Fable (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #3)(14)

No one understood Charlie like Nan. The two were the best of friends and had a dynamic brother-sister relationship, teasing and name-calling included, that Mina envied. Nan was an only child and treated Charlie like her own brother. Mina was feeling really guilty now for not finding a way to get hold of Nan when she was in New York at drama camp.

Mina felt her eyes start to tear up, but she held them back and comforted Nan. Students stopped and stared, and quite a few made rude comments, but Jared’s and Brody’s stern looks kept them at bay, giving the girls time to confer.

There were a few girls who didn’t take the hint. Savannah White and Pricilla Rose—both girls stopped and rolled their eyes. Savannah used to date Brody at the beginning of last year, and now she had it out for anyone who stood between her and him. She looked killer in her designer skirt, lace tank top, and bejeweled flats. Her white-blonde hair was in its signature high ponytail, and her lips had enough gloss you could almost see your reflection in them. Pri wore a similar but toned-down version of Savannah’s outfit.

“So I heard on the news that the Tard died and your house burnt down. I bet secretly you’re relieved you don’t have to live with him anymore in that dump.”

The whole commotion in the hallway immediately stopped, as if her words had been spoken over the intercom. It became so quiet that you could hear Mina’s and Nan’s sharp intakes of breath. Mina wasn’t prone to violence and was about to think of something mean to say back to Savannah, but she didn’t have a chance to, because Nan Taylor, perky, happy-go-lucky Nan Taylor, pulled back her fist and punched Savannah in the face.

Savannah wasn’t prepared, and fell to the floor. Nan stood over her shocked face and yelled, “No way was he handicapped, or different. He was the most special, coolest, and smartest kid ever. And the world is a much sadder place because he’s not here. And don’t you ever, EVER, insult him again!” Nan shook with anger.

The hall was full of students and teachers, and one by one they started to clap. The clapping got louder, and Nan’s hands went to her mouth in shock. She looked at what she had done, and her face grew red.

She turned and threw her arms around Mina, and spoke quickly. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. That was wrong of me. I’m probably going to get in a lot of trouble for this, but it was worth it. No one insults our Charlie.” She pulled herself away and walked toward the principal’s office, her head held high. Savannah, during the commotion, started screaming and crying, and was sniveling about Nan being a “bully, brat, and jealous of her good looks.”

Mr. Ames was trying to hide the smile on his face as he helped up Savannah and led her to the principal’s office right behind Nan. The second bell rang, and no one was heading to the next class. They were all right where they’d stopped, talking and texting about the altercation.

It was Mrs. Colbert, with her short hair and blue wing-tipped glasses, who put her fingers to her mouth and whistled loudly, causing those nearest her to cover their ears.

“That’s enough chitter chatter. Get to class, or you’ll all have detention!” she yelled loudly.

Brody took off, heading to his next period. Jared looked a little scared at the sight of Mrs. Colbert, and ducked behind a group of students and disappeared. Mina was left alone and out of sorts, but she was able to make it to her next class. She was a zombie the entire time and was pretty sure the teacher called on her a few times, but she was useless until lunchtime. Jared met her after fourth period and walked the lunch line with her. When Mina went to grab her tray of pizza, cut carrots, and chocolate milk, Jared swiped it up and carried it out the main lunchroom and down the hall.

“Hey!” she called after him, while trying to catch up with his longer legs. He didn’t stop, but turned and headed out a side door that led outside. Finding a comfortable spot under a tree, he finally placed her tray down and waited for her to sit.

She should have been upset by his actions, but after looking around outside at the lack of students, and the quiet calm shade the tree provided, she actually felt grateful. It was still incredibly hot out, but she could put up with that in exchange for solitude. Or almost solitude.

Mina took a bite of her pizza, which tasted like paper covered in cheese. She forced it down and then took to breaking her carrot sticks into miniscule pieces.

“What did those carrots ever do to you?” Jared joked.

“Charlie hated carrots, so he used to do this to them to make it look like he’d eaten them, or make them small enough to hide under the mashed potatoes.”

“Smart kid.”

“Yeah, he is…or was.” An awkward silence rose between them, and Jared looked like he had something bothering him.

“Look, Mina, you can’t let his death affect you like this. You need to move on. Prepare yourself for whatever crazy scheme the Fates will send your way.”

“I know. I’m just not sure that I have the heart for it anymore.”

Jared’s cheek ticked in anger. “I know you lost your brother, but you can’t give up so easily.”

“Why do you even care?”

“I care! I thought for sure since you figured out the tie between the Grimoire and me that you would at least summon me or talk to me. But you ignored me the whole summer. I was angry with you!”

“And I was confused and hurt. I’d lost my boyfriend…again.”