correctly. I was embarrassed and then Mom got mad when she saw it because she didn’t think I was trying hard enough. Here’s the thing, I was. I gave that poster everything I had and it still wasn’t good enough.”
I go quiet, and Veronica allows me time. She doesn’t have a look of pity on her face, just understanding. Then she does something unexpected. Veronica leans forward and places her hand over mine. Soft fingers, a delicate touch, and my entire body sparks to life. As if I had been in darkness—the world was black and white—and then the switch was flipped into color.
“Thank you for sharing that.” God, she has a beautiful voice.
“Besides the counselor who diagnosed me, you’re the only person I’ve told what it’s like for me to read,” I say.
She unleashes a beaming smile, but unfortunately takes her hand away from mine. “So what you’re saying is that I’m special.”
I chuckle. “I guess so.”
“What?” She mock gasps. “Sawyer Sutherland, the most popular guy at this school, likes me? You better watch out. If you hang with me for too long, people are going to talk.”
“I’m not popular.” And they talk anyhow.
She overly rolls her eyes. “Please. You’re the king, and you know it, and the king likes me.” She sings the last part like she’s five. “Sawyer likes me.”
She playfully nudges my foot with hers, and my heart skips a beat. These reactions aren’t something that normally happen to me, and it’s confusing. Her gorgeous blue eyes dance, and I wonder how it is that I’ve been around her for the last few years and have never stopped to notice her eyes before, or her mesmerizing voice.
“Five minutes left, people,” Mrs. Garcia says, and Veronica smiles at me before she opens her notebook and begins to write.
I rub the back of my head, stretch, and I’m shocked to find my heart beating faster.
Get it together, Sutherland. Get it together.
VERONICA
“You can’t let her in,” Mom whispers in my ear, and her warning causes my blood to freeze. It’s Monday evening, and I watch on the security monitor as Glory enters the foyer of the house and starts up the stairs.
Where people in town think I’m weird, they think she’s insane. Yet that doesn’t stop them from going to her house and paying her money for a psychic reading. She may not be invited to the fanciest parties in town, but Glory’s laughing all the way to the bank.
“If you let her in,” Mom says, “she’ll make me leave.”
My gaze darts to hers, and there’s fear in her eyes. “Why would she do that?”
“Because that’s why God gave Glory her gift to see spirits. She’s to usher those of us who linger in this realm to the next one. Remember what I told you, V. Be careful of who you invite into your home—once invited in, death is too powerful to stop.”
I jump when there’s a knock on the door. I don’t want Mom to go. I need her here with me, but … “Should you go? I mean, I don’t want you to go, but will you be happier in heaven?”
There’s this twisting hope in me that’s nearly strangling: I want so desperately for her to say that death isn’t terrifying.
Mom tilts her head then reaches out and cups my cheek. I close my eyes with the brief, feathering touch and wish I could hug her. For some reason, we can do light touches, but we can’t hug. That’s one of the things I miss the most—her tight, safe hugs. She’d always smell of roses and baby powder, and no matter how cold it was outside she was warm.
“Why would I want to leave you and your father? There’s no place I’d rather be than with you.”
Glory knocks again, and my pulse quickens as she calls out, “I know you’re in there, V. Quit stalling and open the door.”
“What should I do?” I ask.
“Ignore her.”
“Glory can’t make you leave, can she? If you want to stay, can’t you stay?”
Another knock, but louder this time. “Take a look at the camera, V, and I promise you’ll open the door.”
Glory holds up some sort of thick, wrapped stick, and my mom flickers. Honest to God flickers. Like she’s there and then not there and that causes panic to rush into my veins.
“I’ve been told to use this if you don’t open this door,” Glory calls.
“Open it.” The anxiety in Mom’s tone heightens mine. “But get her to leave. Quickly.