If I Die
Page 26
Youre still going to talk to Mr. Beck today, right? When do you have him?
Sixth period. And yeah, Im actually looking forward to your cheesy little spy mission. She glanced around the hall like a bored housewife tired of her own dcor. This place has been dull as shit since we got rid of the hellions.
Okay, first of all, we didnt get rid of the hellions. I zipped my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. You tried to sell me and Em to them.
Sabine rolled her eyes. I said I was sorry about that.
And second of all, theyre not gonetheyre just stuck in the Netherworld. Which is why you are not supposed to make people cross over in their sleep.
She actually grinned. Damn, how long can you hold a grudge?
Four days more. Then youre in the clear. Bonus points if you figure out what Mr. Beck is today. Im kinda short on time.
Im all set to feel him out.
Feel who out? Nash asked, sliding one arm around me from behind.
Beck. Sabines grin widened. Kaylee wants to know what he is, so Im going undercover. Maybe literally.
Shes kidding about that last part, I insisted, setting my bag on the floor so I could slide closer to Nash.
He huffed. No shes not.
I glanced at Sabine, and the mara shrugged. Im gonna play that part by ear. I figured Id start with a little dyslexia, then move on to a basic incomprehension of functions. Itll soon become obvious that I need more help than he can provide during class, so hell ask me to drop by after school. Hell explain patiently, Ill stare adoringly into his eyes and take every possible chance to touch him, letting him know in no uncertain terms that I amtragicallyavailable.
Nash exhaled, long and low. Like he was grasping for patience, and it was too slippery to hold. Sabine, you cant hit on a teacher. He sounded frustrated, but not really surprised.
She frowned. Yes I can. The taboo youre thinking of is the reverse of that. Whichll probably also happen, if I do this right.
Thats not just a taboo, its illegal, I said. She was already planning to go further than Id intended.
For him, not for me, Sabine insisted, and when neither of us conceded her point, she propped both hands on her hips, where a ring of bare flesh showed above the low waist of her khakis. Look, if hes a good guy, he wont take the bait. If hes not, regardless of species, he deserves whatever he gets. But youll never know for sure unless we give him a chance to actually take the bait. Right? Fortunately for you her gaze narrowed onme and her grin grew Im willing to take one for the team. But only because hes hot. If we were talking about Coach Rundell, youd have to find yourself another underage carrot to dangle.
Nash groaned, and I twisted in his grip to find him frowning at me. I just wanted her to find out what he is, I swear, I said. Shes improvising.
I know. He pulled me closer and refocused on the mara. This is a bad idea, Sabine. What if hes something dangerous? He obviously doesnt wanna be outed.
Im something dangerous. She shrugged. Besides, if he sticks to math and stays away from my anatomy, he wont be outed. Hell never even have to know what I know.
Nashs frown deepened, and I recognized the concern swirling slowly in his eyes. He was worried about her. You have an amazing ability to gloss right over the point. The mara tugged her backpack strap higher on one shoulder. Its a gift.
How did Kaylee talk you into this, anyway?
She lifted one brow at me, like we shared some special secret. Advance payment for the favor shell be doing me on Thursday.
The blood drained from Nashs face, and I wanted to melt into the floor. Thats messed up, even for you, Bina, he snapped. This is hard enough for me to handle without the two of you joking about it.
Sabine frowned, clearly confused by his reaction. Were not joking. She dies, I inherit you. Weve got it all worked out.
Nash glanced back and forth between us, obviously at a loss for words.
Its okay, Nash. I swallowed the lump in my throat, and it hurt going down. Look, I dont want to die, and I dont want you to wind up with someone else. But Im not going to ask you to spend your whole life mourning me. I saw what that did to my dad. It took another deep breath to prepare me for the rest of what I had to say. Besides, I know Im the only thing keeping the two of you apart, and I know youll eventually wind up together again with me gone. Im making peace with it. Just promise you wont go over to the dark side until after the funeral.
Kaylee, what the hell is wrong with you? Nash demanded. This isnt funny. This is your life!
No, this is my death, I whispered, well aware that people were glancing at us now, on their way to class. And Im dealing with it the only way I know how. Im providing support for the people Im leaving behind. Im crossing things off my very last to-do list. And Im desperately trying to distract myself from everything else by focusing on other peoples problems.
Sixth period. And yeah, Im actually looking forward to your cheesy little spy mission. She glanced around the hall like a bored housewife tired of her own dcor. This place has been dull as shit since we got rid of the hellions.
Okay, first of all, we didnt get rid of the hellions. I zipped my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. You tried to sell me and Em to them.
Sabine rolled her eyes. I said I was sorry about that.
And second of all, theyre not gonetheyre just stuck in the Netherworld. Which is why you are not supposed to make people cross over in their sleep.
She actually grinned. Damn, how long can you hold a grudge?
Four days more. Then youre in the clear. Bonus points if you figure out what Mr. Beck is today. Im kinda short on time.
Im all set to feel him out.
Feel who out? Nash asked, sliding one arm around me from behind.
Beck. Sabines grin widened. Kaylee wants to know what he is, so Im going undercover. Maybe literally.
Shes kidding about that last part, I insisted, setting my bag on the floor so I could slide closer to Nash.
He huffed. No shes not.
I glanced at Sabine, and the mara shrugged. Im gonna play that part by ear. I figured Id start with a little dyslexia, then move on to a basic incomprehension of functions. Itll soon become obvious that I need more help than he can provide during class, so hell ask me to drop by after school. Hell explain patiently, Ill stare adoringly into his eyes and take every possible chance to touch him, letting him know in no uncertain terms that I amtragicallyavailable.
Nash exhaled, long and low. Like he was grasping for patience, and it was too slippery to hold. Sabine, you cant hit on a teacher. He sounded frustrated, but not really surprised.
She frowned. Yes I can. The taboo youre thinking of is the reverse of that. Whichll probably also happen, if I do this right.
Thats not just a taboo, its illegal, I said. She was already planning to go further than Id intended.
For him, not for me, Sabine insisted, and when neither of us conceded her point, she propped both hands on her hips, where a ring of bare flesh showed above the low waist of her khakis. Look, if hes a good guy, he wont take the bait. If hes not, regardless of species, he deserves whatever he gets. But youll never know for sure unless we give him a chance to actually take the bait. Right? Fortunately for you her gaze narrowed onme and her grin grew Im willing to take one for the team. But only because hes hot. If we were talking about Coach Rundell, youd have to find yourself another underage carrot to dangle.
Nash groaned, and I twisted in his grip to find him frowning at me. I just wanted her to find out what he is, I swear, I said. Shes improvising.
I know. He pulled me closer and refocused on the mara. This is a bad idea, Sabine. What if hes something dangerous? He obviously doesnt wanna be outed.
Im something dangerous. She shrugged. Besides, if he sticks to math and stays away from my anatomy, he wont be outed. Hell never even have to know what I know.
Nashs frown deepened, and I recognized the concern swirling slowly in his eyes. He was worried about her. You have an amazing ability to gloss right over the point. The mara tugged her backpack strap higher on one shoulder. Its a gift.
How did Kaylee talk you into this, anyway?
She lifted one brow at me, like we shared some special secret. Advance payment for the favor shell be doing me on Thursday.
The blood drained from Nashs face, and I wanted to melt into the floor. Thats messed up, even for you, Bina, he snapped. This is hard enough for me to handle without the two of you joking about it.
Sabine frowned, clearly confused by his reaction. Were not joking. She dies, I inherit you. Weve got it all worked out.
Nash glanced back and forth between us, obviously at a loss for words.
Its okay, Nash. I swallowed the lump in my throat, and it hurt going down. Look, I dont want to die, and I dont want you to wind up with someone else. But Im not going to ask you to spend your whole life mourning me. I saw what that did to my dad. It took another deep breath to prepare me for the rest of what I had to say. Besides, I know Im the only thing keeping the two of you apart, and I know youll eventually wind up together again with me gone. Im making peace with it. Just promise you wont go over to the dark side until after the funeral.
Kaylee, what the hell is wrong with you? Nash demanded. This isnt funny. This is your life!
No, this is my death, I whispered, well aware that people were glancing at us now, on their way to class. And Im dealing with it the only way I know how. Im providing support for the people Im leaving behind. Im crossing things off my very last to-do list. And Im desperately trying to distract myself from everything else by focusing on other peoples problems.
