The Devil Child

Chapter Thirteen

 Polly felt the absence of Minny in her classes. At first, she didn't take particular notice, but once day three of his absence rolled about, she became confused and concerned. Not that Minny was her friend; she was shocked to find him absent for so many days. Plus, despite what Kenzie said, Polly wanted to be Minny's friend. Something about him intrigued her, to the point where she felt drawn to his tall form and his charming smile.

He wasn't the kind of person Polly would necessarily be friends with. He was a jock, and didn't particularly care about school. He was too cool for her, that was for sure, and he hung around other boys who were equally as cool as he was.

Polly wasn't attracted to him, obviously, but she was intrigued.

There was something about him that screamed learn about my secrets! but Polly was afraid of secrets. Afraid of opening someone up and learning too much about them. She was afraid of becoming friends with people. She was afraid of abandonment and trust.

She blamed it on her parents after they abandoned her. Polly could remember it vividly, how it felt to be released from camp with nowhere to go. Doctor Higgins hated the thought of letting her go; it hadn't been his idea. No, it had been his father's idea, and Doctor Higgins hated it. And while she called her parents, she felt the chilling glare coming from the man who had ruined her life.

Her parents never answered. She called and called, but got no response. She had nowhere to go. Nowhere to stay.

And then, like a miracle, her uncle called. Told Doctor Higgins that Polly could come home to them. And Polly didn't think twice, though she probably should have. She'd never met her aunt and uncle, which she still didn't understand. They never came to Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner. They never visited at Easter, or any holiday. In fact, Polly didn't exactly know of their existence.

But they knew about her. And they loved her either way.

Polly, however, was still scarred. And how could she not after going through what she had? Abandoned by her family, abused by a man her parents trusted, and treated like a dog for liking the same sex. Polly wasn't exactly ready to trust.

But something about Minny made her want to trust him, at least long enough until she didn't need to. Polly didn't picture living in this sleepy town forever, and her friendship with Kenzie and Minny wouldn't last forever.

For now, she just wanted to know where Minny was, and why he hadn't attended school.

She was sounding like a freak and she knew it.

Kenzie slid into the seat next to her at the lunch table. "Hey loser. Why the long face?"

Polly looked over at Kenzie, just staring for a moment. It was like she'd lost her voice, even though Polly knew her vocal cords worked just fine. There was something about Kenzie that made her incredibly nervous, like she suddenly couldn't formulate words or thoughts.

"Minny," was all Polly could get out. You sound positively stupid, Polly. Knock it off!

"That idiot again? Don't tell me you're developing a crush on him. Come on, Polly. You must have better taste than that!"

Polly nearly choked on her sandwich. "You think I like Minny? Ha, yeah, alright." I have perfect taste, Polly thought. I like you!

"Well, why else would you be thinking about him not being in school? And why do you hang out with him? He's such a douche."

Polly didn't agree. She couldn't see how Minny was a douche, or how he was rude. He seemed fine to Polly, maybe a little standoffish, but nothing that Polly thought was unbearable or offensive. In fact, Polly was beginning to believe that Kenzie's hatred for the boy was from past feuds.