Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 8

Gillian stood perfectly still and watched David disappear close to a corner.(Its not measure for the plan yet, kid. in a flash buck up. A cheery face is deserving diamonds.)Gillian tried to put on a cheery face.The strange day continued. In each class, Gillian appealed to the teacher for a hot book. In each class,she was bombarded with offers of notes and other attention. And through it all(prenominal) Angel whispered in her ear,always suggesting just the right thing to say to each person. He was witty, irreverent, occasionallycutting-and so was Gillian.She had an advantage, she realized. Since nobody had ever noticed her before, it was close to alike(p) beinga new girl. She could be anything she wanted to be, register herself as any hotshot, and be be deceitved.(Like Cinderella at the ball. The mystery princess.) Angels voice was amused unless tender.In journalism class, Gillian set up herself beside Daryl Novak, a languid girl with sloe eyes and droopingcontemptuous la shes. Daryl the copious Girl, Daryl the demesne-weary World Traveler. She talked to Gillianas if Gillian knew all most Paris and Rome and California. At eat, Gillian hesitated as she walked into the cafeteria. Usually she sat with Amy in an obscurecorner at the back. save recently Eugene had been sitting with Amy, and up front she could see a groupthat included Amanda the Cheerleader, Kim the Gymnast, and others from The Clique. David and Tanyawere at the edge. (Do I sit with them? Nobody asked me.) (Not with them, my little rutabaga. But nearthem. position at the end of that table just beside them. Dont look at them as you walk by. Look at yourlunch. Start eating it.)Gillian had neer eaten her lunch al wiz before-or at least not in a public place. On days Amy wasabsent, if she couldnt find one of the few other juniors she felt comfortable with, she snuck into the subr protrudeine library and ate there.In the old days she would pitch felt horribly exposed, notwithstanding n ow she wasnt real alone she had Angelcracking jokes in her ear. And she had a new confidence. She could almost see herself eating, calm and deaf(p) to stargons, thoughtful to the point of being dreamy. She tried to reap her movements a littlelanguid, like Daryl the racy Girls.(And I hope Amy doesnt calcu tardy Im snubbing her. I mean, its not as if shes back there alone. Shes gotEugene.)(Yeah. Were gonna hit to talk closely Amy sometime, kid. But right now youre being paged. Smileand be gracious.)Jill Earth to JillHey, Jill, cmon everyplace.They wanted her. She was moving her lunch oer to their table, and she wasnt spilling anything and shewasnt falling as she slid in. She was little and graceful, thistled let get away 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 rough teenagers, were real mountain who got crumbs on themselves andmake jokes she could understand.Gillian had always wondered what they found so mistrustful when they were laughing together. But now sheknew it was just the heady atmosphere, the endureledge that they were special. It made it easy to laugh ateverything. She knew David, sitting quietly there with Tanya, could see her laughing.She could hear other voices occasionally, from people on the fringes of her group, people on the outsidelooking in. Mostly bright chatter and murmurs of admiration. She thought she heard her name mentioned. And then she cogitate on the words. I heard her moms a d break loosek. They sounded horribly loud anddear to Gillian, standing out against the desktop noise. She could feel her whole skin tingling withshock and she lost track of the story Kim the Gymnast was telling.(Angel-who said that? Was it about me-my mom?) She didnt dare look crumb her.- plumped 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 ill at ease(p) silence fell. Gillian felt a wave of anger that made her dizzy. (Who said that? Ill kill them-)( unruffled down Calm down. Thats not the way to bowl everyplacele it at all.) (But-)(I said, calm down. Look at your lunch. No, at your lunch. Now say-and make your voice absolutelycool-I really hate rumors, dont you? I dont know what kind of people 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 think theyre pretty sick and they should get a life.There was the cold glint in his eyes that had given him his reputation as a clod guy. Gillian felt as if ahand had steadied her. Gratitude rushed through her -and a keen-sighteding 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 oddly focused.somebody was putting around the rumor last year that I tried to kill myself. I never did find out whostarted it. Her hazy blue-green eyes were narrowed.And then everyone was talking about rumors, and people who fete rumors, and what scum theywere. The group was rallying around Gillian.But it was David who stood up for me first, she thought.She had just looked over at him, nerve-racking 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 methamphetamine. Gillian, along with everyone else, glanced around to see whod done it.She couldnt see anybody. No one had the right expression of dismay, no one was focused on anythi ngdefinite. Everybody was looking around in search mode. accordingly she heard it again, and two people standing near the cafeteria doors 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 short 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. constituteualisation flashed on Gillian. She was on her feet, but the only words that she could find were, Oh, myGod Get out Its all discharge to go Get out of there It was David, waving at the people under the window.He was speed 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 w indow was going, chunks of it falling almost poetically, raining and crumbling, shining andcrashing. It fell and fell and fell. Gillian felt as if she were watching an avalanche in vague motion.At last it was over, and the window was just an arch-shaped hole with jagged 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 earnestly hurt.(Thanks to David.) Gillian was still numb, but now with relief. (He got them all out of the way in time.Oh, God, he isnt hurt, is he?)(Hes fine. And what makes you think he did it all alone? Maybe 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 across the room,watching Tanya leaven 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 mirror in her bathroom. Evenly shatteredfrom side to side, spidery cracks over every inch of the surface.The bathroom mirror had cracked while 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 aft(prenominal) someone insulted Gillians mother. Nobody had heard it actually break, but it couldnt have happened too long ago.The small hairs on the back of Gillians neck stirred and she felt a fluttering inside.It couldnt be. Angel hadnt even appeared to her yetBut hed said he was always with her An angel wouldnt set down things But Angel was adifferent kind of ang el. (Ah, excuse me. Hello? Do you want to appropriate some thoughts with me?)(Angel) For the first time since his soft voice had sounded in her ear, Gillian felt a sense ofover-crowdedness. Of her own lack of privacy. The uneasy fluttering inside her increased. (Angel, I wasjust-just wondering) And then the silent words split 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 more than had happened today-she felt as if shed led a full life between waking up and now.But the day wasnt over yet.In her last class, studio art, she on ce 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 tame ended, sheregarded Gillian from under drooping eyelashes.You know, there are other rumors going around about you. That you and Davey-boy have somethinggoing behind Tanyas back. That you meet secretly 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 trounce to admit those in public. That takes some of the punch out.And its always helpful to track down the person offset the rumors-if you can.(Tell her you know that. And that youre going to see Tanya after sc hool.)(Tanya? You mean-?)(Just tell her.)Somehow Gillian gathered herself plenteous to repeat Angels words.Daryl the Rich Girl looked at her with a new expression of respect. Youre sharper 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 meridian circulation that fast. But she wasthe instigator. Turn left here.) (Where am I going?)(Youre gonna catch her coming out of merchandising education. Shes alone in there right now. The teacherasked to see her after class, then unexpectedly had to run to the bathroom.)Gillian felt distantly amused. She sensed Angels hand in these arran gements.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. Then she ran a hand across her already perfect dark hair and worked. Shelooked more like a future executive than ever, with her face set in cool lines and her exotic gray eyesrunning over Gillian in appraisal. Without Angel, Gillian would have dried 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 thinker what was coming. The only way to survive was to give herself upcompletely to his direction.Look, I know youre upset with me, Tanya. But Id like to deal with 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 move that Gillian was taking such a directapproach. Then her gray eyes hardened with the clear light of battle.all(a) 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. Care to tellme?(Angel, shes actually enjoying 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 h er head. All right. Ill be honest about that. I like David, Tanya. I have eversince he travel 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 decide 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 nothing 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 sli ghtly, not enough to see Tanya. But thats beside the point. The real issue 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 occasional 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 spend 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?Gillian shrugged. People whore good at spreading rumors can be a two-edged sword.I thought so. That terror Kim Her and her mouth Then Tanyas voice changed. It became a voicewith claws an d Gillian could tell shewas moving closer. I suppose youre supplying 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 be given Im not going to tell David. Thats why Im telling 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 worsened 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 mess 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 instant she understood everything.