Chapter 17

 

It felt strange to go to school and pretend like nothing had happened. My shoulder gave a mild twinge when I moved too quickly, but other than that, the bruises and cuts had vanished to leave only a reminder of how lucky I was to be home. Preston and Scotty were only mildly upset at my explanation of a bad cold. They forgot about my absence quickly with the distraction of the Homecoming game next Friday and the dance that was to follow.

“Go with me to the dance,” Gem whispered during English class. She grabbed my notebook and began to doodle on it.

I usually avoided the dances at all costs, but I had never had such a beautiful date ask me. I raised my eyebrows. “Are you really sure you want to see me dance?”

She laughed and Mrs. Moody shot us a chiding look before she turned back to her lecture on Fahrenheit 451. I glanced over at Gem's picture and saw a sketch of a wolf in a poofy prom dress. I chuckled and took my notebook back. “That's about how I'll look,” I whispered.

Gem laughed out loud, then clapped her hands over her mouth at Mrs. Moody's second annoyed look.

“I'll go with you,” I said quietly. “Just stop getting into trouble.”

She grinned and nodded, her eyes bright and a touch of color on her cheeks.