Page 20 of Mistaken Magic

"Fine!"Ihuffed, but it was hard whenIwas smiling.

"Fine," he mocked, getting out to shut his door playfully hard.

Whenhe stomped his feet as he made his way to the front of the car,Ihad to roll my eyes. "Youreally should've been a dad.You'vegot the perfect sense of humor for it."

"Soyou're sayingI'mfunny?"Hepulled open the door and gestured for me to go first.

"No,"Ifake-whispered asIpassed him, but damned ifIdidn't like this guy more thanI'dexpected to.

Themoment we were both inside, a salesgirl showed up to help - most likely to get the commission. "CanIshow you anything specific today?" she asked.Hervoice had that overly-chipper fake thing salespeople did.

"Twoskirts for theSilverOaksInstituteuniform,"Liamtold her. "Pleatedor straight, whatever she likes most.Twoshirts to go with it."

"Allright," the girl agreed, leading the way toward the back.

Wemade a guess at my size, got one black pleated skirt and one stretchy black mini, thenIwas shuffled into the changing room to try them on.Aftereach one,Ihad to come out and showLiam.Heshook his head at the pleated one, sayingIneeded a different size and maybe style.Themini, though, he nodded emphatically.

Thesalesgirl traded out the pleated one for three more similar styles.Itwas the secondIliked most, butLiamhad vanished to look at something else.Still, he told me to pick, and the skirtIliked cost less than the one he'd picked, soIfelt safe saying yes to it.Shirtswere easier.Isimply found two that were fitted.Whenthat was done,Igot dressed again, handed the salesgirl the stuffIdidn't want, then wandered around to findLiam.

Hewas back by the shoes, looking over the options.Inhis hands he held a black pump.Theheel was about two and a half inches tall, but with a blocky shape that wouldn't make it miserable to wear all day.Morelike aMaryJane,Irealized when he turned it a bit.Inother words, super cute.

"Whatsize?" he asked as soon asIwalked up.

"Liam,"Itried.

Hejust lifted a brow. "Humorme, ok?"

"Eight."

Sohe passed over the shoe in his hands. "Tryit on?"

Isat down on the little vinyl bench, pulled off the canvas sneaker with a hooked finger, and then put on the heel.Itwas a little tight, soItraded out for the next size up, then stood to show it off.Liamjust nodded in approval.

"Ok, two skirts, two shirts, and a pair of shoes.Thinkof this as your welcome to my school present."WhenIpulled the heel off,Iturned it over, hoping to check the price, butLiamsnagged it out of my hand. "Andnone of that," he insisted.

"Fine,"Iteased.

Hejust grinned back. "Fine!"

Chapter Ten

Needlessto say, when we made it back to theSparks', neither of us mentioned the shopping trip.Liamapologized for running late, then promised themI'dbehaved perfectly.Mr.Sparkshad just gotten home from work and kept staring as if waiting for something.Therewas a new dimple on the side ofLiam'sface, though.Ihad a funny feeling he was picking on his brother intentionally.

"So?"Mr.Sparksfinally asked. "Didshe pass the exam, or do we need to send her back?"

Liamturned to me. "Lorraine, would you take your uniform upstairs and put it with the rest of your things?"

Igaped at him in astonishment.Iwas being sent away.Theywere going to start talking about me, andIwas being sent upstairs to miss all of it?Imanaged to take the bag, but whenIstill didn't move,Liamtilted his head, giving me a look that begged me to trust him.Irolled my eyes in response.He'dbought me clothes that wouldn't make me look completely out of touch, soIfiguredIowed him this.

"Fine,"Igrumbled.

Thatdimple got a little deeper, proving my theory right.AndwhileIdefinitely wanted to huff and trounce my way to myroom,Iresisted.Alittle good news was not enough to make me forget about the hellI'dlived through all week long.Nevermind the fact that all the other kids were missing.Clearly, they'd planned for this to be a drama-fest.

Naturally,Ipaused just out of sight soIcould listen in. "Shewill be attending,"Liamsaid. "Ialso want you to know they did the tests.She'sfine.She'sa completely normal teenage girl.Thebirds were nothing more than a fluke."

"Itlanded on her arm,"Mr.Sparksgrumbled.

"Thecrow may have been possessed, but the girl isn't.She'scompletely fine.Also, your iron door knob isn't stopping her."Liampaused. "John, she's just a typical kid.Thegirl fed some crows at a previous home and they brought her things.Shethought it was cool.Kindalike how some kids wear black.It'snot magic, it's not evil, and it's nothing to worry about."

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