by Brenda Drake
The other girls turned to look at him, and he directed his gaze out the cabin window. “It’s a beautiful one.”
Iris was back at his side. “I have to go soon.”
“What are you, Cinderella?”
“It’s not midnight,” she said.
“I meant…” He ran his fingers through his hair. The wind had tangled it, and the salty air had curled the ends. “Are you going to turn into a pumpkin if you’re not back exactly in two hours?”
“Cinderella doesn’t turn into a pumpkin,” she said. “It’s an actual one that returns to its original state.”
“Listen to you being all scientific-sounding,” he teased. “I’m so proud.”
She elbowed his side. “You’re hilarious.”
“Oh my God,” Violet said, tapping the screen of Carys’s phone repeatedly. “Oh my God. Why do you have this photo? How did you get it?”
“What photo?” Dena leaned closer, trying to see over Violet’s hands.
Carys glanced over Violet’s shoulder at the screen. “Crap. I thought I deleted that.”
Violet held up the phone, showing the photograph. “This one.”
It was the photograph of her and Dena making out in their bras.
“I…I…” Carys looked around at all of them, her eyes pleading for help.
Wade was tired of keeping Carys’s secret. He stepped away from Iris. “It’s time you two tell her the truth.”
“The truth?” Violet asked.
Chapter Thirteen
Iris
Watching Violet between Dena and Carys, looking confused, tugged at Iris’s heart. She wanted to protect Violet from what she was about to hear. What Dena had done wasn’t really so bad when she thought about it. An honest mistake. Iris couldn’t count how many times she accidentally sent a text to the wrong person.
“I meant to send it to you,” Dena was saying. “Instead I sent it to Carys.”
“I didn’t know it was in my messages,” Carys said. “And I didn’t know that Marsha would see it come through and go in my phone and send it to herself. I know. I was stupid not to have my screen lock set.”
Violet pushed on Dena. “Let me out.”
“We didn’t mean for it to happen,” Dena said, cupping Violet’s hands in hers as if she wanted to pray over them or something.
“You took advantage of me while I was drunk.” Violet pushed harder, and Dena slid out of the booth, almost falling over as Violet shoved her so she could get out. “How could you take a selfie of us? I was so out of it.” She stomped up the steps.
“I should go with her.” Iris gave Wade a quick look. “I’ll call you later.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” he asked.
“No. I think we need to be alone.” She squeezed his hand and scrambled up after Violet.
Violet stormed down the dock.
Iris sprinted to catch up. “Hold on!” she yelled, breathless. “Violet!”
Finally reaching Violet, Iris held her side and kept pace with her. “Don’t you want to hear Dena out? So you were drunk. And she was drunk. People do stupid things when they’re drunk. Like sending a photo meant for your girlfriend to the wrong number.”
“I would never have taken that picture if I wasn’t wasted.” She frantically searched for her keys at the bottom of her purse. “Dammit. Where are they?”
“Here, let me look.” Iris held out her hand. “And I should probably drive.”
Violet heaved a sigh before handing her purse over to Iris. “I thought she was the one. Like, we could make a life together. Go off to college. Make a family one day.”
Iris gave her a tight hug and held her for many beats before letting go. “You do realize you’re only seventeen, right?” She pushed the button on the remote to unlock the doors to Violet’s Prius. “What happened to only planning six months in advance? Remember that rule? I believe it’s the one you and your shrink came up with.”
“Don’t call her that. It’s rude.” Violet opened the door and fell onto the seat. Iris rounded the back of the car and got into the driver’s seat. “I’m such a mess.” Violet sobbed into her hands. “And Carys. Really? I don’t believe Marsha just happened to spot Carys’s phone light up right when it received that message. And how could she open, save, and send that pic to her own phone without anyone noticing her do it?” She rubbed away the tears with her fingertips.
“She didn’t have to do all that,” Iris said. “Only had to forward it. There has to be a message record of it.”
Violet gave her a look. “Don’t act so smart.”
“I have to act. Have you seen my grades?”
“Not funny.” She sniffled, holding back a smile.
“I thought it was very funny.” Iris brushed the hair away from Violet’s tear-drenched face. “I don’t know. Do you really think Carys and Dena would intentionally hurt you?”
Next to Wade, Carys was their oldest friend since moving to Ocean City. And Dena loved Violet.
“No. This sucks.” She leaned over and rested her forehead on the dashboard. “My heart is breaking. I can’t breathe.”
It’s my fault. I should’ve fought Crina harder. She had to pull it together. Violet needed her. Her sister’s ability to handle this situation concerned Iris. She picked up her phone and dialed her dad’s number.
Violet straightened. “What are you doing?”
“Calling Dad.”
“No you’re not.” She went to open the door, and Iris pushed the button to lock it, holding it down so she couldn’t get it open.
“I’m concerned.”
Violet turned to face her. “I’m not that girl anymore. I can handle this. Promise.”
She could hear her dad answer. “Hi, Iris. What’s up?”
She looked at Violet.
Violet gave her that pleading look that Iris could never resist.
Iris put the phone to her ear. “Sorry, Dad. I accidentally dialed you.”
“Okay,” he said. “How many times have I told you to lock your screen?”
“A million?”
He laughed. “I’ll see you at the house later?”
“Yep. See you later.” She pushed the hang-up button.
“Thank you,” Violet said.
Was she making a mistake? A sinking feeling settled in Iris’s gut. “I’ll never forgive myself if you do something like you did before,” she said.
Violet turned in her seat and looked pointedly at Iris. “Trust me. That girl was weak. This one isn’t. I won’t kill myself.”
Iris nodded. “Okay. I’ll trust you. I hope you know that if you ever”—her voice cracked and tears stung her eyes—“I couldn’t recover from it. I just couldn’t.”
“I’m sorry I put everyone through that.” Now she was crying again.
“Dena really loves you, Violet. I wish you could forgive her. Besides, she didn’t force you to drink.”
Violet wiped the tears from her cheeks with her sleeve. “I’m not sure what role Carys played in all this, though.”
“I’m not sure, either. But maybe you should give her a chance to explain.”
Violet’s phone chimed and she glanced at the screen. “It’s Dena.”
“Answer it.”
She tapped the screen. “Hey.” She was quiet as she listened to whatever Dena was saying on the other end. “I know. I know. Yeah. I do forgive you. Okay. I’m going home with Iris. I’ll see you later, then. Good. I love you, too.”
You lose, Crina.
Violet pressed the screen of her phone and placed it on her lap.
Iris chuckled. “That has to be the easiest and fastest makeup I’ve ever witnessed.”
“I guess so.” Violet frowned and stared out the windshield. “What should I do about Carys?”
A sharp pain hit her right temple and she moaned, grabbing the side of her head.
“What’s the matter?” Violet leaned over and patted Iris’s back.
“No, no, no. Go away!”
>
I see events have transpired while I was gone. You’ve ruined my plan.
“What is it, Iris?”
“There’s a voice in my head. Get her out!” She screamed at another intense stab of pain. Blood trickled from her nose and dropped onto her lap. A bright light flashed across her closed eyelids before darkness strangled the light out and Iris fell back, unable to move until everything vanished—the pain, the light, her awareness.
Hail slapped Crina, pelting her face. She tightened the scarf around her head and held her daughter closer to her chest. Her knuckles stung from pounding on the warped wooden door. Della opened the door, a look of surprise hitting her face. She opened the door wider, snatched up Crina’s arm, and towed her inside.
“What are you doing out in this downpour? You will catch the fever.”
Rain dripped from the hem of Crina’s skirt onto the birch floor. “My love marries that woman tomorrow. I must go to him. Stop him. We could still flee to America. Start a new life.”
A cross between sympathy and disappointment shadowed Della’s face. “You married Tomas. Go home to your husband. He loves Oana, and he is good to you.”
“No.” Crina shook her head. “Please understand. I must try one last time to talk to him. He has to know that Oana is his daughter.” She reached the baby out to Della. “Take care of her for me.”
Della took Oana into her arms. “When will you return—?”
Crina slipped out the door without another word, the rain surrounding her like a watery curtain.
A faint beeping sounded somewhere in the room. Iris opened her eyes. She wasn’t in her home. A sterile smell hinted in the air, and there were ceiling tiles above her.
“You’re awake,” her dad said, leaning over her. His graying dark hair was messy. Like he’d been there awhile. “How do you feel?”
“Fine.” Iris turned her head. “I’m in a hospital?”
“Yes. You fainted in Violet’s car,” he said. “Do you remember?”
“Yeah. Am I sick?” Her voice sounded scratchy.
He patted her hand before picking up a plastic pitcher on a tray beside the bed and pouring some water into a cup. “You’re fine. They can’t find anything wrong with you. The scans came back negative. The doctor says it must’ve been stress.” He opened a straw and placed it in the cup.
“Scans? How long have I been out?”
“About eight hours. Here, drink.”
Iris lifted her head slightly and took a sip. “Can I go home?”
“I believe so. Once they clear you.” He put down the cup. “I’ll check. You going to be okay by yourself for a minute?”
She nodded and watched him until he disappeared from her view.
I must say, I don’t know my own strength. Crina’s voice sounded younger.
“Go away,” Iris hissed.
Now, now, is that any way to treat a guest? Do not ever interrupt my game again.
“You sound different. More like my age.”
I am stronger and have more control of my voice.
“Why are you showing me your past life?”
What did you see?
“You didn’t show me? Your memories are leaking into my thoughts.” Iris scooted up the pillows. She grabbed the cup of water on the tray beside her and took a long sip.
What did you see?
“Nothing, really. Just some guy you loved.” In the hopes of finding out something she could use from Crina’s past, Iris decided not to give details of what she had seen. Iris had gotten good at keeping thoughts from Crina by focusing on something else.
A knock came from the door, followed by footsteps across the floor.
“Hey,” Violet said, sitting on the chair beside the bed. “You really gave us a scare.”
“Sorry. I haven’t been eating or sleeping well.”
“Wade was just here. He had to go take his dad somewhere.” Violet studied Iris’s face for several seconds before speaking again. “You mentioned a voice in your head before you fainted. What did you mean by that?”
Iris decided it was time to tell Violet everything. If she wanted to get rid of Crina, she was going to need all the help she could get. There was no telling what the crazy old spirit could make her do next. Would telling Violet put her in danger? Maybe she shouldn’t tell her.
No. NO. You have to tell her, Iris scolded herself. If she knows, she won’t touch those tarot cards, and Crina can’t do anything to Violet without them.
Silly girl, you believe you can undermine me. I am too strong to beat now. She laughed and it was such an evil laugh that it chilled Iris to her core. Dread weighed on her. Crina’s next move frightened Iris, but she needed help.
Iris turned her head toward Violet. “I know what I’m about to tell you might sound insane. Might make you think I’m crazy. But—”
I had hoped we could work together, Iris. But seeing that you refuse to cooperate, I shall take over from here.
Violet scooted forward on the seat and grabbed Iris’s hand. “Are you okay? I won’t think you’re crazy. You can tell me anything. I hope you know that.”
“I—” Crina-as-Iris cleared the lump of emotion from her throat. “I crave Grandmother’s chocolate cake.”
“You crave? Grandmother?” Violet furrowed her brows at her. “Okay, what’s wrong with you? Stop teasing.”
“I should sleep,” Crina-as-Iris said. “I am exhausted.”
“Yeah, you should definitely take a nap,” Violet said. “I’ll wake you as soon as we know when you can go home.”
Crina closed her eyes. That did not go so well, did it?
Please leave me alone, Iris pleaded. Why are you doing this?
I thirst for revenge. I live for it. For hundreds of years I have fed on it. I cannot live without its sustenance. As a flower needs the soil, as a fish needs a stream, and as a lion needs a gazelle, I must have revenge. I grow from the depths of its manure. I thrive on it.
You’re sick. Iris wanted to cry, wanted to scream, but she had no control over her body. Crina had taken over.
Crina searched Iris’s mind, playing images of how she dressed and acted.
That can’t be good.
Chapter Fourteen
Wade
Wade leaned against Iris’s locker. Since they’d become friends again, they had an unspoken understanding that they’d meet there between classes. He checked the time on his phone and decided to give up, trotting off for his class. It was the third passing period that Iris had ditched him.
Where is she? Hope she’s not sick. Iris hadn’t looked well lately. She had said it was due to lack of sleep, but he worried it was something more.
He made it to his next class right before the final bell rang.
“Hey,” he said to Dena as he slid into his desk.
She tugged her history book out of her backpack. “That was close.”
“I was waiting for Iris.” Wade unzipped his messenger bag. “She wasn’t there again.”
“That’s strange,” Dena said. “She was in her next class when I walked by. Early, even. Sitting straight and proper like she had a board—”
“Okay, class, we have a quiz today, so books away,” their teacher, Mr. Shoppe, said.
In her next class? She blew him off. She was sick, all right. Sick of him.
Groans rumbled across the classroom. Wade dropped his book to the floor and pushed it with his foot up against his bag. He rubbed his neck waiting for the copies of the quiz to come down the row. What was going on with Iris? It wasn’t like her to blow him off. He could hardly concentrate on the test. Maybe she was giving up on him.
Dena kept glancing his way.
What? he mouthed.
She pointed to the test.
I know. I know, he mouthed again.
He barely finished before time was up. Hoping he had the answers right, he passed his test forward. The bell rang and he practically jumped out of his seat.
“Wade, hold up,” Dena said fro
m behind him, but he ignored her.
If Iris was blowing him off, he wanted to hear it from her.
Threading through the packed hallways, he made his way to Iris’s locker. She wasn’t there again. The hall was loud with excited voices, athletic shoes squeaking across the over-waxed floors and lockers banging shut.
Dena stopped beside him. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”
“I can’t believe I fell for it again.” Wade slammed his open hand against her locker.
“Whoa, calm down, man.” Dena glanced around the hall. “You want to get a slip?”
“I don’t care.”
Just when he was going to slam the locker again, there she was gliding down the hallway as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Maybe it was the way she walked or her resting bitch face, but there was something strange about her. He couldn’t pinpoint it.
Dena crossed her arms. “Who pissed her off?”
Iris reached them, and her lips pulled into a slow smile. “Hey.” When he hadn’t responded, she gave him a curious look. “What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with me?” he repeated, taking a step back so he could inspect her better. “Where have you been? I’ve been right here between every class waiting for you.”
“Oh, right. We meet between classes.”
The confused look on her face made his anger turn to concern. “Did you hit your head when you fainted?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “I just feel a little off since the incident.”
“I think you need to eat something,” he said. “Come on.”
“What did you pack today?” Dena asked, following alongside them.
“Nothing,” Wade said. “I stayed up late last night doing homework. You’ll have to fend for yourself in the cafeteria line.”
Dena’s shoulders slumped. “You’re killing me. I had high hopes for another one of your gourmet lunches.”
Iris was silent during the lunch break. Her eyes switched from Dena, to Violet, to him, not bothering to participate in the conversation. Something serious was going on with her. By the looks Violet was giving him, she was concerned, too.
Wade walked Iris to class after lunch. “How about I pick you up later and we go hang out on the boat.”