Second Chance Fate by Ella J. Smyth

Author:Ella J. Smyth [Smyth, Ella J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-30T05:00:00+00:00

21

I was on my way to lunch two days after facing the panel when Beth called after me.

“Amber, wait!”

I was still pissed at her for ratting me out, so I didn’t react as she approached. I’d ignored her since her betrayal, which was difficult, given how we lived on top of each other.

Beth stopped in front of me, bending over and gasping. I waited until she got her breath back. Finally, she straightened and smiled tentatively.

“What?” I asked. I knew I sounded short, but I wasn’t in the mood to be nice.

“I’m sorry, okay?”

My eyes narrowed. “That’s it? You’re sorry? Do you know what could have happened to me? I could have been expelled and brought to an underground FBMA prison. Maybe worse.”

Beth’s face fell. “I didn’t know. Honestly. But I was so worried about you. You’re one of my only friends here, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

I was taken aback by the tone of her voice. What did she mean she had no friends at the academy? I saw her hang out with people daily. But she sounded so unlike her usual bubbly self, my anger evaporated. Instead, I interlinked my arm with hers and pulled her in the direction of the cafeteria.

“Look, I’m fine. I got off lightly. Ms. Farkas was actually really cool and promised to help me. And I totally consider you my friend. And as a friend, I need to ask you if you’re okay? You seem different.”

I suddenly realized Beth had been acting weird ever since the time I’d followed her into the forest. I had pushed it from my mind and dismissed it as unimportant. Unease pearled in my stomach. Beth might consider me her friend, but I certainly hadn’t acted like one.

When we arrived at the cafeteria and had gotten our food, I pulled her towards a free table. We needed to talk, right after eating whatever slop was on the menu today. I sniffed at my bowl. It may have looked like dog food, but it smelled okay. Some kind of goulash with the savory aroma of onions, tomatoes, and paprika spice.

Mom cooks this all the time. Shaking off the pang of homesickness had become second nature. I pushed the feeling down and dug into the food. After I’d swallowed the last bite, I moved the empty bowl away. Time to talk.

“So first of all,” I began, “I’m not angry with you anymore. You apologized, and Julian explained why he went to tell the head witch. But I have to confess something. Beginning of the month, I saw you in the forest.”

Beth paled as she listened.

Well, that’s an odd reaction. “Are you not feeling well?”

The question seemed to startle her even more. With a visible effort, she pulled herself together, gave me a wavering smile, and gestured for me to continue. For a moment, I hesitated. Should I mention the halo I’d seen around her head? It had probably been nothing but a trick of the light.

“I’m sorry I followed you, but you seemed really upset.

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