The Halo Chronicles: The Guardian by Corp Carey

Author:Corp, Carey [Corp, Carey]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction
Published: 2011-05-17T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

The weeks between Derry’s unexpected arrival and Christmas break fly by without any surprises. He and Jonah discover their mutual love of all things sci-fi, which pretty much dominates our lunchtime conversations. I remain with him in the front row of English class, while Gabriel, my Seraph boyfriend with boundaries, resigns himself to guarding me from two rows back. Despite the increased activity in Mr. Creepy’s halo, he goes back to ignoring us. And no matter what I try, I’m unable to get my best friend to see me outside of school.

During the last day of school before our three-week-long holiday break, I decide I’m not content to merely wait until Derry’s earned privileges with the Eccles. Walking into the bracing wintery afternoon with Gabriel at my side, I focus on Derry. Dressed in his thin, too-small jacket and hole-riddled Converse, he hunches against the cruel winter wind as he eagerly waves to me. And I prepare myself for confrontation.

Slowing to a halt, I turn to Gabriel, “I need a minute with Derry alone, okay?” There’s never any doubt in my mind that he understands as he nods and turns back the way we’ve just come. Closing the distance to where Derry waits, I try to form what I want to say.

Hands shoved in his pockets, his stubbly head tucked against the cold, Derry asks, “Where’d Gabe go? Siberia?”

“Forgot something at his locker.”

Before I can think of something to fill the pause, Derry interjects, “Why are you with that guy, anyway?”

This is not a subject I want to go into. Not a subject with straightforward answers, like math or science. Looking away, as the bleak sky begins to flurry, I say, “It’s complicated.”

“In other words, you think I’m too dense to understand.” Before I can deny his accusation he adds, “Or maybe our friendship is riddled with secrets. Is our friendship Swiss cheese?”

I can’t convincingly deny that. In my need to protect him, I have always held things back from Derry—my demons, halos, why I really left—but I’ve also shared more of my true self with him than anyone. Derry’s my best friend.

Meaning Gabriel, I say, “I like him. Okay?”

“Oh.” He does nothing to hide the pain and confusion in his beautiful smoky eyes. What he leaves unsaid is How did you ever let someone get that close to you when you’ve kept even me at a distance?

The hurt on Derry’s face makes my eyes sting. Despite the tightening in my throat, I inquire in my most causal voice, “So, what’re your plans for the break?”

He shrugs, also watching the snow. “Nothing really. I’ll just hang around the house.”

“Catching up on TV?”

I don’t miss the sidelong glance he gives me. “I’ll probably read. The Eccles are really strict about TV. At least for their foster kids. TV has to be earned, like everything else.”

“So you still can’t come over?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll come to you.” This isn’t a question. On the verge of crying, my excess emotion channels itself into my frustration and turns to anger.

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