Page 46 of Seren

Trying not to frighten her, I sat on the ground opposite her.

She appeared startled when she saw me, quickly tugging her earbuds out of her ears. “What are you doing?”

“I could ask you the same question?” I said lamely.

Her eyes jumped around as if half-expecting more people to approach. “Aren’t your friends gonna miss you inside?”

I shrugged. “Who cares?”

“Well, you do. You wouldn’t want to be seen with me. Right?”

I hated that she had this way of throwing my words and actions back in my face. Not only did it piss me the hell off, but it also stung since I knew she was right. I was an asshole. “I’m serious. Why are you out here all by yourself?” I persisted.

“Wasn’t in the mood to deal today.”

I didn’t blame her. The people in that school prided themselves on their parents’ wealth and thought that somehow madethembetter than everyone else. I’d become one of those people. I was entitled. I was cruel. I was a dick. But what did it matter when everyone else bowed down to me because of it. It was a powerful feeling to be feared. “Good thing you’ll be out of this place soon, huh?”

She nodded.

“Where are you going next year?” I asked, realizing I didn’t actually know.

“Tampa.”

“What’s in Tampa?”

“I’m studying marine biology.”

“Why marine biology?” I asked.

Her eyes became distant. “Because I told my dad I would.”

I said nothing because what did you say to something like that? A promise made to a dead parent was like an oath made in blood. That’s why my own selfishness when it came to my father’s wishes for Grayson Industries hurt like a motherfucker.

“I was only seven when I said it,” she explained. “But even at seven, I knew.” She spun the ring on her finger, which I realized now was something she did when she was nervous or uncomfortable.

I was about to say something to change the subject when she continued.

“My dad would take me to the aquarium every year, and I’d stand by the glass of the dolphin exhibit and hold my hands up to it. Then, like clockwork, the dolphins would swim by slowly like they were letting me pet them through the glass. They’d make a few passes and then they almost stopped in front of me, looking at me, as if they were trying to communicate with me. Like I could read them and they could read me.”

“Sounds cool,” I said.

“Yeah. People even gathered around to watch them interact with me. The trainers said they’d never seen anything like it. When they wrangled them in for their next show, my dad and I would hurry in to watch the dolphin show. When I saw them with the trainers, I just knew it was what I wanted to do when I got older. Not necessarily helping them perform, but helping to rescue and rehabilitate the hurt ones. When my dad got sick, he made me promise to make my dream come true. It wasn’t a difficult promise since I knew it’s what I want to do.”

Well, fuck me.

“How about you?” she said, clearly trying to change the subject. “Where are you going next year?”

“Alabama.”

“Sawyer never mentioned that.”

“He isn’t always my biggest fan.”

“Why’s that?” she asked.

“Because I’m a prick.”

Grace laughed out loud.

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