Wraithsong

by E. J. Squires

  Chapter 21

  Friday morning, all graduating seniors are to meet in the auditorium at 8:00 a.m. and then head to the football field for graduation dress rehearsal. Ashley looks happy to finally be graduating. She’ll be heading to the University of Florida in the fall, and I know I’ll miss her dearly.

  I didn’t apply to a university this year. Before all this madness started, my mom insisted that I take a year off before continuing my education. I thought at the time that it was an odd request from a mom, but conceded to it anyway.

  “To find your place in life,” my mom said at the beginning of the school year. Only now do I understand partially what she meant. The transition to becoming a Huldra is proving to be turbulent.

  Anthony took a taxi at 3:00 a.m., to catch the 5:00 a.m. flight from Tampa to Phoenix. He didn’t wake me up when he left, but left a handwritten note instead, which read:

  Sonia,

  I’ll try to be back by five o’clock for dinner. Roast with potatoes are my favorite.

  Have a great day ~A

  I laughed when I read it. I’ve never prepared a roast with potatoes in my life, and I’m not going to try to do it now. All day at school, I wait for Anthony’s call, which finally comes at lunchtime.

  “Hello?” I answer my phone in record time, getting up from my lunch tray where I sit next to Ashley. It’s difficult to hear him over the lunchroom chatter so I walk into the hallway.

  “Hey, it’s good to hear your voice again,” Anthony says.

  I smile. It’s good to hear his voice too, almost too good, I lament. “So, anything?”

  “I want to talk to you about this in person, but yes. There’s lots,” Anthony says. “Lots more than what I anticipated.”

  “When will you be back home?” I ask, feeling like a lonely housewife all of a sudden.

  “Depends on when dinner’s ready,” he says.

  “Five p.m. sharp.” I chuckle. “The best meat and potatoes you’ll ever have.”

  He laughs. “I hope you know that I was just joking.”

  “Oh, thank goodness,” I mock, “I was so worried because I don’t really cook.”

  “I’ll be home around five if the flight’s on time. All I’ll say is that there are many fewer Lightálfars than I thought, but they’ll absolutely join us.”

  “How many?”

  “Three,” he says, sullenly.

  “That’s it?” My heart sinks as if to the bottom of an endless ocean. “Well, maybe that means that there aren’t too many Darkálfars, either.” Yeah, right, a little voice says inside my head.

  “I hope that that’s the case.”

  “That’s wonderful, great work, Anthony!” I say, trying to be encouraging.

  “Hey, is that a compliment I hear?” he says.

  I let my guard down for just a moment. “Yes,” I say firmly. I feel so vulnerable—why? It was only a compliment, right? “You did great.”

  “Well, while we’re praising each other, can I say that…I think you’re the most stunning person I’ve ever met?” he says.

  “Wow, that’s a little over the top,” I say. Why is it so hard for me to be nice to this guy and accept his compliment? “I’m sorry, I meant to say thank you.” Was that too honest?

  “Well, it’s true. So I hope you take it.”

  I can’t speak, only smile. Stupid smile.

  “I’ll see you at home around five then?” Anthony says.

  “Yes, have a safe trip.”

  He hangs up the phone. Am I actually really falling for this guy? I thought I just had a crush before, but maybe I’m starting to develop strong feelings for him. I remind myself that he’s dangerous and that he might be the enemy. I can’t let myself feel anything for him. I tell myself that I mustn’t focus on him, but on saving my mom. I feel so selfish and it’s just so wrong that I should think about Anthony, especially when my mom’s life is on the line, and especially since my mom has specifically forbidden it. “What’s wrong with me?” I say out loud.

  “Nothing, you’re just like you’re supposed to be,” Ashley says, coming up behind me. “Is everything all right?”

  I breathe. I can share part of my story, I figure. “I kind of like Anthony…a lot…but my mom won’t allow it.”

  “Well, on Sunday you’ll be considered an adult, and can’t you just do what you want to then?” Ashley smirks playfully, her right eyebrow rising.

  “I suppose,” I say, knowing that having a meaningful conversation with Ashley on the subject can never happen. It tears me apart because Ashley is such a good friend, and I’m unable to return the favor.