cascade | kotlc

11. The Cave

tw: bl/od

 Thankfully, June recovered back to normal the next day, and she insisted she go to school with Sophie. Grady and Elwin couldn't stop her.

Acting normal at school was easier than Sophie thought it would be. Dex still wasn't speaking to her, Marella and Jensi were relatively oblivious, and Fitz and Biana already knew. She got a little choked up when Biana hugged her and told her things would be okay -- and Keefe made a few jokes about what he kept calling her "mystery illness" -- but other than that, it was like any other day.

Until study hall.

Sophie was sitting with Biana, June lying face-down on the table. She obviously didn't have her usual energy after yesterday. The Gusting she'd used must've taken everything she had. And God, were her Gusting powers powerful. Also, getting almost burned to death by Everblaze couldn't have helped matters, though Elwin had healed all of her burns.

Stina plunked her beanpole body in one of their empty chairs.

"I never knew you were such a good actress," she sneered.

Sophie froze. "W-what do you mean?" She couldn't know about the incident yesterday, could she?

June stirred.

"Not you, Foster, you're not good at anything. I meant Biana. I know your secret."

Biana glared at her. "Ooh, I'm really scared."

"You should be."

Sophie put an arm around June, helping her into a sitting position. June relaxed in her arms, her eyes fluttering open and closed. Don't overextend yourself, June. She smiled and took Sophie's hand.

"She doesn't know anything. She's just trying to trick you into admitting something." Sophie grabbed her things and stood, letting June remain seated.

Stina slammed her bony arm across Biana's book. "Oh, but I do know something. See, since you've been ignoring Maruca lately, she and I have become quite close, and she's had some great stories to tell. This morning she told me the most interesting thing about the reason you and Sophie became friends."

All the color drained from Biana's face.

"What?" June said quietly. "Biana. What did you do?"

"What is she talking about?" Sophie asked.

Stina flashed a wicked smile at Biana. "Should I tell her, or do you want me to do it?"

"Tell me what?"

"Biana, seriously, what did you do?"

Biana sat pale and lifeless, like a statue.

June struggled to get up, leaning on Sophie to stay upright. "Stina, what is it? What did you learn?"

She giggled. "It's really quite funny. She was forced to be friends with you. Her dad wanted to keep a closer watch on the freaky human girl who practically killed his son in a splotching match, and her brother wanted to spend more time with his girlfriend, so Alden ordered Biana to be your friend so you'd come around their house."

Sophie saw the panic in Biana's eyes and felt a little sick. June groaned and fully stood up, glaring at Biana. "Is that true?"

"Of course it's true," Stina interrupted. "She hated you before that, remember? Did you really think she suddenly wanted to be best friends for no reason? Or did you think your sister actually managed to convince her?" She studied Sophie closely. "Hmm. I guess you did. You're even dumber than I thought."