by Slick, Tabi
“Ms. Torvik!” Ms. Cotillard’s shrilling voice startled me from my thoughts.
“Yes, ma’am?” I answered, jolting upright.
“Please pay attention,” she scolded.
“Yes, ma’am,” I smiled.
“And so, as I was saying,” the teacher continued, “you all will be presenting your artwork at our school’s art exhibit at the end of the semester.”
“Pssst,” I whispered, getting Kia’s attention, “did she just say an exhibit?”
“Yeah,” Kia whispered back, “apparently we all have to submit one of our art pieces for it.”
“Huh,” I replied, “that should be fun.”
“Yeah,” she agreed.
“Hopefully it’s not too big of a to-do,” I laughed.
“Knowing Ms. Cotillard, it probably is,” Kia said.
Once class was over we went our separate ways as we headed for third period. For me, this meant that for the next hour and half I would be listening to Professor Veal (a nickname given to the creepiest science teacher known to man) drone on and on about something or another that I couldn’t understand and quite frankly made me sick to my stomach. I was definitely not headed for a career in the medical world, so I was kinda missing the point of why I needed to take his class.
“Hey, Kain,” I said, taking my usual seat next him in the back of the classroom.
“What’s up,” he greeted.
“Happy⎼”
“Ugh, jeez, could you be any louder?" He complained.
“Actually, I could,” I smirked, tossing my bag on the ground, “honestly, I really don’t understand why you hate your birthday so much.”
“I don’t hate it,” he replied, “I just hate people making it a big deal. And when people find out it’s your birthday they get all…happy or what not like they’ve just made your day.”
“Technically, our mother made our day today,” I corrected.
Kain just rolled his eyes sarcastically.
“Fine, fine, enough about the b-day,” I said, holding my hands up in peace.
“Happy birthday, man!" A kid called to Kain, waving at us from a couple of seats away.
I put my hand over my mouth as I tried to keep from doubling over in laughter. Kain’s face was swelling with irritation as he nodded his thanks to our classmate.
“I don’t even wanna hear it, sis,” he said, gritting his teeth.
“You gotta admire his impeccable timing, though,” I snickered.
“Whatever,” he muttered.
Professor Valkyrien finally made his appearance as he slithered ever so slowly to the front of the class. It took him even longer to form a complete sentence.
“Veelcome to class,” he shrilled, “m-m-m-my s-s-s-stud-dents.”
Was it just me, or was his stutter even worse today?
“T-t-to-d-day we sh-sh-shall b-b-b-be…” he stammered.
It was definitely worse. How could they let this guy teach? Not one student could understand anything he ever said and so his lectures were completely useless. I tried to take notes for the first twenty minutes or so, but then stopped when I realized that I’d been writing in his stutter as well. My first whole sentence consisted of a bunch of T’s.
The day was soon over and Kia and I wound up sitting in the lounge of the girls dorms watching a reality TV show with the girls, including Leslie, Raquel and Tiffany.
“What are we watching?” I asked, as some cowboy explained the procedure of turning a rope into a lasso.
“Seriously,” Kia agreed, “I mean, who knew there was a reality TV show on cowboys and cowgirls.”
“Honey, they can make reality TV about anything,” Raquel laughed.
“They just have to get people to watch it,” Tiffany replied.
I smirked.
“Oooh! My soap opera is on!” Leslie squealed in excitement, “Please change it!”
“Is it me, or does she sound way too excited for a soap opera?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You just don’t understand,” Leslie chided, “this isn’t just any soap opera!”
“Okay, okay, chill,” I laughed.
I sat through the opening theme, but then got up because I felt the beginnings of a headache. I was getting a lot of them lately and I was starting to think that I should see the nurse.
I slowly made my way up the stairs, feeling the weight of sleep and the stress of all that had happened. Ever since I got here, weirdness seemed to be a constant occurrence.
I finally made it to my room and toppled onto the bed, allowing everything to drift away. I didn’t want to think about life anymore. I missed home! As messed up as it was, I knew the atmosphere and, unlike here, it fit me perfectly. Yeah, I was getting to know people, but it wasn’t the same at all. At my old school I knew exactly what I was doing and I knew where I was going.
Nothing made sense here and I had never felt so horrible in my entire life. Something was happening to me. I didn’t know what it could be, but I had this strange feeling that my life was about to change even more and not for the better. I wondered if Kain felt it, too. He was acting a little bit on edge, so maybe he felt the same way.
‡‡‡
The next day I woke up much earlier than usual and took a long hot shower. I had definitely slept better last night and so I was determined to make the best out today. Maybe this funk was just me being homesick, mixed in with a bit of culture shock. That’s most likely what it was and it probably was the same for Kain. Who wouldn’t be a little shaken after moving to the middle of nowhere?
I jumped out of the shower and quickly wrapped a towel around myself as I headed back to my room.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I greeted as I sauntered into the room.
“It’s too early!” Kia complained as she covered her head with a pillow.
“Wow, grumpy Kia,” I laughed, putting away my things and contemplating my outfit choices for the day.
“Cute,” she grimaced.
“You know,“ I said, “this is a first. You’re usually the first one up and I’m the grouchy one.”
“Uh-uh,” she said, pulling herself off the comfy mattress, "It’s Friday, right?”
“Tuesday,” I replied, rolling my eyes, “but what’s up with you?”
“Didn’t get to sleep until late," she replied.
“Like how late?” I asked.
“Like three,” she said, grabbing her toiletries.
“Three in the morning?” I gasped, “Doing what?”
She shrugged, grabbing a towel as she turned to leave.
“Hold it,” I said, beating her to the door, “that look on your face was way too suspicious. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she said, her face straining as she tried not to smile too much.
“You’re actually a horrible liar,” I laughed.
“What?" She asked, “So, maybe I was up so late for a particular reason. It’s not a crime.”
“What particular reason, missy?” I asked.
“Well…” she began.
“Oh⎼” I gasped as it suddenly clicked.
“Don’t be mad!" She replied.
“Mad? Why would I be mad?” I asked, going back to the closet.
“I mean,” she said, “it’s not like there’s much to tell.”
“Sure,“ I jokingly rolled my eyes, “you spend the entire night talking to my brother and not a lot to tell about it?”
“I don’t want it to be weird,” she said, “and he and I are just friends.”
“I’m not going to say it’s not weird,” I said, “but you don’t need my permission to date him.”
Kia smiled, relaxing a bit.
“Thanks,” she smiled, “but we’re just friends.”
“Mmhmm,” I laughed.
“Okay, so friends with possible potential,” she caved, “but that’s it, I promise.”
“Go get ready,” I said, “it’s getting late.”
“Oh right, that s
chool thing,” she laughed, heading for the door, “thanks again!”
I decided to wear a faded pair of light blue jeans and a white t-shirt and black converse. I applied a bit of eyeliner on and blow-dried my hair straight.
I left the dorms and headed for the café, the energy and enthusiasm I had woken up with seeming to increase as I was welcomed by the morning sunrise. The sun rays glistened off the damp bark on the trees and the surrounding foliage, creating a haven. The ground was a bit damp, which meant it probably rained a bit last night.
I was just about to reach the end of the path and out to the main part of the Academy when a hand suddenly stopped me. I hadn’t even heard any footsteps!
“Death takes a soul,” a voice whispered behind me.
I spun around to find Tiffany Mazzalai, a classmate and close friend of Leslie‘s, standing an inch from my nose.
“What did you say?” I asked, stumbling back a few steps.
Her eyes were a bit unfocused and she was seriously creeping me out.
“Death takes a soul,” she slurred, “the keeper to the secret of murder runs free.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked, getting a little irritated, “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Creatures of the hidden world shall roam free,” she warned, “evil dwells among us.”
“Okay, I’m leaving now,” I said, turning to leave.
“Death will take another…”
This was the last I heard from the seriously demented Tiffany as I rushed out of the woods and towards the café.
Chapter 5: What Have We Done Now?
The days went by in a blink of an eye and the next thing I knew, it was the day of the big party at the lake. Everyone who got an invitation to the Black brother’s lakeside soirée couldn’t help but be excited about it and I was no exception. I could hardly concentrate through French class, which was incredibly dull today.
Once class was over I met up with Kia on my way to the café to get a quick bite.
“How was Professor Veal?” I asked, laughing.
“Ugh, horrible!" She replied, “He went off about dissection, which apparently we’re all going to have to do at the end of the semester.”
“Gross," I grimaced.
“What’s gross is he sounded almost excited about it,” she cringed.
“Wow, he’s got issues," I laughed.
I still hadn’t told anyone about Tiffany’s “episode” the other day. I didn’t think anyone would believe me. What did she mean by death takes a soul and that it would take another anyway? I shook the disturbing question out of my head, I wasn’t going to let anything bother me. Tonight was about having fun.
We entered the café, got some food, and then chose a seat by the tall glass windows. The hot sun poured in, cascading the room with a dazzling light.
“It’s pretty in here, huh?” Kia commented, taking a bite of pizza.
“Yeah,” I agreed.
From the corner of my eye I saw someone’s reflection in the window that caught my attention. I instantly recognized the coal eyes of Amadeus and quickly turned my attention back to my food.
“Izzy? Hey, what’s going on?” Kia asked, interrupting my thoughts.
“What?” I asked.
“Are you even listening to me?” She asked.
“Oh, sorry,” I replied.
“You know, you’ve been kinda acting a bit spaced out lately,” she commented.
“I’ve just had a lot on my mind,” I said.
“Well, you definitely have to forget about it,” she said, “because tonight is the party. And don’t forget Lee will be there.”
“So?” I replied, raising an eyebrow.
“Hmm, well…” Kia began, with a mischievous grin, “music, booze, sunset at the cabin by the lake...Lee personally inviting you…given your history together I’d say sparks are bound to fly!”
“Whatever,” I laughed.
Soon it was time for practice and so we headed over to the auditorium.
“Oh, hey girls!” Leslie called as we tossed our bags onto a nearby seat, "Glad you’re here early, we have tons to do in order to be prepared. I can’t believe our first play of the year is going to be Chicago I’m so excited. What a way to start, right?”
“Definitely,” Kia replied, “it’s a pretty tough production to pull off.”
“We can do it,” I encouraged.
‡‡‡
Soon practice was over and I was back in the dorm packing for the party. I had curled my hair and now it fell into waves over my shoulders. I refreshed my eyeliner and added some gray eyeshadow and mascara for a smokey eye effect. The door opened and Kia burst through, rushing to the closet.
“I have no idea what I’m going to wear!” She shrieked, then stopped dead in her trail, "Wow, you look hot!”
“Do I?” I asked, smiling widely.
“Lee won’t be able to resist you,” she reassured.
“Here,” I said, opening the closet, “wear this.”
I handed her a deep V halter dress in emerald green.
“It’ll look great on you,” I added.
“Are you sure?" She asked.
“Of course!” I exclaimed, “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t?”
“Thanks, you’re the best!” She squealed.
“I know,” I agreed.
“So, what’s with the come hither makeup?" She asked, winking.
“None of your business,” I smiled “I’ll spill all the details later.”
“You better,” she laughed, “I gotta get ready.”
I nodded in agreement and turned back to the mirror. I added a deep plum gloss to my lips, accentuating my pale complexion, and I checked myself out in the reflection. I was wearing my royal blue, silk cocktail dress with the back that plunged all the way down to my waist. The icing on the cake would be the heels! I quickly slipped on some matching, absurdly tall stilettos and glanced in the mirror one last time. I felt completely invincible and sexy! I put on some long silver earrings and then started packing some cute pajamas and change of clothes.
“Read to go?” I asked as I heard Kia come in.
I turned and saw Kia walk in and gasped. Her hair was perfectly straightened and she wore gold jewelry and shoes that matched the emerald green dress perfectly.
“Wow, now who looks incredible?” I exclaimed.
“This old thing?" She giggled.
“Got your overnight bag ready?” I asked, “The boys should be waiting for us.”
“Right here,” she replied, grabbing the bag from her bed, “let’s go!”
We turned off the lights and headed for the foyer. We passed other girls who were either on their way out, or rushing to finish getting ready. It seemed like half the school would be there!
“This is going to be an incredible party,” Kia said, linking our arms as we headed towards the front door.
“I agree,” I replied, “I’ve definitely been needing a night out.”
“Me too!” Kia exclaimed.
As we opened the door we were met by about a dozen pair of eyes staring at us. I scanned the crowded lawn and locked eyes with Lee. I smiled as I caught his shocked expression. I also noticed Kain’s eyes had immediately taken notice of Kia.
“Ready for this, Kia?” I asked, “Cause if you didn’t know this before, Kain’s definitely into you.”
“Whatever,” she breathed.
I chuckled to myself and we headed over to where the boys were.
“Ready?” Lee asked, noticeably having a hard time focusing.
“I think so,” I said.
“Duran and Laurent are already over there,” Lee informed us, “and Amadeus will meet us over there.”
We made our way to the parking lot, the setting sun casting shadows around us.
“You look beautiful,” Lee whispered.
“You don’t look bad yourself,” I commented, noticing he had dressed up a bit, too.
He wore a
collared, buttoned down shirt and dark wash jeans. He had also styled his hair.
We got to the truck and this time Kain did not call shotgun, choosing to sit in the back with Kia. I was happy for him. He usually had a hard time letting his guard down and actually being with someone. Being with Kia would be good for him and hopefully her happy-go-lucky personality would be a good influence on him.
Soon we made it to the main road, leaving the school far behind us. I welcomed the cool breeze as the windows were rolled down, letting myself go to the beat of music coming from the stereo. As we drove over a hill I saw a huge lake framed by the Arbuckle Mountains.
“Almost there,” Lee said, turning onto a dirt road.
We drove a few more minutes and soon we pulled up to a two-story log cabin. It was hard to miss, the whole place was lit up and music was blaring. It looked packed!
I got out of the car and waited for the rest of them to follow. From the corner of my eye I saw Kain take Kia’s hand and I couldn’t help but smile. I made my way to the house, Lee not far behind.
“Hey, hey!” Duran’s voice exclaimed, as he appeared through the front door, “The gang’s all here!”
He was holding a plastic cup in his hand that I suspected was not fruit punch.
“Come on in you guys, get a beer or get a drink,” he said, disappearing back into the cabin.
“Looks like we got here just in time,” I said, laughing.
We entered the house and were greeted by a crowd of teens. Some were hanging out, while others were starting to sway to the music and seemed to be on the verge of dancing.
“I’m gonna go get a drink,” I said.
“Yeah, sounds good,” Kain replied, “want anything, Kia?”
“Maybe in a bit,” she said.
“Lee?” He asked.
“I’m gonna go find Laurent real quick,” Lee said, “I’ll catch up with ya’ll later.”
Kain and I headed to where the food and refreshments were. There was a huge bar with every type of beverage you could possibly imagine.
“It’s party ‘till the cops show up, kiddos!” Duran slurred, a bit too loudly.
“Yeah, buddy I think you’ve had a bit too much,” Kain said.
“No, I’m not drunk,” he replied.