Page 71 of Monster's Pet

I nodded solemnly. “Hence my, ‘ugh, math,’ comment from earlier.” I hopped off the edge of the table. “Okay, I’m going to need help finding what I need. See you girls hopefully in this century.” I looked around for my favorite librarian, Mr. Brecken.

While I was getting my books, I knew Hazel would gently open the conversation to the holidays and what she had done.

Mr. Brecken was very helpful, and I quickly had two books on the calculations of the ley lines. He didn’t think there was anything to do with the Golden Ratio, but he would keep thinking about it and put any books aside for me if he came up with them.

“I’m a little sick of being here, to be honest,” Hazel was saying as I approached the table again. “What about you, Paige? How were your holidays? I remember you saying you were going to Australia?”

“Oh, Australia!” I exclaimed, dropping into my seat. “I’ve always wanted to visit! There’s a phoenix sanctuary in the middle of the desert. Did you see it?”

Paige shook her head and bent over her books silently.

Hazel and I exchanged glances.

“What’s wrong?” I asked quietly. “Did something happen on your trip? Who did you go with? Do we need to send them a nasty curse?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Paige said. “Just drop it.”

“You’re our friend. If you’re hurting, we’d like to try to help,” I pushed. “Did something happen to the ley lines while you were there?”

All of a sudden, Paige burst into tears.

Alarmed, I hugged her around her shoulders. “It’s okay,” I murmured.

Hazel magicked a handkerchief and handed it over. Paige buried her face in it.

I frowned, confused.

What was going on?

Paige was usually so in control of her emotions.

“What happened while you were in Australia? Did you see someone do something? Were you threatened? Whatever it is, the school can help you.”

“You don’t understand!” Paige wailed.

Mr. Brecken came over to shush her, but when he saw the crying girl, backed away again.

“I’ve got this,” I mouthed at him, waving him away.

He nodded.

I refocused my attention on Paige, rubbing her shoulders. “Help us understand.”

She gulped and hiccupped. “You’re going to hate me.”

“I mean, considering the first time I met you, you accused my missing roommate and best friend of murder, and I’m your friend now…” I trailed off. “It can’t be worse than that, right?”

Paige gave a watery laugh. “You’d be surprised.”

“Did you kill someone?” I whispered.

“No. At least, I hope not.” She swallowed. “God, I screwed up so bad.” A fresh wave of tears flowed down her cheeks.

“Deep breaths,” I advised. “Start at the beginning.”

Paige followed my advice, inhaling deeply for a moment. “Okay. I just…” She looked from Hazel to me. “Please help?”

“I’ll do my best.”

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