Page 43 of Spelling Disaster

“How about you talk to me? Tell me something about yourself that no one knows. Something you’ve never told anyone,” he presses. “No lies.”

Except coming from him it doesn’t sound pushy at all. It sounds like the best invitation I’ve had to be open and vulnerable in my life. Trusting him might not be the smartest idea, however.

Especially since the first thing that comes to mind, something I’ve never told anyone, happens to involve a freaky grimoire and a horned god. Or even the fire at the library. If anyone were to find out about those things, it could ruin my new start.

No, those secrets will have to wait for another time, and maybe another person. This is just a ruse. I have to remind myself of that. A ruse that requires boundaries in place for my safety.

“I’m just not used to any kinds of public displays of affection,” I say by way of explanation. “It might be normal for you, but this is my first actual—” I cut off the words just starting to come out of my mouth. Being out of my depth does strange things. “Especially since I thought that you…you and Helena were together.”

I stop before I put my foot in my mouth further and Theo chuckles in the silence.

“Helena likes to think there’s more going on than there actually is, especially since we called it off at the start of the semester,” he fills in. “She’s not someone you need to worry about. I’m sure you’ve heard about us. We’ve been on and off for years, before even coming to Andora. This time the breakup is permanent.”

“It’s a relief for sure, but it doesn’t help me feel any more at ease.”

We’ve fallen into step beside each other in an easy rhythm, my strides lengthening to keep up with him.

“If you’re worried about her being jealous, don’t be.” His voice hardens. “She’s all bark and no bite, if she decides to make a big deal at all. It’s just you and me right now, Yas,” he adds. “For this to work, we’ve got to sell it. I know you’re going to do your part because you’re the smartest person here. No doubt. Smart enough to be able to play along with this.”

Suddenly we’re at the door to my next class and Theo removes his arm from around my shoulder and sets me with a loaded, intentional look.

“I’ll see you later. Come to my room after dinner and we’ll get started,” he says. “Okay? We’ll go from there.”

What have I done?

I watch him walk off with a whistle on his lips, my legs doing the dirty work for me and bringing me into the classroom. I grab a seat next to Blaire.

She’s gaping at me, her eyes wide enough for me to lose sight of her eyebrows in the pink fringe of her bangs. “Did I seriously see you and Theo together? With his arm around you?” she starts, incredulous. I don’t even have a chance to nod before she’s forging ahead with, “How? When? What? Why?”

The situation is so insane I giggle in response, shrugging.

“You’ve somehow gone from public enemy number one to landing the hottest guy on campus!” She taps her fingers on her chin. “This is amazing.”

“The word you’re looking for is weird. Strange. Miraculous.” Do I tell her about the deal?

“We need to up your game,” Blaire decides. “Absolutely step number one in whatever is going on…we take you from drab to fab.”

“I have no game to up!”

“Every girl within five miles knows about Theo and what a catch he really is. Not just his good looks, but his status, his family, the whole bit, Yazzy. Girls throw themselves at him all the time! We need you to stand out if you have any hope of keeping him past the end of the week,” she continues. Her eyes brighten. “Yes, that’s exactly what we need. I’m the one who can help you.”

Nope, there’s no way I’m telling her about the deal we made together. Not when she’s looking at me like I’m finally someone worth knowing, like she placed her bet on the right horse after all. And since Blaire is my only real friend on this campus because I’m not ready to count Theo yet, I want to let her help.

Blaire has always been great. But things have changed in an instant between us on a whole other level. Now I’m not such a hopeless case.

“Yes,” she says to answer herself. “Tonight, after class, we’re doing a makeover.”

“I can’t tonight. I’m meeting Theo in his room,” I reply. Ready to hysterical giggle again when her eyes bulge a second time. “And have you ever thought that maybe he likes me for me? I mean, it’s not such a stretch. Is it?”

Blaire speaks to me, her finger doing half of the explaining for her, like I am a child who needs a little extra guidance. “It’s not about you, really. Men eat with their imaginations. They are visual creatures. You want to whet his appetite. Sure, Yazzy, you landed him. Now it’s time to keep him. Long term.” She points a warning finger at me. “That’s what you want, isn’t it? You’re not going to be one of those girls who gets used and discarded. I won’t let it happen! You feel me?”

The professor calls for attention, putting an end to our conversation. I glance out the window just in time to catch sight of a shadow moving into the nearby trees.

This time, I know it’s not just my imagination.

The shadow is real, and shifts just out of my field of vision the moment I notice it.

My hands tingle.

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