Graduating (Covenant College Book 5)

by Amanda M. Lee

  “I think Blake was interested in you at first because of that whole Dog Man legend up there,” Paris said. “That’s when he first noticed you.”

  “He still figured out I was a mage before anyone else,” I said.

  Paris tilted her head to the side, considering. “Did he? Because, from where I’m standing, I think Will was the first one to figure it out.”

  Huh. “What makes you say that?”

  “Well, we’ve found out that supernatural beings are drawn to you,” Paris said. “We didn’t know why at first, but now we do. I think Will might have been the first one to suspect something was going on, and he told his fraternity brothers because he thought that would give him some power in their hierarchy.”

  “I don’t know,” I hedged. “It seems to me, if he knew what I was, he would have fought harder to hold on to me. That night I walked out, he seemed relieved to let me go.”

  “That’s true,” Paris said. “We know Rafael knew there was something different about you from the beginning. Aric was drawn to you right away, too. Maybe they didn’t know why they were drawn to you, and it really did just kind of spill out.”

  “That still doesn’t explain how Blake found out,” Kelsey said. “Try and think back. When was the first time you knew he suspected something about you?”

  I leaned back on the couch, closing my eyes and searching my memory. “I can’t be sure,” I admitted. “I think it was the first time he took me to the Academy because he wanted me to join. He still acted weird before that, though.”

  “Maybe he just thought you were a good recruit,” Paris offered. “You did grow up around werewolves. And, yeah, you didn’t know it, but he might not have believed anyone could spend eighteen years up there and not know it.”

  “So, you think he was convinced I was a liar and not an idiot,” I mused.

  “Maybe,” Paris said. “Or, maybe he did figure out you were a mage early on for some reason we don’t understand yet. He just might not have figured out that you were the mage. You know, the one who could turn people to ash by touching them.”

  “That actually makes a lot more sense,” I said. “There’s no way he could know the specifics of my situation.”

  “I don’t think he knows even now,” Kelsey said. “Rafael modified his memory. You said there was a lot about that night he didn’t seem to remember. I’m guessing Rafael erased that whole glowing-eyes thing, and maybe a few more little tidbits.”

  “Well, Blake knows he did it,” I said. “I couldn’t keep my big mouth shut, and I told him.”

  “I actually think that puts you in a better position,” Paris said. “Not knowing what really happened is scarier than knowing.”

  “That’s a good point,” Kelsey said. “He’s going to be making up horrible scenarios in his head. All he knows is his sister died. He doesn’t know exactly how.”

  “He knows she was fried,” I said.

  Kelsey shifted next to me, craning her neck so she could peer down the hallway. “Someone’s coming,” she said.

  Since I had no intention of letting anyone else in the house know about my secret, I turned my attention back to the television. “I’m a big fan of that Nathan guy,” I said.

  “I like it that he can never seem to find a shirt,” Paris agreed.

  “He can never seem to find the criminals either,” Kelsey said. “That’s not a good character trait for a cop.”

  “Hey, he’s here to look pretty, nothing else.”

  Heather and Kate walked into the room, smiling when they saw we were watching television.

  “Oh, I love General Hospital,” Kate said.

  I nodded, keeping my face bland and pleasant. “It’s fun.”

  Heather and Kate settled on the second couch.

  “So, how was everyone’s first day of classes?” Heather asked.

  “Boring,” I lied.

  “The first day of classes is always boring,” Kate said. “That’s why I like it.”

  “Me, too,” Paris said.

  “I already have homework,” Kelsey grumbled.

  “You like homework,” I pointed out. “You’re weird like that. You’re happiest when you have your heavy math books, and those chart things you have to fill out.”

  Kelsey shrugged. “I like math,” she said. “I like things that can only be interpreted one way.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Math is the most boring subject known to man.”

  “What about astronomy?” Paris teased.

  “I stand corrected.”

  “Oh, I was thinking about taking astronomy,” Kate said. “It’s not good?”

  “Just don’t take the lab,” Paris said. “There’s nothing fun about being on top of the science building in the middle of winter and trying to draw star charts.”

  “Word.”

  Paris giggled. “Word?”

  “Word to your mother,” I tried again.

  Kelsey chuckled. “You’re such a geek.”

  “So, what is everyone doing tonight?” Heather asked. “I was thinking we could go to the bar or something?”

  “I think I’m just hanging out with Aric,” I said, suddenly realizing how boring I was getting in my old age. “It was his first day at work today. He’s probably not going to want to do anything.”

  “Except you,” Paris shot back, her eyes sparkling.

  “Probably,” I agreed, not rising to the bait.

  “You two seem really close,” Kate said, obviously trying to give the appearance of vague interest. “Do you think you’re in it for the long haul?”

  Paris and Kelsey exchanged a look.

  “I think we’re pretty set,” I said, keeping my eyes trained on the television. “Things just seem to fit for us right now.”

  “But you weren’t together last year?” Kate was focused on the television, too, but there was an edge to her tone.

  “We were broken up last year,” I said.

  “They were together the year before,” Paris said. “They’re back together now, and they’re closer than ever.”

  Paris is loyal to a fault. I think she was more uncomfortable with Kate’s obvious interest in Aric than I was. What? Okay, I’m annoyed, too.

  “I didn’t say anything,” Kate protested.

  Paris made a face.

  Heather decided to change the subject. “So, is everyone going to the big political rally on Friday?”

  I had no idea what she was talking about. “What political rally?”

  “The governor is going to be here,” she replied. “He’s trying to get people registered to vote. Next year is an election year. We should be politically minded now, so we can be in a position to change things that are important to us.”

  That didn’t sound even remotely interesting to me. “I think I’ll pass.”

  “You’re not interested in politics?” Kate asked.

  “Nope.”

  “How come? I love politics.”

  Something told me Kate’s interest in politics revolved around marrying a politician. “It’s just not my thing,” I said. “Politics of any kind doesn’t interest me.”

  “Well, I think it’s important,” Heather said. “I’m definitely going to be there. I’ve been registered to vote since the day I turned eighteen.”

  “The only thing I did the day I turned eighteen was get hammered,” I said, realizing how immature I sounded even as the words left my mouth. When had I started to care about things like that? “I probably shopped for some shoes, too.”

  Kelsey snorted. “I’m interested in politics.”

  “You would be,” I shot back. “I bet politicians like math.”

  Kelsey stuck her tongue out. “I’m interested in the political process. My family is very politically oriented.”

  I didn’t get a chance to unleash the pointed jab on the tip of my tongue – which is probably a good thing – because the front door opened at that particular moment to allow Aric to stride in.

  I took a sec
ond to look him over. He wasn’t wearing a suit, but he was wearing a nice button-down shirt and khakis. He even had a tie on – which made him look like a completely different person to me.

  “Hey, stud,” I said, giggling. “You look like you’ve spent a hard day selling computers at one of those warehouse stores. You should get some of those little glasses to complete the look.”

  Aric wrinkled his nose, dropping a kiss on my forehead as he slid into the spot on the couch between Paris and me. “You’re funny.”

  “I try.”

  “How was your first day of classes?”

  Since I couldn’t tell him about Blake showing up in my digital media class due to Heather and Kate’s presence, I merely shrugged. “Boring. You know how that goes.”

  “I miss boring,” Aric said. “I miss my summer of leisure already. I spent my whole day in meetings. Do you know how boring a lumber meeting is?”

  “I thought you liked talking about wood,” Kelsey teased, causing me to convulse in laughter.

  Aric shot Kelsey a look, although even he looked amused by the statement. “It depends on the wood.”

  “Figures,” Kelsey said. “So, what are you doing with all of your wood?”

  Paris bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud. “Are you, like, rubbing it with oil to keep it hydrated? Or, are you just holding it and showing it to other people?”

  The three of us dissolved in another laughing fit.

  “Very funny,” Aric said, running his hand through his hair. “You know, these wood jokes are going to get old sooner or later.”

  “I don’t think talking about your wood could ever get boring, honey,” I said, patting his arm.

  “You, too?” Aric raised an eyebrow. “I thought you were on my side? Are you turning traitor on me?”

  I shrugged. “What? Wood jokes are funny.”

  “I think you guys should stop teasing Aric,” Kate announced. “He’s obviously had a hard day. You guys should take his feelings into consideration. It’s got to be hard for him.”

  Kelsey, Paris and I immediately burst out laughing when she said the word “hard.”

  Kate frowned. “Do you have to be so immature?”

  “Most of the time,” I said, rubbing my fingers lazily over Aric’s hand as it rested on my thigh. “It’s what keeps us young.”

  Aric slouched down on the couch, resting his cheek against my shoulder. “Why doesn’t that guy ever wear a shirt?”

  I’d introduced Aric to General Hospital over the summer. And, despite the fact that he said it was stupid, I’d caught him watching it on his own a time or two. I knew he was hooked.

  “He’s like you,” I explained. “He does his job better shirtless.”

  “He just doesn’t need wood to work,” Paris teased.

  I bit the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing, but the gesture wasn’t lost on Aric. “If you’re not careful, I’m going to show you my wood to shut you up.”

  “Is that supposed to be a threat?”

  Aric grabbed my hand, standing up and slinging me over his shoulder, and then headed toward my bedroom. “You asked for it.”

  “Don’t give her any splinters,” Paris said as the door started to close.

  “And don’t be too loud,” Kelsey added. “I have homework to do.”

  “I’m not making any promises,” Aric growled. “I’ve had a long day, and I need someone to make me feel better.”

  “You just need someone to polish your wood,” Paris countered.

  Aric sighed, glancing down at my upside down face. “They’re never going to let this go, are they?”

  “Probably not,” I said. “If it’s any consolation, I love hearing about your wood.”

  This time, even Aric couldn’t swallow the laugh. “You’re lucky I love you. A lesser man would be showing his wood to someone else.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kate perk up. I knew someone who was more than willing to take that job.

  Seven

  By the time Friday arrived, I was bored. I’d purposely scheduled my classes so I didn’t have any on Fridays – a perpetual three-day weekend is my idea of utopia – and now I had nothing to do. Since Aric was working, I was at Kelsey’s whim as she dragged me toward the political rally in front of the library.

  “I don’t want to,” I whined. “Let’s go and get coffee or something instead.”

  “Oh, come on,” she pleaded. “Let’s just look around. You don’t have to vote for him. Don’t you want to meet the governor? I mean, that’s a big deal. He’s kind of a celebrity.”

  “His name is Kennedy Reagan,” I pointed out. “That can’t be a coincidence.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Really?” I deadpanned.

  Kelsey stuck out her tongue and mimed hitting herself upside her own head. “Duh!”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “Are you going to vote for him?”

  “Governor Reagan? Absolutely.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Are you a Republican?”

  “My whole family is full of Republicans,” she said. “They’re the party of family values. Are you a Democrat?”

  “God, no,” I said. “I hate both parties. I think they should both be outlawed. I have a question, though, are you just parroting your parents?

  Kelsey shrugged. “Maybe.”

  I shook my head. “I’m not voting for this guy,” I said.

  “Are you even registered to vote?” Kelsey pressed.

  “No,” I said. “But, if I was, I wouldn’t vote for this guy.”

  Kelsey paused, putting her hands on her hips as she stood in the middle of the sidewalk. “And what do you like about his opponent?”

  The truth was, I didn’t even know his opponent’s name. “I like that his parents didn’t name him Kennedy Reagan.”

  Kelsey rolled her eyes. “You are such a … .”

  “Paragon of virtue?” I suggested.

  “That’s not what I was going to say.”

  “It is now.”

  Kelsey sighed. “Are you going to be difficult all afternoon?”

  “Aric says I’m always difficult,” I replied.

  “Aric and you are so sickeningly sweet right now you make me want to puke.”

  I slung an arm around Kelsey’s shoulders. “I didn’t know you were a romantic.”

  Kelsey smirked. “I am glad you’re so happy. You were a real downer last year.”

  “Well, since I am so happy, let’s go to the political rally,” I said. “I can spread my joy and light to others.”

  Kelsey furrowed her brow. “Are you going to be mean to people?”

  “Define mean.”

  “Are you going to make fun of them and tell them they’re stupid?”

  “That’s not mean,” I countered. “I’m doing them a public service.”

  Kelsey rubbed the spot between her eyebrows. “You’d better not embarrass me.”

  “Would I do that?”

  “Maybe you should just go home?” Her face was hopeful.

  “Oh, no,” I said. “You dragged me down here. I’m going to have my fun.”

  “Crap. I should have thought better about this before I invited you.”

  “Invited? No, you made me come. Now you have to deal with the consequences.”

  “I really hate you sometimes,” Kelsey said.

  “You love me.”

  “Sometimes,” she said. “Sometimes I want to gag you and tie you to a tree.”

  “Well, let’s see which impulse wins out today, shall we?”

  “I DEFINITELY want to gag you.”

  “What did I do now?” I was sitting on a bench about a half hour later and watching more than five hundred students pretend they were interested in politics. I’d only said about a dozen snarky things, which showed great restraint on my part. I had no idea what she was complaining about.

  “Did you really think that telling that guy who was a part of Reagan’s security detail
that you heard a bunch of Democrats were planning a jihad under the weeping willow by the UC was a good idea?”

  “You don’t know that’s not true.”

  “We didn’t go near that tree.”

  “That doesn’t mean they’re not there,” I said.

  Kelsey rolled her neck, rubbing the back of it as she regarded me. “I love you dearly, but I want to murder you sometimes.”

  “I think there’s enough people who feel like that to form a club,” I said. “You could get everyone together, and I bet they’d elect you president.”

  Kelsey smacked my arm lightly. “Can’t you just have fun and … I don’t know … try to learn something?”

  “I have learned something,” I said. “I’ve learned I don’t like any of these people. I’ve also learned that seventy-five percent of the people who are here are all posers.”

  Kelsey sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. “Are you including me in that group?”

  “No,” I said. “You see that guy over there with the Frisbee and the cowboy hat, though? I’m including him. It’s Michigan not Texas, buddy!”

  Kelsey followed the trail of my finger. “Yeah, he’s a tool.”

  We lapsed into silence for a few minutes, both of us scanning the crowd. “So, where is the governor?”

  “I think he’s over there,” Kelsey said, pointing toward a tent near the far edge of the lawn. “If you want to meet him, you have to go and register at one of those tables, and then he’ll pose for a photograph with you.”

  “And why would I want to do that?”

  “It’s something to put up on your Facebook page.”

  “I haven’t updated my Facebook page since I wrote ‘oh, yay, I’ll be starting my freshman year at Covenant College tomorrow.’”

  “Your Twitter feed then.”

  “How long ago did Lost end? Because I think that was the last time I tweeted. I’m pretty sure I was in middle school.”

  “Don’t make me kill you, Zoe,” Kelsey warned. “Let’s just go over to the tent so I can register and get my picture and then we’ll go. I seriously can’t listen to you for one more second.”

  “Let’s go,” I said, smiling. I knew if I was obnoxious enough she’d eventually see things my way. “Let’s stop and get a coffee at the UC on the way home.”