Burned

Chapter Six

I knew it would be easy to convince Dolls to help with binding Scarlett's powers, I just hadn't realized how easy it would be. It hadn't taken any convincing, just a simple question: can you help me? I had planned for a lot more questions, but she hadn't asked one.

Mom came home and I fixed everyone a plate. We ate at the large round table and mom poured herself a glass of wine. Dolls grabbed a beer from the fridge and twisted it open, taking a long drink. I chalked that up to her mysterious day.

"So, how was school girls?" Mom asked Dara, who had come home with mom, and me. I almost told her the truth, telling her about Ivelyn breaking up with Troy because he was planning on leaving after graduation. I shut my mouth before that could happen.

My mom didn't need to know that and she wasn't asking me that.

"It was good, I took a test for science today and got an eighty-two percent." Dara boasted proudly. It was still weird to hear Dara talk about school in a positive way, but I wasn't complaining.

"That's wonderful! Zack tells me you're doing exceptional in your classes. I'm really proud of you." My mom smiled widely at her. It was also great to see the two of them getting along. It hadn't always been like this, but after well, everything, they were civil.

"I'm trying. Gemma helps a lot too. She's probably going to be our valedictorian." Dara laughed and my mom joined her. I tried to listen, but my mind was on other things. I wanted to start the potion after dinner, but I wanted Dolls help. She wouldn't make eye-contact with me throughout dinner.

"Cornelia, tell me about your day." Everyone was mostly finished with dinner, but my mom wanted to talk. I sighed.

"It was good. It was pretty boring." It wasn't enough for my mom to drop it.

"What was boring about it?" She pressed on. There was no shaking my mom.

"It was just an average school day. I don't feel the need to discuss it." I knew my mom liked talking to us about our days, but I didn't. She must have read it out of some parenting book that it helped bond you, but it didn't. It just led to me telling her more lies.

My mom stared at me for a long time. I saw the internal battle going on with her. Was she going to freak out and yell or was she going to drop this? My heartbeat is faster as the adrenaline-filled my veins. Dolls sat up from her slouched position. Dara was quietly eating the last bit of her dinner.

"Okay, Dara let's clean up for Cornelia. I think she needs to go up to her room." I was fuming, but I didn't let it on. Her and Dara stood up and grabbed our plates from the table. Great, how was I going to brew the potion when they were in the kitchen. I guess I didn't need to make the potion in the kitchen.

Once the two of them were in the kitchen, I looked over at Dolls. She was smirking at me.

"Did you do that on purpose? To get them in the other room for an hour or so?" She looked impressed. I held my chin up a degree higher. "Because if you did, that was brilliant." I stood up as she said this.

"I guess I'm brilliant then. Come on, I have everything ready upstairs." I motioned for her to follow me. She finished her beer and followed me up to the stairs. Maybe I had bet on my mom sending me up to my room, where I could borrow Dolls to help with the potion.

On the way up the stairs, I briefly touched the Amulet. I had tried to keep from touching it, but I needed a hit. I let the power flood me, making me feel okay. Things were going to be okay because this was the right choice. I was making the right decision.

I pushed open my door and shut it behind Dolls. Then, I locked it for good measure. I didn't want anyone walking in on us. That would complicate things. Spread out on my bed were the ingredients for the potion, along with Gran's journals. Dolls walked over to my bed, gazing at each of the ingredients.