Chapter 4
Chapter Four
The rest of the week flew by with a series of classes, homework, and study sessions with Sara-Kate.
But not with Alaric. I had waited after school for over an hour before I finally realized that he had either forgotten or decided his notes were a good enough study buddy.
Or maybe he had actually gotten back with his girlfriend, and she made it clear that helping the new girl was out of the question.
But I couldn’t help but think that he was mad at me for some reason.
About what, I had no idea. When I had looked over at him during lunch after Ashe had been taken away, he had seemed so intense, his dark green eyes almost turning black.
He seemed even more the stranger, the Dr. Jekyll to my courteous lab partner who had made copies of all his notes for me.
I was sure I must have offended him in some way, to the point where ghosting me was his only response.
He didn’t even speak to me in class, even when I got up the nerve to say “hello” each morning.
So we sat in awkward silence for the remainder of the week, him glaring at me like I had personally spit in his Cheerios that morning.
I would love to say that was the only weird thing that week, but Ashe, the girl who lost it in the courtyard, hadn’t been back to school either.
Rumors circulated that she was in some rehab or mental hospital.
When I asked Sara-Kate about it, she just shrugged, hinting that every couple of years a kid would get too in their heads about staying ahead of the curve, taking too many APs, and trying to get into an Ivy League school and just lose it.
It wasn’t unheard of for someone to just snap under the pressure.
I tried to shake off all thoughts of angry loner boys, murdered girls in locker rooms, and drama club presidents who may or may not have gone crazy as I rolled out of bed half-past eight on Saturday.
Today, Sara-Kate had promised to show me around New York to all the touristy places I hadn’t had time to see yet, plus all the cool hidden gems that were worth it.
I stumbled into my en suite bathroom, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I grabbed my toothbrush and started the shower.
Sara-Kate and I were meeting for breakfast at The Grey Dog in Chelsea Market to begin our day of sightseeing.
After my shower, I pulled my hair back into a braid, pulling on my new jeans, winter boots, and dark gray cashmere sweater with a red and black plaid scarf.
I headed into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water to throw in my bag since I knew we would be doing a lot of walking and riding the subway.
“Are you sure you don’t want Mr. Lewis to drive you girls around?
” Tiffany asked as I closed the fridge door.
She was sitting at the breakfast nook, sipping her morning coffee while looking over some blueprints for a historical site she had been commissioned to renovate.
Iris stood at the kitchen sink, washing dishes as she hummed a Christmas carol under her breath.
“No, Sara-Kate wanted to show me how to use the subway, so we’ll use that to get around.”
Tiffany wrinkled her nose at the idea. “The subway? Are you sure? It would be much more comfortable to drive through the city.”
I laughed as I slung my bag over my shoulder, “But I want the real New York experience and Sara-Kate said she would deliver.”
“Okay, just keep your phone on you and don’t hesitate to text me if you change your mind,” she insisted, sounding more like a parent than a brand-new step-aunt. It made me wonder why she and Uncle Dan hadn’t started a family of their own yet. They certainly could afford it.
“I will!” I called out as I made my way toward the door. “Will Uncle Dan be home for dinner?”
“He better be!” Tiffany and Iris called back in unison as I headed out.
I chuckled as I made my way down the elevator, anxious to get on the subway and meet Sara-Kate.
As I exited the apartment building and walked to the closest subway station, a deep throbbing hum began at the base of my skull.
I rubbed the back of my neck gingerly, attempting to alleviate some of the pain.
This was my fifth headache this week. They were coming on stronger and lasting longer, usually once I left the apartment.
I honestly should probably see a doctor.
Knowing my luck, I’ve got a tumor making itself at home within my brain. The last thing I needed.
As I got off at the appropriate stop in the Chelsea Market thanks to Sara-Kate’s meticulous step-by-step text directions, I immediately pinpointed her standing on the sidewalk, glancing into a storefront window, admiring the new Christmas decorations in her black tights, mini-plaid skirt, and navy blue peacoat.
Another woman stood at her side, laughing and pointing at something within the window as she got her phone out to take a picture.
She seemed to be close to Tiffany’s age, with black braided hair pulled into a top-knot on her head.
Her skin was a rich ebony, and just like Sara- Kate, she had the same warm copper-brown eyes.
She wore an ivory cashmere sweater and dark jeans underneath her long winter coat.
I made my way over, waving hesitantly when Sara-Kate turned to see me.
“Mari!” she squealed, leaving who I presumed to be her mom as she barreled towards me and enveloped me in a loving, but suffocating bear hug. “You didn’t get lost or anything! I’m so proud!”
“I can’t breathe,” I wheezed. Sara-Kate laughed, pulling me forward to meet her mom.
“Mom, this is Mari, my new best friend. Mari, this is my mom, Karen Johnson, the woman who gave me life,” Sara-Kate introduced. I glanced at Sara-Kate, surprised by her casual announcement as her best friend. A flush crept up my cheeks, warming my face even in the middle of a cold New York street.
“Hi there, Mari,” Karen stretched out her hand, her handshake firm but gentle. “It is so nice to meet you. Sara-Kate hasn’t stopped yapping about you since you started school this week.”
“Oh, really?” I asked, elbowing Sara-Kate playfully.
“It’s not my fault we vibed instantly.” Sara-Kate feigned insult. “In fact, we should just blame you for being so cute and helpless on that first day. Otherwise, I never would have come up to you.”
We laughed as Karen came on the other side of me, and the two led me to the restaurant that was only a block away from the subway stop.
“So, Sara-Kate tells me you moved up here from Georgia after your Nana passed away,” Karen began. “I’m so sorry for your loss, by the way.”
“Oh, thank you.” I felt my throat close up, tears pricking the back of my eyes. But it seemed Sara-Kate’s mom could sense it and gracefully changed subjects as we made our way into the restaurant and found a small table for three by the window.
“Tell me you will help me try to keep my wild child focused on her schoolwork,” Ms. Johnson continued as soon as we were seated, pulling off her coat.
“I’m doing fine, Mom,” Sara-Kate groaned, flipping through the menu. “Besides, I’m the one helping Mari with math.”
“Yes, Sara-Kate has been a big help Ms. Johnson,” I agreed, folding my napkin in my lap as my eyes scanned the cozy restaurant with its exposed brick, black, and white tile floors, and small fireplace that filled the room with warmth.
“Call me Karen, please,” Karen chided just as she waved a waitress down, putting in an order for English breakfast tea. “I can’t imagine starting in the middle of the semester at a brand-new school in a brand-new city. Bless you.”
“Well, she has me, so she’ll be fine,” Sara-Kate playfully nudged my shoulder with hers.
“I’m so glad Sara-Kate found you after her last best friend moved to California,” Karen smiled. “It’s been so hard since Margo’s family moved in July. Sara-Kate’s been moping around the apartment ever since.”
“Oh my God, stop,” Sara-Kate complained. “Besides, Margo stopped answering my FaceTime calls. It was time to move on.”
I could have hung out for hours with Sara-Kate and her mom, tucked in the warmth of their easy laughter. For the first time since Nana died, I almost believed I could belong here, that I had actually made a deep connection with people who really saw me and accepted me.
I smiled as breakfast continued with easy, light conversation. Karen told me about her job as a head editor at her publishing house. I hung on every word, listening as she went on and on about the different books and authors she got to work with each day. To get paid to read sounded like a dream.
“Maybe I can see if we have an internship opening this summer?” Karen had suggested as she took another bite of her vegetable omelet. “I’ve been trying to get this one to do something productive with her summers, but all she wants to do is theater camp.”
“Theater camp is something productive, Mom!” Sara-Kate retorted. “And now you’ve ruined my grand master plan to get Mari to join me this upcoming summer.”
“Oh, theater is not for me. Performing in front of people? No, thanks.”
“Besides, you two need to be focused on visiting campuses and applying to college,” Karen continued. “If you want to get into Juilliard for voice, you’ve got to actually fill out the initial application, practice, and actually go see that singing instructor I pay for on a regular basis.”
Sara-Kate rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know.”
“Good,” Karen finished her tea, placing her napkin on her plate as she pulled out several twenties, placing them on the table. “Breakfast is on me, girlies. Now, go enjoy the city, but don’t get into too much trouble, okay? I hope to see you around our place, Mari.”
“Thank you for breakfast,” I smiled. I was surprised when after she hugged Sara-Kate, she then pulled me into a similar, loving embrace. I blushed as she pulled back to look at me, pushing one of my wild curls back into place.