Fairest (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #2)(15)

Jared looked taken aback; his mouth opened in shock, and he was left speechless. Mina took his moment’s hesitation for an answer.

“I thought so,” she spoke sadly. She turned, pulled Nomer from the ledge, and went to stand by the fire escape to go back down. Her back was turned toward Jared, and her voice was stiff, hiding all the turmoil she felt deep inside. “I don’t need people who can’t be honest with me. I’m not a child that needs coddling. You know everything about me and my family. Things that no normal person could possibly know. I know you are not like me. I know that you’re Fae. I’ve seen the things you can do.”

“Mina, it’s not like that… I want to-” Jared halted and clammed up.

Mina saw his resolve and his jaw clench in anger, in finality. He was almost going to tell her. She saw it. Then she saw the black cloud cover his face, and his expression froze. She knew then what she had to do. Walking down the steps to her window, she paused and looked up before entering her room and locking the window.

“I’m sorry, Jared. I wish you would tell me the truth. Because where there is truth, trust follows. And right now, at this very moment, I don’t trust you.”

Chapter 5
She didn’t hear from Nan the whole weekend. Not once did the phone ring for Mina. It rang seven times for her mom and twice for her brother Charlie, who doesn’t speak. Really, who would call a boy who was unable to talk? Apparently, Mikey, the kid in the next building over, had figured out that if no one was speaking after the phone was answered, it had to be her brother, and he usually asked if he could come over and play. One beep on the dial tone meant yes, two meant no. But still, it was a wonder that her brother was more popular than she was.

After her argument with Nan and her disappointing conversation with Jared, Mina became insanely grumpy and impossible to please. And everywhere she went she felt like she was being watched. It was like invisible static that hung in the air - a metaphysical bomb of fairy tale madness waiting to drop on her when she least expected it. She became jumpy, jittery and knew that she was in the calm before a supernatural storm. She hadn’t felt this much restless energy gathering around her since the Enchanted Dance, which meant whatever quest was coming, was going to be a very dangerous one.

Mina was on edge at school on Monday. She began to suspect that everyone was in league with the Story against her.

Mrs. Porter was reading the school announcements in her gravelly voice and her yellowed eyes never left the printed paper as she read. The woman was old fashioned, high tech disabled, tough as nails, and responsible for almost all of Mina’s tardy slips and detentions. Mina was only ever late to first period and three tardies equaled a detention.

The cruel teacher was also known for trying to tempt students with last year’s leftover candy corn she kept in a dish on her desk. Those actions alone had evil Fae written all over it. Mina knew without a teenage doubt that Mrs. Porter had to be an evil--something.

She was about to make a derogatory comment to Nan when she looked over and realized that Nan wasn’t sitting in her usual spot next to her, but across the room next to Savannah White. Mina turned back to face the chalkboard and did her absolute best to not betray the emotions she was feeling. Yes, they had a spat, but she never in her lifetime would’ve thought her friend would abandon her for the enemy.

Wait! Mina’s head whipped around unconsciously and her eyes widened in disbelief. Why didn’t she think of it sooner? Savannah White - Snow White, it was too ridiculous to believe and only a dunce wouldn’t have put the two together. How could the Story not try and manipulate Savannah into a tale? Now all Mina had to do was watch and wait.

Nothing interesting happened to Savannah White during first period. Mina’s neck had a crick and she’d acquired a splitting headache from trying to face forward while watching Savannah out of the corner of her eye for forty-five minutes. She dawdled and waited for Nan and Savannah to leave class before her, so she could follow them.

Without sparing her friend a glance, Nan picked up her books and walked with Savannah down the hall. Mina slipped in behind them and observed carefully.

Nan smiled brightly as she flipped her hair in perfect imitation of Savannah. Her voice dripped honey, “So Savannah, my mom’s boyfriend is letting us have a party at his cabin next weekend. You up for it?”

Savannah’s smile faltered. “Cabin? As in woods, as in dirt?” It was obvious, she wasn’t thrilled.

Nan’s face only showed the mildest annoyance at Savannah’s disdain, but she covered it well. “As in lake, boats and boys.”

Savannah perked up instantly. “Oh, I gotcha! Sounds fun! But for it to be a real party we need to make sure that we include…..” They walked faster and a student cut between them and Mina, so she could no longer hear their party planning.

“Darn!” Mina muttered under her breath. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, debating whether to follow Savannah or head to her second period class. Since nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be happening, Mina decided to head to class. She changed directions in the middle of the hall and ran right into the new girl with spiky hair and catholic school uniform.

“Watch it gimp,” The annoyed girl fumed. She pushed Mina out of the way and hurried toward a tall dark haired boy leaning against a wall, who was watching them both with interest.

Mina tried to call after her and apologize until she recognized the person the girl was making a beeline for-Jared. Mina stood stunned in the middle of the hallway, as the cute girl caught up to Jared, leaned in close to him, really close. Closer than what was natural for just friends. Questions began to plague Mina. How did he know her? Did he have a girlfriend she didn’t know about? How come he never mentioned her before?