Worlds Collide (Alimentria, #1) [ON HOLD]

Chapter Fifteen: Encounters

Everyone wants to fit in. But sometimes people are born to stand out.

     Unfortunately, Brianna found herself turning out to be one of those people who stood out.

     Thankfully, by the grace of God, she hadn't crossed paths with Marty or Wendy yet. Best blessing she'd ever received, by far. But the school day was young. Lots of terrible things could still happen. And she had Pre-Algebra with Wendy. That was the class she was heading to now; lucky her.

     The day before, Brianna had hidden her arms behind her back so her guardians wouldn't see her new... features, her calves and feet thankfully hidden by jeans, socks, and the entire scene in darkness. But today, she'd went with a pair of leather gloves and a pair of socks high enough that Marilee would label them perfect for horseback riding. Just to be safe.

     "Bree! Bree! Yeesh, slow down!" a voice called from just behind her. Curious, she slowed to a stop, and allowed the person who'd called out to her catch up.

     "Oh, oh gosh, sorry May," Brianna said with a laugh as her friend jogged up to stand beside her, out of breath and red-faced from the apparent exertion. "I swear I thought you were someone else."

     "Ah, yes, the jerk. Mari told me about that over the phone the other day before she stopped over at your house. Honestly, I can't blame you, but... I BLAME YOU," she announced, emphasizing her efforts to try and finally catch her breath.

     May Falliesther was one of her dearest friends. She held the group together— the life force that kept them connected. Her personality resembled Marilee's, but of course, no one could ever be quite like Marilee. She was better in other ways, though. For instance, she could easily be a supermodel if she wanted to, but she was too modest to admit it to herself. And too unsure. Just because people teased her for being an albino.

      May was the definition of beauty and grace. Her skin was a delicate ultra-light tan, and her almost-white blonde hair fell in loose curls that looked so effortless around her shoulders.

     She wasn't quite a stick; she was in that perfect spot between unhealthily skinny and a bit overweight, unlike the common man. Ugh, such a goddess! If goddesses were real, and if that was how the world worked, she'd be one. Thankfully, they didn't have to be ruled by the gorgeous tyrant.

     But she'd been made fun of for her appearance so often by stupid, jealous kids that she never viewed herself as anything above mostly presentable.

     "So, what's up?" Brianna asked, utterly ignoring the whole "I blame you" thing. "You never run! Was there a death?"

     May blinked her mahogany red eyes in mock astonishment. "What are you talking about?! I run! ...Sometimes!"

     "Nah you don't," Brianna said with a laugh. "And I don't either. Exercise is overrated. But like, no one died, right?"

     "Oh, no," May said with a giggle, clearly just remembering she had a mission. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Mari told me you guys had a kinda... crazy weekend? She didn't go into specifics, so I threatened her a few times, but she still wouldn't budge. So here I am! Now, answers. What did you do? WITHOUT me?"

     Brianna tried not to look too panicked, but... she was. The Holden twins were the only ones she'd shared her secret world with, and that was by accident. But that was a story for another time. Right now, it was time to throw out some more lies. How wonderful! But, when she was honest with herself, lying was too easy for her. And yet... it hurt her to lie to people she cared for, May included. It felt like a web she was spinning, slowly choking herself, that the more she spun it could never be undone.