She Walks in Shadows(29)

“‘Suffer little children, for of such is the kingdom of heaven,’” quoted Veronica piously.

Natalie flushed. “I didn’t mean like that,” she snapped. “You weren’t there, all right? Cleaning up puke, and stopping them from fighting and whatever. It was just babysitting, even if it was in a church.”

“Take a chill pill.” Veronica rolled her eyes as she toyed with the cross that hung around her neck on a delicate chain of real gold. “What did you need the stupid money for, anyways? Prom’s not ‘til next year.”

“Well, Varsity cheerleaders have to travel and stuff,” said Natalie.

“Oh ….”

“What?” Natalie was getting super worked up; she looked like she might cry. “I’m a reserve, aren’t I? I’ll be coming to all the practices … I might have to sub, if someone gets injured.”

“I wasn’t thinking about that,” said Veronica quickly. Natalie hadn’t made Varsity, but Miss Van Helder was too kind to keep her on the JV squad. “You’re right.”

The bus slowed. Veronica craned her neck; this was her cousin Asenath’s stop. The doors opened with a squeal, then shut with another, but in between the two, Asenath didn’t get on.

“I hope Aseanth’s okay,” mused Veronica, grateful to have something to talk about besides cheerleading.

“Shouldn’t you know?” From her tone, it seemed Natalie was still sore.

“Daddy and Uncle Ephraim don’t talk much,” admitted Veronica. “I only see Asenath at school.”

“Well, whatever. I’m sure she just got a ride. We’ll see her at practice.”

True — Asenath wouldn’t miss cheerleading practice. She didn’t just love it; she was the best. She’d been the star of JV since their first week on the squad and would probably be Team Captain next year. And it wasn’t just because she was an amazing flyer in spite of her height. She worked hard, and made sure to be friendly and kind to everyone.

Privately, Veronica felt her cousin’s aspirations to popularity were a result of the rumors that haunted her family — her mother had left when she was just a girl and her father was a real weirdo. Some said Ephraim Waite was a Satanist; others said he was just a creep. Victoria’s daddy wouldn’t elaborate on any of it. He just said that Uncle Ephraim had ‘chosen his path,’ implying strongly it was one that led straight to Hell.

Which, of course, meant Uncle Ephraim wasn’t the kind of father who gave his daughter rides to school. Veronica fell into an uneasy silence until they pulled into the Miskatonic High parking lot.

There must really be a first time for everything, thought Veronica, for there was Uncle Ephraim’s blue BMW. It was strange, though — peering out the window, Veronica saw a boy and some dirty-looking punk girl with blue hair leaning on the driver’s side window, laughing and smoking cigarettes. The boy leaned in for a kiss.

“Oh, gross,” she said, disgusted. “Who are those losers? They shouldn’t be doing … that. I’m going to talk to them.”

“Suit yourself,” said Natalie, joining the throng of students clambering off the bus without a backwards glance. Veronica was surprised — she had no idea what the girl was so upset about.

The fresh air of Miskatonic High’s parking lot was a welcome change from the stuffy school bus, but Veronica made a show of coughing and waving her hand in front of her face as she approached the hooligans practically grinding on one another, pressed against Uncle Ephraim’s car. The girl had at least seven rings in her left ear and was wearing a plaid skirt obviously from Goodwill. It was pilling and had some prep school’s crest close to the hem. The dark-haired guy was wearing a Members Only jacket and Wayfarers. When he finally came up for air, Veronica cleared her throat loudly.

“Do you know whose car that is?” She put as much distain into her voice as she possibly could.

“Yeah, mine,” said the boy, lowering his Wayfarers with one long, smooth finger. Then he laughed. “Oh, hey, Veronica.”

It couldn’t be — and yet, it was! Veronica had no words as she realized the boy was not actually a boy, but her cousin Asenath. Over the summer, she’d cut her hair and bought herself a new wardrobe, but it was definitely her.

Veronica felt heat rising to her cheeks. Asenath looked great. If she’d been a boy, Veronica would have called her a hunk — dreamy, even.

But she wasn’t a boy. And while the Bible might not be all that specific on this kind of issue, her camp counselors had made it clear there was no uncertainty about the matter whatsoever.

“Asenath, what gives?” asked Veronica, wrinkling her nose. “You look weird.”

“And I was just going to say how nicely you’d filled out over the summer.”

“Don’t be obscene. Were you kissing her?”

“Jealous?” Asenath winked at her as the bell rang. “Better run. Wouldn’t want to be late.”

“What about you?” Asenath had always been a perfect student.

“You only live once,” said Asenath and went back to sucking face.

Veronica was shocked, but the pair were ignoring her, so her only option was to retreat, embarrassed and furious. Who did Asenath think she was? What she was doing, it wasn’t right — socially, academically, or spiritually. Veronica felt a brief flash of guilt. Asenath had applied for the Bible Camp scholarship, as her father wouldn’t send her, but Veronica had told her father Dougie Smithers was a better fit. But Dougie Smithers had ignored her all summer, and now ….