Page 11 of Magical Academy for Delinquents
Mom took a deep breath to calm herself before she spoke again. When she did, her words were heavy and measured. “There isn’t another magical academy that will accept you. You’ve stormed out of every counseling session I’ve ever sent you to. Evan’s tried to watch over you; you’ve rebuffed him. I talked to Tia. Even she thinks you’re out of control.”
I bristled slightly. Tia had spoken to my mom about me. I’d known she hated my plan, but the betrayal sliced at my ribs. Good thing I hadn’t trusted her with the full truth. My arms crossed and I braced myself for whatever came next.You know this is the hard part,I told myself.Mom is always the hard part. Just get through it.
Mom shook her head. “I know that after what happened with Matthew, and your father—you were shocked. Hurt. Angry. And I don’t blame you. You lost half your family in a week. It would have wrecked anyone. I’ve tried, Lord knows, I’ve tried to be patient and supportive, darling. But we can’t go on like this. I can’t do it anymore.”
My throat grew tight. Those words were like physical blows coming from her. I’d expected them, or something similar, but still each one was a punch to the heart that left me bruised and broken. Even more broken than I’d been before.
“I think you need to see a counselor again.”
“I don’t want—”
Mother stood, interrupting me. “I don’t care what youwantanymore, Hayley! You’ve pushed me to my limit. I’m done! See a counselor. And I’ll figure out a damned tutor or something since you can’t—”
My eyes widened.A tutor? Fuck no! That would screw everything up!If I was locked up here at Claude’s twenty-four/seven, I’d never find the people I needed. My plan started to unravel before my eyes, like a sand painting, a piece of art so carefully constructed, only to be wiped away with one careless gesture. My breath came short and quick as I fought a rising tide of panic. I couldn’t let this happen. She couldn’t do this to me. “Mom, you can’t—”
“Hayley, this is your last chance. I hate to say this. But, if you back out of counseling again … if you don’t take this seriously, you’re going to be disowned.”
If she’d stabbed me through the heart, it might have hurt less. Those words curdled like poison in my ear. They soaked into my bloodstream and tainted my bones. She’d let go of me? Could she really do that? I was all she had left. She was all I had left. I stared up at her hard face. Her lip trembled a bit, but her jaw was tight and set. Of course, she could let go of me. She’d already tried to leave the world and me behind twice. Cutting me off was just another way of doing it.
My stomach churned and I felt ill. I stared off at the wall, at some stupid vase full of flowers. I closed my eyes and tried to resist curling up, knees under my chin, arms wrapping around myself.
What was I doing? Was I doing the wrong thing? Ever since Matthew had tried to become an Unnatural, tried and failed, my only thought had been to save him. I’d risked everything for this plan that was finally, finally fucking coming together. Everything I’d done, everything I’d become … the light was there at the end of the tunnel, gleaming down on me. Yeah, I had a few details to work out but still. Right fucking there. A future for Matthew. Could I give it up?
I watched my mother walk out of the room. I wondered if it would be possible to save my brother and keep any kind of relationship with my mother. Or would I have to choose?
Chapter 6
I droveto the counselor’s office with a sense of trepidation. Counselors always gave off an air of superiority and judgment. Typically, they were norms who couldn't contain their glee at the fact that a magical couldn't handle life.
I didn’t want to go, not at all, but after mother’s ultimatum two days ago, I didn’t think I had much of a choice. I needed to give her something. I needed to give her hope, so that I could ask for the thing I wanted most. To get into the worst magical school in the country. The school that claimed to rehabilitate juvenile offenders; and the only place I’d be able to find people both heartless and talented enough to do what I needed done.
Come on Tia,I mentally pleaded. I hoped she was working her magic right now. The letter clearly hadn’t been enough. She was supposed to meet with her aunt this weekend.
I’d sent her an endless stream of annoying texts this morning, checking on her progress.
Her responses had been less than thrilled.
-Chill okay? We’re still driving. She lives two hours away when she’s not on campus. Which is across the country BTW. I can’t believe you’re gonna leave me again!-
-I know.-I’d texted back. -I’ll miss you. But, truth? Can’t wait until I’m a whole plane ride away from the Clod.-
-He’s so creepy. Those eyes are totes serial killer.-
-I know. Think your aunt will let me in?-
-Did I or did I not fail Psychic Predictions?-
She’d failed horribly. Hadn’t been able to write a spell to predict a storm on a cloudy day.
-I’m just nervous-I’d told her as I’d texted from the breakfast table in an empty house. The Clod and Mom had both left for work before I’d gotten up.
-Yeah. Obvi. Drink some of Clod’s shit.-Tia’s response about busting out Claude’s God-awful homemade moonshine made me giggle.
-And pass out for three hours? I’ve got to meet my new ‘therapist.’-
-Make sure you tell them how awesome I am.-
-Will do. Make sure you tell Auntie the same.-
