by W.J. May
Chapter 17
C-O-P
“It may be November, but tonight’s really warm,” Molly told Rae as they headed up to their dorm after dinner in the games room. “Julian told me the guys are going to set torches in the ground…give it a Survivor kinda feel.” She gave Rae a once over. “I’ve the perfect top to show off your tatù…” She paused and sighed when she saw Rae’s face. “Without making it obvious you’re trying! Give me some credit here! Have I ever steered you wrong? Let me go through our stuff one more time and see what’ll match.”
“Um…Okay.” Part of her felt excited Molly wanted to help, the other part, nervous. Rae had never been flashy, but Molly had the perfect magazine look, like she’d just stepped onto the runway. They were so different. And yet, Molly had a point. She’d never steered her wrong before, fashion-wise. She seemed to have a knack for knowing what worked for Rae without making her look like something she wasn’t.
Molly rapped her fingers against the closet door as she stared at Rae’s wardrobe. “You know, besides those dark jeans I picked before, you don’t really have many clothes. Your American style is, like, a season behind ours. I really need to teach you to shop properly. If you want, why don’t you come to my place over the holidays? We can hit all the Boxing Day sales, and redo your entire wardrobe.”
Rae couldn’t believe it. “Are you asking me to spend Christmas with you?” She hadn’t planned on flying home until the summer so she was free, but she hadn’t yet considered the Christmas break and what she would do during it. And while she and Molly had gotten close since they’d met, she’d always thought maybe Molly would treat her like everyone else did when it came down to it. Yet here she was, inviting Rae-the-evil-freak to her house. Plus, staying at school by herself while everyone else went home to be with family, certainly didn’t sound fun.
“Sure, but only if you’re willing to get a new wardrobe.” Molly smiled. “You know what, I’m really glad we’re roommates. Hanging out with you is going to be a very good thing now.
Rae’s heart swelled even as she rolled her eyes. “Glad one of us thinks my tatù’s a good attention getter.” I am so lucky to have you as a roomy, Molls.
Molly bent down and disappeared into Rae’s closet. “You have those cool Converse Pink sparkly runners. Wear them.” She tossed them at Rae and disappeared into her own closet. “I have this awesome white top with a Celtic design on the side which runs over the shoulder then down a bit of the back. It’ll look perfect with your ink.” Molly chewed on her fingernail while she gave Rae the once-over. “We’re going to have to do something with your hair. It’s braided right now, but I bet if we let the braid out and add a little mousse, it’ll be fine.”
Molly dressed in a pair of black dress pants with a very expensive-looking (and chest-flattering) top. She’d done hers and Rae’s makeup perfectly. Nothing was missed. Haley tapped on their door and whispered, “Time to go.”
Sixteen girls tiptoed down the stairs, sneaking toward the back door. The twins stood by Madame Elpis’ door, giggling as Nadia concentrated on sending Madame Elpis wonderful, happy dreams. Aidan had wanted to send the dreams, but everyone had agreed that’d be a mistake.
Outside, the group relaxed and ran toward the trees.
Gale, the senior with excellent hearing, touched Rae’s shoulder. “Can you see anything?” she whispered.
Rae pointed to the dancing dots on the east side of the forest. “I think those are torches.” She absorbed Gale’s ink, loving the feeling the hum gave as it coursed through her veins. Rae’s hearing picked up instantly, as if her other senses were put on a slight dimmer and the volume was turned up so she could hear everything more clearly.
When they were free from the forest, the girls quickly dispersed among the boys who were already hanging out in the field. Rae held back among the shadows, suddenly shy.
Riley walked over and handed her a can of cider, smiling sweetly. “If you’re going to drink anything, stick to cider and take it easy.” He held his beer can up. “Cheers, an’ happy birthday!”
Rae touched cans with Riley’s and reluctantly took a small sip, surprised the bubbly cider actually didn’t taste too bad.
Nicholas sauntered over to wish her a happy birthday. He bugged her until she took a sip of his beer. The grimace on her face made him laugh and spill his tall can.
Rae chatted with him, her eyes roaming the field for Devon. Halfway through her cider, she began to relax. So, it seemed, did the other girls. Before long, they were tying the fronts of their shirts up to show off the ink art on their backs.
Rae slipped back toward the outer circle. No way I’m doing that. She heard some of the boys talking about her father and comparing her to him. No one knew her ability and she needed to remember to constantly think before saying or doing something stupid.
“Hiding out in the dark?” A voice drifted quietly toward her.
“Devon!” Rae swung around and hugged him. She pulled back awkwardly, surprised at her exuberance. She took a sip of her cider.
“Happy birthday.”
“How’s your mom?”
They both spoke at the same time.
“You first,” Rae said.
“Happy birthday. I got back late this afternoon and didn’t see you at dinner.”
“We ordered pizza.”
“Yeah, Julian informed us of his dinner with all of you.” Rae could hear the smile in his voice.
“How’s your mom? Andy told me she broke her leg.”
“She’s pretty sore, but happy that I came to see her.”
“I’m sure.” Who wouldn’t love to have a perfect boy like you?
He coughed. “I, uh, picked you out a little gift. It isn’t really anything, but when I saw it, I thought of you.” Devon pulled out a small box from his pocket and hesitantly gave it to Rae.
Her heart skipped a beat or two as she tore the sparkly wrapping paper and lifted the lid off the box. Inside was a silver cuff bracelet. She lifted it out of the box to read the line inscribed: “Follow your dreams…” She went to put it on her wrist. “Thanks. That’s really sweet of you.”
Devon reached over and held her wrist. “Wait. Don’t put it on yet. You have to read the inscription on the inside.”
Rae paused, enjoying the tingling burn his fingers created against her skin. Devon’s ability coursed through her. The night suddenly became brighter, her vision spectacular as she turned the bracelet over to read it. “… But watch your back.”
Devon laughed. “With all the crap and cool stuff you’re dealing with this year, it just seemed… kinda fitting.”
“It’s awesome. I really like it.” She meant it. What were the chances he’d find something like that for her? It was perfect.
He grinned, giving Rae a quick glimpse of his dimple. “What’re friends for if you can’t celebrate an important day like today?”
A pang of guilt surged through her and she couldn’t take it anymore. She didn’t do well with lying to begin with, and having kept her own secret for so long she needed to tell someone. “I have to tell you something.” Rae wasn’t sure if it was remorse or cider talking. She decided to let the words out before she lost her courage. “My birthday was actually on Friday.” She sneaked a peek at his face. The surprised look made her babble an explanation. “My birth certificate’s wrong. My mom had me at home and when they took me to the hospital to register my birth, the doctor put the wrong date down. My mom never bothered to get it corrected. It’s not really a big deal.” She shrugged. “With this whole tatù thingie being blown out of proportion for me…I just wanted to tell you.” She swirled her empty can of cider, now wishing she had a full one in her hand.
“Your secret, not mine.” His face turned sympathetic. “I won’t tell a soul. I do think, though, if you wanted the experience on your own, Lanford wouldn’t have cared.” He motioned with his hands. “How’d it go today?”
“Fine.” Rae didn’t want to talk about it. She wanted to have fun tonight
. She tried stealing a sip from her empty can.
“Can I see it?”
“See what?” Rae was about to hide the cider behind her back, thinking he’d give her crap for drinking it. Then it dawned on her – he wasn’t talking about the cider. “Oh, you mean my tatù.”
“Is it like either of your folks’?”
Rae turned and lifted her shirt so Devon could see the full ink art. “It’s pretty much one-of-a-kind.”
Devon didn’t say anything or move. Rae turned her head to look at him, wondering what he was thinking. Big pupils shone against the white of his eyes and his mouth hung slightly open. Rae had a fleeting thought of what it might taste like to press her lips against his. She ran her tongue against her teeth, trying to get the picture out of her head.
Finally Devon broke the silence. “That’s really something…it’s, uh, awesome.”
Rae felt his fingers gently touch her skin where the tatù lay. Chills ran up her spine and down her legs, making her knees feel weak. She liked the feeling.
“Did you know she sparkles? It’s almost like her wings glow in the dark. It’s, uh, very u-unique.” Devon cleared his throat and brought his fingers to his mouth, the same fingers that had touched her.
She blushed. “I didn’t know it sparkled in the dark.” Rae tried to see her back but just ended up twirling in a circle.
Devon chuckled. “She’s definitely special.”
Rae blinked. Was he talking about her or her tatù?
“Do you know how to use her?”
Should she lie or tell the truth? Take a chance… “You can’t tell anyone.” She playfully bumped his hip. “Or I’ll have to kill you. Just kidding. I haven’t figured it all out, but I think I’ve the main gist of it.” She reached for his fingers. “Give me your hand.” She’d already picked up his ability, but wanted the excuse to touch him. She held on a moment and then relaxed her hand, but Devon continued to hold hers.
She whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear but knowing the rest of the kids would not, except for maybe the senior girl with supersonic hearing. “I can see you perfectly and I know you can hear me.” She watched his face turn. “I know exactly what your abilities are now. There’s more inside of you I bet you haven’t even realized yet.” She swallowed, staring up at the night sky. “My ability is like my father’s, but different. I don’t know how it’s different yet, but I know it is.”
“Wow. I’m stunned. A little curious, as well.” Devon squeezed her hand, making her draw her gaze away from the sky and at him.
“Curious?” Rae repeated.
“Yeah, if you’ve the same ink as me at the moment, can you see as well or possibly better than me? What about your speed or agility or jumping skills?”
“Hey…are you challenging me?” She giggled. “Definitely. However, not tonight.”
“Why not?” She had the urge to take off running across the field, Devon chasing her.
“Maybe we’ll save it for a tutoring session which doesn’t include cider.”
“Wimp. I’m fine.” The corner of her lips dropped and she knew she was frowning. Hopefully not pouting.
“Sure, that’s what they all say.” He laughed, rolling his eyes dramatically. “Come on. Let’s head closer to the fire. Molly’s searching for you, and I think I need to grab myself one of those beers now.”
He kept hold of her hand as they walked toward the fire, only letting go when they got near the others. He grabbed a can from the cooler and popped it open.
“Very impolite of you to not offer me one.” Rae teased and then leaned over to grab herself a cider. A gasp came from behind her. Worried, she looked up. Devon stared at her marking, his eyes rooted to the spot even as Rae turned around.
“Is something wrong?” She touched her tatù.
Devon shook his head and then smiled at her. “No, nothing’s wrong. Your ink art’s very, uh…attractive in the firelight.” He took a swig of his beer and pretended to be interested in the action going on around them. “It’s seductive.”
Rae grinned, silently thanking Molly for dressing her. She popped open her can of cider and took a big gulp, not caring about anything but the fact that the way she felt at that very moment, was even better than flying.
