Burnwood - The Dragon Arum

by Sarah La Rose

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Alec and I spent the entire first period looking through the books Jane brought us. Alec fingered through the pages like he was looking through a picture book. I on the other hand found each page captivating. The only problem was that it took me an hour to get through 10 pages.

  He glanced over my shoulder. “You find anything?”

  “Plenty,” I said. “Just nothing about the medallions.”

  He shrugged. “I’ll pass these on to Kendrick and Trish. They said they had second period open.”

  I nodded and started gathering my belonging. Alec stacked the enormous books onto one hand, balancing them precariously on the palm of his hand as we made our way downstairs.

  “I’ll walk you to your next class, and then Carter will be here to bring you home tonight.”

  “I get to go home tonight?” I asked, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I couldn’t wait to have use of all my otherwise useless items. I longed to be able to slip beneath the covers of my own bed.

  “He doesn’t want your uncle to start getting suspicious.”

  “Probably a good idea. Though, he has been acting more aloof than ever. He might not even notice.”

  Alec laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about it. It probably has something to do with that blonde he’s been sneaking around town with.”

  I stopped, feeling a hard thud as the girl behind me collided into me.

  “What?”

  Alec pulled me to the side and away from the flow of students hurrying down the hallway. I hadn’t realized how much traffic I held up until I met the numerous scowls coming from all directions.

  “It’s really not that big of a deal,” said Alec, gesturing at the crowd to keep moving. “Men are easily distracted.”

  “What blonde?”

  Alec eyed me for a second and a smug smile slowly crept onto his boyish face.

  “I get it,” he snickered. “Competition.”

  “Ew!” I shouted, punching him hard in the shoulder.

  “Not like that,” he replied, rubbing his shoulder with great exaggeration. “You’ve been the only girl in his life for a while now, right?”

  I laughed. “Of course not. He’s had plenty of girls in his life.”

  “I bet you none of them consistent.”

  “None of them he felt like he had to hide from me,” I retorted.

  I said the words without being quiet sure I had thought them, but now that they were out the truth sunk in. Felix was the only father I had and it stung to know he would hide something like this from me.

  “Wait.” I stopped just shy of the entrance to my literature class. “How do you know this?”

  “My mom’s a nurse,” he said, seemingly believing that explained everything.

  “So?”

  “So she’s there every Thursday when your uncle and Lucinda visit Professor Kraven.”

  “Lucinda,” I repeated. “She was the blonde you saw him with?”

  Alec nodded.

  “Why the hell are they going to the hospital every Thursday together? And who’s Professor Kraven?”

  The bell rang and students scattered from the hallways and into classrooms.

  “Damn it!” Alec hurried for the staircase near the end of the hall. “Got to go.”

  I sighed heavily, tossing my head back and shaking my hair loose from the insecurely pinned bun.

  I felt a hand on my neck, but I didn’t bother turning around. I could recognize those strong, warm hands anywhere.

  He pulled my hair to the side, letting it drape over my shoulder, and I felt his soft lips graze my neck. I turned and let him envelope me in his arms. I rested my head against his chest and felt his chin atop my head.

  “I was hoping I would catch you before class,” he said.

  “Good because I don’t think I could’ve made it to the end of the day without seeing you.”

  He stepped back and looked at me. “That’s what I came to talk to you about.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “I’m gonna have to get one of the others to stay with you tonight,” he said, stroking my hair with his hand. “I’m leaving in a couple hours.”

  I stepped back. “Tonight?”

  “The Elder’s will be at the council meeting. It’s the only chance we have at figuring out anything about those medallions.”

  “Why is everyone so reluctant to just ask their parents? I mean, is it really that horrible to bring up over a casual conversation?”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  “I am so sick of hearing that,” I mumbled.

  He smiled, his finger grazing my cheek. “I’ll be back in three days.”

  I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “And, when I get back, it would be my honor to escort you to the Red and Black Lantern Festival.”

  I eyed him. “You’re not going to leave me dateless at the last minute, are you?”

  “First of all, you would never go dateless and we both know that. There’s really no need to spare my already inflated ego. And, I wouldn’t miss the chance to be your date to something as important as the Red and Black Lantern Festival, especially when it’s your very first one.”

  “What is this Red and Black Lantern Festival anyway? It’s all this town has been talking about for the past month.”

  He pulled me in and kissed me. “You will just have to wait and see. Just make sure you wear red or black.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Thanks genius.”

  He kissed me once more, this time letting the moment linger.

  I watched him hurry down the hall and out the exit. I looked over at the classroom full of students and it began to dawn on me just how much he sacrificed on behalf of our group. Carter missed more school than any of us, and his grades were most certainly a reflection of that.

  Jane was already in class when I stepped inside. I joined her at our usually seats at the back of the class.

  “Hey,” she whispered. “What happened to you at lunch?”

  I rolled my eyes and tossed my head back in exasperation. “I had to stay behind after biology class to finish my lab. I got paired up with Nelson Korks.”

  “Ah,” Jane nodded. “I got stuck with him last year. Someone seriously needs to teach that kid the dangers of playing with fire.”

  “I know! Every time I turned around he was finding new ways to blow us up. I just don’t get it. How does a kid like that even get into advanced biology?”

  She shrugged. “Beats me. Bet it has something to do with his dad being on the school board.”

  I shook my head. “Figures. It’s not about what you know, it’s about whom you know.”

  After class I followed Jane to her locker.

  She tossed her school bag inside and quickly closed it before the bag could fall from its precarious position at the top of the heap of junk already squeezed into her locker.

  “You know that’s a fatal avalanche waiting to happen.”

  Jane pursed her lips. “I’ll get to it… just not today.”

  “Suit yourself, but do me a favor. Wear proper headgear before opening that again.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Okay, I’ve got to go. I have a phone call to make when I get home; and if I don’t do it now, while I still have the nerve, I never will.”

  “So Carter didn’t talk to you today, did he?” I asked, following her out the west wing exit.

  “I haven’t seen him since this morning. Why?”

  “Oh, no reason. He had to go out of town today so he said he would ask someone else to pick me up after school, but maybe he couldn’t find anyone to babysit me today and I will finally get my freedom back.”

  Jane laughed. “I wouldn’t hold your breath. He wouldn’t have left if he couldn’t find someone to look after you.”

  We crossed the field and reached the parking lot where Trish and Cruz were hauling the three ginormous books Jane had brought to the library into the back seat of Cruz’s truck.r />
  “Hey, either one of you hear from Carter,” asked Jane.

  “Nah, what’s up?” said Cruz.

  “Not very presidential of him to just go MIA if you ask me,” Trish sneered.

  Alec came around the side of the truck. “No one asked for your opinion, Trish.”

  Trish shrugged and turned on her heels. “Just saying.”

  “Well, would anyone of you know who is on Annabelle duty?”

  “Jane! I’m not a kid.”

  “Could’ve fooled me,” muttered Trish.

  “You know what? This is ridiculous. I’ll just take myself home. Carter isn’t here and he doesn’t need to know.”

  “You can’t do that,” said Jane. “Yury is still out there.”

  “Technically, she can do whatever she wants,” chimed Trish. “It’s her life, not Carter’s.”

  “What are you saying, Trish?” said Cruz, stepping between Jane and Trish. “You’re seriously that threatened by Annabelle that you would put her life at risk.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that,” stuttered Trish, but it was too late. Cruz was already at the driver’s side door of his truck.

  “Find your own way home today,” he shouted over his shoulder.

  Trish scurried for the door handle only to find it had been locked. “Cruz, wait!” she called, smacking her palm against the window.

  Cruz whipped out of the parking lot and sped down the street like he couldn’t get away fast enough.

  Trish folded her arms across her chest and looked back at us.

  “Why am I not surprised that you are again at the root of this problem?” she jeered.

  “Wow Trish.” Jane laughed. “You can’t blame this on Annabelle. You heard what he said. The problem is with you so, if I were you, I would start taking a good long look in the mirror.”

  Alec and I stared at Jane in awe. She spoke so sternly- so confidently. Even Trish seemed to feel the total impact of her words.

  I half expected Trish to saying something in return, but she didn’t. Instead, she narrowed her eyes on me for what felt like an eternity, and then turned and stomped off towards the school’s main entrance.

  “Don’t worry about her. She’s just intimidated.”

  “I don’t know,” I said, still watching Trish storm through the school yard. “There’s more going on here.”

  “Like what?” asked Alec.

  “Let’s just not be too hard on her. It’s possible that we’re missing the bigger picture right now.”

  “I hope you’re right,” said Jane. “Because I’m getting sick of all the attitude coming from her lately.”

  “Me too,” said Alec. “I can’t wait to hit the track and forget all about this crazy shit for a few hours.”

  “Wait,” I said. “Carter didn’t ask you to pick me up?”

  Alec’s gaze shifted from me to Jane. “No… was I supposed to?”

  I smiled triumphantly. “I guess I’m off the hook after all.”

  “I don’t feel right about leaving you on your own,” said Jane.

  “Don’t worry,” said Nick, stepping out from behind the cover of a black Hummer. “She won’t be on her own.”

  “Nick,” Jane and Alec said simultaneously.

  “Carter called me to pick you up.”

  “Oh,” we all said together.

  Nick looked away, his hand shoved into his pockets.

  “I think that’s perfect,” I said.

  They all turned to me with curious looks and I completely understood why. Nick was a part of the group, but he had never really had an active role. He came to the meetings and did what was needed of him, but never anything more than required. And, of course, there was that unfortunate scene I made at Jane’s house during the vote.

  Perhaps this would give me a chance to apologize. I hated to admit it, but I hadn’t stopped thinking about what Carter had said about Nick- that he was my cousin.

  Nick nodded. “Okay, I’ll wait for you in the Hummer.”

  He gave Jane and Alec a slight nod before he left.

  “I can cancel my race today,” said Alec.

  “And I can make that call to my father some other time,” said Jane.

  I smiled. “I want to go with Nick. Unless… is there something you both know that I don’t?”

  I eyed them both suspiciously, watching their faces falter.

  “That’s just it,” said Jane. “We don’t really know anything about him.”

  “You can’t be serious,” I said, partly amused.

  “We are,” said Alec.

  Something passed between Alec and Jane just then, but I wasn’t sure what it was. I thought it might be understanding, but when I looked closer, it seemed more like shame.

  “He’s a part of the society. How can you not know anything about him?”

  “It’s not like we don’t want to know,” said Jane, gesturing with her hand at the Hummer. “He just doesn’t like us.”

  “Why would he be a part of your group if he doesn’t like you?”

  “By requirement,” said Alec. “It’s not really a choice, Annabelle. You’re born it this. We all are.”

  I looked back at the Hummer parked just a few stalls over from us. Nick was sitting inside, bopping his head to the music.

  “I don’t get it,” I said. “How is he my cousin? I didn’t think my father had any siblings.”

  “His father was you’re father’s cousin,” said Alec.

  “Why doesn’t he like you guys?” I asked.

  Jane and Alec shrugged.

  “I don’t get it myself. What’s not to like,” said Alec. “He’s just weird.”

  “Totally emo, except without the dark clothes and black eyeliner,” added Jane.

  I rolled my eyes. “You’ve been very helpful. Thanks.”

  I turned and quickly made my way to the Hummer, just reaching for the door handle as Alec called out, “if you need a quick escape don’t hesitate to call.”

  I didn’t bother to respond and I sincerely hoped that Nick hadn’t heard him, and from the looks of it he didn’t. He was still bopping along to the music, surprised when I opened the door and hopped inside.

  “You’re actually coming?” he said.

  “If it’s okay with you…”

  He stared blankly at me for a moment, and then shifted the car into reverse and slowly backed out of the stall. Nick blasted the music as he peeled out of the parking lot and onto the main street running in front of the school.

  “So where are we going?” I asked, shouting over the music.

  “What?” he shouted back.

  I looked at the volume nob on the stereo and he quickly got the hint.

  “Sorry,” he said, switching off the stereo. “I’m not used to having people in here with me.”

  “Why is that?”

  He kept his gaze on the road. “I just… like my space.”

  I nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think we’re going to have that problem. I have someone I would like you to meet.”