Fateful Signs (Ballad of the Seer, Book Three)

Chapter 27 - A Whole New Perspective

The spell that Ms. Birch and Lily's mother cast was rather impressive. Not one person thought about Lily's absence. No one remembered that she and Duncan had been missing all of that time. And none of her teachers mentioned make up work. It was truly as if she had been there all along.

At cheerleading practice - which was so peaceful without Sara to distract everyone and call them names behind their back, making sure that they were within earshot to hear the awful slurs - Bianca told Lily that she was glad she was feeling better. That was the only time anyone acknowledged her "sick day."

After practice, Dianna decided that they needed to have a celebratory meal at the diner. It worked out well, since Duncan had to work. Miraculously - thanks to that extraordinary spell - he was still employed. It felt strange to have him go off on his own. Even with the threat of Camilla gone, Lily felt like she needed to go with him. "Don't worry." he said, outside of the small café. He held her close; his hands gripping her waist. "I'll come over when I get off."

Lily kissed him, letting the moment stretch out. She didn't want to let go. She didn't want him to let go. It was like a physical ache when he pulled away.

        But, thankfully, she had her best friends to soothe the pain. They both put arms around her as they walked to the diner. They had been doing that all day. As if they needed to touch her to make sure that she was real and corporeal. Or maybe they were afraid that she might disappear if they let go. Either way, she appreciated the sentiment.

        Once in the diner, they took an empty booth by the window and ordered three milkshakes: mint-chocolate chip for Hilary, peach for Dianna, and plain chocolate for Lily. Her friends chided her boring choice. "You should be more adventurous." Hilary suggested.

        "I've had enough adventure. I had to deal with guardians, warlocks, faeries..." Lily shook her head. "I'm good with simple and boring."

        "It couldn't have been all bad." Dianna said. "I mean, you got to take like a month off school and spend every day and night with your boyfriend. Alone. In motel rooms." The implications she was making were painfully obvious. It made Lily blush. She pressed her lips together, turning her eyes to stare out the large window.

        "You're so adorable, babe." Dianna said, reaching across to hold Lily's hand.

        "Thank God," Lily said, when the waitress returned with their shakes. The woman slid the frosted glasses across to each girl in turn. Lily pushed hers toward Hilary, who plucked the cherry off the top, leaving the red mark in the whipped cream from the gelatinous juice used to preserve them in the jar.

        Dianna scraped a finger across the top of her own shake, licking the fluffy cream off. The freshman boys at the table next to them enjoyed that. They stared, smiling goofily, as Dianna repeated the action. Lily rolled her eyes, using a spoon to stir the cream into the thick chocolate concoction.

        "There you are."

        Lily looked up at the proclamation. Veronica stood at the end of their table, blocking the view of the overzealous boys, which Lily was fine with.

        "Hi," Lily said. Her friends stared at her.

        "Who are you talking to?" Hilary asked.

        Lily looked down at her shake, not wanting anyone to overhear. "Veronica just joined us."

        Veronica flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder; she sat in the empty space beside Dianna, who was turning her head this way and that, as if she could actually see the girl. "You need to do something about Felix." Veronica said. She stared covetously at the peach milkshake right in front of her. "Oh, I miss food."