UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #1)(41)

Her day was going from bad to worse. Along with feeling guilty and depressed, she had opened her locker to find another note, quite a few actually; her locker was stuffed with them. Some said LOSER, FAKE, GOLD DIGGER but one that scared her most was the one written in red ink.

I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! YOU’RE DEAD!

Mina couldn’t figure out what she could have done to cause this kind of discord. She had tried to live a quiet and unnoticed life and had been relatively successful until the school field trip. For two whole days she had lived the life of an instant hit celebrity, but after that news died down, she was back to being boring Mina. Except now someone was trying to intimidate and bully her through notes. Her best bet was to try and finish whatever tale she was in right now and move on to the next as soon as possible. If only she could figure out what the Story wanted from her, what did she need to do to finish the end?

She was so deep in self-pity that Mina didn’t notice someone sit down next to her until they started talking.

“It doesn’t have to be this way between us you know.” Jared leaned against the table; he was dressed head to toe in black with black jeans, black shoes and jacket.

“I’ve decided that I would rather not get to know you, since you don’t care enough to explain things to me or help me. So if you’re not going to do either of those than you are just an annoying thorn in my side. Mina started to stab her chicken fried steak with a vengeance.

Jared looked at Mina’s lunch and laughed. He had a very engaging smile, which made Mina's mood turn darker. Sensing her displeasure, Jared tried to call a truce. “Tell you what, you live out the week and I will agree to help you.”

Ignoring him, Mina turned on him angrily. “Did you ransack my house?”

“What? No.” Jared’s smile fell from his face. “I did not, nor have I ever, entered your home, but I probably know who did.” His dark brows furrowed together in thought. “Strange I wouldn’t have thought him to be smart enough to try.”

“Who, Jared? If you know something that could protect my family then you need to tell me.” Mina was getting frustrated by the minute with Jared. One minute he was charming, the next minute we was as elusive and vague as the best politician.

“Grey Tail wouldn’t have gone there on his own, he would have been sent by someone with enough power to sway the wolf pack.” Jared looked worried.

“Wolf pack! Jared what are you talking about?” Mina felt the hair on the back of her arm rise in fear.

She didn’t get an answer to her question, because Pri and Savannah brought their trays and sat down next to Mina and began chatting like they were long lost friends.

Jared leaned back and watched the exchange with narrowed eyes.

“So Mina, what do you think of the theme for this year’s dance; Enchanted?” Savannah asked, drawing attention to her white blonde hair by flipping it over her shoulder. “It will be a ball, we are all supposed to dress up as famous storybook characters.”

“I didn’t know about the theme, I guess I haven’t been paying attention.” Mina answered distractedly. She had visibly tried to not cringe when she heard the theme. How ironic was that. She had been so distracted she didn’t even know about the dance, but then she did recall Nan texting back and forth with people pictures of possible dresses and costumes.

“So then Brody Carmichael hasn’t asked you to go with him? Savannah asked offhandedly, her body stiffened waiting for a reply. Mina could have sworn she saw her hold her breath.

“No, I don’t dance. I’ve been told it’s bad for my health.” Mina answered casually and watched as Savannah visibly relaxed. At least it was bad for Mina’s health, because she has yet to attend a dance where it didn’t end in a torn dress, broken shoe or sprained ankle.

“What about you Jared, are you going with anyone?” Pri asked. Her loaded question hung in the air like an atom bomb. She watched Jared like a hungry lion waiting to go in for the kill.

“Haven’t decided yet,” Jared answered carefully. “I’m still getting settled in, new student remember.” It was a very well played answer and Mina was envious of his excuse.

“Well, I am going as Rapunzel and I could use a prince charming.” Savannah actually preened. Mina never thought a human person could do it but she did.

“Rapunzel is not a good choice for you,” Jared spoke softly. “She was too na?ve, too innocent, I would peg you for someone more mature, more cunning?

“Really?” Savannah leaned forward into Jared’s arm and actually purred. “Who then, should I go as?”

Jared leaned away from her with disgust. “I would peg you as a jealous stepmother.” Savannah’s face turned red with anger. She was actually so mad she couldn’t form words. “Really, and what would miss Mina be, hhmmmm, the ugly stepsister?” Savannah stepped away from the table and Pri followed after her, like the good follower she was.

Mina covered her eyes with her hands and tried to massage the headache that was beginning to plague her. “You really shouldn’t have done that.” Mina chastised. “You just made my life harder, not easier.” She stood up and left her lunch tray on the table, her fork still standing at attention in the middle of her chicken fried steak.

Walking out the double doors into the hall, Mina was surprised to see Brody coming down the corridor toward her. Mina took off down another hall hoping he wouldn’t have seen her, just seeing Brody brought back a flood of feelings that she wasn’t ready to deal with. She was actually feeling relieved that he didn’t show up for school.