Page 38 of Disharmony

“Thank her for me,” I say. “If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know how he’d be able to survive. He’s the worst cook.”

When Mom first got sick, I took over a lot of the domestic duties: cleaning, washing, cooking, and kept doing them after she passed away. This is the first time Dad has lived alone in over twenty years.

“Tell me about it.” Brick laughs. He’s had the misfortune of sampling some of my dad’s attempts at cooking. “My dad has hired a new intern for the summer too. It’s a bit of a drag having to explain everything and teach someone else what to do.”

“What else would you be doing?” I ask, slipping back into our usual playful banter. “Checking yourself out in the mirror or lifting weights?”

There’s an awkward pause. Have I pushed it too far?

“I’m glad you’re having fun though, Ash.” Brick breaks the silence. As much as he sounds genuine, there’s an edge to his tone and a bell rings in the background. “I should get going. The intern’s arrived.”

“Be nice,” I say. “Let’s catch up soon, okay?”

I’m going to love hearing him freak out when he learns I spoke to two of the Lionhearts.

It will take time for us to get back to normal, but it felt so good to hear his voice again. Brick is right about Tiffany too. Her bitchy comments are nothing compared to what I’ve had to face at home. I won’t let her win. I may be a backing singer, but I’ll be the best damn backing singer she’s ever had.

ten

Ash

Tiffany’s bitchy sideways glares and passive-aggressive comments have bounced off over the last few days, knowing I’m going to see the Basilisks tonight… finally the day is here!

“Not bad, right?” Cookie says. We’re crammed into the back of Claudia’s food transportation truck. Another bump in the road sends Leila sliding into Conor, who knocks into Declan, who almost bangs his head on a cooler. “I called in a favor.”

“Is everything okay back there?” Claudia calls nervously.

“Fine,” I yell back. Even a concussion won’t keep me from seeing the Basilisks in Wilderton. I turn to Cookie. “Remind me how you persuaded Claudia to take us out again?”

“She owed me one,” she replies with a dismissive hand wave. “We’re friends. Besides, it’s not like it’s a prison. We can leave whenever we want.”

“With Jacqueline’s permission,” Declan chirps.

“Permission we’re saving her the time of granting,” Cookie says smoothly. “Claudia doesn’t mind. She has to go to Wilderton tonight anyway. When the gigs over, we’ll get a cab and walk along the secret path back to our cabins. Everyone does it.”

“What will happen if we get caught?” I ask, although I’m happy to take on any consequences.

“We won’t,” Leila says confidently. She pulls a hip flask out of her pocket and grins. “We’re all eighteen now. It’s not like we’re first-years.”

“Great minds think alike,” Declan says, pulling another hip flask out his pocket and clinking it against hers. “Although, from what I’ve read online, this venue isn’t the kinda place to check whether you’re twenty-one.”

I play with the holes in my fishnet tights as my knees bob up and down from excitement. I’m wearing my trusty Vans with high-waisted black denim shorts and a Basilisk band tee. I tried to clip a section of my hair up to give it volume, but it didn’t work, so I gave up. It now sits in black silky sheets on either side of my face, running down my back to my waist.

“I didn’t know you have your septum pierced,” Leila observes, leaning closer to get a better look. “Is it real?”

“Sure is,” I say. Since arriving, I’ve hid the piercing by wearing a horseshoe ring that flips up inside my nose. Tonight, I swapped it out for a gorgeous silver clicker in a decorative flower pattern. Thankfully, my tongue piercing is too subtle for anyone to notice.

“It looks great,” she admires. “You look… different.”

I shrug. “Must be the makeup.”

I spent thirty minutes blending my smoky gray eyeshadow and making sure my eyeliner and plum lipstick were perfect.

“We’re here,” Claudia shouts as the truck comes to a stop, and we’re thrown forward. “Enjoy your night.”

We clamber out the back.

“Finally,” Declan grumbles.

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