Page 123 of Fractured Fates
“It’s in celebration of the founding of the school by Sterling Hart and Morgan Arrow. Each House hosts a party – each trying to outdo the other. It’s pretty wild. Do you know what Venus has picked for a theme this year?”
“Nope, I didn’t even know it was happening.”
Winnie gives me a sympathetic look. “Fiona is holding a meeting tomorrow morning to hand out jobs to everyone in preparation. I’m hoping I end up on the decoration committee again.”
“We only just finished our chores and now we’re going to have more?”
“But these ones are fun.”
“Your idea of fun is different to mine, Winnie.”
She throws a handful of petals at my face. “Says the girl who is addicted toPuzzle Mastersand until a few months ago considered watering her vegetables the highlight of her day.”
“Okay, you got me there.” I giggle.
I roll onto my side, tucking my hands under my cheek. “So, are you going to ask Trent to Founders’ Night?”
Winnie’s face blushes a deep beetroot red. “Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“Oh … I … don’t …”
“You like him?”
“Perhaps … maybe … okay, yes, majorly.”
“Then ask him out.”
She takes a panicky inhale. “Just the thought of it makes me want to puke.”
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“What’s the worst? He laughs in my face, then picks a girl a million times prettier than me to take and completely shatters my heart.” She rests her palms over her chest dramatically.
“You said this dance includes no broken hearts.”
“Every dance includes some broken hearts. It’s the way of things.”
“Count me out.”
“We can go together.”
“And cement firmly in everyone’s minds that we’re dating.”
“I don’t care about that.”
“No, me neither I suppose.”
I twist my head up and look at the sky, turning slowly purple as the sun dies away.
“Winnie, what do you know about scarlet magic?”
“Probably about as much as you do by now – you’re spending an awful lot of your time in the library.”
“Yes, but I haven’t come across this type of magic before.”
“I guess that’s because it’s pretty rare.”
