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I grimaced at the memory and blocked off time for more doctor’s appointments. Despite my mother being the one to hound me over my skin, I actually got my eczema from my dad’s side. Not that my mother had any room to judge, given whatshehad passed down to me.
Gaksi’s lackadaisical banter pulled me from my thoughts.
“You ever think you spend too much time in school and not enough time having fun?”
I debated whether I could throw the candle out the window faster than Gaksi could escape. If I whipped my hand out, could I at least surprise him? Or would I burn in the process? Gaksi had never hurt me before—although he had created some mischief in my past—so maybe it would be worth a shot.
I flung the candle out the open window.
“Rude!” My computer light flared. “I know I raised you better than that!”
I shut the laptop and slid it inside my backpack. “I don’t have time for this right now, Gaksi.”
Leave it to Gaksi to distract me on the first day of school. Maybe I should have left him at home and gotten a cat instead. Cats had less attitude.
“Have you forgotten everything I’ve done for you?” Gaksi tutted. “Like the time you needed your volcano to explode for the science fair, and, like a dutiful goblin, I created a mess that won you first place? Or the time a boy bullied you, so I made his clothes turn inside out at school for the rest of the week? Or when you got so lost in NYC that I called your mother for you?”
“Hush,” I muttered to my backpack. As much as I hated to admit it, I didn’t know what I would do without Gaksi. “I don’t want anyone to think I stuffed a kid in there.”
I blocked out thoughts of Gaksi and focused on my breathing instead. I inhaled, and black shadows dotted my fingertips. Exhaled. They dissolved. In. Out. Repeated three times. I used more energy with each inhale, and with each exhale, I made sure it disappeared. All gone. All controlled. No chance of any wily shadow of mine escaping unexpectedly and taking out innocent objects.
Gaksi grumbled, moving stuff noisily around my backpack. After my exaggerated huff, he silenced himself.
When I’d exhausted myself from expelling cursed magic, I checked my phone for one last burst of strength, this time of a non-magical variety.
Mother:Have a productive day today.
Mother:Make an impression. No daughter of mine will end up unhoused.
I smoothed out my clothes. They were ironed and pressed, even hemmed to the right length. A light sundress, pastel sandals, and a pink headband. Mother would be proud.
Mother:And make sure you hide your rashes. They’re almost as ugly as your shadows.
I cringed, nearly dropping my phone.
Luna:Do I need to be pretty to fight demons?
There was a long wait before she replied.
Mother:I did not raise you to be weak. Fighting is what we do best.
My eyes narrowed. Was that a compliment? I didn’t know she had it in her. Although she included herself, of course.
My hand lingered on the dorm door before I left. Stilled. Waiting for me to open it. Face the outdoors.
“The first day of school is lethal,” Dad had warned me. “The anxiety and fear draw the occult closer, encouraging more bloodshed wherever freshmen tread.”
“You’re more fierce than any demon,” Gaksi said in my head, present-time.
“Quit reading my mind!”
I shook my backpack for good measure.
“Quit fearing those that are like you.”
My shadows hummed in response.
Enrolling in a demon-fighting school didn’t bode well for someone who resembled one.
