Destiny's Witch (BxB)

Chapter 16: Fight-or-Bus

Perry

The weekend flies by too fast for me. After having a long, veiled discussion with my grandmother about my powers, she declined to come to visit this week. She reasons that my parents would not appreciate her 'sticking her nose' in their business.

Her declination is heart-breaking, as she is the only person willing to tell me the truth. However, her tap-dancing skills are just as good as Alan's. She confirmed my suspicions without saying it directly.

After my discussion with her, I went on patrol under guise of hanging out with my friends. The night was slow-moving, with little demon activity. I was relieved as my strength has not returned.

I left this morning before anyone was awake to catch the bus. The bus is not as horrible as I remember. The other students are rowdy, but I find a seat at the front of the bus and disappear into a compendium my father gave me that appears to be a regular book on the outside.

The compendium is a mixture of demonology and magical information. Alan made me study it at least twice a week every week for three weeks until I could recite the exact difference between a Nix, a mermaid, and a siren.

I still struggle with the concept of those things not being synonymous.

I arrive at school earlier than usual, noting I should never do so again. My fear of failing the written driving test is limiting my fight-or-flight options.

The moment I step off the bus, the sound of the coach's whistle from the football field hits my ears. I spot David easily as he and Parker are getting water. He does not notice me at first, until a gentle wind blows past me. David spots me quickly and he surprises me by smiling.

His pearly white smile makes me nervous. A warmth travels up my legs as I push myself away from my position, heading towards the school. I head to the courtyard to continue my studies into djinns.

An hour passes as students start trickling in. The next time I look up, Nate sits at the table opposite me, leaning his skateboard against the seat. He makes a joke about my parents sending out a search party. Alan must think I never came home.

My phone confirms his worry. I shoot him a quick text, explaining I left early to finish a project. It strikes me how easy it is for me to lie to him now.

"So," Nate asks, "where have you been? You ducked me all weekend."

An uneasy feeling courses through my bloodstream. It is hard to tell if I am reading Nate or if I am feeling the emotions myself.

"I'm sorry about what happened at the Pestle. I just really hate the guy, you know?" Nate says.

I close the book and smile at him. "Yeah, I gathered. But sooner or later, you've got to let it go." I say.

"Because you're under his spell."

"No, I know a lot about spells. I wouldn't call it a spell." I speak. "I just see more in him than you do. But I also sympathize with you."

"I miss the days when we both hated him." Nate says.

"Yeah, me too, kinda." I say. "Seemed so much simpler, yeah?"

"It's like the summer changed a lot of stuff. Now everything is weird." Nate says. "You know I'm here for you, right? I promise to be more chill and less—"

"Judgmental?"

"Protective." Nate says before sighing. "If I'm late for Mr. Defore's class again, I'm going to get detention. You cool?"

"I will be. Thanks for the talk."

Nate nods to me as he grabs his skateboard. I watch as he skates across the courtyard, past principal Madrigal, who warns him about the skateboard.

The bell rings as I gather my bag and notebooks. I cross the courtyard and enter the main building. My speed has decreased over the last couple of hours. I can feel something in my being change. The power I once had is no longer creating a superhuman fighting machine but settling within me.

As I round the corner to beat the last bell, I run into something cold and stone-like. I almost believe I have run into a statue until Finn begins apologizing.

It is easy to distinguish Finn from Lucas. Lucas would not have apologized, and it is doubtful he would have asked if I were okay. Another difference is Finn's affinity for flannel, whereas Lucas appears to wear only designer clothes.

"I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going." Finn says.

"It's okay. I wasn't exactly following the rules of the hallway. I'm sure there's a blinker of some sort I could have used." I say.

Finn laughs at my joke. It is refreshing to joke with someone and have them laugh. My friends laugh when things I say are funny beyond my normal sarcasm, but my jokes do not get the love they deserve.

"That's funny. Yeah, well, we'll both have to take the test again." Finn says.

It is my turn to laugh at his joke as I spot David emerge from the bathroom down the hall. He stops in his tracks as our eyes meet. Our gaze lasts too long. The bell rings above us and I apologize to Finn before rushing away from him.

As I pass David, I feel a strange warmth, almost like getting a chill with heat. I make it to the class just as Mr. Tennebaum is about to close the door, happy to avoid a write-up.