SilverSilhouette

NatalieMarieBishop
Silver Silhouette

Natalie Marie Bishop

SilverSilhouette
NatalieMarieBishop

DedicatedtomysisterHaley,whogavemetheideainthefirstplace.To
RozalieBenova,foralwaysreadingandeditingmystoryandhelpingit
becomeasuccess.ToHanRuoandmyfamilyjustforbeingthereand
supportingme.TomyteacherMisterGreenwaywhohelpedmealong
thewayandhelpedmepublishitintotheworld.TomysisterCelestefor
readingmystoryinherfreetimeandwaitingformetofinishinsteadof
beingwithme.
AndtomysisterAlyssa,whosaidIcouldntdoit.





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Table of Contents:

Prologue..
Chapter 1: Dead Magic.
Chapter 2: A Normal Girl (Or at Least as Normal as I Can Be)..
Chapter 3: Dont Expect a Picnic...
Chapter 4: Dreams and Secrets...
Chapter 5: Uncovered..


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Prologue
Atremblingfootinchedacrosstheplank,duskkickingupbehindher
small,softfeet.Thedimlightseemedblinding.Herhearthammeredinherchest.
Thevoicebehindherusheredherforwardinahushedtone.Thesmallgirl
trembledinfear.
ComeonBeatrix!YoucandoitIthink,whisperedthegirlsvoice.A
newvoicecamesuddenlyinBeatrixsheadmuchstrongerofavoice.Thetype
ofvoicethathidesintheshadows,takesyoursoulforfun.Thevoiceseemed
masculine.
Yes,littlegirl.Goandfindyourdestiny.Justkeepwalkingforwards.
Thevoicehadscaredher.
HaleyAnn?IIhavetokeepgoing.Totheend.
What?!Imcominginthere!Youcantleavemenownotever!

Yearslater...
Beatrixdashedbehindatree.Thatwasacloseone.Theycouldbehere
anymomentnow...
Asmallgirlagedtwelveyearsoldappearedfrombehindthewillow,curls
bouncing.Herebonylocksweregrayandsilver.Herfairskinwasnowmisted
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over.Onlyherpiercingambereyesremainedthesame.Shes193yearsold,but
doesntappeartobe...
Beatrixglancedaround,awareofanynoiseoreventheslightestof
movement.Finally,shefindswhatsheislookingfor.Alargehollowoaktree.
Beatrixsqueezedinsidealargehole.Atightfit,butitwouldhavetodo.Soon,it
wassunset.Beatrixhadtostay.Atthestrokeofmidnight,shewasstillawake,
eventhethoughtscaringheroutofhermind.Byearlysunrise,shebeganher
questforabetterlife.Dashingandrunningwashermethodofsurvival.Butshe
couldnthideforevertheGhostHuntersdontgiveupeasily,andtheyknowall
therightplacestolook.





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Chapter 1
Dead Magic

Ouch!Whatdidyoudothatfor?YoulittleIgrimaced,thenfoundmy
littlevillain.Oh.Well,uh,heytherelittleguy!Um,justflutteralongthen.Go!I
said,scootingtheteenyowletalong.Youheardme.Goon.Idonthaveany
food.Itturnsoutthelittleowlethadpulledonatreebranchsoitswung
forwardandhitmesplatinthecenterofmyface.Yep.Iwasrightthetree
branchstruckmehardenoughthatIwasbeginningtobleed.Igrimacedonce
more,pluckedalargeleafoffthenearesttreeandbegantodabmysilvery
wound.
Thatsrightevenghostsbleedalthoughghostbloodissilvery,and
reflectsthesunslight.IfinishedwipingawayallsignsthatIwashere.TheGH
(GhostHunters),knowallsignsofghosts...mostly.
Ohcomeon.Bereasonable!Iscoldedthesmallcreature.Ihaveno
homeorfood,andImbeinghunteddown!Yourenotsafewithme.Thelittle
owletflashedmethissupercutesadeyedsadface,andhungitsheadlow.Fora
momentIconsideredkeepingthelittleguy,butsnappedoutofit.Hewould
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causetroubleandslowmedown.Theowletwasprettycute,though.Andits
notlikehecoulddomemuchharm
Oh...okay.Fine.Youwin.Youreprettydarncute,youknowthat?The
owletnuzzledupagainstmyfingertips.
Now,Isaid.Whattonameyou?Iranthroughpossibilitiesinmy
head.Flutter,Hoot,andNightweresomethatIthoughtaboutforonesecond,
andthenimmediatelythoughtno.Theowletwasnowhootinglikemad,and
tryingtoflyupwards.Well,yousureareenergetic,arentyou?Iasked,andI
couldnthelpbutgiggletheowletwasscootingaroundinthemud,pulling
himselfbyhisbeak.
Oh,thatdoesntmatternow.Ihavetohurry!Helookedupfora
moment,butwentbacktoscootinginaninstant.Ugh!Hurryitup!Islipped
backintothetree.Illhavetoliveundercover,hidingincaves.Ithought.Then
IllchangemynametoJaneSmith,andmovetoItaly.Illraisecows,than
swimtoanunderwatergrotto.ThenIll...wait.WhatifIblendin,insteadof
hidingfortherestofeternity!Illbejustassafe,andalotmorehappy!The
onlytroubleishowHey,Henry!Iheardsomethingdownbythepatchof
clovers,saidamysteriouswomansvoice.
Yeah,Iheardittoo,Kate.Letsgocheck!Myheartwasthumpingout
ofmychest.IwasafraidthattheywouldfindmeifIdidsomuchasbreathe.l
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hadtohurry.There!Outinthedistancewasasmallcottage,withsmokecoming
throughthechimney.Maybewhoeverisinsidecouldhelpme.
Theshacklookedlikeitwasaboutthreemilesaway.Themanwaswas
creepingclosertothetreeIwashidingin,allsortsoffancyequipmentstrapped
ontohim.Itmusthavebeenquiteheavy.Nowonderhewascomingoverso
slowly.Imighthaveachance!Isnuckoutofthebackofthetree,andbegan
sprintingfordearlife.
Kate,nothingshere,Icouldmanagetohear.DarnthisfancIcouldnt
hearanymoreIwastoofaraway.
Thethingaboutghostsisthattheycanhoverinsteadofwalkiftheywant.
Thatmeansyoucangofaster,becausetheresnocontactwiththegroundto
slowyoudown.Dontgetmewrongitwastiring.ButIfeltasuddenstrength,
helpingmetogofaster.Thishadhappenedafewtimesbefore,butthistimeit
feltdifferent.Whatever,theresnotimetodwellonthat.Theimportantthingis
thatImadeit!

Thecottagehadvinescrawlingupthesideofthebuilding,andcracked
paint.Italsohadmushroomsgrowingaroundthesidesnotaflowerinsite.It
lookedprettyoldforthe21stcentury,anditalittlecreepy,butIhadseenmuch
worse.
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Itwasntsobad.ButasIwalkedaroundthecottage,Isawadeadcorpse
hanginginchains,tryingtofreedbyscratchingatthewall.Okay,itwaspretty
creepy.ButIhadtogoin.Itwastheonlyway.
SoIgatheredallthecouragethatIcouldmuster,andgotreadytoopen
thedoor,shakingfromheadtotoe.Justthen,theowletcamerushingover,
peckingatmewithsomuchenthusiasm,Ihadthefeelingthathewason
caffeine.IcantbelieveIactuallysaidthatyoucouldcomealong.But,fine.I
guessyoucancomealonginside.Thetinycreaturewasspinningincircles,and
bobbinghishead.

Ibreathedheavily,thenturnedtheknob.Thedooropenedwithaloudand
eeriecreek.Wow.Itlookedlikenoonehadbeenhereinyears,andwasanodd
andcreepysight.Ahumanheartwaspreservedinalargejar,floatinginclearjel.
CreaturesIhadneverbeforethoughtpossiblewerelayinginthecorner,dead.
Potionswereinbottles,sealedwithcorks.Agreengoopwasbrewingand
bubblinginalargepot.
Helloooooo?Icalledintothenothingness.
Whoowhoo?calledtheowlet.Theechobouncedaroundthetall,thick,
stonewalls.Hmm.Echoisacoolname
Anybodythere?Noanswer.Suddenly,awomanappeared,from
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seeminglynowhere.Hello,dear.Ihavebeenexpectingyou!Iwasstartled.I
saidnothing,didnothing.Eventheowletfroze,perchedonacork.Dontbe
afraid,sweetie,shecooed.Along,surprisinglygracefulfingerextendedand
strokedmycheek.Ishuddered.
Shewasanelegant,slim,youngwoman,withavoicelikesilk.Sheworea
long,white,goldtrimmedrobe.Herhairwasashadeofroastedchestnutsand
honey,hereyesasilveryblueinthedimlight.Toputitsimply,shewas
beautiful.
Iknowwhyyouarehere,andwhatyouseek.Youhavecometotheright
place,shewhispered.
Umm,youdo?Iasked,withseriousdoubt.
Yes.Youwanttoappearhuman,dontyou?Sheasked,asmallsmile
spreadingacrossherface.
Howdidyouknow?
MynameisCaliana.Thisismytower,myhome.Thesearemyelixirs,
andI,shesaid,ammagical.Shewinked.
Youyouare?!Iasked,notexactlyconvinced.Shemusthavesensed
mydisbelief,becauseshehandedmeanelixir,mistyandswirlingaroundina
vile.Thiswillmakeyoulookhuman.Thisiswhatyouwant,right?Yourtrue,
human,colorswillreappear.But,youmustbelievethatitwillwork,orelseyou
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willsimplyfadeaway.Ishuddered.
Itwilllastuntilanyonefindsoutyourtrueform.Ifthishappens,atfirst
nothingwillhappen.Then,oneweeklater,youwillfeelaburningsensation,then
turnintothewind.Willyoudrinkit,evenatthisgreatrisk?

ThatwasthehardestquestionIhadeverhadtoanswer.Wasitworthit?
Andwhatwasworse,livinganeternityinmisery,orsimplyfadingaway?

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Chapter 2
A Normal Girl (or as normal as I can be)

Asyoumayhaveguessed,Ichosetotaketheelixir.Iknow,itsextremely
risky,butitsbetterthanbeingimprisonedforalloflifeandafter.Itookthe
potion,thankedherandtriedtopayher,butshewouldntexceptthegolden
watchthatIhadstolenincaseofemergencies.SoIleftwiththesamequestion
thatIhavehadinmymindeversincesheshowedmethepotion.Isitworthit?
Yesitwas.

Theclearpotionsliddownmythroat.Hmm.OddIttastedlikeevery
foodIhadevertasted.Youwouldthinkthatitwouldtastedisgusting,but
insteadittastedquitepleasant.Ifeltabitwoozy,andbeforeyouknewit,Ihit
thegroundinadeepslumber.
AsIslept,IdreamedtheweirdestdreamthatIvehadinalongtime,
(consideringthatghostsdontdream).Idontrememberallofit,butithad
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somethingtodowithschoolandatrackteamaconfusedboyand,
unlessImmistaken,aminiatureversionofCaliana.

Iwokeupunderthetreewithashowerofrainpouringontome.Thats
odd.Usually,theraindropsgorightthroughme.Thatswhenithitme.Maybe,
justmaybe,thepotionhadworkedtoowell.Andmaybe,Ihadactually
becomeNo.Thatsimpossible.Thatcouldnever,neverhappencouldit?
No,nowtheraindropswerepouringthroughmeagain.Maybeitwasjustakick
startorsomething.Weird.
Now,tofindadecent,normaleducation,andsomethingnewtowear.
Nowthatstheproblem.Buttheproblemisthatforone,Idontknowmyway
aroundthetown,andtwo,Idontknowwhatgirlsthesedayswear.Ivebeen
wearingthisdeepbluesouthernbelletypedressforthelast200years,soIwas
kindofoutofdate.And,sinceImaghost,myhairandfingernailshadbeen
growinglikemadforabout200years,andwheneverItrytotrimthem,they
wontsnip.
Okay.Ifoundadryspotundersomeleaves,andwroteanactionplan
withastickintothemud.

Step 1
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Find an exit to these woods.
Step 2
Ambush a modern girl and knock her out.
Step 3
Take her clothes and put them on.
Step 4
Look for a school that I can attend.
Step 5
Attend the school as an almost normal
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Ihadtoworkmoreonthislater.Justthen,Ihadbetterbeginmyplan.
IhadonlysearchedforaboutanhourbeforeIrememberedsomething
WherewasEcho?(Yes,IdecidedtonametheowletEcho.)
Echooo,Icalledthroughtherain.Whereareyou?Forthefirsttime,I
actuallymissedthelittleguy.Hejustmademehappier,evenwhenhebugged
me.Echosprobablysomewheredry.MaybehesunderthesametreethatIhad
beenundertokeepdryandwritetheplan.
Icircledbacktofindhim,thistimeinasprint.Icouldn'tglideorhover
eversinceIdrankthepotion.Itslowedmedownbyaboutthirtyminutes.Onthe
waythere,somethingcaughtmyeye.ThereIwas,infullcolor,andmudand
grassstainsallalongthefrontofmyfrillydarkbluedress.
Finally,Ireachedthethetree.Itriedtostopmyheartfrombeatingso
fast,andlookeddown.Mostofmyactionplanhadbeenwashedawaybythe
windandrain.
Icouldntbelieveit!Afterfivehard,heartbeatinghours,Echowasnt
there.Impossible.
JustasIwasabouttositdownandthinkabouthowterriblemylifewas,a
tinypuffballdivedontomyheadwithmoreforcethanyouwouldthink,and
creatingasmallbruise.Thesmallpuffballhadwings,andwashootingwait.
Echo!Icalledouttothetinycreature.Okay,Echo.Ihaveaplan.
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Comeon!Theresnotimetolose!Ibouncedbackupwithanewstrength,and
sprintedtotheedgeoftheforest.
Ireachedtheexitbynightfall,andsetupcampforthenight.Stepone,
check,Iwhispered,asIgotcomfyonsomeslightlywetleaves.EchoandI
sleptbythetreenearesttoroad,readytotakeupourchallengeagaintomorrow.

Iwokeup,myheartpounding.Ihadavividnightmare,andIcouldfeela
coldsweatonmyforehead.Something,orsomeone,iscommandingthesearch
tofindme.Ihavetoactfast.Thecoldhighpitchedlaughfrommydream
seemedfamiliar,likeIhadhearditoncebeforealong,longtimeago.
Echosexhausted.Remember,hesnocturnal.Butthatsoksomeofmy
questwillbedoneatnight.
Icreptpastthetreeatthecrackofdawn,steppingontosomeweirdflat
grayrock.Ah,yes.Theroad.Theresagirlinherearlyteenswholookedabout
mysize.Now,whatwouldbetheleastmessy,leastobviouswaytoknockher
out?Hmm.HowaboutIgetalargebranch,smackheronthehead,thendragher
intotheforesttostealherclothes?Goodenoughforme!
IclimbedupthesametreethatIsleptunder,andsnatchedupaloosetree
branch.Itcrasheddownwithathunk,andIsliddownthetrunk.Withthe
branchonmyshoulder,Itiptoedovertothegirl.Iguessshewasdeafor
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something.Imean,whowouldnthearacrazymaniac(me),luggingahuge
branchtrailingontheground?Iluggeditovermyhead,readytosmackher.But
somethingstoppedme.
Firstofall,shelookedsopeaceful.Shewassippinghotcocoa,andshe
hadhereyesclosed.Secondofall,Iimaginedhowherfamilywouldfeel,and
howmuchtroubleIwouldbeinwiththepolice.
Andthirdofall,simplyputgross!
Intheend,Idecidednottohither.Iknow,Imtoonice.Andamazing.
Andhumble.
So,great.NowIhadtoworkoutanewStep2,3,and4.OrIcouldjust
skiptoStep4
JustasIthoughtthat,agirlwithreddishbrownishhairthatwaspulledup
intoaponytailboundedmyway.Shehadarainbowcompactedontoherface.
Oh,wait.Itwasalljustmakeup.Shegavemeawinningsmile,thenlookedme
overwithslightdistaste.Hey,girl!ImKatrina!You,like,looktotallylost!I
justlookedatherlikeshewascrazy.Shelookedaboutmyage,maybeabit
older.
UhhdoIknowyou?Iaskedthegirl,Katrina.
Oh,youaresofunny!Comeon.Youneedsomeserioushelp!she
giggled.Whathadshesaid?Ineededserioushelp?Katrinajustgrinnedand
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battetthoseheavilycoloredeyelidsatmeliketheanswerwasobvious.
Wellstartwithabath.Yeah,thatllberealgoodforyou.Thenwecan
moveontothehairsalon,thenwellgetmanisandpedis!Oh,andIknowthis
reallycoolnewdressshopatthemall,justawaysaway!Shekeptblabbingon
andonaboutcolorsandhuesandsalonsandmalls.Andwhattheheckwere
manisandpedis?
Um,whoareyou,andwhyareyouhere?Iasked.Imean,itisntevery
daythatsomerandomgirlwalksuptoyouanddronesonabouthowmuch
helpyouneed.Oratleast,nooneusedto,200yearsago.
Dontyouremember?ImKatrina!AndImgonnagiveyoua
makeover!Katrinaseyeslituponthewordmakeover.Arentyouexcited?
shesquealed,kickingheruncomfortablelookingshoeupintotheair.Yeah,just
aboutasexcitedasaIwouldbetoscrubatoilet.
Come,on!Theresworktobedone!

Katrinasteeredmeintoametalmonster,whichshecalledherbaby.I
knowafewthingsaboutbabies.Theyresoftandcute.Thathugemachineisa
lotofthings,butcuteisnotoneofthem.
Katrinahadherbrother,Alex,drivethemachineshehadsaidwascalleda
car.TheweirdestpartisthattheydidntseemtonoticeorcarethatIlookedso
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outofdate.
Weparkedoutsideofthemall,andAlexdroveoff.Hesaidthatwe
shouldcallhimiftherewasanytrouble.Katrinahoppedoutofthecar,tookmy
hand,andbeganskippingintothehuge,beigecoloredbuilding.Ithadasignon
topthatwasprinted:Super Star Girl! IletgoofKatrinashand.Ididntknowher
verywellanditwasjustkindofawkward. Shelookedkindofoffended,butshe
justsighedandkeptwalking.
Alright!Firststop,washingyouupinanicesoothingbath!Iknowjust
theplace.Thisway!ShesnatchedmyhandbackupwhichIwasnttoothrilled
about,butIletitpass.Afterall,shewasmyonewaytickettoanormallife.I
wouldbeanormalgirl!IcouldntgetonKatrinasbadside.
Sheskippeddownthesidewalkdraggingmebehinduntilwereachedour
destination.Aswewanderedintotheimmensemall,Katrinascreechedandmy
heartskippedabeat.There!Katrinacalled,pointingherhotpinkpolished
indexfingeratasteamingroomwithaslightlygrouchylookingladyatthefront
desk.Shewaslookingbehindherintothehumidwarmth,withalookoflonging
onherface.Herhairhaspulledintoasloppyponytailandwasslightlybigger
boned.Katrinawalkeduptoherandsmiled.ThegrouchthatImgonnacall
Pudgejustkeptscowling.Whensherealizedthatsomeonewasatherdesk,she
pulledafakegrinandsaidinaveryrobotictone,Hello.Whaddyawant?Abath
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ormassaPudgecutshortwhenKatrinashowedheragolden well,agolden
somethingthatwasreflectingtheoverheadlight.Pudgesmiledunsurelyandput
onanewtone.Comein!Comein!Whatwouldyoulike?anythingforyou,
dear.Anythingatall!Katrinagavemeaswiftmischievousgrin,butthen
snappedbacktothelady.
Oh,abathwouldbenice.Forher,ofcourse,notme.Imalready
perfect!KatrinatwirledandkickedherfootintotheairIwasbeginningtotell
thatshewoulddothatalot.
Ofcourseyouare,angel.
Youbetterbelieveit!Oh,andaboutthemakeover,shecoulddefinitely
beabletouse
Hey,Imrighthere!DoesanyoneevencareaboutwhatIthink?I
grumbledundermybreath.Pudgelookedatmewithalookofsurprise,then
disgust.
Ohyeah,youreheretoo.My,my.Ihavesomeworktobedoneshe
sighedadeepheavysigh,thenledmeintoherspa.
IfIhadtodescribeitinoneword,thatwouldbefloral.Everywhereyou
lookbam!Carnationsinavase.Poof!Abouquetoflilies.Boom!Anorchidon
thetable.Thescentofflowerswaftedintomeandgavemeacalm,peaceful
feeling.Iguessthatthatwaspartoftheirtreatment.Inthebackground,soft
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soundsofasitarwereplaying,givingmeameltingsensation,remindingmeof
howtiredIwas.Asmallfountainwasbubblinginthecorner,tinywaterfalls
flowingdownthesides.Iwastemptedtoflopdownontothatsoft,squishy,
fluffymattress.Imusthavelookedprettystupid,standingtherestaringatthe
fruitbowlandmattresswithmykneesbucklinganddroolcomingoutthecorner
ofmymouth.
Pudgestillhadonherregularscowl,butIcouldhaveswornthatIsawa
lookofprideonherface,asthoughshecreatedtheplaceherself.WhichIguess
shekindofdid,butstill.
Well,Imayaswellbegin.Betternowthannever,Iguess.Sheslumped
offtogetanewmat,morehotrocks,lotionsandatowel.
Okay,ifyouveneverbeentoaspaorhadamakeover,letmetellyou
now,thattheworstisyettocome.Itstartsoutextremelyrelaxing.Warmth
seepingyourentirebody,positionedonthosefleecyblanketswithhotrockson
myback.(ItwaskindofembarrassingIwasbareexceptforatowelanditfelt
likealleyeswereonme.)
Than,therealtreatmentstarted.Pushingandnaggingatmyhair(which
reallyannoysme),scrubbingatmyskin,trimming,paintingandfilingmynails,
buffingandpolishingmytoes,andriddingmeofallmyprevious,natural
beauty.Thantheywentovertheline.
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HEY!Icalledout,utterlysurprised.Istruggledandpushedaround,
tryingtogetfreeofhergrasp.
Holdstill,Pudgegrumbled,pinningmedownonablackandwhitehair
salonchair.Herhairscissorsswungwildlyintheattempttogetmetostaystill.I
watchedinhorroraschunksofmyownextremelylong,wavy,nowcleanblack
hairfelltothetiledfloor.
Aboutanhouroftugging,snipping,dressingandshampooinglater,Iwas
finallydone.

Chapter 3
Dont Expect a Picnic
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ThereIwas,standinginfrontofthemirror,screaming.Iwashorrified.
Absolutelyhorrified.Iwasfullyclothedinjeansandapearlypinktanktop,with
lightpinklipsandgoldandbrowneyelids,myhairinabraidedbun.Mynails
wereshiningandhadswirlingmoonandsundesignspaintedonsilverandgold
backgrounds.Mysilvershoeswerepinchingmytoes.Ohgoody,moreblisters
tocomeinthefuture,Ithought.Danglingfrommyearsweregoldhoops.The
onlythingthatwasntelegantandserenewasmyexpressionmymascaraed
eyeswide,mylipstickedmouthgapingIhadbecomeKatrinaafied.
Whatswrong,Be?Katrinaaskedwithapuppydogpout.
DontcallmeBe.ItsBe.A.Trix.Ispokeeachsyllableslowly,as
thoughshewasababy.
Whatevs,Trixy,Katrinasaidwistfully,asthoughshehardlycaredatall
aboutwhatIhadtosay.Iclenchedmyteeth.
Pudgestoodbacktoadmireherwork.Atleastshewasntglaringatme
withdisgust.Ifeltsoawkwardstandingtherewithherstaringatmelikethat,I
begantofeelmoreselfconscious.WasThezitonmyforeheadvisible?I
quicklymattedmyhairdown.Istraightenedmytanktopandtriedtocorrectmy
naturallybadposture.WouldKatrinastopseeingmeasalittlerayofsunshineif
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Iwasntperfectlikeher?

Bye,Carmen!Katrinacalledassheskippedbackdowntoherbaby.
Oh,sothatwasPudgesrealname.Whatever,Pudgefitherbetter.
Istilldidntknowwhattothinkaboutmynewmakeover.DidIactually
lookbetterlikethat?OrdidIlookjustplainridiculous?
Itstimetotakeyoutoschool!Youllloveit!Andthebestpartisthat
theyallloveme!Igroaned.Thankfully,Katrinacouldnthearme.Okay,Ill
getAllietodriveyoudowntothemainsquare.Theressomegreatrestaurants
andmallsthere.Iguessyoudeservealittlefreetimealone.That,Iwasgrateful
for.
AsIarrivedtothesquare,Ibegantorealizehowdifferentandalmost
scarytheworldhadgotten.Bottlesandcigaretteslitteredtheground,creatinga
sadlittleauraaround.Notasgreenandlushasbefore.Beforenow,Ihadonly
readaboutwhattheworldwaslikeandwhatwasgoingonbyoldnewspapers
thathadbeenneglectedandblownintotheforestbythewind.Nowwell,now
itallseemedsoreal.
Alright!Heresyourstop.Ihoppedoutofthesocalledcar,furrowed
mybrow,andheadedoffintotheworld.

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Avintageshophmm.Easymoney,andfast,too.Iadvanceddownthe
straightandnarrowroadtoabuildingthatslightsglistenedinthelatesummer
sunset.Wow.Thatmakeoverhadtakenquiteawhiletofinish.Dring!Alittle
bellsoundedwhenIopenedthedoor.Atallmiddleagedmanwithsaltand
pepperhairandslightlysunkencheeksstoodinthedoorway.Itlookedlikehe
usedtobegoodlooking,butagehadchangedthatabit.Helookedmeoverand
said,Doyouhaveanygoodsforthisshop?Youdontappeartobecarrying
anythingworthwhile.
Oh,yeah.Ihavesomethingyoumightbeinterestedin.Ipulledoutmy
bluesatingownwithwhitelacedancingaroundthesleeveslikesnowflakes.On
thesilvercollarwasthesilhouetteofayounggirlwithcurlsspillingaroundher
shouldersme.AndIhavethis,aswell.Myhanddugintothebag,searching
formybeadedbracelet,earrings,glovesandvelvetpurse.What?YouthinkI
canthaveanythingcool?Iwasthedaughterofalordandlady,andifyouask
me,thisstuffiswaybetterthanmodernskinnyjeans.Icouldseehiseyes
widenashefingeredmydress.
Well,well.Itlookslikeyouhavehitsomethingofmyinterest.He
glancedatmyearringsgreedily.
Okay.Iaccept.Howaboutinreturnyoucanpickoutanythingfrommy
collectiononthisside?Hegesturedovertoarackofotherdressesandoutfits,
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onoldtypewriterlayingbesideit.Therewereallsortsofclothesfromthe60s,
70s,80s.AndatthatmomentIwasgladofonethingthatIhadntneededto
escapeinthe1900s,oratleastinthe60s.Thebrightcolorsandsequins
blindedme.Isquintedatthesorry,allyeoldiesfromthe60sfloweredand
tiedyedugliness.TheoutfitIwaswearingthensuddenlydidntseemsobad
anymore.
No,Ianswered,knittingmyeyebrowstogether.Imonlygoingtotake
apaymentincash.Otherwise,Imtakingthedressandaccessoriesback.I
reachedforthegown,buthegrabbedmywrist.
Thatwontbenecessary.Hisgazecreepedmeout.
Okay,thengivemethecashIdeserve.Itriedtodomybestimitationof
Katrina,withthatpoutandmyhandsonmyhips.
Now,now.Dontbehasty.Isaythisalltogetherisworthaboutten
dollars.
What?!Youcantbeserious.Ten?Youknowwhat,Imgoingrightout
andtakingmystuffwithmetofindaplacethatsactuallyworthmytime!I
startedheadingoutthedoor,knowingthatthiswouldcatchhisattention.
Wait!Illmakeittwenty.Justcomeback.Wecanworkthingsout!
Iturnedonmyheels,withasmallsmile.
Okay.Fine.Butifyoumakeitsmallerthanfifty,Imayreconsider.I
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couldtellhewasthinkingaboutmyofferwithhisheadcockedandoneofhis
eyebrowsscrunched.Irecognizedthatface,althoughIcouldnttellfromwhere.
See,thatsoneofthepainsofbeingaghost.Icanhardlyremembermy
life.Youknow,whenIwasalive.Itwasannoying,almostpainfultryingto
remember.Itwasonthetipofmytongue,thefrontofmymind.Itwaslike
tryingtograbsomethingthatwasjustoutofreach.

Suddenly,Ihadaflashback,avision.Aslimyounggirlwithamassof
blondringletsthatcametoaboutthemiddleofherbackwithalongthinbraid
trailingthroughthecurls.Sheworeapuffypinkandgoldgownwithahuge
smile.Shelookedonlyabityoungerthanme,laughingandrollingaroundinthe
grassandblowingdandelionsintothewind.Anothergirlwithaheadframedwith
darkcurlsandadeepblueandsilverdresssatbesideherwithagrin,herhands
filledwithwildflowersshehadbraidedintoacrown.Theyweresingingand
dancing,blinkingupintothesunlight.Thenasternlookingwomancameoutside
withaparasolandglaredatthechildren,beckoningforthemtocomeinsidea
largemanorthatwasplacedbehindthefield.Thegirlsquicklystoodup,looking
stricken,andbrushedthegrassanddirtofftheirclothes.Thewomanlectured
them,handingthemtheirunfinishedembroideryandgivingthemasternglare,
tellingthemtobecometruewomen.Thegirlsstraitenedtheirbacks,theonein
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thepinknoddingquicklyandcautiouslywalkedupthelongstaircase,carefulnot
towalktooquicklysothatshewouldntgetyelledatagain.ThenInoticedwasa
girlwithbrunettethathadcoiledlocksthatwerepulledintoafancybun.She
woreavelvetygreenandbronzegown,andappearedolderthantheothertwo
andstoodsmirkingwithherfinishedembroidery.Thenthememoryfaded

AsIopenedmyglazedovereyes,themanstaredatme.Ifeltacoldsweat
onmyforehead,myheadaching.Ilookedagainatthemanhelookedso
muchbiggerthanmeAsIrealizedIhadfaintedrightinhisstore,Iblushed
brightredrightuptomyears.Ohsorryaboutthat.Hehelpedmeupand
gavemeanicepack.Althoughhewasanincrediblybadbargainingjerk,Iguess
hisheartwasntcompletelymadeofstone.
Areyouallright?Oh,andIwillbetakingtheitemsthatyouoffered.Ill
giveyousixtyfiveforthem.Iguessyouwereright.Justthan,Irememberedthe
dress.Irememberedthedelicatelittleornamentjustinbetweenthetwosidesof
thecollar.BeforeIlefttheshop,Icreptovertomysatinybluedress

Ileftthevintageshopinsilencewithmysixtyfivedollars.
Oh,youredonewithyourlittleouting!Didyoudoanything
worthwhile?Katrinatwirledthecurlyendofherponytail.Didyouenjoythe
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city?Whatmalldidyougoto?Ooh!Anddidyougotothatoneshopthatsells
thosecutelittleaccessories?Youknow,theonewiththelittlepurseswiththe
bowsonthefront?WhoamIkidding,ofcourseyoudid!Showmewhatyou
have!Ipulledmyhandbackoutfrommypocket,myballedupintoatightfist.
Islowlyopenedmyfingersuntilmypalmwasflat.Restingthere,wasasmall
whiteovalwithlacyedges,asmallprofileofagirlinthecenter.
Imcomingbackforyou,HaleyAnn.Illfindyouagain.

Abouttimeyouwenttoschool!Katrinabubbled.
Yeah,Iknow,Imutteredundermybreath.OtherwiseIneverwould
havegivenupmydress.Myfingersautomaticallycurledaroundthewhite
broach,remindingmyselfofher.Ibeganrememberinghervoice,hersmile,her
name.HaleyAnn.Butnothingelsecametome.Iwastemptedtoclosemyfist
tightlyandstompmyfootinfrustration,butIknewthatallIwouldaachiveisa
brokenbroach.
Comeon.Illtakeyoutomyhouseforthenight.Itllbefun!Icouldnt
takeitanymore.
Whyareyoudoingthisforme?
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Hun?DoingWhat?
Whydoyoukeephelpingme?YoudontevenknowwhereIcamefrom,
mybackground,myfamily.Idontevenknowyou.Whywouldyouhelpme?
Shelookedhurtandconfused,andalittlebitstunned.
So,youdontwantmyhelp?Youllstarveonyourown.
HowwouldyouevenknowifIamalone?
Okay,okay.Sheesh.Butallyouhaveissixtyfivedollars.
Yourereallycreepingmeout.HowdidyouknowIhadthatamountof
money?
Thatsbesidesthepoint.Sodoyouwanttocomewithme?Yes?No?
Isighed.Fine.Illcome.ButImnotsayingthatImnotgoingtobe
suspicious.
Ifyou'rewonderinghowIlearnedallthismodernlanguage,andImnot
allyeandthouandthusandsayethandthoumustgodownthehalland
turntotheleftuntilthoufindeththestallwherethoupoopethandeverything,
ItsbecauseIvegonetotheedgeoftheforestbefore.Andletmetellyou,thatI
havedonesomeprettygoodeavesdroppinginmytime.Iveheardkidstalking
abouttheirsiblings,youngadultsspeakingofmarriage,teenstalkingabout
fashionsandwhosecuteandwhoisnt.Iveseenyearsgobyinaflash.

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Katrinashouseoh,wait.Sorry.Houseisnttherightword.Now,mansion
isabitmoreappropriate.Averymodernlookinghouse.Itseemednewlybuilt.
OutfrontwasahugepoolwithheatingandthesoftestdeckchairsIhaveever
seen.Herentirehome,yardetc.wasontopofawarmlakewithmulticolorfins
flickeringaround.Asmallbridgewithvinesandflowerscurlingaroundthesides
connectingtwosmallislandswithbuildingsplacedontop.Pottedplants
surroundedtheplacemakingitsmelllikeheavenonearth.Themansionmust
havebeenfiveormorestoriestall,itsshadowtoweringoverme.Iclutchedthe
pendenttightly,thenpinnedittomytanktop.Sure,itmusthavelookedpretty
weird,butrightthen,thatdidntmattertome.
Okay!Youready?Katrinaasked.
Forwhat?
Togoin,ofcourse!
Oh.Yeah.
AsIwalkedin,Ifeltastinyasamouse.Iusuallydontfeeltimid,butwith
herhousemaidbustlingaroundandhersisterstaringatmeasthoughshehad
neverseenanothergirlbefore,Ikindofshrunkintonothingness.
Well?Wadayathink?Ididntrespond.Ilikedherhouse.Ireallydid.
Butsomethingaboutitmademeuneasy.Itseemedsoprofessionalandlikea
businessofficenotexactlyhomey.
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Ummitsnice,Iguess.
Oh,good.Well,IllgoaskMarkustomakeusdinner,andmeanwhile,
Illgiveyouatourofmyfloor!
Yourfloor?
Yeah!Youknow,whereIsleepandhangoutandpickoutmyoutfits
andstuff?Myfloor.
Okay,Illtakeyourwordforthat.AndasIsaidthat,Katrinapranced
offtoherownfloor,leavingmescamperingupbehindher,stillconfused.

WelcometoKatrinaLand!HomeoftheGreatKatrina!Homeof
fashions!Homeofeverythingelseawesome!Katrinaexclaimedrightintomy
ear,makingmecringeandstumbledbackwardsintoherhugewalkincloset.
WhenIgotup,therewasbanglesonmyshoes,andapursearoundmyneck.
Well,plentymoretoseeKatrinapulledmeup,dustedmeoff,and
draggedmethroughtheendlesshallsofthemansion,mestillnotpaying
attention.

Thisisdinner?Iwouldhavethoughtthatthiswasafeast!Istuttered,
staringattheheapingpilesofmeatsandpotatoes,pastasandpizzas,saladsand
fruits.AndIhadasneakingsuspicionthatdeserthadntevencome.
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Oh,potatopatato.Whatsthedifference?Katrinaretorted.Ugh!Is
thatparmesan?Ew!Takeitback!Iwantmozzarella!Katrinashovedherplate
toanarm'slengthaway.Thechef,Markus,bustledaround,tryingtopleasehis
littleangel.IwatchedMarkusthrowawayanentirepizza.Talkaboutspoiling!
Katrinawasstillpoutinglikeatoddler,staringatheremptyplate.
What?sheasked.
NothingImuttered,beforerealizingthatIhadbeenstaringather.I
shruggedandhelpedmyselftosomespaghettiandmeatballs.Well,Idontknow
aboutKatrina,butIthoughtthatthefoodwasexcellent.Dessertarrived
puddings,pies,cookies,cakes,tarts,chocolatestrawberries,anddoughnuts.
Howonearth,Ibegan,doyoueatthismuchfoodeveryday?
KatrinalookedatmelikeIwasapreschooler.
Idonteatallofit,dummy.TherestIthrowinthetrash!Duh.Okay,so
shesawesomeandnice.Oh,joy.
Um,youdone,Katrina?Imkindasleepy,socouldIgotobedThe
truthwasthatIwastired,butthatwasntthefullreason.Ididntwanttostay
andwatchallthatfoodgotowaste,andhopefully,Iwouldhaveanother
dream/visionofHaleyAnn.

Katrinaescortedmetotheluxuriousguestbedroom,completewitha
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laptop.Sheshowedmeabitabouthowtouseit,saidgoodnight,andwentonto
dowhateverrichgirlsdoatnight.
GoodnightKatrina,Icalledintothenight,butIbetshecouldnthear
me.Isighed.Well,goodnightworld.Ishrunkdownintomycovers,feeling
evenlonelierthanIhadwhenIsleptintheforest.AtleastthenIhadthetrees
andthestarsandEchowonderwherehewasahwell,hewasannoying
anywayandIdriftedofftosleeponmyfluffyfeatherpillow.

Thatnight,IbarelydreamedofHaley.AllIsawwasaquickflashofher
smile,andshewasgone.IguessthememorieswontcomeaseasilyasIhad
thought,evenafterIhaddrunkthepotion.Instead,IdreamedthatKatrinawas
plottingtostranglemewithagreenrubberduck.Weird.Ihopethatisntavision
ofthefuture.

Iwokeupgroggily,confusedaboutwhereIwas.WasIinheaven?I
wassurroundedincloudlikeobjects,highabovetheground.Iwasinawhite
silknightdress,andextremelycomfortable.Icouldfeelthiswayforeverbut
thenIrememberedthatIwasinKatrinasvilla.Oh,well.Closeenough.I
hoppedoutofbedandopenedupthelongredthecurtains.Thewhitelaptop
wassittingonthedesk,justwaitingformetouseit.Iwalkedovertoitand
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openedthelidupwide,revealingthedesktoppictureawhiterose.Iopenedup
theserverandclickedontheblinkycirclebuttonKatrinashowedme,and
begantypingfamilytreefinder.Hopefully,Iwouldbeabletotypeinmylong
andrarename,andhopefullyfindwhatIwaslookingfor.Ibegantyping
BeatrixEleanorMarieGraceVioletGray.Thescreenwentblankfora
moment,tryingtoprocessmyname.
Slowlybutsurely,ahugepedigreechartsprawleditselfacrossthescreen.
Icouldseemyname,myparents,myuncles,aunts,cousins,grandparents,
greatgrandparents,greatgreatgrandparentsitlistedeveryonedead.The
generationhadstoppedwhenIhaddiedandhadnthadanykids.Butsomething
elseoddHaleyAnnLillianElizabethAlyssaGraydidntappeartoberelated
tome.Shewasntevenonthepedigreechart.

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Chapter 4
Dreams and Secrets

Oh,thisisjustgreat.Islammedthelaptopliddownafterstaringatitfor
awhile,mouthwide.Whatcanthismean?Iturnedaroundjustintimetosee
Katrinainthedoorway,makeupoff,hairdown,andlookinglikeazombie.
Lemmesee.Shewalkedovergroggily,darkcirclesunderhereyes.She
liftedthescreenbackupandlookedatit,andsomehowknewwhatIwasso
surprisedabout.Shesquinted.Maybeshewasadopted?Shedoesntlooklike
youverymuch.Atthetimeitdidntseemweirdthatsheknewwhatshelooked
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like.Iwastoostunned.IguessshewasrightHaleyhasgoldenhair,minesjet
black.Shesabittallerandslimmerthanme,andabitpalertoo.Hereyesare
differentthanmineaswell.Minearechocolatygold,whilehersaresilverand
sapphire.Theonlysimilarityisthecurls.Iguessitwasapossibility
No.Impossible.Thisthingjustdoesntworkright.Katrinashrugged.
Okay.Whateveryousay,Iguess.Shehobbledoutoftheroomand
rangtheintercomloudly.Ayoungladyhurriedovertoherandaskedwhatshe
needed.Huh.Areallfamilieslikethisthesedays?Dideveryonelookperfect?
Didthestarsneverlightuptheeveningsky?AsfarasIdseen,yes.Unsmiling
peopleroamedaround,kidscryingforicecream.Billboardsshowperfect
women,andmakegirlsseemliketheyhavetomeetwhatphotoshopcan
do.WhenIwasalive,girlstookuppoliteandquiethobbies,andbroughthonor
totheirfamilies.Theydressedwithrespectanddidntshowtheirshoulders,
stomachsorlegs.Itwasrudeifagirldid.Mytrainofthoughthauledtoastop
asamancalledusdowntoeat.
Idinedoncountlessthings,mostofwhichIcouldntevenpronounce.
JustasIwasabouttoscarfdownmycrepes,whensomethinghappenedatjust
abouttheworsttimepossible.Ibegantoseepixelsdancingbeforemyeyes.My
eyesrolledbackintomyhead.Thaneverythingwentblack.

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NO!Beatrix!Stop!Youknowwhatcouldhappen!
Haley,Ihaveto.Standback!Atleastyoucouldmakeitoutalive!
Imcomingintoo,Beatrix!Icantleaveyou!
HALEY!NO!
GO!Gobackhome.Saveyourselfwhileyoustillcan!Illdoitforyou.
IWILLsaveyou.Ihaveto!Illsaveyousoo
BEATRIX!!
Ititsokay.Illmakemywayout.
Here!Grabmyhand.Illpullyouout.
IIIcan
NO!Howcouldthishappentome?No.Iwontbelievethis.ICANT
believethis.IhavetogoinforherandandretrieveherbodyifIhaveto.Iwill
getyouifevenIwontmakeito

Iwokeupinacoldsweat,shiveringonthefloor,myhairallundoneand
scattered.Forsomereason,nooneelsewasintheroomwithme.Someonehad
changedmeintoapinknightgown.Well,iftheyweregoingtodothat,why
didnttheyalsoputmeintobed?Well,itwasbecauseIfoundoutthatIwas
floating.Andhadasilveryaurafloatingaroundme.Andtheywerescared.That
didntusuallyhappen.Somesortofweirdkink?Itriedtogetupslowly,feeling
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reallydizzy.
Um,Katrina?WhereamI?Whereareyou?WhawhatamIdoinghere?
Icollapsedontothefleecyrug,myheadsinkingintothefluff.
Justthen,Ispottedagirlfrommywindow,walkingslowlyaroundthe
buildinginadaze.Icaughtawispofhergoldenbrownhairshininginthe
sunlight.Icouldntmakeoutthedetailofherface,buttherewasonethingIdid
catchhereyes.Theywerewideandunfocused,asthoughshewasthinkingof
millionsofthingsexceptthetaskathand.Theyswirledandchangedlikeariver,
andwerethatcoloraswell.Hereyelasheswerethickanddark,framingherazure
eyes.Sheturnedthecornerslowly,lookingallaround,asthoughshewas
formingastoryinhermind.WherewasI?Whowasshe?Andwhatwasshe
doinghere?
Itriedandfailedtogetupagain,stillcaughtinablindingheadache.Itwas
pointless.NomatterhowhardItried,Iwouldfallbackwards,evenmore
frustratedthanbefore.Rightthenandthere,Icurledupintoaballonthefloor
andburstintotears.Callmeababy,butIhadasplittingheadache.Iwas
confusedandalone.Theworldwaschangingaroundme,forbetterorworse.I
wasbeinghunteddownbycrazykillers,andtheonlypersonIhadtotrustwasa
heartlessspoiledbrat.Youwouldprobablydoabitmorethancry.
Hello?IwastoldthatIshouldcomeheretohelpagirlnamedBeatrix
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Gray?Itwasthevoiceofayounggirl,abouttwelveorthirteen.
Abouttime!Youaretheonewhoissaidtobethebethebesthealerof
evenprofessionals?Okay.Yes.Downthehall,doorthree.Thankyou.Iheard
footstepscomingmyway,gettingcloserandcloseruntilIheardthedoorslowly
creakopen.ItriedmybesttohidethefactthatIhadbeenbawling,andpropped
myselfupagainstthebed.
Hi.YoumustbeBeatrix?ImCeleste.Ihearyouhaveabitofa
problem.Shesmiledsweetlyandlittledimplesappeared.Shehadthefaceofa
tinyangel,asthoughthelastthingshewoulddowashurtsomeone.Icouldsee
moredetailinherhairnow,withmanystreaksandshadesofbrownsand
blondes.Hangingbyherfacewasastrandofwheatblondhair,shimmeryand
gold.Shejustlookedpleasedwiththeworldaroundher,evenifher
circumstancesweretobeterrible.Shewaskindofpetite,butsomehow,she
radiatedastrongaura.IsuddenlyfeltasthoughIwasntworthyofbeinginher
presence.
Yeah,Imanagedtocroakout.ImBeatrixElenoreIcouldntfinish.
IhadtostopactinglikeIcouldhandleit.BecauseIcouldnt.Islumpeddown
fromleaningonthebed,expectingtofallnosefirstintothecarpet.Instead,
Celestecaughtmebymyshoulders.Ididnthavethestrengthtothankher.
Yes.Isee.Celesteslowlyliftedmeontothemassive,featherybed.
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Then,shebegantosing.Abeautiful,sweet,caringsongthatjustliftedmyspirits
high.Icantexplainit,butitmademefeellikewhenmymomusedtosingtome
androckmeinherlap,evenonceIhadgottentoobigforit.Isighedacontent
sigh,andclosedmyeyes.Shesangofpeacefulnightsandthefirstsnowfall.She
sangofbirdsandthefloralsmellofspring,andsoft,silentsleep.Andallthe
while,shestrokedmyhairandsmiledasadsmile.Icantrememberanylines.
Shewassingingmorethroughthoughtsandpictures.
Icouldntsleep.Ineededtohearmoreofhersong.Butshebegansinging
moreofsleep,dreams,andotherthingsofcomfort.Soeventually,myheadhit
thepillowandIbegansleeping.
OnceIhadwokenup,thegirlCelestewasstillbymyside,althoughshe
lookedextremelytired.Istillcouldntunderstandhowshedidit.SoIasked.
WhoImeanwhatareyou?Yourvoiceisincredible!How
Hush,Shesaidkindly.Youneedrest.Shegavemeasuspicioussmile
thatmademewanttoknowmoreaboutthisgirl.Ihavenoclueaboutwhat
youretalkingabout.ThenInoticedamedicinebagthathadsomehow
appearedrightnexttoher.Celestewasholdingathermometer.Youfellasleep
themomentyouhitthepillow.Youwereverytired.Thewayshespokemade
methinkthatshewasrightandIwaswrongIshouldlistentothisgirl.The
soundofhervoicejustconvincedmesuddenly.
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Yeah.Youreright.Sleepyeah.Celestesmiledasmilethatsaidthat
didthetrick.
Youknow,Beatrix,tomorrowyoullhavetogotoyourfirstdayof
schoolwithKatrina.Iadmit,myheartkindofforgothowtopumpbloodfora
secondthere.
Waitwhat?Ispluttered.School?
Yes.IbelieveIenchelpedyouenoughforyoutoatleaststand.She
offeredmeherhand,butIshruggeditoff.Theideaofschoolstillkindof
buggedme.Imean,Idontknowanythingthattheydo.Ivebeenlivinginthe
forestallmyafterlife.Ilivedrightinthemiddleofthetimewhenthefiftystates
becamestates.WhenIwasalive,onlyboyswenttoschool.Ineverwentto
schoolbefore.Iwouldbetheoddoneout.
Uh,Imnotsosure.Imstillprettyweak,right?I,Ihaveaheadache.
And,um,sorethroat.AndwellTrue,Iwasgropingforanexcuse.Evento
me,Isoundedpatheticandpanicked.Celestegavemeasympatheticlook.Then
stoodupandwalkedoutthedoor,herhairswingingbehindher.Ibegantothink,
Oh,great.Nowtheniceoneleftmetoo.Gumdrops.ThenIheardCelestes
voice.
Yes,mam.Sheisstillmuchtooweaktorise.Giveherafewdaysand
shellbegoodasnew.Ifeltasurgeofgratitude.Finally,someonewas
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watchingmyback.WhenCelestewalkedbackintotheroomandshutthedoor,
hereyestwinkledwithakindsmile.
Uh,thanksCeleste,Imanaged.How,exactly,didyouknowthat
umIwasscared?ThistimeCelestessmilewasabitsmug,butit
loosenedquickly.
Oh,Ihavemyways.
ThenwhenwillIbeginschool?Ihardlyknowanything,andIdont
knowwhereorwhentostart,andifIgothere,peoplewillthinkImafreak,
andIfoundmyselframblingonabouthowinsecureandbabyishItrulyam.
Somuchforbeingtough.Well,Celestealreadyhadseenmecry.
Howaboutnow?Aslongasyourebedridden,youmayaswellget
someeducationintothisexperience,right?Icouldtellshewasprettymuchthe
oppositeofKatrina.
Yeah,maybethenIwouldn'tbetotalmisfit,Iwouldbeapartialmisfit.
Oh,dontthinklikethat.Youreamazing,butnooneiselseamazing
enoughtoappreciateit.So,areyouwillingtotry?Youcouldlearnnewthings.
Please?Ishrugged.
Iguess,Idecided.Celestebeamed.
Well,whatarewewaitingfor?Letsgettowork!

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Celestewasaprettygoodteacher.Shewasntaknowitall,she
didnttreatmelikeIwasababy,andshewasntcompletelyclueless.
Letspracticethatoneagain.Celestehandedmearegularscratchpaper
andregularpenciloneshehadbroughtfromhome.Oncethebutler,Markus,
hadheardthatwehadbeenstudyingtogether,hehadgottenusthefanciest,
mostluxuriouspensavailable,anddecorativeborderedpaper.OnceCelestehad
heardofthat,shelostthemimmediately.Justbecauseshewasagood
teacher,though,didntmakethenewworkanyeasier.Exponentsandsquare
rootsandcalculusallblurredtogether.Eventimestableshadbeenhardatfirst.
Uh,Cestie?Iaskedslowly.CelesteandIhadgottencloserduringour
timetogether,andIhaddiscoveredwhataninterestingpersonshewas.
Apparently,herdadhaddiedandhermomhaddisappearedrightaftergiving
birthtoherson.Celestewasfiveatthetime.Shewasorphanedandhadtotake
careofanewbornbabyasatoddler.Shebeganlearningskills,andwell,
wheneverCelestegottothenextpart,shesimplyshookherheadandlookedout
thewindowsoberly,watchingthesunsetandabsentmindedlybraidingsmall
braidsintomyhair.
IfeltbadthatIcouldntdoanythingforher.
Yeah?Celesteanswered.Shewaswritinginasmallhandmadejournal
withapen.Shelookedup.
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Couldwepleasetakeabreakandtakeawalkorsomething?Imkindof
boredofbeingcoopedupinthisroomforsolong.Theysendinthefood,and
theresabathroominhere.Wevestayedheredaysonend.Apausecouldnt
hurt,right?Celestesmiled.
Yeah.Whatarewewaitingfor?Letsgooutintotheworld!Now,
Katrinasdefinitionoftheworldisshoppingmallsandhugefancybuildings.
Celestesdefinitioniswideopenwoodsandnewplaces.
Yeah.Lets.Celestehadletmeborrowasimplejacket,rippedjeans
andatshirtwithmarkercoloringsonit.Ihadneverwornanythingmore
beautiful.Isurprisedherwithahugandsaidthankyou.Iguessshewasonly
surprisedbecauseIhardlyeverthankedher,eventhoughshehaddonesomuch
goodformeandturnedmylifeinamorepositivedirection.
Well,yourewelcome,Celestesaidwithasurprisedsmile.
WeheadedoutofthehousewithadisgustedlookfromKatrina,eyeing
meupanddown,whichIreturnedwithacloyinglysweetsmile.Celestelooked
atmequizzically,butIjustshrugged.IwasntgoingtoletKatrinaruinmy
perfectlygoodmood.
IguessCelestecouldtellthatIhadbeenactingdifferentlylately.Shehad
givenmequiteafewsurprisedlooksrecently,butnoneofthemhadbeen
insulting.Justsurprised.Usually,beforemyblackout,Iwouldhaveprobably
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punchedKatrina.Hard.Inthestomach.Untilshecried.Butthatwouldnthave
stoppedherfrombeingabrat.Shewouldjustwaituntilthetherightmomentto
completelycrushmewithherwords.Itwasbettertokeepherinsurprise.
CelesteandIspenttherestofthedaysurroundedinthecolorfulleavesof
autumn.Wevisitedparksandmuseums,apicnicarea,andevenaplayground.
Wetalkedalot,andsheseemedprettyopen.Shewasaprettygoodlistenertoo.
Iwasntquitereadytotellhermysecretyet,though.Allingoodtime.Butit
seemedlikeshewaskeepingthingssecretfromme,too.Herhistoryseemed
interesting,almostlikeafairytale.Butafairytalewithnoclearending,andnot
nearlyashappy.
Weweresittingataparkbenchbraidingflowerstemstogetherthen
braidingthelittlecraftintoeachother'shair,whenwespottedabigyellowsmelly
thingwithabunchofwildanimalsinit.Oh,wait,no.Theyweremiddleschool
kids.Ah,well.Prettymuchthesamethinganyways.Theninahotpinklimo,
encrustedinrhinestones,ofcourse,kickingbackwasKatrina.Isighedand
turnedaway.NodoubtKatrinawasthemostpopulargirlintheschoolshewas
completelyconvincedsheneededevenmorefame.IcouldseeCelestelookinga
littlewistfullyatKatrina,butwhenshesawmelookingather,theexpression
melted.Herexpressionreturnedtoaslightlystrainedsmile.
Bytheway,Cestie,Isaid,lookingatthebusasittrailedsmokefroma
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pipe.WhenwillIbereadytogobacktoschool?Wasitjustme,ordid
Celestelookabitsad?
Oh.Um,I,Ithinkyoucouldgobackwhenyoufeelready.Or,you
know,youcouldstayandpractice?Whateveryouchoseisfinewithme.But
Icouldtellthatshewasreallyverypreferabletothesecondanswer.ButIhada
betteridea.
Imgoingbacktoschool,yes.Celesteseyesdroppedtohershoes.
But,youarecomingwithme.

Theschoolbuswaslouderontheinsidethenitwasontheoutside.
CelesteandIwerewearingtheschooluniforms:Ablueplaidskirtandwhite
buttondownshirt,withasimplenavyblueblouseontop.Theindigoandsilver
schoolcrestwaspinnedonourblouses.Celesteshairwasdoneintwobraids
slungoverhershoulders.IhadasimpleponytailIhadrefusedKatrinasnew
andimprovedmakeover.Yeah,likeIdeverfallforthatagain.
Mostofthekidsonthebuswereeitherscreaming,cryingtogoback
home,listeningtoipodsandmp3s,andinonecase,shovingChowMein
Noodlesintohisnose.CelesteandIjustsatthereawkwardly.
So,howslife?Celesteshruggedandtwistedherbraidsinherfingers.I
chewedmybottomlipandsetmyhandsunderme.Thensomeblondeboy
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stoodupandcameuptous.Hecurledhistoplip.
Newbies,gobacktowhereyoubelong.
Yeah,anotherpipedupfromthesecondrow,craningherhead
unnaturallythinaroundthechair.Herponytailswungwithher.Howcomeyou
didntcomeatthebeginningoftheyearliketherestofus?What,youhadto
convincetheschooltoletyouin?Ibetyouneedspecialhelp.
Youknowyoulooklikeababywithyourhairdoneinbraidslikethat.
Whatgradeareyouin,anyways?
Thegirlwrinkledhernose.Anddoesyourhairalwayslooklikeapileof
cowdroppings?Isawthattheircommentswerentdirectedatme,butat
Celeste.Howeverlametheirinsultswere,theywerestillinsults.Celestewas
suddenlyveryinterestedinherblackshoebuckles.Isuddenlyfeltanurgeto
helpher.Inarrowedmyeyes.
Justshutup,Cody.Nooneaskedyou,saidsomeboywithcaramel
brownhairanddarkeyes.
Whodoyouthinkyouare,anyways?IaskedsternlytoCody.The
otherboyshotmeawarningglanceandshookhishead.Icontinuedanyways.
Honestly.Youpickonnewkids.Meaningyoupickonthekidswiththemost
experience.Theycamefromadifferentschoolandknowthedifferences.They
definitelyknowthatyoureajerk.AmIright?Usually,whenpeopleinsult
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others,itsbecausetheyreinsecure.Imguessingyoufollowaroundthe
popularkids,hopingtoatleastfeedofftheirscraps,sotosay.Ikeptglaringat
themstraightintheeyes,asifboringaholeintothem.Theywerequietforabit.
ThenhethrewbackhisheadsohighIcouldpeerintohisnostrils,andlaughed.
Thegirlquicklyfollowedhislead,glancingathiseveryonceinawhile.
YouhonestlythinkThebussquealedtoastop.Thebigyellowdoor
lurchedopen,andkidswrestledoutthedoor.CelesteandIwereleftinthedark.
Oh,well.Atleastwedonthavetohearwhatthatidiotwasgoingto
say.Celesteshruggedandkeptlookingsteadilyatherfeet.
Youokay?Sheshruggedagain.Mrs.andMr.Snootyarejuststupid.
Awisegirloncetoldme:Youreamazing,justnooneelseisamazingenoughto
appreciateit.Shemanagedasmallsmile,tookherbagandmyhand,and
headedupthestepstotheschoolentrance.
There,pinnedontheboardwasthelistofclassroomsandstudents.I
skimmedthroughthelist:Mrs.Oaks,Ms.Arse,Mr.Nesbitt,Mrs.CainasI
readthem,Imutteredthenamesquietly.Mr.Peters,Ms.Diaz,Mrs.CaliI
stopped.Ifeltawarmbreathonthebackofmyneck.
Oh,youdontwantMrs.Cali.Ijumped.Shesthestrangestteacher
youcouldevermeet.Thesameboyonthebus,(theniceone)wasrightbehind
me,eyeswideandstaring.
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Didyouhavetosneakuponmelikethat?Honestly,youscaredme!He
shrugged,andblushedabit.
Sorry.ButIwasimpressedwithyou.Onthebus.Youknow?AndIwas
wonderingwhatsyourname?Incaseyourewondering,ImMichael.He
talkedinaquicklittlevoice,aboutanoctavehigherthanmostmiddleschool
boys.
Um,ImBeatrix.Goaway.Hiseyeslookeddown.Thenhelookedup
againwithaoverlyexcitedgrinonhisface.HeremindedmeofsomeoneIknew.
Okay!Heskippedawayhummingsomelittleditty.Irolledmyeyes.
Beforeheskippedintohisclass,heturnedhisheadtolookoverhisshoulder
andsaidOh,andniceaccent,bytheway!Ifurrowedmybrow.
What?Buthewasalreadygone.Idonthaveanaccent,doICeleste?
IturnedaccusinglytowardsCeleste.Shewaschewingonherbottomlipand
tryingnottosmile.OnceIturnedmypointedglareinherdirection,she
straightenedandtriedtokeepastraightface.
Ummalittle?Shegaveanervoussmile.
WhatkindofaccentdoIhave?Itriednottosoundtooaccusatory,but
itwaskindofhard.
WellBritish?WithabitofSpanish,German,GreekandabitofLatin.
Butsmoother.Isighedandlookedup.
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Why?Isaidtonooneinparticular.Celesteseemedconfused.I
cursedmyselfsilentlyforrevealingthatinformation.Uh,Celeste?
Yeah?
Ihavesomethingtotellyou
Nooffence,butwehavetohurry.Unlessyouwantustogetsuspended,
weshouldcheckwhatclasswehaveandrushdowntowhateverroomthatis.I
turnedbacktothebulletinboardandscrolledthroughnames.
Mrs.Oaksroomno.NotMr.Peters,either.IturnedbacktoCeleste.
Shelookedhappy,butlikeshewantedtoconcealit.Shepointedtohername
underMr.Peterslist.Apparently,hewasoneoftheonlymaleteachersinthe
school,andthereforedifferentandnew.
Okaythen,ifthatsyourreasoningandifitsgoingtomakeyou
happybutwhereismyname?Celestebitherbottomlipassheslowly
extendedherfingertoMs.Calislist.Andifthatwasntbadenough?Iwas
stuckwithMicheltheoverlycaffeinatedchipmunk.Joy.


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Chapter 5
Uncovered

IwalkedasslowlyasIcouldthroughthecrowdedhallsofIntellectual
Academy.AsfarasIdseensofar,everyonewasanythingbutintellectual.
Maybeitwaswishfulthinking.ItrudgedofftoMs.Calisroom,feelingthepit
ofmystomachsinkingmoreandmoreeveryfewstepsasIheardthenoiseof
Mr.Petersroomafewdoorsaway.
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Well,aslongaswecanstillseeeachotherlater,right?IaskedCeleste
assheboundedthroughthedoor.
Yeah,shecalledbackoverhershoulder.Bye!Illseeyouatlunchin
about4hours.Ilookedatthewhitehallclock.Fourhoursseemedalifetime
away
BeatrixEleanorGray!Iturnedtoseeamaninastiffsuitandblueplaid
tie,andaverysternexpression.Whatareyoudoing,pupil?Icrackedasmile.
Pupil?MaybehewasMr.Peters,andtherehadbeenamixup.Butnosuch
luck.Gotoyourclass.HespokeeachwordtomeasthoughIwasatoddler.
YesMisteryeah.Mister.Imgoingtomylovelyclassroomnow.Iam
soexcited.Really.Iamtrulyburstingwithjoy.Italkedtohiminthesametone
hehadtalkedtomewith.Apparentlyhecouldntdetectsarcasmverywell.
Thankfully.Ormaybehewasjustlettingitpassfornow.
AlrightmissGray.Letthisbeyourfirstandonlywarning.Nowhopon
along.Iamverybusy.
IfyoucallharassingthestudentsbusyImumbledundermybreath.
Mr.ToadFacespunaroundglaringdaggers.
IwillNOTtoleratethis,younglady!
Whateverhappenedtomiss?
JustasIthoughtthatIhadbrokethelimit,HyperSquirrelrushedoutof
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Ms.Calisroomafewdoorsaway,clutchingsomeformstohischest.Irolled
myeyes.Abigburlyguyshoulderedhimoutoftheway,glaringathimwitha
cruelsmile.Hehadchocolateybrownhair,swepttotheside.Hehadimpossibly
whiteteethandanImmisterMachoManexpression.Ihatedhiminstantly.The
doorswungopenagainandMichaelhurriedoutofthewayandflattenedhimself
againstthewall.
...Andremember,kid.You.No.Touchy.Mine!
Yes!Yes!Michaelsqueaked.Iknow.Iwonteventhinkaboutit.He
stoppedtherehoveringinfrontofthewall,breathingheavy....Pleasedonthurt
meIhavetoadmitthatIfeltateenybitofsympathyforthekid.Mister
Machowinkedinmydirection.Imadeadisgustedfaceandrolledmyeyesat
him.Honestly.ItookthisasanescapeopportunityandheadedtoMs.Calis
room.Theprincipaldidntstopme.Instead,heheadedtowardsMisterMacho.
Whatareyoudoingoutofclass,youngman?MisterMachoflashedme
apearlywhitegrin.Oh,shutup,Ithoughtinternally.

Helloclass.Iwillbeyourteacherforthisyear.MynameisMs.Cali,and
thisismysecondyearteachingstudents.ThefirstthingInoticedaboutthis
womanwasherface.Timelessisagoodwordforherface.Shecouldbefifteen,
orthirty.Adarkwaterfallofhaircascadeddownherback.Hericyeyesshone
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likediamonds.Therewassomethingabouthersmilethatwashardtoplace.She
woreapendantaroundherneckmadeofsapphire,jade,andamethyst.It
sparkledagainstherwhiteblouseandmatchedhervioletanklelengthskirt
perfectly.Sheseemedtobetheonlyteachernotwearingtheuniformoratleast
thependant.Whatsheworewassimpleyetelegant,andherfacewaslikea
queens.
Butnoonearoundmeseemedtonoticeherbeauty.Theywhisperedto
eachotherandpointedatherwithwrinklednoses.Thewaytheytreatedher
remindedmeofhowtheytreatedCeleste.
Beatrix?Ijumpedatthesoundofmyname.Ms.Caliwaslookingatme
withconcernedeyes.
Yes,Miss?
Iwasjustcallingrole.Areyoualright?Iblinked.
Yes.Imfine.Icaughtmyselfstaringintoherpendant,asthoughIwas
beingsuckedin.
Okay.ShallIbeginroleagain?Someoneinthebackrowsmirked.I
turnedaroundtoseeKatrinainallofherglamour,necklacesizedhoopsandall,
kickingbackinthebackrow.Shewaslaughingwiththegirlfromonthebus,
herfeetonthedesk.Ms.Calisimplyeyedthem.Butshedidntlookstern.She
actuallyseemedhurtthatthesetwogirlsweredisobeying.
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Sofirstwewillhavemath,thenP.E,afterthatisart

BEATRIX!Icoweredinthecornerofthegymroom,mydefence
systemflaring.GETTHEBALL,GIRL!DONTHIDEFROMIT!I
squeezedeventighterintomycomfortablelittlecorner.Thegymteacherbelted
atthetopofhislungs,screamingbloodymurder.Meanwhile,Katrinawas
owningthegymfloor,bouncingtheredrubberballsoffherhead,dodging,
ducking,hittingeveryone.Ifeltastrangeandverysuddenurgeofjealousy.Iwas
aghost.Ihaddiedandcameback,forheavenssake.
Ifurrowedmybrowandsteadilystoodup,sweepingbacktheloosehairs
frommyponytail.Iraisedtheballabovemyhead,takingaimforherhead.I
flungmywristandopenedmyhand,lettingtheballfly.
Apparently,myaimwasalittlerusty.Theballbouncedagainstthewall,
pastthecurtain,ontothewindowpane,andhitthecoachinthehead.
Iswear,Icouldseehisheadchangecolorfromtan,todeathlypale,to
pink,tocrimson.Hiseyeballsbulgedoutofhisheadlikeballoons.
Beatrix!...Youwillgo
IthoughtIwasdeadmeatuntilKatrinasteppedin.
Oh,youdontwanttodothat.Inoddedconvincinglyandpointedat
Katrina.
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Yes!Listentoher!Sheisasmart,smart,girl!Ichimedin,eagernotto
gototheprinciplesofficeonthefirstdayofschool.
Thantheweirdnessstartedhappening.
Katrinaflashedthesamegoldenlightathimfromthespa.Hiseyes
widenedandglazedoverslightly.
Yes.Getbacktothegame.A+toallofyou.Ishotastrangelookat
Katrina,grateful,yetweirdedout.Katrinajustshruggedoffmystrangelook
smilingwithaglintinhereyes.Iturnedbacktothecenteroftheroom,readyto
tryagain.

Welcometotheroomofmuck,homeoflivinghairballs!Katrina
wrinkledherperfectlittlenose.
Areyousurethisisedible?IwhisperedtowardsCeleste.Shewas
contentedlybringingoutthecontentsofherbrownpaperlunchsackontothe
table,anappleandstrangeflatbreadthing.Istareddownatmyprechewed
muckball.
Sofar,schoolisaboutasfunassewing,Igrumbled.Thenjabbing
yourselfwiththeneedle.Thenrubbinghandsanitizeronthewound.Then
Thatsbecauseyouneedtohavemorefunwithit.ThewayKatrinasaid
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itmademethinkthatshehadaverydifferentdefinitionoffunthanme.
No,thatsokay,Celestesaidhastily.Werefinewithoutdetention.
Iwasabouttotestmyluckwiththefoodorpossiblydieahorribledeath,
whenafewmoregirls,andevenacoupleboyscrowdedaroundthetable.A
blondewithredandgreenstreaksattheendofherhairsteppeduptoKatrina
withashinymoviestargrinplasteredontoherface.
Hey,Katrina!shesaidwithfakeenthusiasm.Shehadseveralpiercings
upherear,andshepulleditoffprettywell.Hereyeswereadeepbluegreen,and
darkandwildastheocean.Herhairwasgoldeninthesunlight,andthehighlights
suitedher.Shelookedlikethesortofgirlthatteacherautomaticlyglaredatand
keptaclosewatchon.ShelookedsortoflikeKatrina,withthesamelovefor
makeupandfun.
Katrinaturnedonthesameexpression,justsappier.
Oh!PrincessChloe!Longtime,nosee!Oh,right.Probablybecause
youvebeenwallowinginyourunpopularity.Bytheway,hon?Howsyourlife
beenwithoutyourBFN?
Psst!Iwhispered.Whosthatexactly?Shewavedthequestionaside.
Imsorry!IwasntinformedIwasonlyaprincess.Notqueen.Andstop
talkingtoyourself.Everyonecanhearyou.Ididntknowitwaspossibleto
becomelesspopularthansomethinggrowinginthebackofyourlocker.
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Congrats!
Katrinastoodup,eyespracticallyonfire.Bothgirlsglaredateachother
forawhile.Celestestoodupandbrokethetensionbystandingup.
Uh,Imgonnagotothebathroom.Bye!Celestescamperedaway,
leavingahalfeatensandwichandanapplecorealoneonthetable.

So,youresayingwerenotgoinghome?Iasked.Celestenodded.
Wegotoatypeofschoolcalledaboardingschool.Yousleep,eat,
dress,andprettymuchlivehere,Celesteexplainedasweheadeddownoneof
thecountlesshallways.Iguesssometimesitsusefultoactuallygoto
orientation.Oops.
Wow.Soundsfun.Celesteshrugged.Whereexactlydowesleepin
thisdungeon?Iseenoevidenceoflifehere.Onlybrainlesszombies.Ibelieve
theseallnewvideogameslowerIQsbyatleast56%.Iwasratherproudof
myselfforcomingupwithsuchamodernword.Celestecrackedasmile.Atthat
momentIrealizedhowmuchImissedhersmile.Sheseemedsensitiveand
delicatelately,notatallthesweetfunlovinggirlIusedtoknow.
Youknowitsokaytosmile.Itsjustme.Iwontjudgeyou.She
stoppedatabigdoubledoorentryway.Iwashitinstantlybythesmell.Not
exactlyagoodsmell,butnotnecessarilyabadone,either.Kindoflikegarlic
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perfume.
Welcometothedininghall!Celestesaid,recoveringfromthesmell.
Sowererichenoughtohavealunchroomandadininghall,butthey
cantmanagetofindfoodthatwasntroadkill?Icomplained.Thistime
Celestesfacesplitintoafulloutgrin.Ismiled,pleasedwithmyself.MaybeI
couldgethertoloosenupwithabitofrulebreakinglater

Thisisyourdorm,girls.Youwillwakeupat6:30.Exactly.Ifnotwell,
youhavebeenwarned.Breakfastwillfollowat6:45.Youwillbedressed,
brushed,andwearingyourbestlearningattitude.AndIexpectyoutobe
preparedforallofyourlessonstomorrow.P.Eisnttheonlytroubleyouwill
have.Tomorrow,youhaveme.Theprofessorgaveusacrinklysmile,hissilver
eyestwinklingwithstrangemischief.Acoldchillwentdownmyspine.Theman
walkedbrisklyoutthedoor,leavingCelesteandItomingleabit.
OkayIsaid,myeyesstillfixedonthedoor.Celesteseemed
unaffected.
So,Beatrix.Beatrix!Hello?Myeyessnappedbacktoher.
Uh,hiCestie.Youeverwokenupat6:30inyourlife?
Actually,Ialwayswakeupat6:00.
Oh.Uh,okay.Anuneasysilencepassedbetweenus.Celesteturned
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awaytogetdressed.IpreparedthewordsIwasgoingtosayinmymind,
practicing,tryingnottocreepherout.Whenwewerebothinourbunks,Ileaned
overtheedge.
Celeste?
Yeah?
Umm,Ihavesomethingimportanttosaytoyou.
What?Shestartedgrinning.ThatMichaelhasamajorcrushonyou?I
shotherthedeathstare,myfaceturningpinkerbythesecond.Iwasgladitwas
dark.
No!Ishotback,maybeabittooquickly.Sorry.No,somethingmore
serious.
Likewhat?ThatMiIthrewastuffedanimalatherface.Shestarted
makingkissingnoises.Irolledmyeyes.
SomethingthathasnothingtodowithMichael.Somethingtodowith
death.Celesteturnedsilent.
Oh.Okay,Imlistening.Celestegotoutofbedandproppedherselfup
onthefloor,againstthecoffeetable.
Imgoingtotellyouastory.Atruestory.Astoryaboutdeath.Iletout
ahugepuffofair.Firstthingsfirst:Imdead.Iletthatcommenthangintheair
likeanicyfrost.Justthen,Iheardslowclapping.Firstmuffled,thenslowly
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becomingcrystalclear.Celestestoodupinaninstant,eyeswiderthanIwould
havethoughthumanlypossible.Shewhisperedsomethingurgently,butI
couldntquitecatchit.Itwasabittoodarktoreadherlips,aswell.Afigure
emergedfromtheshadows,likeincartoons.Exceptinreallife,itsmuch,much
creepier.
Oh!Sotheconfessionfinallyshows.Lookslikelittleghoulgirlhastold
thewrongpersonCelesteiskeepingsomethingfromyou,too!Katrinapurred.
AtfirstIjustfroze,stunned.Katrinasharedthisdormwithus?
Oureyessnappedtowardseachother.Themessagewasclearrun.
Celesteopenedthewindowgoodthingwewerenearthebottomfloor.The
windwhippedthecurtainsaroundlikemad,alongwithCelesteshair.
Go!Itriedtoyell,thesuddenwindmakingithardtogetthesoundout.
Shetookadeepbreath,andleapedoutthewindow,screamingallthewaydown.
Ifollowedsuit,thewindslashingatmylegs.Ijumped,tryingtokeepmymouth
closedasIfell.Halfwaythroughthejump,Iblackedout,submergingintoan
obliviouseternity.Thememoryunfolded.

Ahhh!Mom?MOM?!Tearsstreameddownherface.Herfingersslipped.She
fell,notknowingshewouldnevercomebackthesame.

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What?Thelight.Light!Wasshe...alive?
Hush,sweetchild.Ayoungwomanwithgoldencurlsandabeautiful
smilefloatedoverher,astrangeaurasurroundingher.Ihadapurposeforyou.
Itwasnotyetfulfilled.Youwillknowwhattodo.Butfirst:getout.Shesmiled,
andinanauraofsilverybluelight,shevanished.
Getout?Ofwhere?Shelookedupandsawit:athinlayerofglossy
bubblesurroundingBeatrix.Sheknewitwasincrediblystupid,butshereached
outapalefinger,andpoppedthebubble.

Iwokeupwithastart,inaratheruncomfortableposition.Igrunted,small
cutsandscratchesallupmylegsandarms.Celestegruntedtoo,andIrealized
thatshewasdraggingmeuphill.
Whereto,cabbie?Iasked,gettingusedtotheidea.Shegruntedagain,
settingdownmylegs.PeoplethesedaysImuttered.ThenIrealizedwhy
shehadstoppedahugegriceanvillastoodintheway,blockingourpath.It
seemedempty,andweweretiredandhungry,sowedecidedtogoin.Arewe
idiots?Yeah,Iwouldsayso.
Weclimbedthroughthehedges,gettingallnewhairdosintheprocess.
Wesnucklikestealthyninjas(okay,fine,morelikeaklutzycows,butstealthy
ninjassoundscooler)intothefrontlawn.Iwassurprisedathowneatandtidy
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everythingwas,butsomuchitlookedunused.Idecidedwewouldkeepgoing.I
wantedabitofadventure,evenifitwasgoingtocausemetrouble.Alotofit.
Buthey,Imarebel.
Westalkedaroundthehouseforallpossibleentranceswindows,weird
trapdoors,pipes,wallsbasicallyeverythingexceptthedoor,whichwasthe
onlythingthatopenedintheend.Isighedandwalkedin.
Itwasbreathtaking.MuchmorethanevenKatrinas.Waterfalls,pillars,
statues,flowers,baths,balconiesandwhatlookedliketheoutsideoftwo
bedrooms.
Wewalkedafewsteps,takinginoursurroundingsandsmells,lookingin
awe.Asmilespreadacrossmyface.
Thiscouldbefun!Isaid,runningovertothewarmbaths,takingoff
myshoestodipmyfeetin.Yes,classic,dumb,risktakingme.
Justthen,anarrowwhizzedovermyhead,missingmebyinches.My
reflexeswereapparentlysleeping,soIjuststoodstockstill,listeningtomyown
heartbeat.Yes,itwouldhavebeenbettertobesleepingrightnow,evenifKatrina
wasthere.
Ilookedupamomentlater,andsawtwofiguresupinabalconyabove
me.
Therewasagirlwithalongbraidslungoverhershoulder.Itfadedfrom
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blacktoplatinum,allwashedingingerlight.Hereyeswereaswirlinggreen,
changingfromemerald,tograygreen,tograssybrown.Herfaceheldaghostly
whisperofasmile,asifitpleasedhertoambushus.
Therewasalsoaboywiththesamemysticaleyesandoliveskin,buthe
seemedlesscomfortablethanthegirl.
Inperfectcoordination,fourarrowspinnedmysleevestothemarbletile,
notevenbrushingmyskin.MyeyesskirtedovertoCelesteandsawshehad
gottenthesametreatment.Hereyeswerewidewithsurprise,andabitmorethat
Ididntunderstand.Ilookedquestioninglyather,myeyessearchingforthe
unseenanswer.Shejustshookherheadinsilentawe.
Whatareyoudoinginourhome?Theboyasked.
UmmuhWow,Beatrix.Niceandbright,huh?Afullsentencewill
work,too,nexttime.
Butler!Intruders!Helpme,Imscared!Theyretryingtogetus!The
girlhaddroppedherarrowsandunslungherbow,besidethefountainundera
loosetile.Theboyhadditchedhisweaponryaswell,takinginavulnerablelook
onhisface.
And,ofcourse,bythenCelesteandIhadgottenoverourshockandtook
outthearrows,leavingtheminourhandswhenthebutlercame.
Mylife.Itsanicestory,really.
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Yes,weareslowbutnotthatslow.Weran.Again.
Whilethebutlerattendedtothepoorlittleangels,wesnuckaround
back.Ijusthadtobeastupidrebel.
Wecrouchedbehindsometrimmedhedges,justoutofview.
Oh!Isaid,imitatingthegirlshoneyed,silverytone.Butler!Imgetting
rathersoreontherump.Willyourubmybunsiesforme?Iwaitedforherto
laugh,whichresultedinanawkwardsilence.
ImsosorryIgotyouintothis,CestieShejustkeptstaringahead,
hergazefixedononespot.JustasIwasstartingtoworryabouther,shejumped
intoaction,springingoutofthehedge.
Whereareyougoing?Celeste?Celeste!OfcourseIhadtofollowher.
Ofcourse.Imjustthatawesome.
Iboundedafterher,heroicallytanglingmyselfinsomeweeds.
Wait!Shedidntevenflinch.Thankfully,Ivehadsomepractice
running.Ifoundheraroundbacksittinginatree,thewindwhippingatherface.
Asparklingtearbubbledinhereyeandfellwithoutasound,thoughwhether
fromsadnessorhappiness,Idontknow.
Joseph!Shewhisperscreamed.
ThenIsawit.Ashadowdancingthroughthewindows,thefigureofa
smallboy,loopinginandoutofrooms.Theshadowwasholdingacandlean
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actual,litflame.Iswallowedascream.Thisfigureslegs
Celesteseyesgrewtothesizeofquarters.
Thatsyourbrother,isntit...?Imurmured,notsureifIwantedthe
answer.Shenoddedmutelyinoneshakeygesture,notevenbelievingherself
fully.Suddenly,theshadowdisappearedfromview.Celestedroppeddownand
startedrunningover,checkingforwherehecouldhavegone.Hereappearedon
thewall,stillinhisshadowyform.
Celeste?Whatareyoudoing?Sheturnedback,confusiondisplayedin
hereyes,whichwereglisteningwithtears.Hey,youokay?Icalledouttoher,
withactualconcerninmyvoice(whichisnotveryoften).Noresponse.
Theshadowreappearedonthewalloutsideofthevilla,thistimecradling
asmallloafofbreadinhisarms.Slowlybutsurely,theshadowmeltedintoa
boy,anactual,fleshandbloodhuman.
Joseph?Theboylimpedandfeltaroundthegroundusinghishand.
Celestejuststoodthere,speechless.ThenImadethemistakeoftyingmyshoe.
Oops.
Josephsearsperkedup.HewasalotmorecapablethanIthoughthe
pickedupthenearestthingaplasticbagandflungitCelestesway.She
dodgedandwalkednearertohim.Heflinchedashefeltsomeoneclosinginon
him.Shewassoclosetoherbrothershecouldreachoutandtouchhim.Then
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shehuggedhim.
Josephsquirmedandkicked,eyeswild,butlookingnowhere.He
thrashedandhitandpunched,untilfinally,Celestelethimgo.Shelookedhurtin
manyways.Herlipwasbleeding.Bruiseswereforming.Scratchesandtics
coveredhertoptotoe.Herclotheswereripped,andsowasherheart.
Letsgo,Isaid,turningbacktolookather.Isawherfrozeninplace,
staringasherlittlebrotherscamperedawaytowhoknowswhere.Itriedtocalm
Celestedownwhilehelpingherupfromfetalposition.Wellfindhimlater.I
promise.

70

SilverSilhouette
NatalieMarieBishop

71