X in Flight by Karen Rivers

Author:Karen Rivers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YA, teen fiction, paranormal
ISBN: 9780986961038
Publisher: Raincoast
Published: 2007-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

You’d think after that night, I’d have like a transforming magical day. But I don’t. It sucks.

Completely.

For one thing, in the morning, it’s freezing cold and rainy. It keeps almost snowing and then changing it’s mind. Frozen rain is the worst. It’s like being pelted with bullets. Ice bullets. I’m soaked by the time I get to class, my cold pants chafe and I’m really fucking irritated. The one thing I’m looking forward to is seeing you, but you aren’t there.

Hey, I say to Tic. Where’s Ruby?

Why? he says, squinting at me suspiciously.

No reason, I say.

She must be sick or something, he shrugs. How should I know?

I don’t know, I say. Forget it.

I wish I hadn’t asked. Last thing I need is for him to start some stupid fifth grade rumor that I have a crush on you or something. I’d never live that down.

Forgotten, says Tic, banging his head against his desk.

He does shit like that. That’s why we call him “Tic. ” Well, partly because of his last name, but partly because ever since we’ve been kids he’s been a bit … off. He bangs his head. He shouts weird shit in the hallway. He’s not a bad guy, he’s just a little messed in the brain.

What up, bro? says Robbo, slumping into his desk next to me. His hair is soaking wet and dripping into his eyes, which he doesn’t bother to wipe. Cheeks red like he’s been skating.

Nothing, I say. I’m so distracted that I forget to ask him for his homework. We just sit there, waiting for the bell to go. Waiting for something to happen.

Why do you suddenly care about Ruby? Tic says again, loud enough that a few people hear.

I don’t, I say angrily.

So, why’d you ask? He says insistently.

Fuck off, I say, cuffing him in the side of the head just as the teacher walks in, slamming his books down on his desk.

Hand in your homework, he says.

And that’s when I remember that I didn’t do my homework and had no time to rip off Robbo’s. Shit, I think, staring up at the ceiling.

Xenos? says Mr. Unhappy-in-His-Work. Where is it at, my man?

I hate it when teachers talk like that. What IS that? Some kind of groovy seventies lingo?

I shrug. Forgot, I say, like I don’t care.

He doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t yell. Just raises his eyebrows at me and writes something down in his book. It can’t be good.

What happened to your head? He says, eyeing my bruise.

Nothing, I say.

The day gets worse from there: I flunk the English test because I forgot to get the answers from Tic. I didn’t forget, I just didn’t feel like talking to him. I thought he might want to talk about you and I already feel like I gave myself away. I used last week’s answers, which I still remember: BCAAACBAAD. Fat lot of good that does. I’m such a moron.

Cat has lunch with me. Or at least she sits next to me drinking a Coke and glowering.

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