WITHOUT

To The Roof!

Ethan gave me a small nod...."Ethan. I'm Ethan. It's nice to meet you. Are you an exchange student? New?..." (I shook my head, quickly nodded. I'm new!)

"I just got here.   Where ever this is. Yeah....New to the school..."      I bit my lip.

Ethan grinned, but a pained expression passed over his face, lingered in his eyes...."Ummm. You shouldn't be in here either.." Ethan swallowed...."This is the chapel. Just off the school church. I come here often. They....The school send wayward students here to reflect. Did you get lost? Being new here and all?..."

"Yeah. Lost. But.....I was sent here too. I stuff up a lot. Teachers here are so tough. Last school wasn't a walk in the park either. But....They, this place - seriously weren't impressed! Being "new" and all..." I wasn't lying, it was the truth, probably a few years out of date....But, pretty much summed me up most times (Being the age, I'm appearing to be at present!)

Ethan smiled back, his eyes had gone wide. He apologised for being pleased, then gave me a mock frown....."So your a bad girl! And the nuns, and school are gonna have to "fix" you.." He made a small tutting noise. "In for hard labor. Not a great welcoming to this joint. But, at least you know the worse....Roll on the best!.." Ethan crinkled up his face a second (I missed that look) "This place does improve. You just have to be saintly! If you can make that happen, you will be forever liked..."

I nodded. Saintly. Right! My fingers started to burn, my gift didn't want to be "good"...It wanted to be free.

"Soooo. Whatta ya in for? You don't have to say. But...." Ethan gave me a devilish look.

What was I really smashing at? That always got me in a crap-load of shit?

My loose magic (And, my temper!)...Or my life annoyed me, or everything around me was just unjust! (I was always such an emotional girl)

"I seem to do stupid things. Stuff happens.....Junk, crap - Comes to me..." I took a deep breath...."I told some dead people they could hang out. They were nice, we weren't doing much. I set some leaves on fire, it was cold. The living, got creeped out. Screamed, got angry..." I peeped at Ethan. He was still looking at me, had folded his arms (Was nodding)

"That sounds amazing. Cool....Dead people. Leaves on fire! What a hoot!..." Ethan shifted from one foot to the other...."Your a witch? (I nodded) Mmmm! Thought so..."

(He really had no idea.   But, he gave a good impression of trying)

Ethan gestured to a bench.

"I'm too smart. I make people uncomfortable. I say things no one wants to hear. My step-dad thinks I need an operation, so I'll do as I'm told. Said God will give me one. Mom keeps praying for me. My step-mom wants to sell me to the government. She knows people. Dad wants me to go somewhere, like overseas. Send him a post card when I get there!.." Ethan suddenly looked young, innocent.

Like Exie, Ethan looked hurt. These two needed to be wanted. I touched his hand, Ethan looked at me....His eyes just swallowed me alive.    I was about to try and offer some words of help, when the large wooden chapel doors opened.

"Mr Anderson. Why? Are you not on your knees, begging our dear saint for wisdom and forgiveness?..." Grey eyes shot to me.

"New girl. Get over here!..." Fingers snapped, beckoned me to stand before the nun. She gave me a harsh look, looked me up and down...."Last name Shadow. You will not be in any of my shadows! Stand out in the hallway! Now!.." I was given a poke, pushed forward. Whispered words were heard, Ethan came out into the hallway too.