Ever Wrath (22 page)

She nodded.

“You said you found it hard enough to make friends and you didn’t want to be the new kid again.”

“It wasn’t just for me. Dom and Ruby didn’t want to leave either.”

“Yes, but you were the only one who convinced your father to buy you that wretched bike to commute with.”

Gemma blushed. Her one triumph. She still couldn’t believe her father had said yes.

“The point is, you’ve been at the same school for nearly three years now and your status remains the same.” Penelope placed a delicate hand on her shoulder. “You stand out when you’re friendless. People think you’re weird.”

“I’ll go to one of those end-of-the-run arty movies tonight. No one else will even be in the theater.”

Her mother shook her head. “All I’m asking is that you make a few casual acquaintances. Isn’t there anyone you can call?”

Gemma’s brow wrinkled as she shook her head. A look of sympathy flickered over Penelope’s face as she reached for her daughter’s chin.

“You don’t need to be afraid. We’ve raised you to trust your instincts. You can lie as well as the rest of us. We know you won’t break the oath.”

“That’s not what happened last time.”

Her mother smiled. “We put out those fires.”

“We moved to the other side of the country and I was grounded for two months.”

“
Which I still think was way harsh, it’s not like she told on purpose.” Ruby examined her complete effect in the full-length mirror.

Penelope frowned, but let the comment slide. “Gemma, that was three years ago. You’ve matured a lot since then. Now stop punishing yourself.”

“I’m not punishing myself, I just don’t want to screw up again.”

“You won’t. If anything, you’re screwing up by not making any friends. Unless you have aspirations of becoming a hermit, you need to start engaging in human interactions now.”

Gemma frowned.

“We trust you.”

“I don’t want to lie to my friends.”

“Well, you don’t have any, so that’s okay.”

“Ruby! Shhh.” Her mother’s stern expression dropped away as she turned back to face Gemma.

“Please, Mom, I’m happier this way.”

“Your father and I are not. We want to see a little more effort. You’re not doing us any favors by being the school freak. People just gossip about you and then they get curious.”

“I hardly think anyone’s going to guess the truth.”

“That’s not the point, Ruby. If the truth gets out, it puts our family in a very dangerous position. Now, Gemma, next time you head off to the movies, I want you to be going with a friend.”

“Yes ma’am.” She pasted on that good girl smile that always made her mother nod with satisfaction. It worked.

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