The Key of Hearts

by Mia Rodriguez

  Chapter 20

  For the next few days, Selena walked a high tightrope, scared she’d fall off at any minute. And to make matters even more unnerving, everything appeared to be so normal. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. It seemed as if a disaster hid underneath mounds and mounds of ordinary routine.

  The only whirlwind taking place was in the It Club. Selena helplessly watched with a pained heart as her former best friend became firmly a part of the mega-uglies. She and Saul attached themselves to each other with obsessive rigor, trying to become the It couple even though it was obvious that Cherise and Sebastian were the most popular pairing in school. Moonflower and Saul color-coordinated their wardrobes, made sure they were seen in the right places, and didn’t talk to anyone they felt was below them but Cherise and Sebastian didn’t need to try as hard or even try at all to be popular. All they had to do was to sit or walk next to each other for tongues to wag.

  While Selena was grateful that Cherise seemed to be out of her and Xavier’s hair, she couldn’t help worrying about the changing dynamics of the It Club. The growing presence of the mega-uglies expanded in leaps and bounds as more and more students joined them. They were like some uppity sororities or fraternities only recruiting certain types and lording it over the rest.

  Before going to bed one night, Selena’s mind fluttered with chaotic thoughts. They crashed in her brain as she tried to figure out what laid underneath what was happening in school.

  I’m sure the mega-uglies are being influenced by the greedy gifted.

  I’m sure!

  “Son, you’ve got to be careful,” Clara said, hugging Xavier as if afraid to let him go.

  “You know about the Key of Hearts business?” he asked.

  “I saw you with the key. I was on the other side of the Tree of Birth.”

  “We didn’t see you, Clara,” informed Selena, standing next to them.

  “I was in shock. Why did the key have to choose you?”

  “That’s what my grandmother said.”

  “She’s right. I know you two are special, but you just don’t have the mature abilities yet.”

  “I know,” blurted Xavier. “What if something happens to Selena? Can’t we talk to someone about this, maybe keeping her out of it. I’ll find the key by myself.”

  Selena vehemently shook her head. “No, Xavier—“

  “Yes, Selena. I’ll do this by myself.”

  “You can’t,” informed Clara. “The key chose the both of you, so you two have to do it. You need each other to find it and get it in the Tree of Birth.”

  “But, Mom, I really don’t want to put Selena in danger.”

  “What about you being in danger, Xavier?” Selena blurted.

  “I don’t matter.”

  “That’s a stupid thing to say,” growled Selena.

  “I’ll have to agree with Selena,” chided Clara. “Don’t ever say you don’t matter, my son.”

  “But—“

  Clara cut him off. “There’s no use arguing about who needs to find the key. Both of you have to do it together. That's the way it has to be.”