First Girl by Julie Aitcheson

Author:Julie Aitcheson [Aitcheson, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: young adult
ISBN: 978-1-64080-190-5
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2018-04-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter ELEVEN

THE BANDAGES on Gabi’s ointment-smeared wounds kept catching on her T-shirt and threatened to peel off her hands and feet as she moved, but the attendant who helped clean and dress the wounds had instructed her to keep them covered for the rest of the weekend. The bandages themselves were bright red, and Gabi had no doubt that the choice of color was intentional. A quick survey of her peers’ expressions when she entered the main hall confirmed they all knew about her and Marnie’s “extra purification.”

From the looks of it, a handful of the boys had suffered the same fate. They were meant to be examples for the rest, conspicuous with their shameful stigmata. Bradley Fiske, uncharacteristically clean from his purification shower, bore no marks or bandages and eyed her wounds with unsuppressed glee as she searched the room for her team. Noel was scrunched against the wall, arms wrapped around his legs as the rest of his team chattered happily around him. His bandages peeked out from the too-long sleeves of his flannel shirt. What had he confessed? Bullying? Driving without permission? When Gabi searched Noel’s face, gray under its ruddy tint, he looked away.

Zach led Gabi over to where Peter and Jordan stood in conversation by the fireplace, giving Peter a one-armed hug as they approached. “Catch her up on the doings, my brother,” Zach said. “Break’s over in ten, then we’re going to be heading outside.”

Peter’s chest puffed out as he watched Zach’s retreat with hero worship glimmering in his eyes. Peter’s twitching hands were unmarked, and Jordan’s, which were large and covered in old scars of nearly every shape and size, were wound-free as well.

“So,” Gabi said with forced enthusiasm, “what have you all been up to out here?”

“They asked us to gather in our teams and make a list of obstacles or weaknesses that might still be standing in the way of receiving our calling,” Peter informed her. “They gave us a list of categories, and we’re supposed to pick from that.” He gestured toward an old chalkboard affixed to the wall, darkened by the shadow of the shaggy moose head. On the board’s milky green surface, the five obstacles were listed as Weak Faith, Insecurity, Lack of Will, Fear of Losing Control, and Selfishness. “I picked Fear of Losing Control,” Peter said, “and Blubbo here picked Selfishness. Would have pegged him as more of a ‘Lack of Will’ type myself, but what do I know?”

“Funny,” Gabi retorted. “I would have pegged you as more of an Insecurity type myself.”

“Yeah, well… whatever. I’m going to hit the head before break’s over.” Peter shoved his hands into his pockets and picked his way through the clumps of teens toward the bathroom. As Gabi watched him go, Jordan nudged her arm, offering her two soft ham-and-cheese buns in one big paw.

“Take them. They’re safe,” he whispered. “Quick.” Despite her earlier bout of sickness, the scent of the rolls brought Gabi’s appetite surging back to life, and she eagerly swiped them from his hand.

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