Fate's Exchange (Twisted Fate, Book 1)

Chapter Thirty-Four

"Aly?"

I looked up from the sink in the girls' washroom. Suzie walked up from behind so that I could see her reflection next to my own in the mirror. Somehow, it made me feel superior, like she was beneath making me turn around. So long as I didn't, I would keep the upper hand. Why was she trying to talk to me again? Hadn't I made my point clear?

"What do you want, Suzie?" Turning off the tap, I reached for a sheet of paper towel to dry my hands. It forced me to stand sideways, but I kept my head down so that she couldn't make eye contact.

"I'm supposed to tell you—"

"What? That you are annoying?" I laughed. "I got that memo already, but thanks."

"No, I—"

"Should leave me alone?"

"Would you stop cutting me off?" She placed her hands on her hips, the timid attitude she'd arrived with succumbing to anger. "I'm sorry about what I said last year, okay?"

"That doesn't say much when you continued to bully everyone all year. Including me."

"Okay, so I've been a bitch. I admit it. I'm sorry." She reached out in front of her, opening her palms to spread her fingers towards me. Then she dropped her arms to her sides and sighed, her shoulders slumping. "But that's not what I came to talk to you about."

"No?" I looked up and met her gaze. A crooked grin turned my lips up. Hearing her bag on herself was almost worth the annoyance of her presence. "Then what do you want? I have to get to fifth period, so if you have something to say, hurry up."

She bit her lip and glanced at the door. She looked back to me and said, "Mrs. Haun asked me to find you."

My smile disappeared. The pleasure of hearing her regret evaporated, replaced by uneasiness. "Why?"

"How should I know?"

"Okay, well what did she tell you to do once you found me?" I waved my hand in circles in front of me, trying to coax her along. "Or is she trying to play matchmaker? I gotta say, that's not my thing. I'm all about boys."

"Ew." She shuddered. "Why would you even say that?"

I shrugged.

"Mrs. Haun wants you to come to the office," she said and shifted her weight. "She said not to worry about class and come right away."

"Why?"

"How should I know? Geez." She rolled her eyes and turned to walk away, pausing at the door to call over her shoulder, "You used to be nicer."

I looked her over from head-to-toe and then shrugged, raising my eyes to meet her gaze. "You used to be better, too. I guess that means we're both disappointed, hmm?"

"Whatever."

She pulled the door open and walked away. Her Cool Water perfume, a trademark she'd incorporated since grade eight, faded in her absence. The silence felt suffocating once I was alone. I turned and stared at my reflection, scrutinizing. Why would Mrs. Haun want to see me? Had I made the wrong choice again? What if they knew about Tina and asked me to confirm?

Bending at the waist, I picked up my bag from the floor and slung it over my shoulder. Then, with a deep breath for fortitude, I followed Suzie's path into the hallway. I didn't stop to say hi or wave to anyone, and I didn't go to my locker. Instead, I kept my eyes forward, resolved and emotionless as I weaved in and out of groups of students on their way to the final class of the day.

*****

"Have a seat, Aly," Mrs. Haun said, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk as she smoothed the back of her dress before sitting.