The Forgotten

Eris Is Still In There

Shain and I don't talk until we're clear of the gym. The sound of our heels hitting the floor echoes down the empty corridor. Shain is grinning.

"So, what do you wanna do? We have enough time to plot our next hazing." I frown. What's a hazing?

'"I'm sorry, what?" She doesn't listen. She starts examining lockers.

"I'm thinking we should direct this next message to Lance Goldheist," Shain says. "Everyone loved the personal message we sent Ebony Wouser. What do you say?"

"Why Lance Goldheist?" I ask, trying to play it cool. I have no idea what she's talking about. Raven didn't mention a hazing. I should have listened to every entry, even if it meant being late for school. I knew I wasn't ready. If Shain tells everyone I'm not Raven, everyone will believe it. I'm in a very bad position here.

A dawning look comes over Shain's pale face. I brace myself for the scream, "What have you done with Raven!" It doesn't come.

Instead Shain says, "Oh...you weren't here when Lance got caught kissing Professor Jenkins." I start.

"He...he kissed a..." She nods.

"A teacher," she states. I was actually going to say dude. I have no problem with homosexuality. It's an old topic. It's just I haven't had any experience with it. None of the Forgotten have "come out". That just shows how okay it is. People don't consider it a diseased gene, or one unworthy of their attention. However, a lot of the Forgotten have disabilities or glasses. Make of that what you will.

"Anyway," Shain continues. I jerk myself from my thoughts, wondering if I've missed anything. "Miss Jenkins wasn't fired."

Well, it's a good thing Shain didn't let me say "he kissed a guy." That would have betrayed my lack of knowledge of the school. It would've been obvious I didn't know who Miss Jenkins was. Dead giveaway.

"How horrible," I agree. I actually do agree with Shain. If someone breaks the law, they should be punished. I wonder if pretending your daughter isn't dead when she is a crime. If so, then I'm a collaborator. I wonder how many years in prison that would warrant. Maybe they'd just send me back to the Forgotten Compound. Although, compared to the Forgotten Compound, prison might not be that bad.

"Earth to Raven," Shain says, waving her hand in front of my face. This pulls me out of my thoughts.

"Yes?" I ask. Shain huffs.

"I said do you want to vandalize him or not."

"Wait, vandalize him?" She nodded. She seemed excited that I was finally paying attention.

"You know, something like...ooh!...we  could spray paint teacher's pet on his locker," she suggests avidly.

No wonder Raven had so many enemies. I'd hate her too.

"Or not," I reply. "Why not we just leave him alone? I'll bet other people are giving him grief." Shain rolls her eyes.

"Since when did you become a 'good girl'?"

The question might have been directed at Raven, but it struck me. If I were still Eris, I would totally take the opportunity to cause some serious problems.  It sounds like Raven and I might not have been so different after all.

"Okay," I say. "I'm in."

Shain grins. "What color?"

I consider. What's a good color for a guy who dates his teacher?

"We could write it in red spray paint." A giddy expression comes over Shain's face.

"Oh yes!" she exclaims. Then she glances surreptitiously at the door, as if making sure no one was eavesdropping.