Constant

Chapter 15

I stared into my locker, trying to remember what to grab. I couldn't for the life of me remember which class I had. I could, obviously, check the schedule, but it was as if my brain couldn't comprehend timestamps or letters. The bell rang for the second time, and the hallway was already empty. What was the point with school? Why did I even bother trying to get good grades—they wouldn't transfer to the next school, anyway. It was as if my past was erased the moment I put my foot in a new school. My possibility of a scholarship was probably shut to hell as well, if I didn't step into the Light again.

"The bell rang." I turned my head, watching Ben and Ty walking casually toward me. "Shouldn't you be in class?" Ben asked smirking. "Watch out, or you'll get detention. Doubt your magic oils will get you out of that one."

I sighed deeply, going back to staring into my locker, trying to remember what the hell I was supposed to be doing.

"Hey, I was talking to you," Ben said, and I gave him a tired look, saying nothing. He glared at me, but something in his look shifted, before they finally walked away.

I concluded it must be time for History... or maybe Chemistry. I kicked my locker shut, deciding to go hide out in the library instead.

Falling asleep was becoming more and more difficult each night. When I finally succumbed to the darkness, it was filled with nightmares of cloaked figures, blood and rotting rose petals. In my dreams, my nose always hurt because something was smelling awful. I had never experienced smells in dreams before, and this smell was pungent—while at the same time familiar. I couldn't pinpoint what it was. When the dream finally ended, it was because I woke myself up, drenched in sweat and with a pounding heart, the scent still stinging my nose. Sleep was no longer an escape from reality, instead, reality became the escape.

Mom sat by the kitchen table when I woke up. She looked fresh and chipper, dressed in her Lumenoil outfit.

"Good morning," she said. "Did you sleep well?"

I shook my head. "No, I didn't."

"Are you sure you don't want to try my Lumenite? They've helped me tons."

"No, thank you," I replied, sharply.

"Don't be so reluctant," Mom complained. "Also..." She paused for dramatic effect. "I made it!" Mom's face practically broke in half of joy. "I'm certified. I'm a coach now! I'm level five!" She was giddy like a schoolgirl; it was difficult not to join her enthusiasm. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to smile like all the worries in the world had dissipated into nothing.

But I didn't want Lumenoil to be the reason.

"That's great!" I agreed. "But what does it mean for us?"

"It means we'll have a steady paycheck, and that I'll have to spend more time in Baltimore, but... we're home now." I wanted to cry—for more than one reason. I didn't know if this was a good thing, after all. I didn't want to stay in Highstone anymore. I wanted to get as far away as possible. "This is what we've been waiting for. We're home. All thanks to Lumenoil. We're home!"

Mom danced around the living room, around all the boxes of oils, candles, and incense. Would she still be selling those, or was she simply a coach now? I didn't care. It didn't matter. We had a home now. We had a stable income. We had everything I'd been dreaming about for the past seven years, and now that we had it... I didn't want it. At least not here. Or did I? I wasn't sure.

"Lady Keller invited us to the community," Mom said, when she was done dancing. "We're going over there tonight. She was very satisfied with my presentation."

My smile dropped. The community.

"Oh, do I have to go?" I asked.

"Of course, you do," she said. "This is important to me!"