38. You Look Good In Red

**Rosé**

We drove out of the school yard and headed out of town without any issues.

The bus was large enough to stand in and leave lots of space between us and the roof over our heads.

Another bus packed with seniors followed closely behind.

When Denis and I locked eyes with each other he had a hoodie over his face and his eyes glowed amber. I could see that below his neck sweat dampened the shirt he was wearing underneath.

He quickly averted his gaze and tried to find a place to sit. I'm thankful he didn't try and sit close to where I was, the lack of effort he put in getting Margo to leave me alone left a raw wound on my mind that still hasn't started to heal yet. I don't know why it hurt this bad when it's something I should have expected. People don't change just because they spilled their soul while laying in your lap once.

Keona and I spent our time getting to know each other better. I learnt that Kendrick was aiming for a college in the state while Keona was aiming for a college far away. She also shared with me some werewolf lore disguised as scenes from a movie.

It seems like different species, or as Keona called them, clans, worked together in the past to keep humans under wraps or stop a supernatural power that sought to hurt them. However, they learnt they were much too different to form one solid community.

So shifters of separate types kept to themselves. Half of the fairy population stayed on earth, hidden in plain sight. Vampires named a King and did whatever the King told them to.

There were beings that could shapeshift, but they became too dangerous and were locked in another realm. It would be nearly impossible for them to get out without help.

I shared with her the things I knew about how humans normally behaved, as well as some gossip I heard floating around. Less valuable information but she beamed nonetheless.

Keona leaned her head on my shoulder while watching a movie on her phone. I rested my head against hers, ready to fall asleep, when I heard a notification come in on my phone.

It was from a sender that had no number. Before I could consider how weird that was, I saw the text.

*Fret not child, it is I. I have been wanting to speak to you, but because of the many people here, I refrained.*

Only one person other than my teachers called me child. *Yes Syll, what is it?*

*I still need more. I have been wandering, feeding, but it is not enough. As I thought, I still need the regrets of those who have associated with a Soul Tempester in order to regain my strength and reclaim my throne.*

I frowned. She sent another text. *Don't frown. It is thanks to you that I have enough power to hijack this electronic device.*

*Can you hold on a little longer? I might have someone for you to feed from tonight at the latest.*

*Please. I am not trying to hurry you, that would be shameful. It's just that I don't know how much damage my nemesis might be causing.*

*Of course, I understand.*

*Thank you, my child.*

I bit my lip and nodded, knowing that Syll could see me anyway.

I owed Syll my life, without her training, I might have died.

Symphony Park was famous for how well maintained and beautiful it was. There were marked trails where we could hike, a waterfall, and views that were instagram worthy. We were instructed to collect our bags and meet where the benches were while one of our homeroom teachers went to talk with the rangers.

"You know the rules everyone!" Miss Veronica shouted. "Boys with boys, girls with girls. I'll assign you sleeping buddies. Once you hear your name, go with your partner to collect a tent from the van to your left. Let's begin! Joe Siderman and Zack McKenny. Christina Mark and Riley Benneth…"

Thankfully, Miss Veronica assigned Keona and I to a tent. She grinned as we went to collect it. "Can't believe I'm here! I can't wait for s'mores, spooky stories around the fireplace, doing some crazy challenges to score points! Oh, it will be so fun with you and Denis here! Do you think I can get a boy's number?"

I chuckled. "I don't see why not."

Denis made it a point to avoid my eyes each time we spotted each other. It was like just the sight of me made him afraid. If I need everything to go perfectly, that can't happen, can it?

After making sure our items were secured in our tent, Keona and I went to retrieve lunch under a gazebo where meals were prepared.

I nudged Keona's shoulder and led her to one of the tables. What a coincidence! The table I chose just happened to be the one close to where Denis and his friends were sitting. How could I have known~?

We walked over with our food in hand. When we arrived at Denis' table, I tapped on his shoulder with a smile on my face.

He must have known it was me because he flinched. He slowly turned in his seat, head slightly lowered. My smile brightened.

"Don't think I've ever seen red on you before. It looks good."

I strode away and set my food down on my table, making sure to sit exactly in Denis' line of sight. While I could feel his stare, I pretended as if he wasn't there as Keona and I dived into the topic of our costumes. Eventually, he stopped staring.

We were halfway finished with our lunch when Queenie took it upon herself to sit down at the same table. She crossed her legs and rested her elbow on top of the wood.

"You're out," she stated. "Good."

I was about to nod but changed my mind. I had no need to act docile in front of anyone anymore other than when that act benefited me. "Yes, I am. No thanks to your buddy."

"I'm sorry about Margo. I tried to tell her Callum was trash but she didn't want to hear it. You were just the unrelated victim of a problem you had no part in creating."

I considered her words carefully, and nodded. "I remembered when you tried to stop her."

"Clearly it wasn't enough."

A smile spread across my face. I gestured to Keona, who waved. "This is Keona, my cousin."

"Hi," Keona said. "I have no idea who you are but I hope to change that. I like anyone who can rock a miniskirt on a camping trip."

"She's a little too honest for her own good," I said.

"Is that your way of saying I talk too much?" Keona quipped.

We bickered back and forth about what I really meant. I couldn't tell that Queenie was taking in our exchange until she spoke.

"You know, you're different from what Robin described you to be."

I froze and looked at Queenie. "What does Robin say about me?"

"You don't know?"

"No, because we don't talk as much anymore and I've only heard rumors. Was it bad..?"

Queenie shrugged. "Depends on how you look at it. She did say you were more of an attention seeker than a friend, though. I don't really have anything against Robin compared to how pissed I am at Margo, so I have no reason to make this stuff up."