Marked By Fate

miling again. "Everyo

rse th

story class. The one Ava targeted when she was bored

If the classes were hard. What the teachers were like. Normal conversation. I an

n't w

didn't. She was probably nice. But nice didn't

be kind, I asked myself the same q

someone wanted to be near me just to feel better ab

od. Eye contact only when necessary. And even

that. No more question

sil

or me, w

at me, no more laughter at my expense, at least not loud enough to sting. Just the usual whispering be

do, all chatting about their weekend plans, about shifts, sparring sessions, d

back and didn't speak

lassroom fast, keeping close to the wall, head down, moving like a shadow. I didn't want to gi

the cold air, finally

lt tight, and the soles of my feet stung in my boots. I kept moving anyway. I was use

tarted to dim. I opened the door and called ou

om

back, warm and full of motion. The sound of

ting from the hallway like a tiny storm, her ar

len

her automatically, nearly stumbling

tly, hugging her tight

Real ones! And a stuffed bear but it wasn't scary-okay it was a little scary, but

in one breath, barely

nger before letting her down gently. "Sound

ture of a T-Rex for you!

before I could respond, little

s on a towel. Her dark hair was pulled back in a loo

she asked, already

ke one. Just a little curve of the lip

d. "That

. "It was.

an I wanted her to. "Go freshen up, okay

ed. "I

said before I finished.

ig

ture, one that meant more than either of us said out loud. I did