The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1)(3)
Author: Aimee Carter

“Do you like it?”

Mom sat curled up in the rocking chair near her bed, her head supported by her favorite pillow. It was so worn and faded that I couldn’t tell what color it had originally been, but it had survived four years of hospital stays and chemotherapy. Against all odds, so had she.

“The house? Yeah,” I lied, tucking in the corners of the sheet as I made her bed. “It’s…cute.”

She smiled, and I could feel her eyes on me. “You’ll get used to it. Maybe even like it enough to stay here after I’m gone.”

I pressed my lips together, refusing to say anything. It was an unspoken rule that we never talked about what would happen after she died.

“Kate,” she said gently, and the rocking chair creaked as she stood. I looked up automatically, ready to spring into action if she fell. “We need to talk about it sometime.”

Still watching her out of the corner of my eye, I tugged the sheet down and grabbed a thick quilt, arranging it on the bed. Pillows soon followed.

“Not now.” I pulled the covers back and stepped aside so she could crawl in. Her movements were slow and agonizing, and I averted my eyes, not wanting to see her in so much pain. “Not yet.”

Once she was settled, she looked up at me, her eyes red and tired. “Soon,” she said softly. “Please.”

I swallowed, but said nothing. Life without her was unfathomable, and the less I tried to imagine it, the better.

“The day nurse is going to come by in the morning.” I pressed my lips to her forehead. “I’ll make sure she’s all set up and knows what to do before I head to school.”

“Why don’t you stay in here tonight?” she said, patting the empty space next to her. “Keep me company.”

I hesitated. “You need your rest.”

She brushed her cold fingertips against my cheek. “I’ll get more with you here.”

The temptation of curling up against her like I’d done when I was a child was too much to resist, not when every time I left her, I wondered if it would be the last time I’d see her alive. Tonight I would let myself avoid that pain. “Okay.”

I crawled into bed next to her, making sure she had enough blanket before I used the rest to cover my legs. Once I was sure she’d stay warm, I wrapped my arms around her, inhaling her familiar scent. Even after spending years in and out of a hospital, she still smelled of apples and freesia. She nuzzled the top of my head, and I closed my eyes before they started to water.

“Love you,” I murmured, wanting to hug her tightly but knowing her body couldn’t take it.

“I love you too, Kate,” she said softly. “I’ll be here in the morning, promise.”

As much as I wished it could be, I knew that was no longer a promise she would always be able to keep.

That night, my nightmares were relentless and full of cows with red eyes, rivers of blood, and water that rose around me until I woke up gasping. I pushed the blanket off me and wiped my clammy forehead, afraid I’d woken my mother, but she was still asleep.

Even though I didn’t sleep well, I couldn’t take the next day off. It was my first day at Eden High, which was a brick building that looked more like a large barn than a school. There were hardly enough students to bother building one in the first place, let alone keep it running. Enrolling had been my mother’s idea; after I’d missed my senior year to take care of her, she was determined to make sure I graduated.

I drove my car into the parking lot two minutes after the first bell rang. Mom had gotten sick that morning, and I didn’t trust the nurse, a round, matronly woman named Sofia, to take care of her properly. Not that there was anything particularly menacing about her, but I’d spent most of the past four years caring for my mother, and as far as I was concerned, no one else could do it right. I’d nearly skipped to stay home with her, but my mother had insisted I go. As difficult as the day had been so far, I was certain it was about to get worse.

At least I wasn’t alone in the walk of shame through the parking lot. Halfway to the building, I noticed a boy following me. He couldn’t have been old enough to drive, and his white-blond hair stuck out almost as much as his overgrown ears did. Judging from his cheery expression, he couldn’t have cared less that he was late.

He dashed forward to reach the front door before I did, and much to my surprise, he held it open for me. I couldn’t think of a single guy at my old school who would’ve done that.

“After you, mademoiselle.”

Mademoiselle? I stared at the ground to avoid giving him an odd look. No use in being rude the first day.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, stepping inside and walking faster. He was taller than me though, and he caught up in no time. Much to my horror, instead of passing me, he slowed so we were walking together.

“Do I know you?”

Oh, God. Did he expect me to answer? Luckily, he didn’t seem to, as he didn’t give me a chance to respond.

“I don’t know you.”

Brilliant observation, Einstein.

“I should know you.”

Right outside the office, he swung around, placing himself between me and the entrance. Sticking out a hand, he looked at me expectantly.

“I’m James,” he said, and I finally got a good look at his face. Still boyish, but maybe he was older than I thought. His features were hardened, more mature than I’d expected. “James MacDuffy. Laugh, and I’ll be forced to hate you.”

Seeing no other choice, I forced a small smile and took his hand. “Kate Winters.”

He stared at me for longer than was strictly necessary, a goofy grin on his face. As the seconds ticked by, I stood there, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other, and finally I cleared my throat.

“Er—could you maybe…?”

“What? Oh.” James dropped my hand and opened the door, once again holding it open for me. “After you, Kate Winters.”

I stepped inside, drawing my messenger bag closer. Inside the office was a woman dressed head to toe in blue, with sleek auburn hair I’d have given my right foot to have.

“Hi, I’m—”

“—Kate Winters,” interrupted James, falling into place next to me. “I don’t know her.”

The receptionist managed to simultaneously sigh and laugh. “What is it this time, James?”

“Flat tire.” He grinned. “Changed it myself.”

She scribbled on a pink pad of paper, then tore off the sheet and handed it to him. “You walk.”