches!"

Itwasn't just my room orAspen's.Nope, she pounded on all of them, as if there should be a parade for her safe return or something.Itwas almost like she was daring me to hate her more thanIalready did.Then, whenIpeeked my head out to see what her deal was,Icouldn't help but notice the fancy new clothes.

Thegirl had on things that looked designer.ForallIknew, they could've been knock-offs, though.Sheeven wore a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses on her head, andIwas pretty sure there was at least one new ring on her hand.Subtlethings, but signs she had money while most people atSilverOakswere still technically in the foster system.Peoplelike me.

Itwas no surprise when she decided to target me onMonday.AspenandIheaded to the elevator together for first period.OfcourseHarperwas already there, surrounded by her gaggle of jesters.Ishared a glance withAspen, and we turned for the stairs, knowing it wouldn't be worth the headache of waiting for the elevator.

Oneof the girls saw us, and reached out to grab a handful of my hair.Ididn't even think.Isimply spun and slapped her across the face.Thecrack was loud enough to make everyone shut up and stare.ThenIshoved my finger right in the girl's face.Nevaeh,Ithought.

"Youhurt me andIwill hurt you, get it?"Iglared, making it clearIexpected a response.

"Thendon't flap your ponytail in my face," she shot back.

Myhand lowered, butIstepped even closer. "Yeah?Andhow far did you have to jump to make sure that happened?JusthopeIdon't have iron in it next time."

"Rain?"Aspenbegged, tilting her head. "Don'twant to be late, right?"

SoIwiggled my fingers atNevaehand skipped off to follow.Yeah, the bouncy little strut thing was forced, but it got themessage across.WhenIwas far enough down the stairsHarpercouldn't see us, the first giggle slipped out.Aspenjoined me a moment later, looping her arm through mine.Wedidn't even care about the other students and what stupid rumors they might start.

Itfelt like we were partners in crime, doing something amazingly daring.Weweren't.Wewere simply standing up for ourselves, and maybe tauntingHarpera bit, but that was all.Still,Harperwasn't impressed.WhenIheaded for my third-period class, making my way across the building on my own, she decided she'd had enough.

Ifelt her shoulder slam into me as we passed in opposite directions.Thecontact was hard enough to make my arms slip, and my tablet went sliding.Sodid the notebookIwas carrying, a pen, and a highlighter.Naturally, they all went in different directions.

"Watchwhere you're going,Legacy,"Harpersneered.

I'dbeen about to chase after my tablet, but her voice stopped me.Slowly,Iturned to face her, aware of the students moving out of our way.Thebitch stood there proudly, daring me to try something else.

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