Page 1 of Panther's Magpie
PROLOGUE
“Isn’t it so pretty? My brother bought it for me.” I listen for the millionth time as Aspen brags to all the girls about the pretty clip in her hair.
They are envious. I don’t blame them. It’s a really pretty clip. I probably have several at home, but that’s not why I find myself wishing I had it. My parents buy me whatever I want as long as I stay out of their way. My house is full of items they have bought me, but none of them hold the same meaning as the clip in Aspen’s hair.
“Why would he buy that for you? He’s not even your real brother,” Mertle, the class bully, asks her.
I see the momentary pain in Aspen’s eyes.
Mertle isn’t lying. Calloway isn’t Aspen’s real brother. He’s her foster brother. He’s seventeen years old and has been living with Aspen for the past two years. Now at ten, she has formed a close relationship with Calloway. Close enough for him to spend his own money to buy her the pretty hair clip for picture day.
Aspen doesn’t want to hear that, though. I can tell she is going to do something reckless. She always does.
“Aspen, let’s go. She’s not worth it,” I whisper to her.
I try to be her voice of reason. When she showed up in my class two years ago, she decided out of all of the girls that she would be my friend. I didn’t have any friends back then. I would rather have my nose in a book, but Aspen walked right up to my lunch table that first day, sitting across from me as she started talking a mile a minute. I thought it was a fluke, but then she kept showing up and talking to me throughout the school day.
That day she decided I would be her friend for better or for worse. I only wish being her friend didn’t always get us into trouble. Like right now.
I can see the flash in her eyes. She wants to hit Mertle.
She takes a breath and forces a fake smile. “It’s okay. Mertle is jealous I have a brother. All she has is a crackhead mom and that stepdad that pays a little too close attention to her.”
My mouth falls open. Ever since Calloway had the talk with her about men getting too close to her and trying to touch her inappropriately, she has latched onto what that means. She did research and found a lot of times it is someone close to the family, like a stepparent.
Still, I did not think she would go there.
I don’t even know if Mertle gets the insult. I wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for Aspen sharing all of her thoughts with me one hundred percent of the time.
Still, Mertle doesn’t like it. She screams like a banshee before she rushes Aspen. Aspen is ready for it. She sidesteps and laughs as Mertle falls into the sand. Mertle growls as she tries again. This time, she anticipates Aspen’s move, grabbing her hair.
Kids gather round as they all yell “fight.”
I don’t want to get involved, but Aspen is the closest thing I have to real family, so I do. I jump in, grabbing Mertle’s hair and pulling.
We all tussle on the ground until a sharp whistle rings out. I wince knowing it’s the principal.
We should have at least left school grounds. Now we are all going to be suspended.
“Mertle, Aspen, Margaret, in my office. Now,” Mrs. Kinney barks at us.
I pull back, standing as I realize I’m going to have a few bruises tomorrow. Mertle is next, making sure to knee Aspen as she gets up.
Aspen glares at her. I move to her side, helping her up. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Mertle throws something. Looking back to Aspen, I realize what it was.
Her clip.
I don’t say anything right away. I know it will set Aspen off. Instead, I hook my arm in hers and follow the principal to her office. Once inside, she gives us a stern talking-to. After listening to both sides, they suspend all three of us, calling our parents. I frown, knowing she didn’t speak to mine. Henrietta, our maid, is likely coming to get me. I’d be surprised if either of the Rices show up for Aspen either. Mr. Rice works down at the mine and wouldn’t have gotten the call. Mrs. Rice is a nurse at the hospital. She can’t leave in the middle of a shift.
I wonder if Henrietta can take Aspen home too.
I don’t get a chance to wonder. After Mertle is picked up, Calloway shows up.
“Where is your parent? I need to discuss this with them before she can leave,” Mrs. Kinney demands.
“We both know neither one of them answered when you called for a reason. They are working. I am more than able to take care of my little sister. What happened?” he growls at her.
Even at seventeen, he has this air of authority about him. I have met him twice before now, but today he seems different. Angrier.
