Page 70 of The Commons

It is perfect timing for me. I don’t know what the future holds, but all I know is this—Today, we fought. Tomorrow, we run.

CHAPTER 15

Burning for Pesh

When trying to escape the inescapable, it is important to realize that death might be inevitable. Death to the life you’ve come to know. Death to your past. Death to your present. Death to your disguise. And death to yourself.

I make my way through the Chemistry Hallway with my school backpack on my back. Head down, I walk straight to the elevator that will take me to the lowest floor of this building. I visualize the map in my mind of how to get to The Seventh Zone.

But I cannot help but think of Pesh. What if he could have helped me? What if he knows something I don’t? I have to eliminate these thoughts and believe in myself, but right before I can, I see him walk by with three Patrons I have never seen before.

My eyes gravitate toward him. Unaware, I stare. He looks at me intensely. And for a second, I feel like he can see through me. Like my soul is naked. And I am completely exposed. My mouth opens unconsciously as though to respond in rebuttal, and my legs slip, causing me to bump into a student in front of me. I shift to the side, shaking it off. I am flustered, but I’m regaining my composure. Obviously, I am infatuated with this guy. It is beginning to annoy me.

I drop my stunned look and continue walking, but I see Pesh’s eyes darken. Does he detect that there’s something off about me? Just before I enter the elevator, a smoky stench wafts through my nose. I cover my mouth and nose to mask the ominous odor drifting through the halls.

I wonder if it is from a science experiment?

My eyes narrow as I look to the right, spotting Doctor Val, who begins to command in a controlled undertone, “Everyone, exit to the safe area!”

I observe as several students run through the hallway toward the tall, golden doors and into what is known as “the safe area.” It is an ash-colored spiral concrete floor surrounded by a large body of water, reflecting a dark shadow. I notice the sky surrounding the area is also covered by bland clouds. I sigh, reluctant, but I follow them toward this area. I am perturbed that it has thwarted my plan.

The drumming footsteps of someone sprinting jars my head to the right. Rotating my gaze around the axis, he whirls past me. My foot halts. My head jolts.

It’s Pesh!

I turn back to see him approaching a science room. He breaks through the door and enters the room where smoke seems to be coming from to help a girl inside. He points her toward the direction of the safe area and she escapes, along with several other students from the room. I watch as the students scamper out the door, sifting past me in growing mutters until there’s no one else left in the hallway. Except… Zia, who is walking toward the safe area.

Upon seeing her, my spine freezes, remembering what Patron De Londe said about her betraying me. I try to ignore it, to snap out of my feelings. But I can’t. “Zia!” I call out.

She halts, turning to me.

Like instincts, my eyes clash into hers, the words dropping like a blade.

“Do you remember in second grade when I came to the new school and saw those kids bullying you and calling you names because Zavish didn’t like you? Do you remember how I stood up for you? You would do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”

“Why do I need to stand up for you? When all you do is steal the shine away from me,” she says with a scoff. “It’s always been me in your shadows.”

“That’s not tru⁠—”

“Good grief! I even curled my hair to look more like you for Zavish. It’s retro style waves. Not like yours, but nevertheless, the point is I’m not good enough⁠—”

“That’s a lie. I’ve told you countless times⁠—”

“Damn it, Shantavia! Even my own mom thinks you’re better than me, so much so that she recommended you over me.”

“It’s fine if you felt the pressure to do something, but at least I didn’t think you’d stab me in the back.” I control my tone, disappointment gnawing at me. “And you know full well parents can’t recommend their children. So it has nothing to do with that.”

“Yes, it does!” She digs her hands through her hair, restraining herself from straightening the curls. “I am so sick of you acting all innocent. People like you… People—like you. People—want you.”

“Now they want me dead, don’t they?” I shouldn’t have said that.

“I don’t know.” She admits it, drawing back. “I just told them you were all dodgy and didn’t really wanna come here and only did it for your sister. Yep. I knew. I snooped around your things at my Commons celebration party that one time after Zavish talked to you at Math and Science Nationals.”

“You read my journal?” Shock courses through my veins.

“And? Big deal.” She glares at me. “My dad just likes for me to do research on new kids that hang around the block.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”