Wicked

Chapter Nine

I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache. It didn't let up, even after a cup of coffee. I was convinced last night was a dream. There was no way Levi was dead. After he had told me that I had freaked out. I'll admit I didn't hold my composure. I told him to leave me alone and walked home. When I looked over my shoulder he was gone, so maybe he was finally going to bother someone else.

Today was a new day.

It was October, ninth and the days were dwindling down, closing in on my birthday. I threw on a black lace dress that fell right above my knees, adding sheer tights with spiders on them. I wore my red clogs and the gold necklace with a black flower. I took one last glance at myself in the mirror, before running down the stairs.

Dara and my mom were still fighting. Neither of them was apologizing any time soon. It had been just Gran and me for dinner last night. Gran asked me again to try and talk to Dara. After Addie told me about Vayne, I decided to I needed to talk to Dara. She wasn't going to listen to me, but she didn't know I knew V was a boy -- and a troubled one at that.

The car ride felt normal: Gran and I made small talk. Dara sulked in the backseat. She was wearing a low cut red top and a short jean skirt. She had always worn clothes that were too old for her, but she never exposed this much of herself. My Gran didn't comment on how short her skirt was but did ask her if she was bringing a jacket. Dara just opened the car door and exited.

"I'll talk to her," I promised.

"Thank you, Corn." She squeezed my hand. I left the car, hurrying behind Dara.

"Dara, wait up," I called after her. Her shoulders tensed and I heard her sigh loudly. At least she stopped.

"What? Going to yell at me?" I bit my lip. Dara was extra defensive, which wasn't a good sign. Her face was curled into a snarl -- she was pissed. How could I put this delicate enough? I looked around, then I knew what to say.

"No, but maybe I should." I kept my tone sharp. She tilted her head to the side, sizing me up. She was trying to figure out if I was serious, which I was desperately trying to convince her of. "I know about Vayne. I think you should tell mom, and if you don't I will." Dara was used to me walking on eggshells around her. Obviously, that hasn't been working.

I thought it was working -- she seemed to be musing it over.

Then, she smiled and my stomach churned.

"Or, you keep your trap shut and I won't tell Daniel all the nasty things you did in New York." She snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. Dara was lying, I hadn't done anything in New York that I couldn't tell Daniel. She was going to lie to Daniel, which I couldn't risk. She knew she had won based on my faltering expression. "God, you're pathetic." She rolled her eyes at me.

"Dara,"

"Don't Dara me, I'm getting out of this town, so just leave me alone. I have a plan and you're not messing it up." She took a step towards me. Was she going to hit me? As I stared down at her, I didn't recognize her. She was Dara, standing in front of me, but I didn't recognize the words coming from her. What did she mean she was leaving town? Where was she going to go?

And what was I going to tell our mom?

"You're fifteen, what do you mean you're leaving?" Anger struck Dara and her face flushed red.

"I swear, Cornelia if you don't back off--

"What? Are you going to hit me?" I questioned her, but I wasn't challenging her. I was honestly curious if she was so far gone she could hit me. Especially, in front of everyone. The courtyard was filled with students and even teachers.