* * *
Looking at the clock, I fought to keep myself from drumming my fingers against the desk. I ignored the droning lecture of my science teacher as I wondered what we would do over the weekend. Gavin said he wanted it to be a surprise and wouldn't tell me what he had planned. I was pretty sure I'd enjoy it, but I’m still against surprises as a general rule.
When the bell rang, I grabbed my backpack and headed for the main entrance. Gavin waved when he saw me. I hopped into the car.
"We have about an hour before class, do you want to get something to eat?" Gavin asked as he pulled into the street.
"Sure, something light."
"There's a smoothie place not far from the Circus Center will that work?" Gavin suggested.
"Yes, thanks."
We listened to the radio. Gavin hated commercials and changed the station when one came on. It made for an interesting blend of music during the drive.
"Sapphire, do you ever wear your hair down?" Gavin asked out of the blue. I was slowly getting used to his random questions.
Self-consciously I ran my hand across my tight French braid. "Not really. Sometimes, if I'm going somewhere special."
"Why?" Gavin asked
"It gets in the way, and attracts a lot of attention. I thought I was supposed to try to keep a low profile." I pulled my braid to the front. "See? Most of the red is hidden when I wear it this way."
"Sapphire, this is San Francisco, having some red streaks in your hair isn't going to attract attention."
"Oh." He had a point, but the kids at school seemed to notice me more now. No one else gave me a second glance. "I guess you have a point."
"We can get it cut if it's too long."
"Thanks, but I actually like it long. I prefer it to not get in the way. Most days having it in a braid or pony tail is easier."
Gavin's smiled sadly. "Your mom always kept her hair long."
"Oh." I never knew what to say when Gavin connected me with my mom. I felt like I was letting him down by not being more like her.
Gavin found a parking space and we went into the small store. I ordered a small mango smoothie, and Gavin chose a large banana berry blast with protein powder, anti-oxidants, and a shot of B vitamins.
"Your contacts came in today," Gavin said, in between big loud sips.
"What contacts?"
"The ones that will block people from seeing the fire in your eyes. I thought I mentioned them."
A vague memory of something like that floated around in my head. "Oh, yeah. I haven't had anyone say anything to me about seeing fire in my eyes."
"That's because you never look anyone in the eyes."
I gave him a quick glare through my bangs. "So do the contacts change the color of my eyes?"
"No, they have protection woven into them."
Okay, this sounded familiar but I couldn’t remember what Kayin had told me. "What?"
Gavin rubbed his forehead, and brushed a lock of hair behind his ear. "It's hard to explain. It could be called a spell or a ritual. They set the contacts on a crystal table, surrounded by pieces of jewelry from Akasha, like the jewelry your mom left you." I nodded in understanding, and Gavin continued. "Then someone with the gift of dreaming, telepathy or empathy, but it could be any Child of Fire I'm told, asks Shamash and Aya to protect us. I guess they are specific, and keep what they want focused firmly in their mind, and the energy, gift, blessings, whatever, is transferred from the jewelry into the contacts."
Yep, more weirdness. "Does it only work with contacts?"
"No, they have asked for protection for lots of different things. Plus they ask for healing, strength, and blessings—general good stuff for the group. They have strict rules about not using the jewelry for selfish or harmful purposes."
Interesting. "Okay, should I put them in now?" I asked.
Gavin relaxed. "No, we'll wait until we get to the school. Are you ready to go?"
"Sure." I picked up my smoothie and headed for the door.
As soon as I walked into the Circus Center, Jane called to me.
"Hey, how was your week?" I asked.
Jane rolled her eyes and began stretching. "School sucked, every class had a test in it, and the drama level was out of sight. Lots of fights and yelling in the hallways. How are you?"
I shrugged. "Fine, busier than normal, but I survived. Did you do the exercises?"
Jane nodded, her orange spiked hair so stiff it didn't move. "Yes, every day, and I did dishes and used tea bags on my hands. My mom was super happy about me doing the dishes." Jane flexed a plump arm. "Look I think I can see a bit of muscle."
I couldn't help but admire Jane's determination. "I guess we'll see if a week is enough to make a difference."
"Okay, everyone who has done ten minutes of warm-up can start on the trapeze," Taliesin announced.
"He looks good today," Jane whispered to me as we headed to the trapeze.
I agreed; he wore a gray tee shirt and matching sweat pants. His white hair flowed softly around his face and over his shoulders. "He always looks like that."
"Yes, and he's yummy."
I laughed. "He's all yours."
"I don't think so," sneered one of the Perky Girls. "If he belongs to anyone, it's one of us. Why would he want either of you, anyway?"
All four of them looked us over with obvious distaste.
Normally I would walk away, but I could feel Jane's shame and desire to hide, and that pissed me off. "Well, I'm sure if Taliesin is into cheap and easy, he'll hand you his phone number any second." I pointedly looked at all of their exposed cleavage.
Jane choked on her laughter and tugged on my arm trying to pull me to the trapeze.
"If you've got it, flaunt it, right girls?" Perky number two cheered. The others agreed with her.
"Flaunting and advertising a fifty percent off sale are two different things," I retaliated. "Seriously, look at Taliesin. Everything he wears is designer brand, clean, and perfect. Why would he ever go for common, used goods?"
"Ladies," Taliesin said his voice cold. "Is there a reason no one is following my instructions?"
I could sense how uncomfortable Taliesin felt; he'd heard every word. I was glad I wasn't getting the full intensity of emotion from everyone.
"No," I answered before anyone else could. "We were discussing how refined your tastes are."
"Somehow I don't see how that will help you in this class. Get to work.” Taliesin held out his hand and ushered us to the far trapeze. “Jane, I overheard you saying how much work you put into the exercises this week, I'd like to see if it has helped." Taliesin held out his hand and ushered us to the far trapeze.
"That was so awesome!" Jane whispered.
I could feel the angry glares in my back, and smirked. "Thank you, I'm rather happy right now."
"The bar, ladies," Taliesin said, re-directing us. He's such a spoilsport!
Jane went first. I could sense someone looking for me. Scanning the room, I found Gavin's eyes. He cocked his head to the side. I grinned a bright, unrepentant, evil grin. Gavin's laughter filled the converted warehouse.
At the end of class my hands ached, my muscles trembled, and I was happy. Jane and I chatted quietly while we stretched to cool down.
"Good job today," Taliesin said. "Jane, I think you improved the most this week. I hope you'll continue doing the daily exercises."
Jane blushed and nodded, looking away quickly.
"Next week, we'll work with silks, so make sure you have long pants and long sleeves to wear so you don't get fabric burns. Have a good week, and remember tea bags and washing dishes without gloves will help your sore hands."
The Perky Girls all jumped up, asking Taliesin questions. Jane shook her head, and we went to get our stuff.
Something was wrong, though I wasn't sure what. Looking around the room, I didn't see anything wrong. I went back to packing my stuff, but I felt uneasy.
"Hey, I'll see you next week. I need to go and wai
t for the bus," Jane said, bumping shoulders to get my attention.
"Sure, I'll see you next Friday."
Jane's brown eyes sparkled with happiness. "You were awesome. I'll be re-telling this afternoon for days!"
I was pretty awesome. "No big. They're insecure brats."
"You're still my hero," she cooed at me, fluttering her eyes.
"Go away," I laughed.
Once Jane left the building, the feeling of wrongness changed into something colder and focused. I looked around. The Perky Girls were leaving. They couldn't be the source, could they? I walked across the room toward the door.
"Sapphire?” Taliesin asked as I rushed by him.
"Not now," I said, not slowing down.
Bursting out of the door, I found Jane surrounded by the girls.
"Are we clear, Fatty? Stay away from Taliesin."
"Leave her alone!" I shouted moving closer.
"Oh, isn't this sweet, you're going to protect your girlfriend," sneered one of them.
Please, as if I'm stupid enough to be offended by being called gay. "Listen, losers, get away from Jane and go away."
"Or what?"
"Or I’ll ban you from my school," Philip walked towards us, the school door banging shut behind him. "I won't have bullying here. This is a safe place, one where everyone can come to learn. Hatred makes a person ugly. You girls might want to think about that. Jane, Sapphire, inside now."
I grabbed Jane's hand and pulled her inside.
"Are you two okay?" Philip asked. His salt-and-pepper hair wasn't up in a Mohawk today but hung down to one side and over half his face as he looked down at us.
"Yes," Jane whispered.
"Yeah, thanks, I wasn't looking forward to beating the crap out of them." I held Jane's hand, not willing to let her go. She shook, and her eyes shone with unshed tears.
Philip chuckled. "I like your confidence. I have a book for you; I'll be right back." Philip walked up the stairs to his apartment.
Jane looked out the window. "There goes my bus."
"How are you going to get home now?"
"Sapphire, is everything okay?" Gavin asked.
"Aren't you teaching?" How big a scene did I cause?
"I finished. Do you need a ride home?" Gavin turned to Jane.
"Oh, no, I can wait for the next bus," Jane said shaking her head.
"Don't be silly, we're happy to help. Right, Gavin?" I asked my eyes pleading.
Gavin's face softened. "Of course. Should you call your mom or dad first to ask permission?"
"No, Mom's at work so she can't answer right now anyway," Jane said. Her eyes darted around the room. "Are you sure it's okay?"
"Of course. Let me grab my stuff, and we'll go," Gavin said, smiling.
Philip came back down the stairs. "Sorry it took so long. It was hiding."
The book had a worn dark blue cover with gold letters for the title: Common Mythical Creatures from Around the World. "Thanks, I haven't even thought about researching yet."
"Is that for school?" Jane asked looking over my shoulder.
"Yes, for an English project. Thanks Philip, I'll be careful with it."
Philip waved a hand. "It's for you."
"Thank you," I answered holding the book closer.
"You're welcome."
"Are you girls ready to go?" Gavin asked.
"Yes, we're coming. Bye, Philip, and thanks again."
I sat in the back of the car with Jane. Gavin called Anali to let her know we were going to get home a bit late.
"Your name is Sapphire? I thought it was Sara?" Jane asked.
"Yeah. Gavin is my uncle, he found me. My mom named me Sapphire, but no one knew that." I rolled my eyes. "I can't even begin to explain the crazy."
"Start at the beginning," Jane said and leaned against the gray seat while I told a short, non-magical version of what happened to me.
Jane looked at me in shock. "Are you kidding, that's like a fairy tale or something." Jane directed us to her house, getting more nervous the closer we got. I was confused, until we began driving into a poorer neighborhood.
"It's the apartment building up on the right," Jane said, clutching her bag.
"Okay." Gavin pulled next to the curb. "If it's okay with your mom, I'm happy to give you a ride home on Fridays after class."
Jane blushed. "I'll ask, and thank you for the ride."
"No problem," Gavin answered with a smile.
"Bye, Jane."
"Bye, Sapphire, I'll see you next week."
Gavin walked her to the front door of her building and came back. "Next time I'll walk her to her door. She seemed nervous like she didn’t want me to go inside."
"She's embarrassed."
"About what?"
I rolled my eyes. Gavin was so clueless. "This is a very poor neighborhood, rent controlled, full of drug dealers and prostitutes."
"How do you know that?!" Gavin demanded.
"Shante lived in this building."
"Oh," Gavin said. "So how about telling me what all the fuss was about."
I could feel the evil grin creep over my face as I told him what happened.
Chapter Nineteen
"Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all."