last of her kind. As such, she requires…err…certain stuff in order to perform her spells. Certain stuff that I shall not name out loud or else risk vomiting everywhere.
Polo chuckles softly, and I have to admit he’s handsome. Of course, I’m not attracted to him in any way, shape, or form—ew—but I can see why Nana chose him and his brothers. They’re definitely a catch.
You go, Nana.
“Do you need a ride to school?” Polo continues eagerly, as if my acceptance of their unconventional relationship gives him leeway to be a fucking grandfather to me. Honestly, I have no idea what he’s playing at.
“Nah. It’s only a twenty-minute walk. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, anxiety bleeding through his voice. “I don’t want anything happening to you. And it can get cold in the winter.”
“Fortunately for me,” I pause to stick a piece of bacon in my mouth, holding it between my teeth as I pour my coffee into a to-go mug, “it’s not winter, and I’m a badass witch who can look after herself.” Once I grab everything I need for my first day, I lift my free hand and wiggle my fingers. “Toodles.”
High Groves High School is significantly larger than the middle school, having been recently updated. It’s a single story building that branches in all directions like the spindly legs on a spider. You would think that a small town such as High Groves would have a petite brick building as their high school with a single flagpole erected on the front lawn. Instead, the modernistic school has a single row of windows sprouting down each hallway, showcasing their expensive electronics and appliances. The walls are a mash of brown, red, and even some green bricks, the combination surprisingly easy on the eyes. The main entrance stands taller than the rest of the school, sans the auditorium, with a shingled roof that curves steeply upwards.
While High Groves may be a small community, it’s still a rich one. Every kid over the age of sixteen has their own car, and I can’t think of one house that doesn’t have a heated, outdoor pool.
But these rich fucks are about to get what’s coming to them.
With a swagger to my step, I march right through the front doors as if I own the building. At this hour, there are only a few people scattered about. I recognize a chapter of the NHS meeting in the cafeteria, and a male and female couple sitting side by side in front of a stone wall.
I head to the main office and offer a sincere smile to the secretary.
Patricia Brooks had once been the secretary at the middle school before she transferred here. She was my only supporter back in the day, the only one who saw through the Devils’ bullshit.
“I don’t know if you remember me—” I begin sheepishly. Before I can even finish speaking, her mouth props open and she jumps up from her swiveling chair.
“Peony Simone! Is that you?” she gasps, waddling towards me with her arms outstretched.
“I missed you, Pat,” I whisper, accepting her embrace. “And you’re pregnant!” I pull back to get a good look at her, surprised to see the generous baby bump pushing at her cream-colored sweater. Her cheeks darken in a blush as she flickers her gaze down towards her belly.
“Met him two years ago,” she whispers, her voice taking on that wistful, dreamy quality all new lovers seem to have. “We’ve been inseparable ever since.”
“Good. I’m really happy for you.”
When I met her as a hormonal pre-teen contemplating suicide, she told me a little bit about her life. Back then, she’d been in her late twenties and had just gotten out of an abusive relationship. I’m extremely happy that she was able to find someone to love her. Pat’s a great woman, and I know she’ll be an amazing wife and mother as well.
After all, she saved my life, and she didn’t even know me.
“I heard you were coming back, but I didn’t believe it,” Pat exclaims, moving to once more sit behind her desk. “Are you here to pick up your class information, sweetie?”
“You know it.” I lean indolently against the counter before spotting a bowl full of jelly beans. Popping one in my mouth, I wait for her to print out my class schedule. I could’ve easily looked up this information online…if my mom or even Nana believed in a computer or internet. As it is, I’ll have to travel to the local