Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 8

Gillian stood perfectly still and watched David disappear most a corner.(Its not time for the plan yet, kid. Now buck up. A commodious face is worth diamonds.)Gillian tried to put on a cheery face.The strange daytime continued. In distri tho ifively class, Gillian appealed to the instructor for a brand-new book. In each class,she was bombarded with offers of notes and other help. And d unrivaled it all holy person verbalise in her ear, ever rifleingly suggesting mediocre the right thing to say to each person. He was witty, irreverent, occasionally flash backting-and so was Gillian.She had an advantage, she realized. Since nobody had ever noticed her onward, it was close deal beinga new girl. She could be anything she valued to be, establish herself as any cardinal, and be be delusionved.(Like Cinderella at the ball. The mystery princess.) Angels voice was amused but tender.In journalism class, Gillian found herself beside Daryl Novak, a languid girl with blackthorn eyes and droopingcontemptuous lashes. Daryl the Rich Girl, Daryl the World-weary World Traveler. She arouse wordsed to Gillianas if Gillian knew all to the highest degree Paris and Rome and California. At lunch, Gillian hesitated as she walked into the cafeteria. normally she sat with Amy in an obscurecorner at the back. scarce late Eugene had been sitting with Amy, and up front she could rule a groupthat include Amanda the Cheerleader, Kim the Gymnast, and others from The Clique. David and Tanyawere at the edge. (Do I sit with them? cryptograph asked me.) (Not with them, my particular rutabaga. tho tight fittingthem. Sit at the end of that table notwithstanding beside them. Dont look at them as you walk by. Look at yourlunch. Start eating it.)Gillian had neer eaten her lunch unsocial before-or at least not in a public place. On long time Amy wasabsent, if she couldnt find one of the fewer other juniors she mat comfortable with, she snuck into thelibrary and ate the re.In the old days she would film snarl horribly exposed, but now she wasnt real alone she had Angelcracking jokes in her ear. And she had a new confidence. She could closely regard herself eating, settle andindifferent to st atomic number 18s, thoughtful to the point of being dreamy. She tried to ask her movements a littlelanguid, interchangeable Daryl the Rich Girls.(And I hope Amy doesnt bet Im snubbing her. I mean, its not as if shes back there alone. Shes gotEugene.)(Yeah. Were gonna have to conference ab forth Amy sometime, kid. But right now youre being paged. Smileand be gracious.)Jill Earth to JillHey, Jill, cmon over.They wanted her. She was moving her lunch over to their table, and she wasnt spilling anything and shewasnt falling as she slid in. She was little and graceful, thistledown light in her movements, and they weresurging around her to form a warm and friendly bulwark.And she wasnt afraid of them. That was the most wonderful thing of all. These kids whod seemed toher like stars in some TV show roughly teenagers, were real pack who got crumbs on themselves andmade jokes she could understand.Gillian had ever wondered what they found so funny when they were express joy together. But now sheknew it was expert the heady atmosphere, the knowledge that they were special. It made it easily to laugh ateverything. She knew David, sitting quietly there with Tanya, could see her laughing.She could get wind other voices occasionally, from muckle on the fringes of her group, wad on the proscribedside expression in. Mostly bright chatter and murmurs of admiration. She thought she heard her name mentioned. And so she focused on the words. I heard her moms a drunk. They sounded horribly harsh-voiced anddear to Gillian, standing out against the background noise. She could feel her whole bark tingling withshock and she lost track of the story Kim the Gymnast was itemiseing.(Angel-who said that? Was it astir(predicate) me-my mom?) She d idnt dare look nookie her.-started drinking a few years ago and having these hallucinations-This time the voice was so loud that it cut through the banter of Gillians group. Kim stopped inmid-sentence. Bruce the Athletes smile faltered. An awkward quiet down fell. Gillian felt a wave of anger that made her dizzy. (Who said that? Ill bulge them-)(Calm down Calm down. Thats not the modal value to mucklele it at all.) (But-)(I said, calm down. Look at your lunch. No, at your lunch. Now say-and make your voice abruptlycool-I really dislike rumors, dont you? I dont know what kind of community start them.)Gillian breathed twice and obeyed, although hervoice wasnt absolutely cool. It had a little tremor.I dont know either, a new voice said. Gillianglanced up to see that David was on his feet, hisface hard as he surveyed the table behind her asif looking for the person whod spoken. But I work out theyre beautiful sick and they should get a life. in that respect was the cold glint in his eyes that had given him his reputation as a tough guy. Gillian felt as if ahand had steadied her. Gratitude rushed through her-and a longing that made her bite down on her lip.I hate rumors, too, J.Z. Oberlin said in her absent voice. J. Z. the Model was the one who looked likea Calvin Klein ad, breathlessly sexy and rather blank, but right now she seemed strangely focused.Somebody was putting around the rumor last year that I tried to kill myself. I neer did find out whostarted it. Her stuporous blue-green eyes were narrowed.And past everyone was lecture about rumors, and people who crack rumors, and what scum theywere. The group was rallying around Gillian.But it was David who stood up for me starting time, she thought.She had safe looked over at him, trying to catch his eye, when she heard the tinkling noise.It was almost musical, but the kind of sound that draws attention immediately in a cafeteria. Somebodyhad broken a glass. Gillian, along with everyone else, gl anced around to see whod do it.She couldnt see anybody. No one had the right expression of dismay, no one was focused on anythingdefinite. Everybody was looking around in search mode. thus she heard it again, and two people standing near the cafeteria inlets looked down and then up.Above the doors, far above, was a semi-circular window in the red brick. As Gillian stared at thewindow she realized that light was reflecting off it oddly, almost prismatically. There seemed to be crazyrainbows in the glassAnd something was sparkling down, falling like a few specks of snow. It hit the ground and tinkled, andthe people by the door stared at it on the cafeteria floor. They looked puzzled.Realization flashed on Gillian. She was on her feet, but the only words that she could find were, Oh, myGod Get out Its all passing game to go Get out of there It was David, waving at the people under the window.He was running toward them, which was stupid, Gillian thought numbly, her heart seeming to stop. other people were shouting. Cory and Amanda and Bruce-and Tanya. Kim the Gymnast was shrieking.And then the window was sack, chunks of it falling almost poetically, raining and crumbling, glistering andcrashing. It fell and fell and fell. Gillian felt as if she were wat elevateg an avalanche in slow motion.At last it was over, and the window was just an arch-shaped hole with weedy teeth clinging to theedges. Glass had flown and bounced and skittered all over the cafeteria, where it lay like hailstones. Andpeople from tables amazingly distant were examining cuts from ricocheting bits.But nobody had been directly underneath, and nobody seemed hard hurt.(Thanks to David.) Gillian was still numb, but now with relief. (He got them all out of the focus in time.Oh, God, he isnt hurt, is he?)(Hes fine. And what makes you debate he did it all alone? peradventure I had some part. I can do that, youknow-put it into peoples heads to do things. And they never even know Im doing it.) Angels voicesounded almost-well-piqued.(Huh? You did that? Well, that was really nice of you.) Gillian was watching David crossways the room,watching Tanya examine his arm, nod, shrug, look around.Hes not hurt. Thank heaven. Gillian felt so relieved it was almost painful.It was then that it occurred to her to wonder what had happened.That window-before the glass fell it had looked just like the reflect in her bathroom. Evenly shatteredfrom side to side, spiderlike cracks over every inch of the surface.The bathroom mirror had cracked epoch Tanya was being catty about Gillians room. Now Gillianremembered the last thing shed wanted to ask Angel last night. It had been about how the mirror cameto do that.This window it had started falling a few minutes after someone insulted Gillians mother. Nobody had heard it actually break, but it couldnt have happened too long ago.The flyspeck hairs on the back of Gillians neck stirred and she felt a travel rapidly inside.It couldnt be. Ange l hadnt even appeared to her yetBut hed said he was forever with her An angel wouldnt destroy things But Angel was adifferent kind of angel. (Ah, excuse me. Hello? Do you want to share some thoughts with me?)(Angel) For the first time since his soft voice had sounded in her ear, Gillian felt a virtuoso ofover-crowdedness. Of her own lack of privacy. The uneasy fluttering inside her increased. (Angel, I wasjust-just enquire) And then the silent words burst out. (Angel, you wouldnt-would you? Youdidnt do those things for my sake- break the mirror and that window-?) A pause. And then, in her head, riotous laughter. Genuine laughter. Angel was whooping. Finally, thesounds died to mental hiccups. (Me?) Gillian was embarrassed. (I shouldnt have asked. It was just soweird)(Yeah, wasnt it.) This time Angel sounded grimly amused. (Well, never mind youre already late forclass. The bell rang five minutes ago.) Gillian coasted through her last two classes in adaze. So much had happened today -she felt as if shed led a full life between vigilant up and now.But the day wasnt over yet.In her last class, studio apartment art, she once again found herself talking to Daryl the Rich Girl. Daryl was theonly one of that crowd that took art or journalism. And in the last minutes before initiate ended, sheregarded Gillian from under drooping eyelashes.You know, there are other rumors departure around about you. That you and Davey-boy have somethinggoing behind Tanyas back. That you meet in secret in the mornings and Daryl shrugged, pushingback frosted hair with a hand dripping with rings.Gillian felt jolted awake. So?So you really should do something about it. Rumors spread fast, and they grow. I know. You want toeither deny them, or-Daryls lips .quirked in a smile-disarm them.(Oh, yeah? And just how do I do that?)(Shut up and listen to her, kid. This is one smart cookie.)If therere parts that are true, its usually best to admit those in public. That takes some of the punch ou t.And its always helpful to track down the person starting the rumors-if you can.(Tell her you know that. And that youre going to see Tanya after school.)(Tanya? You mean-?)(Just tell her.)Somehow Gillian gathered herself enough to fictionalize Angels words.Daryl the Rich Girl looked at her with a new expression of respect. Youre live wire than I thought.Maybe you didnt need my help after all.No, Gillian said without Angels prompting. Im always glad for help. Its-its a rough world.Isnt it, though? Daryl said and raised already arched eyebrows.(So it was Tanya who spread that stuff about my mom.) Gillian almost stumbled as she trudged out of artclass. She was tired and bewildered. Somehow, shed have thought Tanya was above that.(She had help. It takes a really efficient system to get a rumor to peak circulation that fast. But she wasthe instigator. Turn left here.) (Where am I going?)(Youre gonna catch her coming out of marketing education. Shes alone in there right now. The teach erasked to see her after class, then unexpectedly had to run to the bathroom.)Gillian felt distantly amused. She sensed Angels hand in these arrangements.And when she poked her head inside the marketing ed room, she saw that Tanya was indeed alone. Thetall girl was standing by a cloudy green blackboard.Tanya, we need to talk.Tanyas shoulders stiffened. because she ran a hand crossways her already perfect dark hair and saturnine. Shelooked to a greater extent like a future executive than ever, with her face set in cool lines and her foreign gray eyesrunning over Gillian in appraisal. Without Angel, Gillian would have desiccate up and withered away underthat scrutiny.Tanya said one word. Talk.What followed was more like a play than a conversation for Gillian. She repeated what Angel whisperedto her, but she never had any idea what was coming. The only way to survive was to give herself upcompletely to his direction.Look, I know youre commotion with me, Tanya. But Id like to deal w ith this with a little maturity, okay?She followed Angels instructions over to a desk and brushed absent fingers over its imitation-wood top.I dont think theres any need for us to act like children.And I dont think I know what youre talking about.Oh, really? Gillian turned and looked Tanya in the face. I think you know exactly what Im talkingabout. (Angel, I feel just like one of those people in a soap opera-)Well, youre wrong. And, as a matter of fact, I happen to be busy-Im talking about the rumors, Tanya. Im talking about the stories about my mom. And Im talking aboutDavid.Tanya stood perfectly still. For a moment she seemed surprised that Gillian was taking such a directapproach. whence her gray eyes hardened with the clear light of battle. every right, lets talk about David, she said in a pleasant voice, moving tigerishly toward Gillian, I dontknow about any rumors, but Id like to hear what you and David were doing this morning. address to tellme?(Angel, shes actually enjoyi ng this. Look at her And shes bigger than me.) (Trust me, kid.)We werent doing anything, Gillian said. She had to tip her chin up to look Tanya in the face. Then shelooked aside and shook her head. only right. Ill be honest about that. I like David, Tanya. I have eversince he moved in. Hes good and hes noble and hes honest and hes sweet. But that doesnt mean Iwant to take him away from you. In fact, its just the opposite. She turned and walked away, looking into the distance. I think David deserves the best. And I know hereally cares about you. And thats what happened this morning-he told me you guys had made a promiseto each other. So you see, youve got no reason to be suspicious.Tanyas eyes were glittering. Dont try to pull that. All this She waved a hand to indicate Gilliansdress and hair. In one day you turn from Little Miss Invisible to this. And you start prancing around theschool like you own it. You cant pretend youre not trying to get him.Tanya, the way I dress has nothin g at all to do with David. Gillian told the lie calmly, facing thechalk-misted blackboard again. Its just-something I needed to do. I was-tired of being invisible. Sheturned her head slightly, not enough to see Tanya. But thats beside the point. The real bed here iswhats best for David. And I think youre best for him-as long as you treat him fairly.And what is that supposed to mean? Tanya was losing her legendary cool. She sounded venomous,almost shrill.It means no more fooling around with Bruce Faber. (Oh, my God, Angel Bruce Faber? Bruce theAthlete? Shes been fooling around with Bruce Faber?)Tanyas voice cracked like a whip. What are you talking about? What do you know?Im talking about those nights at the pool parties last summer in Macons cabana. While David was upnorth at his grandmas. Im talking about what happened in Bruces car after the Halloween dance. (In acabana?)There was a silence. When Tanya spoke again, her voice was a sort of icy explosion. How did you findout?Gillia n shrugged. People whore good at spreading rumors can be a two-edged sword.I thought so. That brat Kim Her and her mouth Then Tanyas voice changed. It became a voicewith claws and Gillian could tell shewas moving closer. I suppose youre planning to tell David about this?Huh? For a moment Gillian was too confused to follow Angels directions. Then she got hold of herself.Oh, of course Im not going to tell David. Thats why Im notice you. I just want you to promise thatyoure not going to do anything like that anymore. And Id appreciate it if youd stop telling people thingsabout my mom-Ill do worse than that Suddenly Tanya was standing right behind Gillian. Her voice was a yelling hiss.You have no idea what Ill do if you try to bunch with me, you snotty little midget. You are going to be sosorry-No, I think youve done plenty already.The voice came from the door. Gillian heard it, and in that exacting she understood everything.