Five

  I had to go to orientation alone. Giggling girls flanked me everywhere I turned. I got a few, tentative smiles, but who would want to befriend someone donning a perpetual frown.

  When Cassie returned late that evening, I pulled the covers closer to my neck. Sleep was a distant dream. Not even bothering to turn on the lights, she tip-toed around the room and slipped into bed without saying anything. I was still hurt, so I kept quiet. I hadn’t been able to use her phone to try Aunt Grace again, and tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

  When exhaustion finally took me, I surrendered completely. I had been afraid I would have nightmares about cloaked specters riding winged creatures. Thankfully, I didn’t even dream.