Page 34 of For Dear Life

“Her own ass,” mutters Jon, and Marci joins him in laughing.

I slice them a look, then stand between Violet and the people trying to antagonize her. “Your turn to bowl, Violet. Do you want me to show you how?”

“How to throw a ball at some wooden sticks?” She scoffs. “No.”

“Try and hit some,” says Marci. “That’s the aim.”

“I’ve studied those around me. I’m perfectly capable,” she says and stomps off.

“What the hell are you doing with that weirdo, Leif?” asks Jon. “Does she use spells on you too?”

“Huh?”

Marci points at Holly. “Violet’s using magic on Holly.”

“Uh. She isn’t,” I say. “Is she Holly?”

“Violet needs to pretend she can make friends. Fit in,” Marci continues. “A cover for the real reason she’s here.”

“You think Violet’s the one killing people?” I ask in disbelief.

“Why else do you think I’ve Holly staying with me some nights?” asks Marci. “Holly’s scared she’ll die.”

The explosion from a strike in our lane draws my attention and Violet turns, face pretty sour for someone who knocked down all pins on her first ever bowl. Although, I’m surprised her strength didn’t knock the ball through the back of the alley’s pin return.

“Shush,” Holly hisses at Marci.

“Shush what?” Marci asks.

“Don’t start an argument with Violet,” says Holly. “Please.”

“I heard all that.” Violet stands completely still, and her look moves slowly from Holly, to Marci, and to Jon. Then to Chase as he approaches with a wicker basket of fries smothered in ketchup.

“Show me this arcade thing, Leif,” Violet says coolly.

“I haven’t upset you, have I?” asks Marci.

What the hell is happening here? Violet pulls on her lip and remains silent long enough that I exchange an uncomfortable look with Jon. She doesn’t speak until Marci breaks their mutual challenge by looking away.

“No, Marci,” she says softly. “People rarely upset me. Particularly witches who manipulate people weaker than themselves.”

She turns to me, kicking off the poorly tied bowling shoes as she does, and grabs her boots. “Arcade, Leif.”

As Violet turns away, Marci speaks again. “Say hi to Rowan for me, Violet. I miss our chats.”

Violet doesn’t pause or react, nor does she say goodbye to Holly.

She rarely mingles at school, but here Violet’s in a world of teenagers along with her newly emerging emotions. What happens if the new Violet loses her temper with bitchy girls?

12

VIOLET

Interesting.

Leif can’t decide if he wants to eat or not, so we pause close to the food serving area, where the odor of greasy food and popcorn engulfs the atmosphere. As he debates what delicacy to choose, I pull out my phone and make notes of my recent exchanges, and all the names of people present this evening that I recognize. Irritatingly, my exchanges with Holly and Marci bring me closer to admitting Holly tricked me with her niceness.

Holly’s under the influence of a witch who evidently dislikes me, if not worse.

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