Evermore - Alyson Noel [43]
And yet, there she is, standing before me, eyes wide, lips trembling, stunned to have all of her dirty little secrets revealed. And instead of feeling bad or guilty for exposing her, for using my gift in this way, seeing this despicable person, this awful selfish bully who’s taunted me since my very first day, reduced to a shaky, sweaty mess, is more gratifying than I ever would’ve imagined. And with my nausea and grief now merely a memory, I figure, what the heck, I may as well continue.
“Should I go on?” I ask. “Because believe me, I can. There’s plenty more, but you already know that, don’t you?”
I go after her, me walking forward, her stumbling backward, eager to put as much distance between us as she possibly can. “What are you? Some kind of witch?” she whispers, eyes scanning the corridor, looking for help, an exit, anything to get away from me.
I laugh. Not admitting, not denying, just wanting her to think twice before she messes with me again.
But just as quickly she stops, finds her footing, and looks me in the eye when she says, “Then again, it’s your word against mine.” Her lips curve into a grin. “And who do you think people will believe? Me, the most popular girl in the junior class? Or you, the biggest fucking freak that ever came to this school?”
She has a point.
She fingers the hole in her dress, then shakes her head, and says, “Stay away from me, freak. Because if you don’t, I swear to God you’ll regret it.”
And when she steps forward, she slams into my shoulder so hard, I’ve no doubt she means it.
When I get to the lunch table I try not to gawk, but Haven’s hair is purple and I’m not sure if I should mention it.
“Don’t even try to pretend you don’t see it. It’s awful, I know.” She laughs. “Right after I hung up with you last night I tried to dye it red, you know, that gorgeous coppery shade like Drina’s? Only this is what I ended up with.” She grabs a chunk of it and scowls. “I look like an eggplant on a stick. But only for a few more hours, ’cuz after school, Drina’s taking me to some big celebrity salon up in L.A. You know, one of those A-list hot spots booked a full year in advance? Only she was totally able to sneak me in last minute. I swear, she is so connected, she’s amazing.”
“Where’s Miles?” I ask, cutting her off, not wanting to hear another word about the amazing Drina and her velvet rope–crashing abilities.
“Memorizing his lines. Community theater’s doing a production of Hairspray, and he’s hoping for the lead.”
“Isn’t the lead a girl?” I open my lunch pack, finding half a sandwich, a cluster of grapes, a bag of chips, and more tulips.
She shrugs. “He tried to convince me to try out too, but it’s so not my thing. So, where’s tall, dark, and hot, a.k.a. your boyfriend?” she asks, unfolding her napkin, and using it as a placemat for her strawberry-sprinkle cupcake.
I shrug, remembering how, yet again, I forgot to secure his number, or find out where he lives. “Enjoying the perks of emancipation I guess,” I finally say, unwrapping my sandwich and taking a bite. “Any news on Evangeline?”
She shakes her head. “None. But check this out.” She raises her sleeve, showing me the underside of her wrist.
I squint at the beginnings of a small circular tattoo, a rough sketch of a snake eating its tail. And even though it’s far from complete, for the briefest moment, I actually see it slither and move. But as soon as I blink, it’s stagnant again.
“What is that?” I whisper, noticing how the energy it emanates fills me with dread, though I can’t fathom why.
“It’s supposed to be a surprise. I’ll show you when it’s finished.” She smiles. “In fact, I shouldn’t have even told you.” She adjusts her sleeve and glances around. “I mean, I promised I wouldn’t. I guess I’m just too excited, and sometimes I suck at keeping secrets. Especially my own.”
I look at her, trying to tune into her energy, find some logical reason for why my stomach should feel as awful as it does, but I come up empty. “Promised who? What’s going