To The Stars (Book 1)

Chapter 7: The Locket

A/N: I realized that Annette was suppossed to have Anamatokenisis (look it up), not fire powers.

Bree ended up moving into my room with me for the remainder of the weekend so Lea could have her own room. Bree had a lot of fun with taking polaroids for the yearbook and the newspaper, and she didn't have to use any filters or touchups! But Sunday afternoon came too soon. I packed up my stuff (including the stuff I had to leave when we moved) and said goodbye to all of the horses.

Logan had me sit in the front seat this time. As we arrived in Glen Falls, an unsettling quiet came over the town.

"Huh," I whispered. My voice seemed to echo along the houses. Logan looked at me and shrugged. "They must be asleep," he mouthed. I nodded and shushed everyone before carefully opening the car door.

I stepped into our cafe under the apartment. The lights were dim, and there was a slight yeasty smell. So, it was normal. I slowly crept up the stairs to my room, soundlessly set my duffel on my beanbag, and fell into bed.

I awoke to a faint humming sound coming from outside my window; or so I thought. When I walked over to open it, the buzzing moved to behind my bookshelf. I braced my stance, took a deep breath, and leapt towards the wall. My hand brushed cold metal, and the humming stopped. I touched it again, then grabbed it.

"Aha!" I shouted, then covered my mouth in surprise. It was a small bronze locket, a battered heart. I slowly pried it open with my thumbnail and a small photo fell out. It was of a girl wearing the locket. She was about 11 years old and cupping her hands under a star. "Impossible," I laughed. It was probably a double exposure. I shrugged and put the locket on, then headed down to the cafè to help my dad with the early morning rush.

Lea, Ryan, Cas, and Bree were sitting at a table a couple feet away from the door.

"Hey girl! Mondays, am I right?" Casmira pointed to her hair.

"Oh, you... left it down today?" I sort of asked.

"No, silly, I have terrible bedhead!" She ruffled her waves, and only then did I notice her usually pristine hair had many small flyways.

"Annette's coming later, so, how about you hook us up with some food?" Bree looked longingly over at the pastry case.

"Okay, just give me a sec!" I called over my shoulder as I got my apron on.

"Yurhm... hurvenlee..." Lea sighed with delight as she ate her muffin.

"Yeah, can I get the recipes?" Ryan glanced hungrily towards Annette's croissant.

"No, but maybe after-hours you guys wanna help me make breakfast for the next day?" I asked as we walked out the door.

"Oh, come on! We have to work?" Ryan joked.

"Half off!" I said teasingly.

"And I need pics!" Bree added as we crossed the road to school.

Just as I crossed the threshold, a familiar whine sounded from behind me.

"Tuck!" I groaned. "Well, come on. I can't leave you out here alone."

"Hey Tuck!" Annette said. "Wanna come with me?"

I laughed. "Netty, we're in the same class! He's gotta come with me too!"

Tuck sat obediently beside me as the bell rang, and Noella and Alese sashayed in. "Look Al! It's a dog! Ewww, why is it even allowed in school?"

"FYI," Bree shot at them, "Animals are allowed on school property. And I got permission from the principal to keep Tuck with us during school!"

"Fine, Photo Wacko, whatever." Noella tossed her hair and left, Alese trailing after.

"She just fires me up!" Annette said angrily.

"Calm down Annette," I said as i took her hand. As soon as i clasped it, though, i immediately yanked my hand back.

"Yikes! Your hand is really hot! My palm is practically singed!"

"What?" Annette smacked her palm to her face. "Weird. It IS hot."

"You should go to the nurse," Bree said, worried.

"I'll be fine!" Annette turned to her desk. I hoped she would.