40. Who Are You?

**Queenie**

Margo didn't seem to register the disdain in her eyes. If she did, she ignored it.

Queenie was at a loss for words.

Margo was completely content in *her* tent. She devoured Queenie's nature bar like a hungry chipmunk, completely observed in her own world.

"Margo, what the hell?" Queenie zipped the tent shut after she went in. "You know you're not supposed to be here, right? I could get in some serious trouble if anyone saw you sneak in."

Margo rolled her eyes and handed Queenie the wrapper. "You know, honey is still sugar. If I were you, I would swap this out for peanuts. Unsalted, of course."

Queenie grabbed the wrapper out of her hand. "Margo!"

"What?! You didn't expect me to stay at home, did you? Fuck that! If that bitch gets to go, then the same goes for me."

"Margo, remember that time you pushed her off the landing? Or were those just *good times*?"

She scowled.

"Whatever. Everyone is acting like she died or something."

"She could have…" Queenie stopped and pinched her nose. There was no point arguing with her. "Fine, stay. But if anyone catches you, you better make sure you tell them you sneaked in here on your own. Got?"

"Yes, yes. I won't move a muscle. Jeez, you're the total opposite of your sister."

Queenie sighed. "Even if we look the same, you can't expect us to be alike."

Margo rolled her eyes and plugged in her earbuds. All Queenie could do was watch her as she attempted to calm down her boiling frustration.

How did she end up babysitting a brat?

______

**Rosé**

One of the teachers approached the eating areas. "Now that you're done eating, make your way to the clearing. We have our first activity lined up for you. Be there in ten minutes," she said, then left.

Keona turned her gaze to me. "Did they tell you what it was?" She asked me.

I shook my head. "I know that there is a raft contest and a Halloween party night after this one. Can't recall anything else."

"Oh." She pointed to one of the coolers. "I think they're selling drinks there. Do you want any?"

"Sure!"

Keona went to get them while I cleared the trash off our trays. Now, who to pick?

My eyes darted around. A lot of the seniors had already started to move towards the clearing.

Paul was a part of Denis' group of jackasses, and I didn't want to deal with Denis yet. From what I heard, he was the one who gave Denis the idea to put those panties on the flag post.

Jake won't do either.

And Callum wasn't here.

Suddenly, a small, scrawny boy with glasses caught my attention. He followed Manuel around like a lost puppy. If I remember correctly, he was the one who backed up Manuel when Manuel accused me of stealing his work.

Joshua glanced up at Manuel like he was a god descended to the earth. While he kept trying to speak with him, the movements of Manuel's lips told me that he was only giving short answers. As soon as Robin approached him and grabbed his arm, he shooed Joshua away.

I turned away, forming my hand into a fist and tightening it. I didn't know that it would still hurt to see them together. I thought I moved past that already.

No. The hurt was still there. Ever present. After I deal with Denis, Manuel would be next. Maybe then I could graduate and leave this place in peace.

A cup fell on my foot. I jerked away quickly enough that none of the substance that was in it caught on my pants.

"I'm so so sorry!" The girl next to me wasn't one I was sure I'd seen before. She gasped and covered her mouth, her blonde ponytails bouncing when she moved. "I didn't mean it. I swear it was an accident."

I raised my hands, motioning for her to calm down. "Hey, I don't care about that. It was an accident."

"Phew!" A dainty hand rested on her chest. "Thank the gods. Since I already disturbed you, can I ask for your help?"

"With what?" Usually, my instincts would be telling me to be cautious, but they were strangely quiet.

This was a person I hadn't interacted with before who was also asking for my assistance. After what happened with Callum, I wasn't very enthusiastic to *help* anyone.

I tried to express myself in the most polite way possible. "I don't think I'll be of much help to you. Maybe you should ask one of your friends to help you."

Suddenly, her face held a sombre expression. "Um, I just moved here not too long ago. I haven't had the time to make friends since I just transferred this week."

*Oh*. I blinked twice. There have been whispers that a few students transferred to our school. I guess she was one of them.

Still, what could she possibly need help with that she couldn't ask the teachers?

I sighed. "Look, I-"

"I lost my necklace in the woods!" She blurted. "I was hanging out with some girls and trying to talk to them but they laughed and ditched me. When I came back to the clearing I realized that my necklace was missing. It has my parents' picture in there. I'm too afraid to go look for it by myself."

"How far away do you think it is?"

"Not far! probably like fifty metres away from the clearing."

I couldn't seriously be considering this. Well, if she tried anything, I would happily let her know how angry I can get.

"Lead the way," I said. She happily led me away with hesitation. I hoped I didn't come to regret this.

While everyone else was moving away from the tables, I was following a strange girl I'd never met through some trees. At least she was telling the truth.

We were only a few meters away from the clearing. I could even see the other students if I looked hard enough. She stopped under a giant elm tree.

"This should be alright," she said, looking up at its leaves. "I hope she doesn't hear us. Then again, I can't sense her."

"This is the place? What does it look like?" I stooped down, looking for anything that resembled metal.

"Could you look at me for a quick minute?" I heard her ask.

At that moment, I realized I had forgotten to ask for her name.

"Hey, what should I call you?" I got up and dusted the dirt off my knees. When I turned around, the girl had no pupils in her eyes.

Gone was the seemingly innocent girl who needed a friend. In her place was a woman a whole foot taller than me. Her hair was covered by a long, black veil. Golden lines ran past her eyes all the way to her chin.

Her lips turned into a bright red. Gold covered her from the base of her neck to her lower calf and the end of her wrists. Her skin was paler than the snow, and her eyes emitted a glow similar to Syll's.

"Her Majesty, Queen of Ethereals." She spoke with two voices. "But you can call me *Kara*."