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There’s a faint smile on Freya’s face. “No. I think I’ll be… elsewhere… by the time the talent show rolls around.” I don’t know what this is supposed to mean, but her smile softens into something that’s almost sad. “I’m a big believer in karma, Jessa. Spirituality, and all that. You should follow your passion if you love it so much. You should follow the truth wherever it takes you.”
When I turn around to look at her quizzically, she tilts my head back to the mirror.
My new, short hairstyle greets my eyes.
“There you are. Happy reconciliation, Jessa.”
* * *
Everyone’s looking at me and I don’t exactly hate it. When Danny sees me, he grins widely and gives me a thumbs-up.
“Not bad,” he says, reaching out to ruffle my stylish new pixie cut. I bat his hand away and he laughs.
“She put so much product in my hair, I think just touching it will set my head on fire.”
Without the weight of my hair, my head feels so much lighter. I carry myself differently, my chest puffed out and my spine straight.
“What are you doing, Weirdo?” a loud voice shouts down the hall. “Trying to look like a boy so you can fit in better?”
I turn and see Rory. Of course.
“Trust me, you don’t look like a boy,” Danny mutters to me for some reason.
As Rory lopes over, his gray eyes drink me in. From my hair down to my shoes, it’s as though he’s studying a painting he doesn’t approve of.
“You scrub up well,” he notes in a critical way, his gaze caught on the side of my neck, where strands of hair no longer touch it. “But I still preferred you with longer hair.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry I did something thatdoesn’tmake your dick twitch.” My voice is scathing. I haven’t spoken to Rory since Hallowe’en, and I have alotof pent-up anger toward him. For what he put me through in the forest. “After all, we know that’s all I’m here for, right?”
His eyes narrow at me. “I’m glad you’re learning.”
My lips part in shock.
I don’t expect that. I don’t expect him to say the quiet part out loud.
For some stupid reason, I thought he had more class than that.
He storms past me, whacking into my shoulder with a force that actually hurts. A group of gremlins follow him, staring up at me and creasing with laughter as they point at my hair. I ignore them, instead focusing on Finlay, who’s decided to hang back from his dear leader.
“Can I talk tae ye?”
Beside me, Danny folds his arms and stands in an intimidating fashion, his chin raised. I quite like that he’s so willing to stick up for me. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve him but I never want to lose him.
“About what?”
Finlay glances around, looking harassed. “Can we just…?” And then he grabs my elbow, dragging me over to an empty classroom.
“Oi!” Danny says, sprinting over to us. His hand digs into Finlay’s, pulling him off me. They scowl at each other like two territorial cats and I have to roll my eyes.
“Seriously?” I look around the classroom we’re in. It’s totally empty, with peeling posters and smudged chalk on the blackboard. No one’s been here in quite some time. “Whatever you want to say to me, you can say in front of Danny.”
“Naw, I cannae. This isprivate.” Finlay stares Danny down, and despite all his best intentions, Danny backs away. I’m almost surprised.
“Danny…” I tilt my head at the door.
He huffs. “I’ll be waiting outside. Say the word and I’ll be here.”
“Oh, no,” Finlay deadpans. “However will I survive if big bad Danny’sright ootside?” He rolls his eyes. “Piss aff, Hamilton.”
