Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy 1)

I walked back, feeling very cold and alone. She hadn't given me much to go on. I still didn't understand what the Empty Ones were or why I was one. I was depressed, wondering if I shouldn't just go find Vivian right now. She seemed to be the only one who knew what was happening.

But then I thought about what Cresseda had said--Lend and I were the same, stuck between two worlds. And even though she knew what I was, she didn't try to kill me, or tell me to stay away from her son. My step lightened as I dwelt on that. Cresseda didn't think I was dangerous, and I would take what I could get. The rest of the Vivian and faerie crap could play itself out without me. I didn't care.

Okay, I cared a lot and was still worrying obsessively over it, but I wasn't going to get involved. My connection with Vivian didn't matter. I wasn't like her; I didn't care about being empty. The only things I wanted to fill me were happy thoughts of holding Lend's hand.

Chapter Thirty-One

LIAR, LIAR, WRIST ON FIRE

My eyes flew open in panic--the whole world was shaking. Lend laughed, still jumping on the end of the bed. I grabbed my pillow and threw it at him. He caught it and sat cross-?legged on the bed, facing me.

“Lazy,” he said.

I sat up, narrowing my eyes. “Hey, this is the first vacation I've had since I was eight. Give me a break. ”

“Fine. But school was boring without you there. No one was freaking out over the lockers or anything. ”

“They're all fools. ”

He looked down at the bedspread. “I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with some people tonight? A bunch of my friends are going to go out for pizza. ”

I sat up even straighter. “Oh, my gosh, like a real date? With real teenagers?”

“I'm afraid so. ”

I threw myself across the bed and wrapped my arms around his neck. “It's like a dream come true!”

He put his arms around my back. “You're really easy to keep happy, you know that?”

“But--oh no!” I pulled back so I could look at him; he didn't move his arms. “You're grounded! Are you gonna climb out the window and steal a car?”

“Yes, because I'm insane and this is one of your television shows. I already asked my dad. He said it was okay. ”

“Gosh, harsh disciplinarian, huh?”

“I think he's glad I'm finally doing normal things. He always worried that I was too isolated. ”

I smiled, sad that I didn't have anyone worrying about whether I was social enough in my life. I mean, sure, Raquel worried whether or not I died, or if my French homework was done (maybe not in that order), but as far as emotional stuff, she was always kind of distant. I hoped David knew what he was talking about when he said she was okay.

“What?”

“What do you mean what?”

“You're worried about something. ”

I looked into his real eyes, trying to smile. I didn't want to talk about Raquel right now. I knew I should, but it was easier to focus on the happy stuff, which definitely didn't include wondering how Vivian had gotten Raquel's communicator. “I worry about a lot of things lately. ”

“Can I help?”

“Maybe. We'll talk about it later, okay? I've got a date to get ready for. ”

“It's gonna take you three hours to get ready?”

“I don't know. My date's pretty freaking hot--I'd better look good. ”

He laughed, letting go of me and climbing off the bed. “Yeah, mine too. Maybe I should change?” He shimmered, switching to blond hair and blue eyes. “What do you think? Does this face make me look fat?”

I laughed. “Maybe go Asian tonight?”