Mina spent the next morning avoiding everyone, and trying unsuccessfully to transfer her classes with the school office. It would mean giving up homeroom with Nan, but Mina was desperate. She didn’t think she could stomach Brody’s betrayal and Jared’s discord at the same time and survive. She had looked for Brody’s car on the way to school and in the parking lot, but didn’t see it. He wasn’t even at lunch. Mina pushed her food around on her tray and waited for Nan to join her.
Along with feeling guilty and depressed, Mina had opened her locker to find another note. Quite a few, actually; her locker was stuffed with them. Some said LOSER, FAKE, GOLD DIGGER, but the one that scared her most was the one written in red ink.
I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! YOU’RE DEAD!
Mina couldn’t figure out what she could have done to cause this kind of discord. She had tried to live a quiet and unnoticed life and had been relatively successful until the school field trip. For two whole days, she had been a celebrity, but once that news died down, things had settled a bit. Certainly enough that she hadn’t expect this.
Her best bet was to try to finish whatever tale she was in right now, and move on to the next as soon as possible. If only she could figure out what the Story wanted from her. What did she need to do to reach the ending?
She was so deep in self-pity that Mina didn’t even notice when someone sat down next to her.
“It doesn’t have to be this way between us, you know.” Mina looked up to see Jared leaning against the table, dressed head to toe in black with black jeans, black shoes, and a black jacket.
“I’ve decided that I would rather not get to know you, since you don’t care enough to explain things to me or even help me. So if you’re not going to do either, then you’re just a thorn in my side. Now please, go sit elsewhere.” Mina attacked her chicken-fried steak with her fork. A helpless victim of her irrational bitterness toward Jared.
Jared looked at Mina’s lunch and laughed. He had a very engaging smile, which only made her mood turn darker. Why should he be so cheerful when she felt so, well, grim? “Tell you what,” he said. “You live out the week, and I will agree to help you.”
Mina turned on him angrily. “Did you ransack my house?”
“What? No.” Jared’s smile fell from his face. “I did not, nor have I ever, entered your home. But I probably know who did.” His dark brows furrowed in thought. “Strange, I wouldn’t have thought him smart enough to try.”
“Who, Jared? If you know something that could protect my family, then you need to tell me.” Mina was getting more frustrated by the minute. One minute he was charming, the next minute he was as elusive and vague as the best politician.
“Grey Tail wouldn’t have gone there on his own. He would have been sent by someone with enough power to sway the wolf pack.” Jared looked worried.
“Wolf pack? Jared, what are you talking about?” Mina felt the hair on the back of her arms rise in fear.
She didn’t get an answer to her question, because Pri and Savannah brought their trays and sat down next to Mina. They began chatting like they were long-lost friends.
Jared leaned back and watched the exchange with narrowed eyes.
“So, Mina, what do you think of the theme for this year’s dance?” Savannah asked, drawing attention to her white-blonde hair by flipping it over her shoulder.
“What theme?” Mina asked, barely hiding her annoyance.
“They’re calling it ‘Enchanted.’ We’re all supposed to dress up as famous storybook characters.”
“I hadn’t heard, I guess. I’ve been pretty busy.” Mina answered. She had tried not to visibly cringe when she heard the theme. How ironic was that? She had been so distracted she had forgotten completely about the dance, but then she did recall Nan texting pictures back and forth with people in possible dresses and costumes.
“So then Brody Carmichael hasn’t asked you to go with him?” Savannah asked offhandedly, but her body stiffened, waiting for a reply. Mina could have sworn she saw her hold her breath.
“No, I don’t dance. I’ve been told it’s bad for my health,” Mina answered casually, and watched as Savannah relaxed. What she’d said was true; she had yet to attend a dance where it didn’t end in a torn dress, broken shoe, or sprained ankle.
“What about you, Jared? Are you going with anyone?” Pri asked. Her loaded question hung in the air like an atom bomb.
“Haven’t decided yet,” Jared answered carefully. “I’m still getting settled in. New student, remember.” It was a well-played answer, and Mina was envious of his excuse.
“Well, I am going as Rapunzel, and I could use a Prince Charming.” Savannah actually preened. Mina raised her eyebrows, surprised at her brazenness.