Chapter 4: <><><><><> “Terik?” I try to call his name, but my voice is hoarse and shocked. “What are you—what are you doing with him?” Terik makes eye contact with me, his cobalt blue eyes boring through me. “Grady, I…” He sighs, then turns to Juren. “Give me a second, okay? You guys can go on without me—I’ll catch up.” He approaches me. Kids are staring, so he pulls me into a corner—I guess so that we can talk in private. “What are you doing with Juren?” I ask. My voice is louder this time. And angrier. “Do you have any idea how rude he was to me yesterday?” “Look, I’m sorry, Grady, but…” Terik sighed. “Juren hailed me last night on his Imparter. He manifested as an Empath after school yesterday.” “Okay, good for him,” I say, not really caring. “And what does that have to do with you selling me out?” “I didn’t sell you out!” Terik defends himself. “Please! You’re always saying how much you hate Juren, and how snobby he is! And then you just go and join his friend group?” Rage stirs inside of me, and I fight to keep it down. I don’t want to lash out and hurt Terik, but I’m tempted to make him punch himself right about now. “I’m selling you out because Juren’s safer, okay?” Terik blurts out. I stumble back, crashing into the wall. “Excuse me?” “I said, Juren’s safer.” Terik takes a deep breath before announcing, “You know, when I get older, Grady, I want to be a Councillor. I need to be popular and successful in order to be a Councillor, and do you think being friends with a Mesmer is going to get me that?” I can’t speak—I’ve lost my voice again. Finally, I say, “I didn’t choose my ability.” My voice is cold and hard. “Do you think I WANT to be a Mesmer?” “Of course not! But you are!” Terik sighs. “Look, I just…I’m sorry, okay? But you’re too dangerous.” And he walks off, leaving me staring after him. “Terik…” I try. “Terik! Wait!” But it’s too late. Terik’s gone. And I’m officially friendless.
Ooooh, DRAMA between Grady and Terik Credit to Winter-Rain5 for the cover!
