RUNES (A Runes Book 1)

Chapter 15

15.  A CENTURY OR TWO

"Wow, look at this place," Cora said when we entered the gym. "The décor's better than last year's."

I had no idea what the theme was last year, but the transformation was amazing. The room was done in Trojan colors—gold and crimson. From stretched arches for taking commemorative pictures and gold and crimson gossamer curtains flowing from floor to ceiling to strings of twinkly lights and oriental lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Gold and crimson balloons littered the floor, and tall, lighted luminescent columns covered in black with gold streamers were strategically positioned around the dance floor. I searched for Torin among the dancers.

"That no good, lying, cheating bastard!" Cora snarled.

I turned and followed her gaze. She was staring at Keith, who was making out with some girl on the dance floor.

"He said he'd come alone, that he'd miss me. Yeah, groping another girl is the new missing me," Cora continued with her rant.

Eirik laughed then faked seriousness when she glared at him. "Do you want me to go punch him?"

"Yes," Cora said with glee, eyes flashing. She looked amazing in her blue dress, her hair teased and her makeup perfect. Eirik kept staring at her. "Go. Avenge my honor."

"No, go talk to him," I said. "Keith might only be with her because you ditched him to stay with me."

"Oh, please. Don't make excuses for him," Cora snapped. "I should go over there and rip him a new one."

I pushed Eirik toward Cora. "Dance with her. I'll talk to Keith."

Cora and Eirik eyed each other, but they didn't make a move to join the dancers. I rolled my eyes as I walked toward Keith and his date and tapped on his shoulder.

Keith turned around and frowned. "Raine? What are you doing he—oh crap," he added, looking past me.

"Yeah, she's pissed, so you'd better have a really good explanation." Cora looked ready to commit murder. Then she grabbed Eirik's hand and dragged him to the dance floor. Keith scrubbed his face, glanced at his date apologetically, and looked at Cora and Eirik.

"Good luck," I whispered and walked away, continuing my search.

Staying on the outskirts of the dance floor, I searched for Marj, Catie, and Jeannette among the dancers. They weren't here. A few times I thought I felt a zing, the tingling feeling I always associated with Torin's eyes on me, but when I turned around, he wasn't there.

The news about my accident must have spread because people turned to stare as I walked past. Usually too much attention bugged me, but this time I didn't care. I couldn't afford to feel self-conscious. Some members of the swim team and band even stopped me and asked how I was doing.

"Raine."

I stiffened, recognizing Jess' voice. Please, don't let Torin be with her... don't let Torin be with her... I turned.

She was with her friends and four other guys, two from the swim team and two I'd seen hang around her and her friends. None had shaggy black hair and sapphire eyes or the smile with a punch. I sighed with relief.

"You look amazing," she said.

Jess being nice was, I don't know, disturbing. "Thank you."

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"It's the Homecoming Dance," I said politely, trying not to be rude.

"I mean you were hospitalized with brain injury. Are you sure you should be at a dance?"