Spirit

by Brigid Kemmerer

  Then he’d read it: No offense, but no one trusts you, Hunter.

  But here, at school, she might be more receptive. Especially if he told her what Calla had said.

  In fourth-period World History, Becca was sitting with Chris, as usual, her dark hair hanging down over one shoulder. She looked up as soon as Hunter walked into the room, and the intensity in her gray eyes almost pinned him against the doorjamb.

  When he’d first moved here, he’d sensed that Becca was a Fifth, like he was, but he’d known right away that she wasn’t a Guide. Becca was too trusting. Too kind. He’d liked her right away—but he’d come here to finish his father’s task of destroying the Merricks, and she was an easy link through her friendship with Chris. So Hunter had used her.

  And he’d lost any chance he’d had with her.

  She stared at him for a long moment, then turned her head to whisper something to Chris.

  Hunter felt a flicker of . . . something. Not quite regret—and not quite longing, either. He begged the air to carry her words to him, but it refused.

  Maddening, especially when Chris laughed under his breath and gave Hunter a look.

  Hunter wanted to stride across the room and hit Chris Merrick in the face. He pictured it happening, aiming his punch through his target like his father had taught him, imagining the way bones would give way under his hand.

  “Excuse me.”

  He was blocking the door. Hunter shifted to the side to let the girl pass. He forced his hand to unclench.

  Then he caught the aroma of cinnamon and apples, the sheen of light on blond hair. The new girl from this morning was frowning at a blue paper. “Is this World History?”

  “Yes.” He racked his brain for something intelligent to say, but then her eyes lifted from the paper and stole every coherent thought from his head.

  Like what you see?

  Inexplicably, he wanted to touch her, to feel her heartbeat under his fingertips, to catch some of that scent on his palm.

  Now he was glad he couldn’t speak. He’d probably sound like a psycho.

  She shifted the bag higher on her shoulder. “You’re big on staring, huh?”

  He jerked his eyes away, feeling heat course up his neck. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. Just don’t blame me for staring back.”

  He swung his gaze back. Again, he had no idea whether she was flirting. Her tone was so . . . direct.

  “I have a theory about piercings,” she said.

  “I’d like to hear it.” He could be direct back.

  Mr. Beamis, the ancient History teacher, cleared his throat behind them. “Perhaps we could all take our seats?”

  The girl didn’t move, so Hunter didn’t, either.

  Three empty seats were available in the classroom. One immediately to their left, the desk almost touching the teacher’s. One at the back, directly behind Becca. And one in the third row, two seats over from Hunter.

  “Where do you sit?” the girl said.

  He nodded toward his seat in the third row. The desks were arranged two-by-two, and he’d been paired with Monica Lawrence for the semester project.

  Monica appeared to be examining her hair for split ends.

  And a few rows past that, Becca was watching his interaction with the new girl a little too carefully.

  Mr. Beamis cleared his throat again, a bit more emphatically. “Sometime today, if you don’t mind.”

  The girl turned and surveyed the room as if the teacher’s impatience didn’t matter one bit. Then, without another glance at Hunter, she slipped between the desks and dropped into the chair two rows over.

  He made his way into his own seat and refused to look her way.

  Beamis turned toward the board and immediately started droning. Hunter could totally sleep through this class—he’d taken World History last year, at his old school, and even though he’d told them that at registration, they’d still dumped him in here. Monica wasn’t the type to care whether he paid attention or not, so he usually used this class to catch up on homework from his other teachers.

  Today, he was keenly aware of the new girl sitting a few rows over.

  He should be plotting a way to stop Calla. He should be figuring the best angle to approach the Merricks to get their help.

  He just couldn’t think past cinnamon and apples and blond hair.

  Then he slammed a door on those thoughts. He’d been burned twice now—once by Clare, a girl who’d been using him for his father’s weapons. And once by Calla, a girl who was using him for his father’s connections.

  Before their final trip, Hunter’s father had imparted one last lesson, and death had made it stick: Use them before they use you.

  He pulled out his essay for Honors French and pretended the new girl didn’t exist.

  A folded triangle of paper landed in the center of his notebook.

  Normally he’d unfold it discreetly, but Beamis was so clueless that the note could have hit him in the head and he wouldn’t notice.

  Loopy script in purple pen. The paper smelled like her.

  What’s your #?

  Wow.

  Hunter clicked his pen and wrote below her words.

  I have a theory about girls who ask for your number before asking for your name.

  Then he folded it up and flicked it back.

  It took every ounce of self-control to not watch her unfold it.

  The paper landed back on his desk in record time.

  I have a theory about boys who prefer writing to texting.

  He put his pen against the paper.

  I have a theory about girls with theories.

  Then he waited, not looking, fighting the small smile that wanted to play on his lips.

  The paper didn’t reappear.

  After a minute, he sighed and went back to his French essay.

  When the folded triangle smacked him in the temple, he jumped a mile. His chair scraped the floor, and Beamis paused in his lecture, turning from the board. “Is there a problem?”

  “No.” Hunter coughed, covering the note with his hand. “Sorry.”

  When the coast was clear, he unfolded the triangle.

  It was a new piece of paper.

  My name is Kate.

  Kate. Hunter almost said the name out loud.

  What was wrong with him?

  It fit her perfectly, though. Short and blunt and somehow indescribably hot.

  Another piece of paper landed on his notebook, a small strip rolled up tiny.

  This time, there was only a phone number.

  Hunter felt like someone had punched him in the stomach and he couldn’t remember how to breathe.

  Then he pulled out his cell phone and typed under the desk.

  Come here often?

  Her response appeared almost immediately.

  First timer.

  Beamis was facing the classroom now, so Hunter kept his gaze up until it was safe. When he looked back, Kate had written again.

  I bet I could strip naked and this guy wouldn’t even notice.

  Hunter’s pulse jumped. But this was easier, looking at the phone instead of into her eyes.

  I would notice.

  There was a long pause, during which he wondered if he’d said the wrong thing. Then a new text appeared.

  I have a theory about boys who picture you naked before sharing their name.

  He smiled.

  My name is Hunter. Where you from?

  This time, her response appeared immediately.

  Just transferred from St. Mary’s in Annapolis.

  Now he was imagining her in a little plaid skirt and knee-high socks.

  Another text appeared.

  Stop imagining me in the outfit.

  He grinned.

  How did you know?

  You’re a boy.

  I’m still waiting to hear your theory on piercings.

  Right. IMO, you have to be crazy hot to pull off either piercings or tattoos. Other
wise you’re just enhancing the ugly.

  Hunter stared at the phone, wondering if she was hitting on him—or insulting him. Before he could figure it out, another message appeared.

  What does the tattoo on your arm say?

  He slid his fingers across the keys.

  It says “ask me about this tattoo.”

  Liar.

  Mission accomplished, I’d say.

  He heard a small sound from her direction and peeked over. She was still staring at her phone, but she had a smile on her face, like she was trying to stifle a giggle.

  Mission accomplished, he’d say.

  CHAPTER 5

  A million and one worries should have been clouding Hunter’s brain.

  Instead, he spent all of fourth period texting with Kate.

  And most of fifth period, too.

  After World History, he’d been ready to finish their conversation live—but she slipped out the door without even looking at him. He’d stood in the hallway and watched her cut through the crowds of students, somewhat dumbfounded. Had he misread all those text messages? Maybe she hadn’t been flirting at all. Had she just been killing time?

  Then his phone had buzzed in his hand.

  Again with the staring?

  He’d never met a girl who could send his heart tripping with a few words on a screen.

  Now he was headed for the cafeteria with a shadow of a smile on his lips—and a shadow of doubt coiled in his chest. He’d sent her a text:

  Want to stare at each other over a table at lunch?

  But she hadn’t responded.

  Maybe it was better if she didn’t want to sit with him. He could confront Becca or the Merricks and get them to carry some of the weight of Calla’s threats.

  He checked his phone while he waited to grab a tray for the line.

  Blank.

  Hunter sighed and slid it into his pocket, taking an apple, a plate of grilled chicken and greens, and a bowl of vegetable soup. He didn’t have to wait for any of it—there was never a line for this stuff. But over by the tater tots, you’d think they were giving food away.

  When he turned away from the register, Calla was suddenly there, in front of him. She had a soda in one hand and a wicked look in her eye.

  He scowled and moved to step past her.

  But she ran her shoulder into his and shrieked, stumbling back and dropping her soda. “Don’t threaten me, Hunter!”

  One of the assistant football coaches was on cafeteria duty and headed their way. “What’s going on?”

  Hunter gritted his teeth and backed away from her. “Nothing.”

  “He shoved me!”

  “I didn’t touch her!”

  The coach put a restraining hand on Hunter’s shoulder—even though he hadn’t moved an inch. “Just keep walking. Cool off.”

  Calla dissolved into tears. People were staring. Another girl from the volleyball team came up and pulled Calla away, whispering reassurances while throwing a murderous glance at Hunter.

  It had taken Calla less than three seconds to completely derail his day. Again.

  Hunter sighed through clenched teeth and turned to head for the back of the cafeteria.

  Only to meet Kate’s eyes from twenty feet away.

  One look at her expression said she’d seen the whole thing.

  Well, definitely not the whole thing. Just enough to leave her staring with judgment on her face.

  There went that.

  At least she’d found a cure for his staring. He couldn’t meet her eyes knowing she thought he was a guy like . . . like that. He faced forward and kept walking, his hands gripping his tray so hard the surface of the soup was trembling.

  His insides felt like a coiled spring, one rotation away from snapping. He kept his movement measured and even, but in his brain, every step was a prelude to a lethal strike. He’d never been one of those guys to hit the gym in the middle of the day, but right now he’d kill for a pair of wraps and a heavy bag.

  He forced himself to take a long breath, letting it out slowly, forcing his hands to relax while he walked.

  “Hey, Jackass. Hungry?” A hand hit the edge of the tray and flipped it up.

  Hunter jerked back. The chicken and salad missed him.

  The soup didn’t. Hot liquid hit him square in the chest.

  That spring snapped. Hunter whirled and threw a fist.

  Gabriel Merrick hit him back.

  Hunter stepped into the punch, using his opponent’s momentum to trap his arm and send a knee into his gut.

  Then they were being dragged apart. Too soon. Hunter tasted blood on his lip—but he let himself be dragged.

  That assistant football coach got between them, and he was talking, though Hunter wasn’t really listening. Something about fighting and the guidance office and . . . Hunter didn’t give a crap.

  His eyes were on Kate, standing there among the gathered crowd, next to Nick Merrick, Gabriel’s twin.

  Nick was talking, his tone full of an almost resigned exasperation. “So now you’ve met my other brother, Gabriel . . .”

  Hunter wasn’t listening to him, either.

  He was staring at Kate. Or more precisely, her hand.

  And the way it was resting on Nick Merrick’s arm.

  Hunter slouched in the chair in the guidance office and stared at the corner of Vickers’s desk. His shirt was wet and tacky from the soup, and somehow it had turned ice cold on the walk down here. He didn’t want to give Gabriel the satisfaction of hearing him complain about it.

  Kate and Nick. How had that happened? Wasn’t Nick dating Becca’s friend, Quinn?

  The air felt tight and scratchy against his skin, like a wool sweater that didn’t fit right.

  Ms. Vickers was tapping her pen against her desk blotter. “Twice in one day, Hunter.”

  He wanted to ask if she could just give him detention or whatever so he could get the hell out of this room.

  But he bit back the words. Becca’s father’s parting comment kept ricocheting around his brain, adding to the headache. You made your bed, kid. Now you lie in it.

  It sounded so much like something his father would have said.

  Ms. Vickers shifted in her chair. The fluorescent light in the ceiling was buzzing with a tiny flicker. “And Gabriel Merrick. I’d hoped your recent brush with the law would keep you out of my office for a while.”

  “I’m happy to leave.”

  She didn’t crack a smile. “You know we don’t take physical altercations lightly here. Who wants to tell me what happened?”

  Hunter didn’t lift his eyes from the corner of her desk, waiting for Gabriel to sell him out.

  But Gabriel didn’t say anything, either.

  Ms. Vickers sighed. “All right, Hunter, what happened with Calla Dean? Coach Taylor says you had a run-in in the lunch line.”

  Hunter felt his hands form fists. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “She says—”

  “She’s lying. I didn’t touch her.”

  Ms. Vickers pursed her lips. “I asked you to stay away from her entirely. If I don’t think you can do that, you’re going to force me to suspend you.”

  This was ridiculous. “I’m trying!”

  “You didn’t make it through lunch. I’m not sure that qualifies as trying very hard.”

  Hunter almost came out of his chair. His hands were ready to snap the plastic armrests clean off. “I didn’t—”

  “Hey.” Gabriel’s voice was sharp.

  Hunter rounded on him, ready to finish what he’d started in the cafeteria. “What?”

  Gabriel didn’t flinch from his look. “Dial it back a notch.” He glanced up.

  And then Hunter realized that the overhead light was buzzing more frantically, making loud clicks within the tube. The air in the room had to have dropped ten degrees.

  He’d always been able to sense the elements, and control was a newer talent, but he’d never affected anything to this extent.

&nbs
p; Hunter closed his eyes and took a slow breath. In through his nose, out through his mouth. Then another. His hands unclenched, and he dropped back into the chair.

  “Very zen,” said Gabriel. “Should I light a candle?”

  Hunter’s eyes snapped open. “Fuck you.”

  “Gentlemen,” said Vickers.

  Damn. Everyone was managing to burrow under his skin today.

  “I’m sorry,” Hunter bit out. “I’ll stay away from Calla.”

  “Three strikes and you’re out, Hunter.” She shivered and pulled a cardigan off the back of her chair, then forced her arms into the sleeves. “If we have this conversation again, you’ll be looking at a three-day suspension. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  Her eyes shifted to Gabriel. “The same goes for you, Mr. Merrick.”

  “Roger.” He mock-saluted her.

  “Can the two of you make it to next period without fighting? Or should someone stay with me?”

  Hunter shot out of his chair. “I’m good.”

  Gabriel followed him into the hall. Hunter ignored him, though he wanted to slam him into the bank of lockers. The bell hadn’t rung yet, and the halls were still empty.