Page 19 of A Drop of Anguish
“I wanted hisfuture. I have been displaced from a wonderful world of wild magic, so muchbiggerthan this dim place you call Earth. I miss it. And I’m scared of what my life will be like without it. So, if Jarron, the powerful prince of another world of wondrous magic were to claim me…”
“I see.” Being with Jarron would give her a replacement future similar to the one she lost. It would give her purpose and a whole world that would cherish her.
“I don’t think it excuses me being a jerk, but I guess I just wanted you to know. Or maybe—maybe I just needed to say it, so it stops rotting inside of me.”
I sniff and rock back on my heels. “I appreciate you telling me. My friends in Minor Hall told me you were really kind to them, so I knew you weren’t atotaldick. Doesn’t stop me from wanting to strangle you every time I think about you with Jarron, though.”
She chuckles. “Fair enough.”
We continue walking.
“Why did you two break up, then?” she asks.
I raise a brow. “This better not be an elaborate scheme to get information out of me for more rumors.”
She holds her hands up in surrender. “It’s not, I swear.”
I don’t answer her question, and she doesn’t ask again. She parts with only an awkward wave when I reach the infirmary. I watch her smooth stroll toward the headmaster’s office to face her consequences. I’m reminded of a phrase I heard at the Elite table a few months ago.
There’s a thin line between friend and foe.
8
DEAR CANDICE
When will you see that it’s all pointless?
A game.
A show.
You think yourself the vigilante
the rebel
But you don’t realize that you are the puppet,
Controlled by the puppeteer
And this path does not lead where you think.
This is only act one.
The games have only just begun.
The Jinn
9
The Big Bad Wolf Needs My Help?
Something slimy flies through the air and lands on my shoe on my way to the lunch table. I look down at the spitball. Really? I go to a supernatural school, and they resort to spitballs? How pathetic is that?
I ignore it and keep walking to reach my friends. It’s been a few weeks since school restarted, but it seems my reputation is only getting worse. Or rather, people are feeling more comfortable being open about their dislike of me.
Thompson, the Elite shifter, is already seated with Lola, Janet, and her boyfriend, Marcus.
“About time, potion master. I need you to help me with this,” Thompson says dramatically.
