Suppliant

by Laura Tree

  Chapter 41

  I awake with excitement. Today is Friday, and after my classes, I have the Passing Ceremony to attend. I have been thinking about this all week. I have made high enough scores to pass two classes and will be rewarded with a clearer schedule next week.

  It’s like the last day of school. The students who are being promoted are announced and get a chance to say goodbye to all of their friends and classmates.

  I get caught up in all of my accomplishments since I started at The Isle that I momentarily forget about my task ahead.

  “I know I have apologized a million times, but I’m really sorry for poisoning you. I would have never done it if I knew.” Trish takes a bite of her salad at lunch.

  “It’s okay. I recover fast. The clinic was amazed at how fast I was able to leave. I just wish I didn’t have to miss class.” I look up and smile as both Zeke and Damien join us.

  “Layla is a strong one.” Zeke smiles at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Anna approaching.

  I decide that I’m going to ignore her threat and try to get along with her. I will pretend that Zeke and I are nothing more than friends. Besides, it’s not like I need any more enemies.

  “Hi Anna.” I smile.

  “I’m glad to hear that you’re okay. I wonder if they’ve caught your attackers yet.” She sits down so close to Zeke that you couldn’t fit a piece of dental floss between them.

  “Attackers? Layla was poisoned. That’s why she was in the clinic.” Trish points out.

  I thought you kept that on the down--low? I questioned Zeke and Damien.

  We did. No one knew about it except for us and the clinic staff, and whoever sent the attackers, Zeke thinks.

  I see Zeke’s face change dramatically as his words register to both Damien and me.

  It was her. Anna sent the attackers after you. Damien glares at her.

  I don’t think she would do that, I think. Her threat wasn’t that big of a deal. She wouldn’t have me beaten up to prove a point, would she?

  Trish announces that she forgot to get some yogurt. Picking up her tray, she heads back to the incredibly long lunch line.

  “How did you know that Layla was attacked?” Damien pounces.

  “It’s common knowledge. She was in the clinic for two days. A simple poisoning wouldn’t cause that.” Anna shifts nervously in her seat.

  Zeke turns on her. “Did you do this?”

  Anna looks appalled. At least she’s a good actress. I guess you would have to be if you were an evil princess.

  “I would never hurt Layla,” Anna defends.

  “What about the threat that you made? It sounded like you were going to use your dad’s resources to hurt her if she didn’t back off,” Zeke argues.

  “I can’t believe that you would believe her over me. I am your girlfriend. I would never say that.” Anna tries to look innocent, but none of us were falling for her act this time.

  “Layla never lies; she doesn’t need to,” Zeke says. Her face is being scrutinized by Damien; I get the feeling that he’s trying to get into her brain.

  “You were so jealous of Zeke and me that you would try to have me killed?” I yell at her.

  “Not killed—I mean, I would never do that.” It’s too late. With a slip of the tongue, she just admitted that it was her doing. Damien starts to go across the table to strangle her, but I put a hand on his arm to stop him.

  “We’re through.” Zeke looks down his nose at her. “I can’t be with someone that is going to be so jealous that they try to kill my best friend’s girlfriend. You are a crazy person; I should have trusted Layla when she told me not to date you!” Tension is all around as the three of us grab our trays and storm out.

  “Hey, where are you going?” Trish tries to stop us on our way out the door.

  “I suddenly lost my appetite,” I reply, dumping the contents of my tray into the trash can.