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No, it says on the back of the note, which seems even weirder.
I hear the sound of a phone ringing at the same time as the dismissal bell rings.
From: Dad
To: Rebex
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Good morning, my ray of sunshine. Hoping your studies are going well today and you're having a productive day. Tonight, I'd be nice to have you here for the cleaning after the service. Drink plenty of water and pay attention in class.
Signed, Dad
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Whenever Dad sends a message, it feels like he's writing a letter. Today, that letter totally throws me off track. After locking my phone, I realize that I’ve lost track of Saza, so I stand and get ready for gym class.
“Let's kick off with two laps around the field,” the coach's voice resonates, guiding us towards the track with two brisk whistle blows.
A sudden crack from behind startles me, and I instinctively cover my ears as they start ringing. I see a ball rolling across the field, and for a moment, I imagine it could've knocked my head off if not for the metal fence between us.
I see Manasseh approach, his gaze locking onto mine. He lifts his white polo shirt, the tiny emblem stitched onto the left side, and wipes the sweat off his forehead, revealing his flat abdomen and gracefully toned muscles shimmering in the afternoon sun. His gray pants hang loosely on his hips, revealing the black waistband of his Hugo Boss underwear, and I'm tempted to move my hands from my ears to my eyes.
“Sorry,” he raises two fingers to his forehead and gives me a sailor's salute, looking me up and down in a way that makes me uncomfortable.
I press my thighs together as he drops to his knees for the ball, sensing his gaze lingering in a way that makes my cheeks heat up. Emotions overwhelm me, and I hastily tug at my shirt, attempting to cover up. Manasseh smirks, and I watch him back away from the fence, striding back onto the field.
What the heck was that? His look sent shivers down my spine.
But is it just that, or is it the fact that I saw his mask that's freaking me out? Ever since then, I've tried to shove back all the questions racing through my brain, but I've totally failed. What's he like when he's wearing it?
What goes down during the Crasnic Hunting Nights?
What's the secret ritual you've gotta go through to become one of them?
Thoughts flood in and they're not stopping.
“Rebecca, what are you doing there? Start running!” the coach blows the whistle, snapping me back to reality.
The thought of the Crasnic initiation reminds me of my best friend, who's been avoiding me, so I start running to catch up with Saza.
“That’s the most incredible “No” I've ever seen,” I talk about the note and put myself in front of her, jogging backward. “What's up with you, Saza?”
“Nothing, I just... want to focus more on my studies.”
“And avoiding me will help with that?”
Saza shrugs, and even though I sense something's off, I insist.
“What about the photography club? And our bet?”
“Photography just isn’t my thing. You've seen my attempts... And as for You-Know-What, I'm good. I don't want to be involved anymore.”
You-Know-What is the term most people use. The high school kids refuse to say the name “Crasnics,” which only makes me more curious. I can't help but be frustrated that my childhood neighbors and friends founded the Crasnics, yet here I am unable to join their exclusive and mysterious club.
“What? Is it because of your dad?”
“No. It's my decision. Even so, I wouldn't want to upset him, and maybe you should do the same, Becca. Your dad is... well... you could hurt him.”
