Our Solstice party was coming up soon but all I could think about was the conversation I had eavesdropped on between Blaze and Blade. I didn't realize I meant that much to Blade. Did I mean that much to all of them?
Teachers had been piling so much homework on us I was almost drowning in it. There was so much on my mind I could barely think straight. The Lancasters were finally on my side and they stuck with me. But Blaze never came around. He always had Lucy sitting on his lap or making out with him in the library, where they knew I would be. Honestly, it didn't bother me. I kind of gave up on Blaze.
Maggie and Dover didn't come around either. It's like they were entranced by Lucy's beauty. It wouldn't have really mattered anyway. I didn't really talk to anyone anymore. When Lucy threw some sort of insult at me, I didn't even shoot back. It was starting to worry Blade, who had become my best friend.
One day, three days before Christmas break, a new kid walked into first period. I looked up from the notebook I was scribbling in and stared at him. He was tall, he had rosy cheeks and he was undeniably the cutest boy I had ever seen. I sat up straighter as he talked to the teacher. He sat by me and I pretended to be scribbling again, hoping he wouldn't notice I was staring at him.
By the time lunch came around, I was itching to know more about the mystery new kid. I was alone at my table. All of the Lancasters skipped the day because of the full moon. They were afraid they'd change at school and kill everyone. Except for Blaze. He was sitting in the same spot and doing the same thing he had been doing for a week; being Lucy's chair and make out partner.
I internally groaned. If it weren't for not eating breakfast, I would've puked. I jumped as I felt a tap on my shoulder. Looking up, I locked eyes with the new kid.
"I think your table is over there." I said, pointing to Lucy.
"What makes you say that?" He put his tray down across from me which forced me to look at him.
"You fit in with them on looks so I figured you'd fit in with them on attitude."
"You don't even know me, missy."
"Alright. Then tell me about yourself."
He raised an eyebrow and for a second I thought he was going to leave. But then he smiled and started talking. "My name is Orvar. It means arrow. It makes a lot of sense because I love archery."
"Really?" I was suddenly intrigued. "I used to play around with some archery. But that was years ago. I don't even know if I remember how."
"Once you learn how, you never forget. Your aim is a little shaky, but you never forget."
I looked him up and down for a second before holding out my hand. "I'm Electra Ice. It's great to meet you." He shook my hand.
"So what's the deal with table popular over there?"
"The head bitch is my cousin."
He whistled. "Mighty big words for a family member."
"She's been bullying me ever since she got here."
"I'm sorry."
"Not you're fault. She also took the guy I liked. That's him, filling in as her chair."
He snorted. "Nice."
"The blonde and the brunette sitting in front of her, yeah, those were my friends. They chose her over me."
"Wow. What do they all see in her?"
"She's beautiful, that's what."
"Actually, not really."
I stared at him. "What are you?"
He turned toward me and his face got even redder. "What do you mean?"
"Chill, dude. It was a joke. Where did you say you were from?"
"Um, I didn't."
"Right..."
He turned back to look at Lucy's table. "So that's the guy you like?"
"Liked. I don't care for him anymore. I'm perfectly fine with being single. Have been for two years."
"Ah don't say that. You'll find someone."
As weird as I should've felt talking to a stranger about my love life, I didn't. It was like we had been friends for ever. I decided I liked him.
"Hey, I normally wouldn't do this because I barely know you, but would you like to come to my Winter Solstice party? We're having it the twenty-first."
His eyes lit up. "Really?!"
"Of course. It's ball themed so dress your best."
"That sounds awesome. Will Chair Boy be there?" He asked, jabbing his thumb in Blaze's direction.
I laughed, making a mental note to use that sometime. "Of course. He sort of lives with me because my dad took pity on the family. So I can't tell him not to."
"Tough break. Well, count me in."
"Great. It starts at eight p.m. and goes until one."
He smiled at me.
"So why did you come three days before break?"
"My parents didn't want to overwhelm me so they wanted me to come half a week to get settled in."
"Lucky. I was homeschooled and then thrown right into public school. It was shaky."
"Yikes."
Before either of us could say anything else, the bell rang. We had the last three classes together which was nice. I dodged a glare from Lucy on my way out of the cafeteria. I had started my break early for practices so after school I was free to go home. I ignored Lucy's sarcastic call for a ride and began to walk in the snow. It was really cold and my toes were starting to freeze but I really didn't feel it. My house was three miles out of town but I really didn't mind.
I was lost in my thoughts and didn't even notice Jace had pulled up beside me. He opened the door and I climbed in.
"Are you crazy? You could've froze!"
"Jace, calm down. I'm fine."
"Electra, I am your guardian. If you die on my watch, Ragnarok is going to come faster than ever."
"What?"
He cursed. "Ignore me."
"No. You said if I die, Ragnarok comes faster. What happens when I die, Jace?"
"It doesn't matter. What matters is that we need to get you inside to warm up."
He helped me into the house even though I didn't need help. He sat me by the fireplace and wrapped a blanket around me. I asked him to bring my dad in the living room for me.
"What is it, Electra? I have a lot to do."
"Dad...can't you sit down for a second?"
"Only a second."
"I showed it to Blaze and he really liked it. I want you to sell it, dad. We need this money."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Also, I need to talk to you about this book. I found it when you were-"
A phone rang in his office.
"Hold that thought."
He rushed to his office and I gave up. I thanked Jace for putting me by the fire but I decided to just take a bath. Gods knew I needed it. When I got upstairs, I took a bath then curled up with a book in my room. Before I knew it, I was asleep.
