Page 61 of Firestorm
I’d spent two hours glowering at Aiden while he stood in a circle of girls, laughing and joking like nothing was wrong. Willow and Mia had gone to dance, and I’d already blown off three guys that had tried to talk to me, including one that was decently hot.
Now, I’d moved just inside the tree line out of view, and my shadow was nearby keeping me company.
I stared at the drink in my cup and bit the inside of my cheek.
I really wished I could get drunk. I understood why people became addicted to the feeling. Addicted to thenotfeeling. Was this why Aiden did this so often? How much pain could he be in?
My stomach churned from how much I’d drank, and I suddenly felt a little sick. I poured the now warm beer out over some weeds and then tossed my cup into a nearby trash barrel before I stalked further into the trees.
My shadow followed me. I hadn’t tried talking to it today, and part of me didn’t want to. I loved my friends but watching them be so happy and carefree together while my heart was bleedingfelt awful. And the last thing I wanted to do was bring down the mood, anyway. They’d both been really excited to come tonight.
My shadow was as silent as ever, and I actually enjoyed it. I needed the silence so I could process how I was feeling.
I perched on the edge of a huge log, keeping my knees together so I didn’t flash the shadow, rested my elbows on my knees, then plopped my face in my hands. I could feel the dress seam stretch across my thighs as they squished out onto the log, and I groaned.
I rubbed my eyes, then groaned again, remembering how much makeup I had on.
“Oh shit. Do I look like a raccoon?” I asked, glancing toward my left where I knew the shadow was.
I somehow got the sense that it was amused. I pulled out my phone camera and tried wiping at the black underneath my eyes, but it was too late. I now looked like I’d been thoroughly fucked.
I snorted.
I’dalmostbeen thoroughly fucked tonight…I think.
“Will you ever talk to me?” I asked.
Silence.
I sighed.
“Thanks for being here, anyway. Makes me feel less alone.”
I felt the shadow move closer to me, but I didn’t bother trying to look at it. If I found out it was a man right now, I’d only be more pissed, so I kept my eyes on my hands.
I closed my eyes, breathing deeply as I tried to center myself.
I wanted to run.
No…what I wanted was to see my mom. I hadn’t gone to her grave since before I came to the academy. With the party happening, no one except my shadow would see me leave, but I didn’t know the shadow, still. I couldn’t trust it wasn’t someone dangerous.
I almost scoffed. The shadow wasnotdangerous. I knew that as sure as I knew I could always count on my brother.
Something feathered along my hand, and my eyes sprung open just in time to see a lone, plucked iris flower in my palm.
I gasped, looking to my left, staring hard into the darkness. If I looked hard enough, I swear I could see the shape of…someone…?
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Silence greeted me, but this silence was tense. The air had shifted from something quiet and innocent to something…else.
My heart pounded for a different reason, now. I was suddenly very aware of how tightly I was squeezed into this dress, how I’d gone without a bra because it didn’t fit the style. I wore the tiniest thong known to man. My thighs were chafing even though it was chilly out, and I shifted slightly, then stilled as I sensed the shadow was very interested in that motion.
“Who are you?” I breathed. “Tell me, please.”
The charged silence grew. The shape I thought I could see was becoming a little clearer. I could almost see a set of dark, knowing eyes watching me–
“Skye?”
