Page 29 of Monster’s Magic
“Meet me in the halls at the staircase above the library in about an hour, okay,” I ask.
He nods, then in a softer tone asks, “Just me?”
I glance at Cazimir, then back to Shayde and nod.
I turn to make my way to the locker rooms when Evie grasps my arm. “What was that all about?” She glances over her shoulder for a moment, then back to our destination.
“I asked him to meet us in the hall in about an hour.”
“Us? Me and you us,” she asks.
I nod as we enter the changing room; it’s a bustling space filled with the sound of running water, laughter, and chatter. Rows of lockers line the walls, and steam fills the air as girls move about, getting ready after their showers.
Approaching my combination lock, I begin twisting the dial. “Me, you, and Shayde,” I reply, answering her question from a moment ago.
She stands there for a long moment, unsure what to do or say. Evie leans against the locker next to me and crosses her arms, then draws out, “Okay, so what gives?”
I pull out my change of clothes and a clean towel, my bathing supplies, then close my locker. “You’ll find out. Clean up.”
I’m grateful she doesn’t ask anything further. There are too many ears in the room and that includes Dafni Frangidi. She’s in the first shower stall.
How do I know this?
I can smell her rankness.
And she’s talking to the person in the next one.
I take one of the showers a few openings down to avoid any confrontation. It’s not that I’m scared of her, I just don’t want to throw down in the girl’s locker room.
* * *
After a long,hot shower, I towel dry my body and wrap the fluffy towel around my body. Grabbing my hair wrap, I flip my hair over squeeze it out, and secure it. Righting myself, I make my way to my locker and spy Dafni across the way at hers.
At least she’s dressed and ready to get out of here at any moment.
My back is facing the room and I pull the wrap from my head to begin the rub down of my hair.
At least, until there’s a tap on my left shoulder. I spin around and my breath catches in my throat.
Dafni.
She leans in closer. “I’m just wondering why you think you’re so special. Why everyone seems to adore you,” she states, her voice dripping with venom.
Letting my hair towel drop to the bench, I cross my arms over my chest. “Surely, I have no idea what you mean by that. Also, what the fuck did I ever do to you?”
Dafni’s eyes narrow, and a cruel smile creeps onto her face. “Oh, you haven’t done anything... yet. But don’t worry, Teagan. There are too many witnesses here to see what I really want to do to you.”
My mouth drops open and I can feel my eyes widen in response to the dark undercurrent in Dafni’s words. Before I can respond, Dafni turns on her heel and walks away, her friends trailing behind her, shooting me smug glances.
Evie approaches quickly, her face a mix of concern and anger. “Did you see that? Dafni had the gall to approach you like that!”
“Yep,” I answer. “I have no idea what her problem is, Evie. I’ve never done anything to her.”
I feel Evie place a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Some people are just consumed with bitterness. Don’t let her get to you, Teagan.”
Taking a deep breath, I nod. “You’re right, Evie. Let’s finish getting ready. We have more important things to do.”
“Like sharing this plan of yours with me. I’m still dying to know,” Evie teases.