Page 3 of The Mist of Stars
“Maybe that’s because you couldn’t hear anything over the music,” I reply as I climb in and shut the door.
“Okay, Grandma,” she teases as she shifts the car into reverse.
I roll my eyes but smile. “Hey, you know I love music. Just not the crap you listen to.”
She narrows her eyes at me, but it’s a playful move. “It’s better than that rock crap you’re always listening to.”
I reach for the seat belt. “It’s called music. I don’t even know what the heck to call this stuff you’re listening to now.”
“It’s called taste,” she quips with a cheeky grin as she steers onto the road that leads out of the subdivision. The houses that border the street are all different, giving the area a unique look. “Speaking of music, have you heard about that concert that’s happening nearby in a few days?”
I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “No, what band is it?”
“It’s actually a festival that has a ton of bands from various different music genres,” she explains. “Alex was telling me about it this morning. It sounds fun. We should go.”
I waver at the mention of her brother.
When she glances at me, she heaves a sigh as she slows down at a stop sign. “Oh, come on, bestie. We don’t actually have to hang out with my brother. I just heard about the festival from him.”
Logically, I know she’s right, but my aversion to Alex runs deep, like the scar on my arm from when I broke it.
She makes a turn, heading for the drive-thru coffee shop we frequently stop at before school. “I seriously don’t get what’s up with you two. I mean, I know Alex can be a cocky jerk, and I know he used to tease you, but I feel like he’s been better the last few years.”
Her point is valid—I’m aware of this—and yet, my lips twitch at the mention of his name. “He just drives me crazy. And I know he feels the same way about me.”
She presses her lips together as she drums her painted fingernails against the top of the steering wheel.
I feel bad. She’s stuck in the middle.
“I’ll go to the music festival.” I decide to let go of my issues with Alex, at least for that particular night.
She perks up. “Really?”
I nod. “Yeah. I mean, I don’t know what bands will be there, but it’ll be fun just to go.”
“Awesome.” She smiles as she turns into the coffee shop parking lot. “You want a medium or a large today?”
With how restless my sleep was last night, I reply, “Make it an extra-large.”
About fifteen minutes later,Aislin and I are heading across the parking lot and toward the entrance to the academy. It’s a godly-like structure with pointed towers and wide columns that stretch toward the sky. An iron gate encompasses the acres of forested land that surround the academy, and mountains tower in the distance.
It’s pretty but secluded, and I often wonder if I’d find a glittery city more appealing. But, since I haven’t traveled to many places, who knows?
“Are we still on for that thing today?” Aislin asks as we make our way up the stairs that stretch toward the domed entrance of the school. Other people are wandering around, heading inside, with class starting in a few minutes.
“Yeah.” I inch closer to her to swing around a couple making out in the middle of the stairway. “Although, you still haven’t explained why you want to practice that specific spell.” I glance at her with my brow arched. “Unless it’s to make you-know-who do you-know-what with you.”
She’s rummaging through her bag but lifts her gaze to aim a pressing look at me. “Shh … Not out in the open,” she warns.
“I didn’t even say anything,” I gripe. “I spoke in code.”
Nervousness remains on her features. “I know. I’m just …” She anxiously glances around.
“I know,” I tell her, knowing full well what the cause of her anxiety is.
Love spells are risky, forbidden and, most of all, the guy I am referring to is our friend, though Aislin wants to be more with him.
She releases a breath before returning to looking in her bag. “I don’t think I brought my …” Her words fade away as a familiar buzzing floods my body.