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Shadowface 1979

Page 89

by Rhea Ryan

She wraps her arm around me, and Didi watches every motion, her eyes lingering on Talia.

Diana pauses, then says, “I…I have to go. See you around, Tommy.” She glides away, seemingly without a problem. Talia and Remy watch me as Bax skates up.

“Rose?” Talia whispers, arching her brows.

I swallow a pit in my throat. “I’ll explain later.”

“Save it, Tommy,” she snaps and turns her attention to Remy, who looks just as nervous and confused as I do.

The three of us are at a standstill.

I’m beginning to suspect Didi’s more dangerous than all of us put together. And now, Talia realizes it, too. Sweat drips down my brow as I wrap my arm around her.

Talia breaks the silence. “She’s the one.”

Remy and I exchange glances, and Remy says, “You don’t want her, Talia, trust me.”

“No, Remington,” Talia says with a dark look in her eye, “she is exactly who I want.”

DIDI

Ipush my way through the arched entrance of the sandstone building my psychology class is now housed in since Tommy burned down the old one. It’s the first class since the fire, and everyone is on edge. Whispers about Shadowface echo throughout the student body. Rumors of death, along with a girl with white hair who summons him.

If the symbols weren’t enough to announce his presence, then the fire solidified it.

In such a short time, the whispers of me echoed through the trees and into every house, every classroom, every hall, as if I were Shadowface himself.

The girl with white hair.

I find a spot at the back of the lecture theater and sit on the wooden bench, crossing my legs with the little desk in front of me and adjusting my wig. My vision takes a few seconds to adjust to the dim light in the dank, dark hall.

It’s an old habit, but I like sitting at the back of classrooms. It’s the only place where people don’t stare as much because they’d have to crane their necks to see me. Though, nowadays, no one really stares—at least, not the way they used to.

I pull out my notebook and pencil and chew on it as the rest of the class fills their seats. I don’t glance up as someone slides in beside me.

“Hi, Diana.”

My skin tingles, hearing my name come out of someone’s mouth. I turn my head and blink a few times until she truly comes into focus.

Talia.

Her dark, glossy hair cascades in waves over her slender shoulders, held back by a headband. Her lips are slightly pursed; eyes lined like a cat. I’d admired her from afar for months, but nothing could have prepared me for how stunning she is up close.

Talia props her chin on her hands, her eyes blazing into me. “That is your name, right? Diana? Not Rose, like you said at the rink yesterday.”

My face grows hot, and I straighten my spine, regaining my composure. “I’m sorry…?”

She lifts her head. “I’m Talia. We met at the roller rink yesterday.”

I pretend to remember, but I’m a terrible actress. “Tommy’s girlfriend. Yes, I remember.”

A hint of a smile. “That’s right.”

I divert my attention to my desk and push down the intense jealousy that bubbles into my throat. I try not to look at her as she continues to scrutinize every inch of me.

She plays with a lock of her hair. “Don’t worry, Diana, your secret’s safe with me.”

My nostrils flare. Enough. Clearly, she knows who I am, and despite who she is, I’m not scared of her. “What do you want?” I hiss and finally meet her penetrating gaze, giving her access to my eyes.