Amatis

Chapter Five

Last night, after I got home from my day with Mark, Chelsea called me. Other Vita have been having problems with the Letum lately. More than usual actually. More pearls have been getting stolen which puts a total break in the Transitus’ work.

What the Transitus do is the most important thing of life itself. See, pearls are full of personality; it could technically be called a soul. When a pearl is given to a Transitus, they place it in a pregnant woman’s belly. In a nutshell, it’s basically reincarnation.

The Letum keep taking our pearls for some unknown reason. And when they do, the Transitus’ stock runs low. A baby simply can’t be born with no personality. It’s just not a part of nature. They’d practically be a living potato.

So today is Friday, a.k.a. homecoming game day, and Chelsea gave me word about three deaths tonight. Unfortunately I’m freaking out because those people die at Mark’s party. That means I have to go, and let’s face it, I’m not the party type. I admit that I’m too prude.

I manifest a school t-shirt with the bulldog mascot, and the same pair of shorts from yesterday. I might as well participate in school spirit day, after all, I try to live like a normal teen girl. I walk past the mirror in my living room and observe myself. My straight, brown hair contrasts well with my red shirt. My eyes moved to my face. I was wearing mascara for sure, but I don’t remember applying any blush. But it looked good, so I carried on and walked to the parking garage of my apartment building.

On the drive to school, I thought about telling Cassy that I was going to the party after all. But I also contemplate the endless possibilities on how that could interfere with my soul stealing. In the end, I decide not to tell Cassy.

I walked into first period five minutes before school started and sat down next to Cassy and surprisingly, Evan. He never really sits with us. Yesterday was like the first time he did. And again today? It must be my lucky day. The thought just makes me smile from ear to ear.

“So,” started Cassy, “How was your date with Mark?” I totally forgot about yesterday! What will Evan think?

“What? No. It wasn’t a date. It was a deal.” I defended myself before Evan got the wrong idea.

“Deal?” Evan asked. What do I say now? I can’t tell him why the deal was made in the first place. Just when I was about to say something, Mark walks in and Evan leaves his chair to join Mark on the other side of the classroom.

“I think I know what the deal was,” stated Cassy. My attention averted from Evan to Cassy. I simply replied with, “I bet you do,” and gave her a half-hearted smile.

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Finally seventh period came right around the corner. I sat at my usual table with Brian, Chris, and Bridgit. When I walked in, they were all talking about the homecoming assembly with such enthusiasm. Brian and Chris kept talking about the school’s cheer team with repetitive comments such as, “Yeah, she was hot,” or, “I bet you I can get her dance with me at homecoming.” Boys will be boys. Bridgit and I constantly rolled our eyes at them.

About five minutes after the tardy bell rang, Mark strolls in the classroom silently and slips onto the stool between Chris and I.

“Hey bro, you just missed Brian’s and my bet.” Mark lifted his eyebrow in question.

“We bet that I could get more girls than Chris at homecoming,” Brian chirped in.

“Well I didn’t say you would get more girls. I said that I would,” Chris corrected him. I stood up and walked from the table giggling. Boys sure are silly. I approached the supply closet and searched for paints to color my vase with. I perused the top shelf and stopped at an eye-catching yellow. I reach up to grab it, but I find myself one foot too short.