The Muses

The Muses: Chapter Four

THE MUSES

By: Rachel Kramer

Chapter Four

As we exit Mr.Adler's class, Candice grabs me by the arm and pulls me to the side, away from the stream of students heading for their next class.

"What happened in there? You looked like you were about to cry."

I peer around at the students sweeping by us, and although no seems to be listening in on our conversation, I do not want to chance it. "I don't think we should talk about it here."

"Nobody's listening," she says, sensing my worry.

"Still, this isn't something I feel comfortable discussing in public."

Candice nods in understanding. "Alright,, but you've got to tell me about it later."

"I will," I say, already walking away from her, in the direction of my second period classroom. "Later."

"I'm holding you to that," she shouts to me as she disappears into the sea of people.

The rest of my classes carry on as normal with no more visits from Eden's ghostly presence. Candice eyes me suspiciously all throughout our lunch break, however, but does not bring up my odd behavior during German.

Jude shares his lunch with me, even though I swear I have no appetite, and oblivious Melody raves on about homecoming. After all, she's on the homecoming committee, and has lots of planning to do, yadda, yadda. And let's not forget about her wardrobe, because everything in her closet is "hideous and just won't do". Apparently last season's Vera Wang isn't acceptable. Never mind that homecoming isn't for another month and a half. I mentally remind myself not to roll my eyes. Yes, her egotistical ranting is annoying, but it gives me something else to think about. I'd much rather have Melody's voice ringing in my ears than Eden's.

By the end of the school day I just want to go home and crawl into bed, but Candice will not allow it. Besides, everyone is going over to her house and since they're mostly doing it for my sake, it would be rude of me to skip out on them.

So, I wait for my mom who picks me up in the school parking lot. I throw my backpack into the back and climb inside. I am surprised to see that she is still in her pajamas and her hair is an awful mess of brown curls, thrown together in a clip. Even with sunglasses I can tell isn't wearing any make-up, and I get the sense that she has been crying.

"How was school, pumpkin," she asks, keeping her eyes focused on our surroundings as she pulls out of the student pick-up zone.

"It was alright," I tell her vaguely.

And that is the extent of our conversation. We pick up Seth from his school and she asks him the same question, but Seth is a talker and he keeps the van filled with conversation the entire way home. I pick at my nails, too lost in thought to care. I can't seem to stop thinking about Eden and her cryptic message.

When we pull up into our driveway, I run inside and grab an apple to snack on from the kitchen. I cut one up for Seth as well, because he insists he wants one too. Then, before heading to Candice's, I brush my teeth and spurt myself with my mother's perfume because it's my favorite and I know Jude will be there and I want to look and smell my best. I still think my sudden compulsion to appeal to Jude this way is odd and unexpected, but I cannot seem to help it. There is something about him - and possibly those raging hormones my parents used to warn me about, that make me want to act in this ridiculous way. When I am satisfied with my appearance, I head towards the front door, but Seth stops me as usual.

"Are you going over to Candice's house to play?"

"Yup," I say, maneuvering passed him.

He follows. "Can I come?"