Wicked

Chapter Six

Finally, it was Friday. I was really looking forward to hanging out with Addison. We had made plans to go to the gallery after class. That way, we could maybe go to the game on Saturday. I had told her how Daniel had invited me to the game, but we both agreed football was boring. I hadn't slept great last night, actually, I had slept horribly. Denial was my friend. I kept telling myself nothing had happened yesterday, just another hallucination that wasn't real.

But, there was this nudging feeling that it was all true.

No.

The day went by in another blur, fading to the end of the day. Addie was dressed in gorgeous goth, even when she was cosplaying. Today, she was cosplaying Wednesday Addams. She wore the short black dress with a white button-up underneath. Her hair was black and parted down the middle, braided in pigtails. She wore light foundation and black lipstick. It was perfect.

"I have to say, this is my favorite cosplay so far." I commended her, clapping as she walked down the hallway. Eventually, sixth period had ended. She laughed, blushing slightly.

"Stop," she put up a hand defensively. "I mean don't, keep the compliments coming." I grabbed the rest of the things from my locker and slammed it shut. My first week of high school at Salem was finished. Only a million left.

"Do you want to ride with me back to my house. I kind of want to change." I looked down at my black jeans and a burgundy sweater. I felt underdressed next to Addie, which was normal. She was either in full cosplay or a goth queen dream. I had barely put on any makeup and my hair was hanging in a high ponytail.

She shrugged. "If you want, I don't mind. The gallery isn't too far, we could walk from your Gran's." I stared at her.

"Does everyone know where my Gran lives?" She didn't answer, just shrugged and turned on her heel, towards the exit. I followed, feeling out of the loop. Even, Erik had known where my Gran had lived. I knew it was a small town, but still. Then again, maybe it was because I was from New York and it was such a busy town.

Gran was waiting in her Cadillac. Dara again had a ride from her "friends." I wasn't convinced they were her friends, but I did wonder where she was disappearing for most of the day. She popped in for dinner and then went off to her room, with the door shut, sometimes locked. I had luckily met Addison, Daniel, and Erik, but they weren't giving me rides home every day after school. Plus, Dara was a freshman, so whoever she was getting a ride from was at least sixteen.

I wasn't even sixteen yet, I had a month left. Hopefully, I would be able to drive myself to and fro school. Maybe, my mom would let me use her car. Then again, she was having to travel to the airport a lot due to her job in New York needing her. She had been trying to work at home, but there were meetings bi-weekly she had to attend.

"Gran, this is Addison Roux--

"Of course, it is Little Bird, nice to see you again Addie ." I sucked in a breath, caught off guard again. So, everyone seemed to know everyone around here. Addie nodded and said hello to Gran, hoping in the backseat. I set my bag at my feet and shut the car door. "So, how's your mom, darling?" Gran inquired after we pulled out of the school parking lot. I watched her expression from the side mirror, her whole body seemed to deflate.

"She's hanging in there, Mrs. Solart." She folded her hands in her lap. Addie had mentioned her mom was in and out of the hospital, but I never asked what was wrong with her. It always felt like the wrong time to ask. Especially, the way Addie reacted when anyone brought up her mom. It was obviously a sensitive subject.

"Please, call my Gran and give her my best." Gran tried to soothe her with her tentative words and calming voice. When I was little I had told my Gran her words were like lavender: they always brought people peace. Even now, I believed Gran had a way with people I had never seen before. She just made people feel like home. "What about Silvia? I saw her at the grocery store a couple weeks ago and she was feisty as ever." Gran and Addie shared a laugh.