Before the Ashes

Chapter Three

Julia's a no-show after school. I've at least pulled my math books out and have opened them to today's homework while waiting. My friends, on the other hand, are polishing their nails. The librarian has shushed us at least three times already. I can't concentrate, and the numbers are all gibberish anyhow, so I slam my book shut and stand to pack up.

"What are you doing?" Caroline stops midstroke, her ring finger only half-polished.

"Leaving."

"Leaving where?" Kerry asks. She's blowing on the nails of her right hand.

"This is a waste. I'm going to the gym to work on decorations." I push my chair in and turn to walk away. After a few steps, I turn back. "You coming?"

Caroline rolls her eyes. "I need a second coat, Kari."

Right. What was I thinking?

The gym is bustling. The school counselor, Mrs. Wiltrow, is the faculty advisor for the homecoming committee and she runs a tight ship. She has high expectations for the students to participate in extracurricular activities. Which I love anyways, so no biggie.

I head straight for the corner where I left off the night before, organizing donations we might use to decorate the float for the parade Friday. Lost in thought about who's going with whom to the dance, concerned about my own lack of a date, and semi-focused on the piles I'm creating, it takes me a second to realize the lights have dimmed. I straighten and blink, waiting for my eyes to adjust. Turning, I see the lights farther out in the gym are still on full blast and nobody else has paused what they're doing. The light above where I stand is on normally, and yet it's as if a shadow's been cast around me.

A shiver runs through me, raising goosebumps on my arms.

The weight of a stare is heavy on my shoulders again. I turn back to my piles, but see movement out of the corner of my eye. When I look, I see that same boy, the cute, unsettling one. He's more than a dozen feet away, but his eyes lock with mine.

Once again, he smiles at me.

And gives me the chills.

A crowd of students walks between us, hiding him from my view. Once they pass, he's gone, as if he'd vanished within the group, or into thin air.

Spooked, my hands shake while I finish my piles and carry one over to the area of the gym designated for the floats. The lights are bright and the shadows I'd imagined earlier have dissipated.

But something dark remains somewhere inside me and I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right.

My friends text to meet them at the bowling alley later. The thought of being somewhere loud and fun and distracting sounds like just what I need.

See you there.

I head home to paint my nails a bright, sunshiny color and to forget about school and dances and creepy, handsome boys.

* * *

As soon as I walk into The Triple X Bowling Alley, relief floods me. The bar area is completely ordinary. The gambling machines make their familiar dings and beeps, the dart boards are lit up, the juke box is jamming to an old Country tune, and the bar stools are covered with friendly parents drinking beer.

Even better, my friends have parked themselves at a lane occupied by Cole and his football buddies.

My friends squeal and rush to wrap me in hugs and perfume.

"What took you so long?" Caroline asks.

I wiggle my fingernails at her.

"Ooooh," she coos admiringly. "Creative."