Chapter One: Snowflake
Voices of the students sounded through the hallway, most of them either excited or tired. Winter formal is in one month, hence the excitement, and today is a Wednesday, hence the tiredness. I couldn’t be anymore tired than I am right now. What is it about school that makes people so exhausted and lifeless? I curled a piece of black hair on my finger and stared around at everyone waiting for the first bell. A few people pass that I know, friends, just not that close. I only have one best friend and he’s probably in some deserted hallway making out with his girlfriend. I wonder if this is what school is like in places other than Seward, Nebraska. I wasn’t born here, but I grew up here, so this is all I know of the world.
“Esme!”
I turned around to see who had called me. Ugh, I shouldn’t have. Dillon Maverick is striding toward me with his girlfriend, Marissa. Eww. Everyone knows who they are, maybe that’s the sole reason they’re going out? Marissa Stryder is the head cheerleader of the Seward Blue jays. She's got strawberry blond hair and a four point oh grade point average with an IQ of a hundred and ten. Dillon is the quarterback for the football team. He's well built, has dark brown hair, and is, unfortunately for right now, my best friend. I stopped in my tracks and walked toward them with the most believable smile I could muster up.
The bright look in Dillon’s green eyes is burning right through me. Yes, he was making out with the freak next to him by the look of lip gloss on his lips. Man, is he in love with Marissa, or at least her kissing skills. Although I pretty much hate her, I won’t say anything as long as Dillon’s happy.
“Hey loser,” I said as we came to a stop. He smiled and Marissa scowled next to him.
“Don’t call him a loser," she exclaimed, “He’s the reason we’re winning the state finals.”
Dillon turned his head to the side and muttered something under his breath before turning back to me.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said sarcastically, “Hey, winner.”
He smiled and shook his head the way guys do. Marissa linked her arm in his and stared away from me. She thinks I want to take Dillon from her. Never in a million lifetimes; I like guys with glossy fohawks.
“Are you going?” Dillon asked. I stared at him for a second, it’s like he has these unspoken conversations in his head and continues them out loud.
“Where?” I asked. He rolled his eyes and stared at me.
“Winter Formal,” he said. “Tickets are almost out and you need to buy one before they’re sold out.”
It is really awkward talking about the dance in front of his girlfriend. Dillon has asked me to the dance, as a friend, so that he would have someone to go with. It’s all part of his “plan” to break up with Marissa. The only reason we do talk about it with her still here is because she’s not smart enough to understand the plan. Though it is a rather simple plan. He pretends to become interested in some other girl (guess who?), spend more time with her, and then just stop talking to Marissa. Eventually they’ll drift apart and there’s no need for unnecessary tears. It’s practically fool-proof. I actually told him that it was one of the dumbest ideas I had ever heard, but he’s my best friend. And he doesn’t want to hurt Marissa.
“Do I have to go?” I asked in what I hope is the most innocent voice ever. He looked at me with furrowed brows and his mouth set into a serious line. Yes, I have to go.
Right then, as Dillon was staring at me with his glare of death, Damien Montgomery passed by him, smiling widely and laughing with his friend. His beautiful blue eyes passed over me, just like they have for the past three years. But then he turned back and winked at me. That is the third time he’s done that this week. Sigh. He’s too great to be mine, although it doesn’t hurt to admire him when he passes by in the hallways.
Dillon must have noticed my complete inattention to him because he turned to see who I was staring at. Once his eyes saw Damien, he began to laugh.
“Still chasing after the impossible?” he asked. I slapped his arm, earning a quick glare from Marissa before she turned back around.
“I never began in the first place, and anyway, he’s finally been showing an interest in me this past week, although we still don‘t hand out on as much as I’d like to,” I said, noticing Dillon’s bright eyed love stare had disappeared. Oh, I’m making him think.
“You know,” he said, “If you really wanted to, you could go out with him. It’s not like you’re ugly and disgusting like…Dark Sea Chelsea or anything.” Why do they call her that? She’s extremely beautiful.
“Was that a compliment?” I asked. Dillon shrugged and looked away, searching the hallway full of kids.
“I’m just saying that you’re a pretty great person and Damien would probably love to go out with you,” he said.
“So, why did you bring up Chelsea?” I asked, trying to change the subject of boys. Dillon’s look became uneasy as he met my eyes and I was about to ask him what was wrong but the bell rang. He’s been bringing her up in our conversations a lot more often lately. What does he have against her?
“Just stay away from her,” Dillon said quickly, “Members of the Kast are very dangerous for humans.” He started walking away from me, pulling along the crazy psycho he calls his girlfriend with him.
Members of the Kast? What makes them so dangerous? They’re beautiful magical beings, what’s so dangerous other than that they can possibly make you into a toad or something of that sort? And Dark Sea Chelsea? She was one of the nicest girls in this school before she was inaugurated. Of course, that means she’s a Pariah now, but who cares? She’s probably still the same girl just with a little more qualities added to her.
Completely distracted with Chelsea’s situation, I started to walk down the hallway, playing with the necklace Dillon had given me so many years ago. The metal heart burned slightly from the heat of rubbing it and holding it in my fingers so I released it, letting it fall onto my chest. Dillon’s my best friend, he’s just looking out for me because he doesn’t like the Kast. He’s been doing it for years. He’s always telling me, stay away from them and whenever someone’s talking about the Kast, don’t pay attention to them or leave the room, the less you know about them the better. Hmm, is there a possibility that he’s wrong?
I turned the corner, pushing past people to enter the smaller hallway off to the side. As soon as I entered the corridor, I noticed there was nobody in it, except me and Chelsea and the guy she’s making out with. I was about to turn back to give them some privacy, but the guy kissing Chelsea pounded on the wall. I froze and saw him, his eyes pleading and wide with fear. What is Chelsea doing?
She pulled back, a light blue colored wisp of smoke trailing between them coming out of the guy’s mouth and into Chelsea’s. What is it? His eyes rolled back, and when the smoke was all gone from the boy and inside Chelsea, the boy fell on the floor. I looked up at Chelsea, who just smiled at me and started walking off in the opposite direction, leaving the boy on the ground.
After she was gone I ran to the boy, kneeling down next to him. He’s dead. In the half second I looked up to see if Chelsea might have come back, the weight in my arms disappeared. I looked back down, only to see the boy was no longer there. His body just vanished.
A small yelp escaped my lips before I started running, away from where Chelsea might or might not have taken the life of that boy. People stared at me as I half ran to my class, some even asked me what was wrong. As soon as I opened the door to my first class, I looked around and saw Chelsea sitting in her chair, looking bored. Did it really happen? I made eye contact with her and she looked around to see if I was staring at her, and when she realized I was, she waved half heartedly. I didn’t wave back walking to my chair. So, it didn’t happen.
My mind is playing tricks on me.
* * *
The rest of my afternoon was spent wondering about Chelsea. Was what I saw actually real? No, it couldn’t have been. She didn’t even pay attention to me during class and if she really did kill that boy, well, she’d probably have killed me too because I saw her do it.
The bell rang and I fell back in my chair. Maybe it's better to not totter on chairs. I stood up and grabbed my bag before I started towards the door, looking down at the ground. The door opened in front of me and I looked up to see who had opened it.
Damien Montgomery and all his glorified qualities is holding the door open. Back up one minute! Damien Montgomery? Please, don't fall or say something stupid, Esme! I brushed a lock of black hair from my face and smiled at him. He smiled back and revealed a perfect set of pearly white teeth that was hiding behind those full lips of his. I stared at him for longer than necessary that I didn't notice he was still holding the door open for me. He gestured toward the hallway outside and I rushed past him after my cheeks had reddened enough. After I heard the click of the lock, I turned back to face him.
“I was wondering if I could walk you to your next class,” he said in that amazing voice of his. I nodded and he gestured for me to start walking. Our walk to my Algebra II class was mostly quiet except for the common compliment he would give. When we finally arrived at the door of my horrible class, he seemed nervous about something.
“Well, Esme,” he said, placing a hand on the back of his neck and looking around before continuing. “I was wondering if you’d like to go to the Snowflake Ball with me.”
I stared at him with the most confused look in my eyes. What on Earth is he talking about?
“What’s the Snowflake Ball?” I asked.
He lowered his hand and stared at me.
“You don’t know...yet,” he whispered. I stared at him.
“Know what?”
“Just tell me your answer tonight,” he said quickly and turned to leave. I was about to say something but the second bell rang and I had to run inside my last class.
Class couldn’t have been any more boring. Mr. Okran wouldn’t be able to keep my attention for more than a couple of minutes. And it’s not like my mind isn't already occupied. Two strange things happened today. I’m just not sure if the first one was a dream or not. But what was up with Damien? He has never even talked to me and now he was asking me out to some ball I don’t ever remember hearing about? Something weird is happening and I’m going to find out what.
The shrill bell rang again and I sighed with relief. Finally, I can tell Dillon what happened when I hallucinated about Chelsea and then what Damien had asked me. I opened the door and walked down the hallway to my locker.
I entered the combination on the lock of my locker, fourteen-twenty-thirty-eight. The lock clicked and I pulled open the door, dropping my chemistry book in only to take out my much heavier Algebra II textbook. I didn’t bother to put the heavy textbook in my bag, it probably doesn’t fit anyway. I pulled my English folder out of my locker and shut the compartment.
Some kid came running down the hallway and bumped me on the way. I flew forward and all the papers in my folder fell out. Ugh, why did it have to be my English folder? I knelt down and began collecting the mass of below average papers. A long slender hand started to help me and I looked up to see who it was.
Dillon handed me the papers he had picked up and waited while I stuffed them back into the folder then into my bag.
“Okay, I ditched her. What do you wanna do this afternoon?” he asked. I folded my arms and placed one finger on my lips as if I were thinking.
“How ‘bout the park? We haven’t been there since last year,” I suggested. He frowned and shook his head.
“Marissa has cheer practice in the park today,” he said, wrinkling his nose in what I guess is disgust. Why wouldn’t he want to see her? She’s his girlfriend. “We haven’t had any us time in a while, I want to know what it feels like to still be best friends,“ he said. Oh, that makes sense. Where else could we go?
“Well, we could just listen to music in your car,” I said.
“How ‘bout your car? Oh! Right! You don't have one!” he teased. I’m fifteen years old; I only have a permit, whereas Dillon is seventeen years old, and owns a beautiful silver Chrysler 300 which he drives around my house for at least fifteen minutes a day before school starts just to show off.
“Let's just get to your fricken car,” I grumbled. He laughed and we started walking to the school parking lot.
We ’re just two steps down from the stairs, should I tell him what happened today with Chelsea even though he probably won’t like it? I turned to look at his happy face and decided not to bring it up unless he asked about my day. We walked down to the doors and pushed them open.
After getting through the mass crowd at the top of the stairs we came to the front and I heard Dillon gasp angrily. A group consisting of five people is gathered around one person in the middle and they are all staring straight at us. Dillon started to pull me behind him, almost roughly.
“Well, well, well,” the guy in the middle started to say. The people behind us started to back away back into the school. Yet, Dillon didn’t move. What is going on?
“What do you guys want?” Dillon asked. The guy in the middle smiled slightly, taking a few steps closer to us.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your concern,” he answered, taking a few steps more, “What we do doesn’t involve you at the moment.” Dillon turned to his side and wrapped his arm around my waist, taking a protective stand in front of me.
“That’s great,” Dillon said, “Then I’ll just be leaving.” Dillon started to pull me with him, walking hurriedly to his car on the other side of the parking lot. The guy that was talking to Dillon suddenly started following us. Dillon stopped and sighed heavily, pushing me behind him again. “What do you want?” he asked. The guy stopped a few meters away from us and smiled.
“The girl,” he said, “We want the girl.” What? What could I possibly be for them?
“No,” Dillon said, “You can’t have her.” The guy chuckled, showing extremely sharp canines. Does he sharpen them?
“Yes, I do sharpen them,” he answered. I gasped and moved farther behind Dillon. He moved to the side to see me and Dillon stepped in sync.
“Stay away from her,” he said. The guy who can’t possibly be older than twenty years old sighed heavily and took a step closer to Dillon.
“I don’t have to listen to you when it comes to business of the Kast,” he said, “I know the last time we met we didn’t exactly leave on good terms but I need you to back off right now or some serious damage is going to be done. Esme Roe is going to be inaugurated today, she is going to be a Pariah in the Kast like so many other people. Move, Maverick.” How does Dillon know this guy? Dillon started walking backwards, turning slightly so he was talking to me but the guy was still in his line of sight.
“Don’t do it, E,” he said quietly, “Resist it. You don’t have to be in the Kast. Think of me.”
“Dillon,” I started, being interrupted immediately by the guy.
“Such a beautiful voice!” he said, pushing Dillon away with one hand movement and staring happily at me, “You’re going to make such a wonderful Pariah!” Dillon walked back to me and pushed the guy, who didn’t even budge so much as an inch. “Don’t you worry now, Roe, everything will turn out alright.” He came closer to me, close enough for me to notice the design around his eyes. On the corner of his eyelid just where the eye ends, there’s a series of large black dots that form a triangle. Eyeliner? I also noticed the colors in his eyes. They’re completely blue, with small flecks of green that make it look like another color burst in his iris. The sign of the Kast.
Dillon pushed me back at the same moment the guy placed his hands on my shoulders. They had a tug of war with me for a few seconds before Dillon placed himself in between and grabbed at the guy’s neck. The guy placed his hands on Dillon’s chest and pushed, sending Dillon a few cars over from where we stood. I gasped and stared at Dillon on the ground, watching with amazement as he stood up and dusted himself off. That fall should have broken his bones. What is up?
Again, the guy grabbed my shoulders and leant his face closer to mine. “Esme Roe, this is a wish come true,” he said, “All I have to do is pull a little light from you and then you’ll be a Pariah!” I stared into his eyes, scared beyond my mind.
“What if I don’t want to?” I asked, hoping he’d just leave me alone.
“That’s not possible,” he said, his expression turning pleading, “We need you.” They do need me, I found myself thinking, the Kast needs me. I dropped my bag and book on the asphalt from the shock of feeling so needed.
“Yes, yes!” I said, “I’ll be a Pariah! I’ll be a part of the Kast!” The guy smiled and pulled me into a hug.
Then he dug his fingernails into my back and pressed them into my skin. I screamed, pushing against him. “Let me go!” I screamed, “Dillon!” My voice disappeared and my throat closed up, stopping the air flow. Dillon was staring in horror at me, his eyes filled with tears I had never seen in them before. Then, just as fast, the guy let go of me and I fell to the asphalt, crying from the pain coming from my back. On the fingers of the guy blood dripped down, my blood. Even worse, a feathery smoke like substance fell from his hands. He knelt down next to me and helped me up, supporting me up in his arms.
“Roe,” he said, “I just took your soul.” I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes, too tired and weak to answer back my surprise, “The sign of the Kast will appear in a matter of a few hours. Don’t worry, you’re going to be alright.” Finally, some good news. I nodded slightly, letting him carry me wherever he was carrying me. He laid me down on the sidewalk and sat me up against the wall of the school. “Just rest a while, then you’ll be feeling okay. I’m sorry to say that I have to go, but we’ll see each other again soon, I promise.” I nodded again, watching him leave me with half open eyes until he disappeared completely and so did his group. I guess they were just witnesses to make sure I was inaugurated. I felt my strength returning, felt the blood rushing past my veins a little faster and stronger. I opened my eyes and looked around, searching for Dillon.
He was standing in front of his car, staring at me. I smiled and he scowled, turning around to his car and climbing in. I started to get up, confused. “Dillon,” I said weakly, limping over to him, “Dillon, where are you going?” He turned on the car and rolled down the window, staring straight ahead.
“I told you not to do it,” he said, “I told you to stay away from them.”
“I didn’t have a choice, Dillon,” I answered back, “He told me that it wasn’t possible for me not to.” Dillon gritted his teeth and his arms flexed as he gripped the steering wheel.
“Get away from me,” he said. I stepped back in surprise.
“What?” I asked.
“Stay away from me,” he said, “I don’t want to be near you, I don’t want anything with you.” I stepped back, my hand catching my necklace as if I were making sure it was still there.
“You’re my best friend,” I whispered, “Dillon.”
“Not anymore,” he said, “Now we’re nothing.” He pulled out of the parking space and drove in the opposite direction as his house. I stared after the car, tears springing to my eyes. How could he just break off a relationship that has lasted over a decade? How could he just say I’m not his friend anymore?
“Dillon,” I whispered. I turned around and started walking, having no idea where to go. I can’t go home, Dean won’t want anything with me either now that I’m a Pariah. I stopped in front of my bag. He’s always thought I was weird and now I’m even greater of a freak. I grabbed my stuff from the floor and started to walk away.
Because I was walking fast and looking down at the ground, I didn’t notice the boy standing in my path. I bumped into him, making him knock his book on the floor.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, looking up.
“It’s okay, it wasn’t your fault,” he said.
“Yes it was. If I was paying atten-- wait a minute! Damien?” I asked. It was Damien Montgomery.
“Roe?” he asked.
“Oh my God! I am such an idiot! I didn’t mean to crash into you,” I said hurriedly. How dare I crash into the sweetest, most gorgeous guy on the planet?
A smile lit up his face.
“So what are you doing crashing into people?” he asked. I blushed and looked down. God really has his paths messed up.
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” I said. He laughed and leaned closer to me.
“I guess you have a lot on your mind,” he said, as if he were sharing a secret.
“You…know?” I asked. He laughed again.
“I think the entire town knows by now,” he said, “Did you see the number of people who took out their phones as soon as it was over?” I stared at him, hoping what he was saying wasn’t true. He noticed and frowned.
“I’m joking, but I did know before everyone else. Except Chelsea, she knew before me,” he added quickly. I stared at him again. Astonished mostly, and annoyed, too.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t think that you would mind becoming one of the most amazing Pariahs to exist. I’m sorry. And Chelsea is sorry, too,” he said. “Are you going to cry?” he asked. I brought my hand up to my face to make sure I wasn’t.
“No,” I said, “I’m just really sad. Did you see when Dillon…” I trailed off. Damien looked down and away from me. He saw. Isn’t this embarrassing?
“Do you want to go somewhere?” he asked suddenly. I just got asked out twice by the same person in the same day.
“Where?” I asked, despite myself. He smiled and placed his arm around my shoulders.
“Someplace very nice that’ll get your mind off of the Kast and Dillon and whatever else you want,” he said, “Come on, I’ll drive you there.”
* * *
Damien pulled up in front of a small café on main street. We didn’t speak much during the car ride, maybe he was just trying to come up with some type of way to keep me from exploding in tears about Dillon. He walked over to my side of the car, pulling the door open for me. He’s a gentleman, too. I have the greatest taste in men.
“You can leave your stuff in my car, I can drive you home,” he said. I left my bag and book on the seat and climbed out.
“See?” he said, gesturing towards the café, “Very nice, right?” I smiled at him, following him inside the café.
A bunch of students from school were sitting down, drinking everything but coffee and talking. A total of about fifteen round tables had been set up, only six or seven being used. Damien led the way to one of the tables, pulling out my chair for me to sit. I sat down, watching him sit across the table from me.
“What would you like to drink?” he asked. I stared at him, wondering why I could possibly want to drink or eat anything right now. “Okay,” he said, seeing that I wasn’t going to answer, “I’ll just get you some water.” He left me at the table as he went up to the counter where a girl wearing a dark green apron was standing, looking happy and content with having a job in a café. I stared down at the table, tracing the green and purple designs with my eyes. What’s life going to be like now? Maybe I can turn back into a human, and then Dillon won’t be able to stand being away from me and then we’ll be friends again. Yes, that’s what’s going to happen. But, there’s another part of me that’s excited about being a Pariah, I mean, who knows what kind of stuff I can do?
Damien appeared, placing a pitcher of water with ice cubes in it on the table and a glass cup next to me. He himself had gotten a cup of coffee in a to-go cup and he was holding it in both his hands on the table.
“What’s it going to be like?” I asked. Damien stared at me, a smile spreading on his face. Looks like I said the right words.
“Everything will be slightly different now,” he said, “Except maybe your family and stuff. As you can see, Dillon already stopped being your friend. And you don’t have a soul--”
“Why did he take my soul?” I interrupted.
“Because Pariahs only use the energy the soul had,” Damien explained, “You don’t need the soul, just the energy. It’s where we get our powers from. As soon as you take the soul, all your senses and powers suddenly release and run freely through your blood.”
“So, magic?” I asked, “I can use magic now?”
“Not yet,” he answered, “It usually takes a few hours before the powers have circulated a few times in your blood and then you can use them, but first you have to learn how to use your powers.” That makes sense.
“And you’re going to teach me?” I asked. Damien shook his head.
“There’s a school,” he said, “It’s called Magiric Academy of Magical Arts. We call it Magiric. There, we have teachers that will tell you the history of the Kast and then how to use your powers and also how to defend yourself and so on and so forth. You know that guy that made you a Pariah? He’s like the principal. He’s called the Lock, the Leader of Children Kast.”
“I’m not a child,” I said.
“Technically, you’re a child until the age of eighteen. But then, all the classes are mixed according to your learning level and abilities, so age really doesn’t matter. Well, there they’ll teach you how to use your powers and all that good stuff.”
“Is that it?” I asked. Damien sat there, thinking.
“Oh, then there’s the Soul Kiss,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“The Soul Kiss is the main reason why so many humans hate us,” he said, “In order to survive, we need to feed on souls.” My eyes widened.
“Wouldn’t that kill the person?” I asked.
“That’s why humans hate us,” he said.
“You mean you’re a Pariah?” I asked, searching his eyes for the black dots.
“Yes,” he said uneasily, moving his face so I couldn’t see it that clearly, “I’m just a little different.”
“Why?” I asked.
“That’s not important,” he said, a queasy feeling forming in my stomach, “Can we talk about something else?” I’m making him nervous.
“What else can we talk about?” I asked. He looked down at his coffee cup and bit his bottom lip.
“Well, now that you know about Magiric, I can explain the Snowflake Ball,” he said, his tone becoming happy again.
“Oh,” I said, a flutter of butterflies erupting in my stomach.
“At Magiric, they have an annual dance called the Snowflake Ball,” he explained, “It’s on Christmas Eve and they have a dinner and music and contests and it’s basically just a Christmas Party.”
“And you want me to go with you?”
“Yeah,” he said, “I’ve sort of always had a little thing for you.” I’ve just died and gone to heaven.
“Really?” I asked, smiling. Damien nodded.
“So, do you want to go with me?” he asked.
“Yes, of course,” I said. Damien smiled widely and as new customers walked into the café the light from outside hit him like a halo. I looked up to see the customers and my smile turned into a frown.
Rafael Dominguez is walking towards me, all smiles like he usually is. That’s not what bothered me, though. Rafael used to be a part of the trio that was me, Dillon, and him. He branched out with other people and left me and Dillon, but he’s still a good friend. What bothered me was the person standing behind him, Marissa. Well, make it persons because she’s pulling Dillon into the store.
Damien saw me staring off and turned around, an almost silent curse word escaping his lips. Rafael didn’t seem to notice my horror because he came over to our table and pulled up a chair so he could sit down.
“Hey, Esme,” he said, “Long time no see.”
“Hi Rafael,” I said.
“Call me Ralph,” he answered, “I find it suits me more than Rafael now that I’m in high school.”
“You’ve been in high school for three years,” I answered, distracted by his carefree attitude.
“So?” he asked, “I’m still in high school.” I smiled despite myself and looked up at him, his cocky smile and light brown eyes.
“Are you going to leave me like Dillon did?” I asked. Ralph frowned and turned to look at Dillon still protesting against coming into the café.
“He left you?” he asked, “I thought he was going out with psycho chick over there?” I laughed.
“Don’t you know what happened today?” I asked.
“Maybe?” Ralph replied.
“I was turned into a Pariah,” I whispered, leaning closer to him. Ralph laughed at me.
“I know that,” he said, “But why would I leave you?”
“Dillon did,” I said immediately. I feel like I’m telling on him.
“Well, unlike Dillon, I have no problem with Pariahs,” he said, “I have a lot of friends that are part of Kast.”
“Really?” I asked, hearing the relief in my voice.
“Yeah,” he said, smiling again, “So, your best friend spot is up for grabs?” I laughed, typical Ralph. “Maybe I can take it?”
“You want to be my new best friend, Ralph?” I asked. He beamed with pride.
“Yes, I do,” he answered, “and I promise I won’t ditch you like the dunderhead before me.” I laughed and stopped myself from crying. At least I have Damien and Ralph here to help me.
Damien stood up from the table.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, turning around to the back of the café. Ralph watched him leave before he turned back to me.
“Is that your boyfriend or something?” he asked.
“No,” I said, “He’s just a friend for now.”
“For now?”
“Yes, for now,” I answered, “Until Christmas.” Ralph nodded and turned around, looking for Marissa and Dillon. Marissa was standing, facing Dillon, her hands on her hips. Dillon was leaning on the door, still refusing to enter. He must have seen me, or else he probably would have come in by now.
Marissa groaned audibly for everyone in the store to hear her, and when she turned around to look for Ralph, her eyes locked on mine. Ralph looked back and forth from Marissa and me before speaking.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have sat here,” he whispered, getting ready to leave. I put my hand on his arm to keep them there.
“You don’t have to go,” I said loudly enough for Marissa to hear and keeping my eyes on her icy face, “I really don’t mind you sitting with me.” Marissa sneered at me before she let go of Dillon’s arm, leaving him staring after her with disbelief. Yes, Dillon, she’s going to do something.
“Well, well, well,” she said, reminding me of the guy who made me a Pariah just an hour ago, “Look who we have here.” I thought she was going to take a seat in Damien’s chair but instead she just stood behind Ralph. What, is she afraid of me?
“What do you want?” I asked, irritation tainting my tone. Marissa smiled her preppy smile and moved around Ralph so she was standing behind Damien’s chair.
“What makes you think I want something?” she asked, “I just came to enjoy a day with my friend Ralph and my boyfriend Dillon.” I rolled my eyes at her and started to get up, it’d be better for me to not get involved with her. Marissa placed her hand on my shoulder just as I stood and I looked down at it as if I could burn it off with my stare. “Where are you leaving to so fast?” she asked, taking her hand off my shoulder with a smile clear in her voice, “Why don’t you stay here with us so we can talk a little?”
“No, thank you,” I said in a voice equally sarcastic, “I don’t talk with shallow cheerleaders who won’t add up to anything in the future, it might hurt my intelligence.” Marissa’s smile disappeared and I can’t say that mine did, too. I noticed that Dillon was standing inside the café now, debating whether or not to intervene.
“I have people who can make me be something,” she said, coming closer to me, “I don’t have to make my reputation as a murderer.” Okay, she knows I’m a Pariah. Wonderful.
“Wow,” I said, “You learned something today! Snaps for Marissa!” I started snapping and she stared at me with confusion. “I’m just trying to speak to you in a way you’ll understand, the primitive language of the blonde.”
“Jealous because you have a stupid dirty mop on your head?” she asked.
“Never,” I said, “I’d rather have a dirty mop head than strawberry blonde that comes with stupidity any day.” Marissa scowled at me, looking around at the table. She picked up the pitcher of ice water and held it up for me.
“At least I’m dry,” she said, tipping the pitcher over the neckline of my shirt. The cold water traveled down my shirt over my stomach, drenching my clothes. My mouth opened in shock and I looked down to see my wet clothes.
Looking up at Ralph, who was staring at me with his jaw dropped matching Dillon’s expression behind him, I closed my mouth and gulped.
“Don’t worry, Marissa,” I said, looking up at her with a smile and taking a step closer, “You don’t have to be any longer.” With that, I closed the distance between us and gave her hug, making sure to get as close to her as I could. I heard her intake of breath as my clothes wet hers, then I pulled back and watched her enraged expression.
“You disgusting soul sucker,” she spat.
“Bitch,” I answered back.
Marissa screamed angrily and took a step towards me, grabbing the necklace Dillon had given me and ripping it from my neck, throwing it behind her on the floor.
“Dillon’s not my friend anymore,” I said quietly, “That means I don’t have to stand you any longer, Marissa.” She seems confused. Lifting my hand in the air, I cracked it against her face. Her hair flew to the side as she turned her head and gasped. That felt so good.
Before I could react, Marissa came at me, pushing against my shoulders and knocking me back into the table behind me. The pain that erupted in my back made me angry just as I rolled over and Marissa landed face first into the table edge. That’s what she gets.
I knelt down on the floor, trying to crawl away before I get kicked out of the café. Marissa jumped on my back and we rolled on the floor, knocking into a few chairs. I pulled her hair to get her away from me and she clawed at my face. I felt larger hands grabbing at me and I opened my eyes, surprised because I hadn’t even known I’d closed them. Damien was pulling me away from Marissa and Dillon was pulling Marissa into a standing position, holding her back. I spat in her direction and she became angrier. Why is it so funny?
“Esme, stop tempting her,” Damien said in my ear. I smiled back at Marissa and she cursed at me.
“This isn’t over,” she said, “Next time, I won’t have him here to stop me.”
“That’s wonderful!” I yelled back as Damien opened the door for me and started to pull me out, “I can’t wait!”
Damien pulled me completely out of the store and led me to his car, opening the door for me and shutting it closed after I had climbed in.
Pulling the sun shade down, I flipped the mirror over and stared at my reflection, surprised to see a gash on my right cheek and a bruise forming just below my left eye. Marissa may be skinny and girly but she can pack a punch. Damien noticed my inspection and he started to laugh.
“Don’t worry, you got her better than she got you,” he said. I turned to look through the window and saw Dillon arguing with Marissa, Ralph enjoying the banter in his chair. Marissa has a giant black circle around her right eye and her hair is pulled out of it's ponytail. She has a cut on her lip, too.
“Looks like I did.”
* * *
As Damien pulled up in front of my house I saw the curtain swish in the front window. Crap, Dean is watching.
“Okay then,” I said, “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” Damien turned to stare at me, his beautiful big blue eyes taking me in.
“Alright,” he said, “I’ll be at your locker when you get to school. Wait, do you want me to pick you up?” His question took me by surprise.
“Damien,” I replied, “It’s not like we’re going out.” He smiled and shook his head.
“That doesn’t mean I can’t pick you up,” he said. Well, Dillon used to pick me up and we never went out. I stopped my thoughts about him and paid attention to Damien.
“No, that’s okay,” I said quickly, becoming even more nervous, “I’ll
see you at my locker.” Damien nodded, taking my rejection a lot easier than I thought he would.
I opened the door and climbed out, watching Damien climb out of his side, too. He smiled at me, waiting for me to come over to his side to walk me to the front of the path. Wow, this is so cliché.
“Um, thank you, Damien, but I think I can make it to the door by myself,” I whispered. Damien turned to face me, looking down so we were staring straight into each other’s faces.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I answered, anxious to get inside the house but dying for him to kiss me. His lips are so close and they look like they would be heaven to kiss. He started to lean down, closing his eyes slightly. Yes! Wait! No! Dean’s watching!
“Damien!” I whispered. He stopped leaning forward but froze where he was.
“What?” he asked, his breath flowing right into my face.
“My brother’s watching,” I explained. He rolled his eyes and turned slightly to see the house.
“Do you think he’s enjoying the show?”
I laughed and turned to see Dean’s angered eyes over the top of the curtains in the kitchen.
“No, I don’t think he’s enjoying it,” I answered. Damien waited for me to turn back to him and kissed me quickly on the cheek before stepping back.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he called back as he climbed into his car. I watched him drive away, wishing he had kissed me. Stupid Dean.
“Who was that?”
I turned around and faced Dean, cursing him in my mind.
“He’s my pimp,” I said sarcastically, “Why do you want to know?” He ran a hand through his black hair and leaned on the doorway.
“You’re too young to have a boyfriend,” he said, “And suck face.”
“Eww, that’s a disgusting way to say kiss,” I said, walking up the path to the front door. Dean moved so I could enter the house before he closed the door.
“I don’t care,” he said, “You can’t have a boyfriend.”
“You’ve had your girlfriend since you were thirteen,” I pointed out. “I’m two years older than that and way better looking than you’ve ever looked. I can have a boyfriend.”
“I won’t have any of that,” he said, “And before you go and lock yourself in your room, isn’t there something you want to tell me?”
I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face him, wondering what on Earth I had to tell him. Why is he so interested in my life all of a sudden?
In an attempt to ignore his question, I turned around and came face to face with a mirror that hangs on the wall just before the door to my room. A series of large black dots had appeared in the shape of a triangle on the corners of my eyes, which had burst with a hot pink color in the iris. In the space between my eyebrows I could also see an almost faint gray swirly pattern. Holy Jesus! I can’t believe I forgot!
“D-dean?” I said cautiously, what if he bans me from the house or is completely disgusted with who I am?
“Yes, Esme?” he asked. I turned around slowly, looking down at the floor and then to the couch until I looked at Dean by the front door, standing in the archway of the kitchen.
“I was inaugurated,” I said quietly, “I’m a Pariah in the Kast.”
Dean didn’t answer quick enough and I started to really wonder whether or not he was still in the room. When I looked up and he wasn’t in the archway of the kitchen I almost burst into tears. But he wasn’t there because he was standing next to me with his arms spread wide.
“And Dillon?” he asked quietly. Now he’s done it. A sob escaped my throat and Dean wrapped his arms around me, rocking me back and forth.
“How could he?” I sobbed into Dean’s chest, “We were best friends for eleven years!” Dean rubbed my back and kissed my head, finally being a brother.
“He’ll be back,” he whispered, “I’m sure of it.”
“He said we weren’t friends anymore!” I wailed, “He hates me now! He thinks I’m disgusting!” Another sob escaped my mouth and I held onto Dean as if my life depended on holding him. “Dillon’s gone. Forever.”
