Her Dark Sins

by T R Tells

  I nervously chuckled. My mom didn’t know how much that thought made me squirm.

  “Now, you get inside before you’re late.”

  I kissed my mother on the cheek, cooed AJ a goodbye, and exited out of the car.

  Heading through the gates and down the pathway, I passed where the students usually stood around to talk with their friends.

  Usually, their conversations were light-hearted, with the occasional cloud over their head. Today the conversations I overheard were grim, and the heavy pressure that resulted from being around too much Apathy, this time, was like I was trudging through three feet of quicksand.

  They were talking about the incident that happened at the school, and while I thought that it would be nothing but talk about either the terrorist attack or the disease control, but they were also targeting other people.

  “Did you hear what happened last week?”

  “... . . . I know, everyone was saying that it was some kind of terrorist attack… . . .”

  “Why would a terrorist come to our school?”

  “ … . . . People keep assuming that Chicago has so much gun violence, but this?”

  “I heard that it had something to do with some kind of disease. My uncle works with the CDC… . . .”

  “... I can’t believe that Jett and Brodie died! It seems unreal, I just saw Brodie last week.”

  “.... . . I can’t believe four others were killed that night. Do you know what happened?”

  “... I heard from one person that they saw this kid… Noah… he looked really weird.”

  “... Yeah, isn’t in the LGBT club?”

  “... . . . How is that even possible?”

  “I heard he threw the first punch. Do you think all people like that will get aggressive just because Brodie and Jett didn’t accept his sexuality?”

  And the conversations continued even as I walked through the metal detectors and through the hallways. Everyone was trying to pin the incident on not only Noah but anyone in the LGBTQIA+ club. How did targeting Noah’s club fix anything?

  The growing paths of clouds seemed to enlarge as I walked through the hallways of the school. The pressure continued to weigh me down, and I realized that it wasn’t sadness, but hatred that was lingering above their heads.

  How could people start hating someone for no one reason? Was society that weak-minded that they didn’t care to think or ask questions before they began to attack an individual?

  I shook my head. Of course not, Hira. That would be too kind of them.

  I went to my locker, and saw papers taped along the rows. Each had a slogans: “Down with LGBT!” “Be like us or don’t be anything at all!” The worst one that anyone could think of was, “It’s time to build that wall, ya’ll!”

  I shook my head and ripped the papers down, balling them up in my hands.

  Seriously, how can people be this insensitive for no reason? And now they were prejudiced.

  The anger inside me boiled. I took off my coat and stuffed it inside of my locker, pulling out my books for class. I didn’t know how long this heavy pressure would last.

  I wonder how Helene was taking the news. I hadn’t seen her this morning.

  Before I knew where my feet were going, I was already in front of the journalism room. I knew that this didn’t work the first time, but maybe I could force Amelia to talk about it. However, when I approached the open door of the classroom, the only person I saw standing by a whiteboard was Alexei.

  Amelia was nowhere in sight.

  I frowned. Well, this is new. Amelia never skipped. I walked into the classroom, curious to know where she was and why she wasn’t in school bossing everyone around.

  “Hey, Alexei,” I said. I caught him mid-writing something on the whiteboard when he turned his attention to me. He had a few papers in his hands. “So, where’s Amelia? It’s weird not seeing you two together.”

  Alexei smirked. The smile didn’t reach his eyes, and he sighed, shuffling the papers in his hands. A slow-moving cloud started to form above his head.

  “That incident last week, it really freaked her out—” Alexei started to say, then looked from side to side. There were some people at the copy machine and a few people at the front of the classroom. I leaned forward so he could whisper to me. “She’s been rather. . . anxious lately.”

  I stepped back, and my eyes widened, arching my brow at him. “Really? I wouldn’t have thought—”

  “That Amelia Bennett would ever show cracks? Yeah, she gets that a lot.”

  There was a faraway look in his eyes as he spoke about her. Was there something more about Amelia that I wasn’t aware of? It didn’t seem like her, she always presented herself to be the commanding bitch that she was, but if there was something more—

  “Do you think I could visit her? I mean, I just want to check on her. I didn’t really get to see you guys after the incident, and I want to make sure that she’s okay.”

  Alexei pursed his lips and hummed as the wheels in his head were turning. He probably knew from the many encounters we had that we weren’t on the best of terms, and Amelia would probably have his head, otherwise, but I could tell he really cared about her well-being.

  “I was going to drop off her homework today… ” His words trailed off for a moment. “But I guess… you can.”

  I grinned. “Thank you, Alexei. It’s for a good purpose, I promise.”

  And to make sure that she wasn’t developing any sort of Apathy.

  He nodded, and as we were exchanging numbers so he could text me her address, Principal Whitmoore’s voice sounded over the loudspeaker:

  Attention, students. There will be a scheduled announcement in the auditorium for all students—to be separately attended by each grade—it is mandatory to participate. Thank you.

  I had a feeling that it had something to do with the incident and possibly Noah, maybe even about the recent debauchery this morning.

  I said goodbye to Alexei and headed for my first-period class. While walking there, I quickly texted Helene:

  Me: Hey, I didn’t see you this morning. BTW we have somewhere to go if you want to go Scooby-Doo chasing with me.

  A few moments later, she texted back.

  Helene: The Registered Nurse did not show up when she was supposed to this morning. But where are we going?

  I quickly told her what Alexei had told me, then sent her the address to Amelia’s house.

  Helene: Ha, no kidding. Ice Queen actually lives six minutes away from me. Small world. Yeah, I can do a little hunting with you.

  I messaged about the announcement, to meet in the auditorium, and that I would see her then.

  ***

  I was about to step through the doors of my Algebra class when the back of my neck tingled. No, please don’t. Hoping that, for once, something was wrong with me, I crept into the classroom⁠—but low and behold, Veronica was sitting in the front seat.

  I subconsciously let out a heavy groan.

  Math was already my least favorite subject, but now I would have to deal with another annoyance.

  Just ignore her and try to make the best of the situation.

  She turned to me and pulled her painted black lips into a smile, waving her fingers. She was wearing a black leather jacket, but this time her clothes weren’t see-through. It was a simple midriff shirt and dark blue jeans, and on her feet were black leather Balenciagas.

  I didn’t understand how she could afford all this.

  I took my seat in the front, unfortunately, right beside her.

  Put on your music and just pretend she isn’t there.

  I pulled my earbuds from my jeans pocket and attached them to my cell phone so I could play Pandora Radio. Incidentally, it wasn’t but a few moments when the back of my neck started to tingle again. I looked down at her stomach and furrowed my brows; my insides tightening.

  It wasn’t noticeable unless you were up close, but It looked like Veronica was in her first trimester.
r />   This definitely wouldn’t be possible.

  Even though I had already worked out my feelings, this confirmed that Alessander was innocent.

  “Like what you see?” Veronica asked. I looked up at her taunting smirk. Her eyebrows rose as if she was proving a point, or maybe she just liked to mess with me.

  I pulled an earbud from my ear. “All I see is a sociopath who should be locked in the loony bin.”

  Veronica shrugged as if she didn’t have a care in the world and looked down at her fingernails, pretending to observe them. I knew I shouldn’t have let her get underneath my skin, but her face just made me want to smack her.

  “Why are you making Alessander go through this? He doesn’t love you and he never will. Forcing someone to be with you isn’t going to make them love you back. They’ll only resent you. But the real question is how you got pregnant because I’m not stupid, I know it isn’t normal.”

  “Oh, you’re not?” she chuckled and rolled her eyes before her face grew serious again. “I don’t have to explain anything to you. Let’s be honest, Hira, I despise you and loathe your whole ‘fighting for truth and justice’ crap. The world is a cesspool of cruelty and bigotry, sweetheart. Do you really think you can change it?”

  I narrowed my eyes at her, but she continued before I could respond.,

  “They’ll only go right back to feeling like they did before. People and emotions don’t mix. Either they express too much, or they don’t express it all. You have people who get angry and will tear someone down just because they can. Is that not what they’re doing right now?”

  She shook her head and smiled sighing.

  “The world is better off if it was swallowed from existence. But before that happens, I will have what was promised to me. You stole Alessander.”

  We glared at one another, even as the bell rang and students started piling into the classroom. I didn’t want to cause a scene, so I turned away from her, shaking my head.

  “I feel bad for you,” I said.. “You’ll never get what you want.”

  She did the same and smiled. “You’ll be surprised what a woman scorned would do to get what she wants, Hira. I will have my perfect family, with Alessander’s baby.”

  I turned my head, wrinkling my nose, aghast at how warped and crazy she sounded. I was starting to get that sinking feeling.

  How was I going to deal with a raging bitch of hormones now?

  ***

  It was the seniors' turn to head to the auditorium for the announcement, so I gratefully would be missing gym period.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket while I was walking to the auditorium. I was in a group text with Trey and Alessander.

  Me: Mind if I tag Helene into the chat?

  Trey: Yeah, sure. She seemed cool. The more, the merrier.

  It was only a few minutes after I messaged her that her text came through.

  Helene: So does this make me a part of your cult now?

  Alessander: LOL

  Trey: YES. And for your first order of business…

  I was glad that everyone accepted Helene. I mean, not that I thought it would be a problem to begin with.

  Helene: Well, my cooking class was on the first floor. I am already in front of the auditorium; I’ll wait for you guys.

  I was about to write something when someone grabbed me by the shoulders. At first, I thought it was Solomon wanting to catch a quick feel, but before I clobbered him, I saw that it was Alessander.

  I sighed and relaxed in his embrace as he pulled me to the side of his chest.

  “Hey, why so jumpy?”

  I grinned and shook my head. “Nothing, I thought you were someone else.”

  Alessander made a face and rolled his eyes. “Solomon, right? I’m going to have to set him straight.”

  We walked side by side among the other flocks of students headed toward the auditorium. I waved my hand in the air dismissively.

  “Nah, I’ve got him under control, but now that he’ll see you around more often, he’ll probably shrink in the corner somewhere.”

  Alessander chuckled and planted a kiss on the side of my head. “He better.”

  “Alessander?” I called and looked up, just as he looked down at me. He cocked his head to the side and stared at me with a twinkle in his eyes. I could see my reflection in them, and my heart squeezed in my chest. I knew that when he looked at me like that, he was thinking about how much he loved me.

  How could you ever think that he would cheat on you?

  “I’m sorry about my actions before, and even if I didn’t act out, I could have expressed myself better about how the whole Veronica situation made me feel.” I pouted and rubbed my arm.

  Alessander’s face relaxed, and he smiled. He took his hand to place it under my chin, and rubbed his thumb there. “Don’t be sorry about anything, Hira. You had every right to think and feel that way, I know that. That day, everything had hit me at once, and I thought I would lose you forever.”

  I sighed with relief. I knew Alessander wouldn’t have been angry, but it was still good to know that he would always have my back.

  “And we should trust each other more,” I determined, “figure out things as a unit.”

  Alessander nodded in agreement, and we both held out our pinkies, intertwining them. I craned my neck up to kiss him. When we finally pulled apart, I told him about Veronica being in my first-period class and what I noticed about her stomach.

  “...I definitely know that something is off, and I have a feeling that it has to do with her being an Awakener.”

  Alessander furrowed his brows. “You mean, like with her powers?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been trying to figure it out and what Veronica had said to me in the club about ‘the effects would be in her favor.’ She prevented a bullet from killing me by making the stage lights drop in that very instant. It’s like she has some sort of causality ability,. That might be how she was able to get herself pregnant ‘with your baby’ without having to explain how and why it was done.”

  I was sure that was a lot to take in, and I could see the wheels in Alessander’s head turning as his eyes drifted, and a small vein pulsed on the side of his head. I was starting to worry about the added stress on him.

  “Alessander… ” I said and placed my hand on his chest. He turned to look at me with a small smile.

  “I’m fine, Ira. It’s just a lot, that’s all. I need to gather my thoughts.”

  My stomach churned, wondering if he was really ‘fine.’ Alessander could always handle a situation, and he somehow managed to find ways to make things work, but I couldn’t help but feel like this was one the thing that would break him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  When we made it to the auditorium, Trey and Helene were already waiting for us. We headed inside and took our seats in the middle section. I sat with Helene on one side, Alessander on the other, and Trey was beside Alessander.

  “How are you?” I asked, Helene. She raised a brow and hunched her shoulders at me.

  “About the nurse being late? Oh, that was fine, but if you’re referring to the threats toward the LGBTQIA+ community, then I’m pretty pissed. Still, I expected as much since everyone needs someone to blame instead of taking responsibility for themselves.”

  The lights in the auditorium shut off, and the chattering of students simmered to a whisper. Principal Whitmore’s shoes clopped as they echoed throughout the space. He appeared from the right and went to the podium in the center of the stage.

  “Good afternoon, seniors of Silverleaf Coast Academy,” he said into the microphone. The students chimed in with an untimed ‘Good afternoon, Principal Whitmore.’ “I am sure you are all aware of why I have called this announcement.”

  He cleared his throat and continued, “The tragedy that befell our school had caused several deaths and accidents that were very unfortunate. We have lost a few students in the aftermath: Jordan Miles, Kaley Seymour, Sabrina Dupire, Joe Caldwin, Brodie Thompso
n, and Jedidiah ‘Jett’ Fisher—”

  The principal was interrupted as people clapped and cheered when their names were spoken. I rolled my eyes. Yes, I was sad that Brodie and Jett couldn’t be saved, but I hated it when people only praised and said farewells to those that were popular and said nothing about everyone else.

  Helene shared my lack of enthusiasm as she scoffed with her arms crossed.

  Principal Whitmore cleared his throat again as he continued, “—to which there will be a memorial video at the end of these announcements. The AV department and the Yearbook Club put it together to show the lives that were lost that day. The families of the deceased want to cordially invite the juniors and seniors to attend the funeral this Saturday, on the track field.”

  People applauded.

  Helene shook her head as she mumbled, “Let’s see if actions will be taken for people that attacked the LGBTQIA+ club.”

  I leaned over to her and whispered back, “I wouldn’t see why not.”

  Fortunately, Principal Whitmore was very aware of the situation at hand.

  “It has also come to my attention that there have been reports of gay-bashing and prejudice remarks toward the LGBTQIA+ community. This is deplorable. I don’t care who started it, but it needs to end now. Otherwise, the next person—or group of people—caught committing such acts will be suspended. That is not the vision of Silverleaf Coast Academy, and things will be changed, starting next year, with an assigned dress code.”

  Everyone groaned at the principal’s decree. My phone vibrated in my pocket. I removed it — lowering my brightness —and saw that it was a message from Helene because the next to her was giving her dirty looks to be quiet.

  Helene: So someone gets targeted by false implications, and they take away people’s rights to wear whatever they want? Yeah, that’s not going to have backlash (with an inserted emoji curse face).

  I texted back.

  Me: Yeah, it isn’t fair. I hope it doesn’t get thrown out of proportions, but, at least, we’re seniors.