Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1)(84)
Author: Cambria Hebert

I smiled, but it faltered. Red exploded around Kimber, and I knew instantly what it meant. I guess I came hardwired not only with the colors, but their meanings as well.

“Hey? You okay?” Cole stepped forward and laid a hand on my arm. The same vibrant magenta shade from yesterday surrounded him, and he was still the only person I have seen that carried that color. More red burst around Kimber, masking Cole’s aura completely and making me jerk back.

“Yeah, great!” I reached into my locker and grabbed a handful of books, not even looking to see if they were right. “Better get to class,” I said, moving backward, Sam moving with me.

Cole frowned, but Kimber smiled and waved, her aura returning to its less-intense colors. I heaved a sigh of relief.

What was that all about?

Kimber’s aura is totally intense.

That’s not all. Sam insisted. I can feel it.

It’s just…never mind, I might be wrong.

You aren’t wrong, Heven.

How could it be? I wondered.

Say it.

Kimber’s jealous of me.

You didn’t know this? To Sam it was obvious.

No. I…we’re friends.

Sam shrugged. Sometimes friends get jealous.

He was right. It happened to me sometimes, but seeing it in her aura made it seem worse somehow. The way the red burst around her seemed violent.

It made me wonder if having my old face back was going to put a strain on my friendship with Kimber. She already admitted to being jealous once and that was before I got my old looks back. I never imagined that not being disfigured might actually cost me a friend. I shook the worrisome thought away. Kimber was my best friend; she would see that nothing between us had to change. Then, hopefully, everything would go back to normal…

If only I could remember what exactly normal was like.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Heven

As soon as Sam’s truck got close to Gran’s I saw it. As if my day hadn’t been bad enough – the entire weekend really. First, I realized that my mother was going to believe I was evil no matter what I said. Then, psycho China tried to kill me – well, actually, she did. Then Sam sacrificed himself and died. After we were both brought back to life, I was hit with a ball of light, got a massive headache, and now I saw auras. Did I mention that my BFF’s aura isn’t looking like a BFF’s aura should?

Sam stiffened and the wheel jerked in his hand. “We’re leaving,” he growled.

I sighed. “No. Let me just get it over with.”

“You’re sure?”

Round two with Mom. “Yep.”

“I can’t stay,” he worried.

“It would make things worse anyway,” I mumbled. Then I gasped. “I didn’t mean…”

“I know, honey.” He took my hand in his and pulled the truck to a stop next to my mother’s car. “It’s all right.”

“I love you.” I wanted him to know.

“I know. I love you too.”

Despite my mother standing on the porch watching, the bold colors exploding around her, I leaned over and kissed Sam. Surprise flickered in his eyes as I leaned close, but he didn’t push me away. He did what he always does: welcomed me with open arms and took my breath away.

I hope you don’t pay for that, he said when I pulled back.

I would pay any price for that.

His fist clenched in his lap, and he looked up with fierceness in his eyes. Sometimes I love you so much I can hardly…

I touched his cheek, “I know. See you later.”

“Hev.” He caught my hand. “If you need me…”

“I know you’ll come.”

I got out slowly and walked to the porch to stand next to my mother. I waved as he drove away. My mother just stood there in shock. Then she went into the house. I followed.

Sam reached out. Let me know how it goes.

You’ll be the first. I prayed that this wasn’t going to be a scene. I prayed that maybe she was just here to make sure I was okay after the car accident.

Gran was at the kitchen sink rinsing some baking potatoes. She turned when Mom and I walked through the door. “Hello, Madeline. Heven, how was school?” The dominant parts of blue and green in her aura were muffled by a burst of brown. Clearly, she knew this meeting would not go well.

“Fine, thanks,” I answered, as Mom turned to face me.

“You are still seeing that boy!” Colors in purple, turquoise and orange floated around her – but mixed with those vibrant colors was an ugly one – a mustard shade with tinges of brown. The colors of worry and anger.

“Yes.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“You kissed him,” she practically hissed.

“I love him.”

She stared at me for long moments. “Your scar is gone.”

“I thought Gran told you.”

She nodded. “But to see…”

“Guess I’m not as evil as you thought.”

Her eyes flashed with pain but then it was gone. “I wanted to come see you as soon as Gran called me about your accident, but…” her aura flashed with a mustard color and a strong pink shade. Worry and love.

But you felt too guilty maybe? I left your house upset and got into an accident. The words were on my lips, but I didn’t say them. It wasn’t her fault, it was China’s. “I don’t blame you, Mom.”

“You don’t?”

“It was an accident.”

“I would never want you to get hurt.”

“I know.” It was written all over her aura. I knew she loved me. It was something.

“About that boy…”

“Sam is in my life, Mom. For good. I will not stop seeing him.”

“Don’t you take that tone with me, young lady. You’ll move back home.”

A potato hit the sink with a thud. I felt exhausted. I just wanted to be alone. To not have to see colors swimming around everyone I looked at. Mom wasn’t going to change her mind about me. She could force me to go to church, to camp, or back home, but she couldn’t take away Sam.

“You can make me move home,” I said, going for the door leading to the living room, “but it won’t change anything. This is me, Mom.” I turned to Gran, “Would you please call me when dinner is ready? I’m going to my room. I want to take a nap.”

Gran turned to look directly at me. Respect shone in her eyes. “I’ll call you.”

I didn’t bother looking back at my mother. I’d said all I had to say.