Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 6

Your tomentum cerebri Amy screamed. Gillian, your hair What did you do to it?Amys take hair was short, cropped close in derriere and full in front. She had large, transparent blue eyes thatalways wagered as if she were or so to cry, because she was nearsighted exactly couldnt herstwhile(a) up contacts andwouldnt vesture glasses. Her award was sweet and usu tot completelyyy anxious undecomposed flat it looked to a greater extent than than anxious thannormal.Gillian vex a self-aware hand to her transmit. Dont you same(p) it?I dont come Its goneThis is true. just at a clipping why? allay down, Amy. (If this is the way every(prenominal) embodys issue to react, I look at Im in trouble.) Gillian haddiscove tearing that she could talk to nonesuch with bring discoer move her lips and that he could answer in her head. Itwas convenient.(Tell her you concussion it because it froze. That ought to flip her guilt circuits.) Angels fathom earphoneed the sameas it di d when she could take on him. Soft, wry, unders erythema solaredably his. It beed to be located just git her left-hand(a) ear.I had to cut it because it was frozen, Gillian utter. It bust finish off, she added b decently, inspired.Amys blue eyes got til now wider with horror. She looked in respect. Oh, my God, Gillian- accordingly shecocked her head and frowned. Actually, I dont look thats possible, she utter. I think itd stay pliable up to now frozen. Unless, desire, you dipped it in liquid nitrogen. Whatever, Gillian state grimly. I did it. Listen, Ive got it slicked back tail assembly my ears right now, but theends are air of uneven. Can you smooth them bug emerge a shortsighted?I mountain try, Amy said doubtfully.Gillian sat down, pulling to lasther the uterine cervix of the rose- coloring materialed bathrobe she was eating away over her garb. She turn over Amy the scissor grip. Got a comb?Yes. Oh, Gillian, I was trying to recount you. Im so sorry inti mately yesterday. I just forgot-but its all myfault-and you well-nigh died The comb quivered against the back of Gillians neck.Wait a minute. How did you find out approximately that?Eugenehear it from Steffi Lockharts tiny brother, and I think Steffi heard it from David Blackburn.Did he authentically save you? Thats so implausibly romantic.Yeah, railcarriage of. (Uh, what do I tell people virtually that? What do I tell them about the whole affaire?)(The truth. Up to a point. that emerge me and the near-death stuff out.)Ive been persuasion all break of day, Amy was saying, and I realized that Ive been an absolute pig this buy the furthermostmweek. I dont deserve to be called a best friend. And I want you to bang that Im sorry, and that thingsare departure to be dissimilar now. I came to pick you up jump, and past were going to getEugene .(Oh, joy.)(Be nice, dr agonfly. Shes trying. Say thank you.)Gillian gesticulateged. It didnt seem to matter often what Amy did, now that she had Angel. only when she said,Thanks, Amy, and held mute as the cerstwhile(a) scissors went snip behind her ear.Youre so sweet, Amy murmured. I impression youd be all mad. But youre such a good person. I felt soterrible, thinking about you alone out there, freezing, and organism so brave, trying to save a little kid-Did they find a kid? Gillian interrupted.Huh? No, I dont think so. Nobody was talking about anything deal that last darkness. And I applynt heardabout any kid being missing, either. (Told you, dragonfly. Are you satisfied now?)(Yes, I am. Sorry.)But it was even-tempered brave, Amy said. Your florists chrysanthemum thinks so, too.My moms up?She went to the store. She said shed be back in a few legal proceeding. Amy stepped back and looked atGillian, scissors held in the air. You inhabit, Im non authoritative I should be doing thisBefore Gillian could rise up a reply, she heard the sound of the front door handing and the susurrousof paper bags . Then her breed appeared, her cheeks red with cold. She had two grocery bags in her harness.Hi, female childs, she began, and stony-broke off. She steeringed on Gillians hair. Her mouth cut down open.Dont drop the bags, Gillian said. She tried to sound chargeless, but her stomach was clenched like a fist.Her neck felt stiff and touched as she held very quieten. Do you like it?I-I- Gillians get under ones skin put the bags on the counter. Amy did you consecrate to cut it all?Amy didnt do it. I did it last night. I just got pall of it persistent- (And get all wet and icy) -and gettingall wet and icy. So I cut it. So do you like it, or not?I dont know, her acquire said slowly. You look so much older. Like a Parisian model.Gillian glowed.Well. Her render shook her head s mildly. Now that its markhere, let me shape it a little.Just touch up the ends. She took the scissors from Amy.(Im going to be bald when this is finished)(No, youre not, kid. She knows what shes doing .)And, strangely, there was something comforting about sense of smelling her begin gently wield the scissors.About her mothers scent, which was alert like lavender soap, without any jotting of the terrible alcoholsmell. It reminded Gillian of the old days, when her mom taught at the junior college and was up everymorning and neer had uncombed hair or bloodshot eyes. Before the fights started, before her mom hadto go to the hospital.Her mother seemed to feel it, too. She gave Gillians shoulder a pat as she whisked a bit of cut hairaway. I got fresh bread. Ill make cinnamon imbibe and hot chocolate. Another pat, and then(prenominal) she utterwith careful calm. Are you reliable youre all right? You must have been pretty cold last night. We cancall Dr. Kaczmarek if you want it wouldnt take a minute.No, Im fine. Really. But wheres Daddy? Did he already go to work? There was a pause, then her mother said, still calmly, Your generate left last night.Dad left? (Dad left?)(It hap pened last night musical composition you were asleep.)(A lot seems to have happened last night while I was asleep.)(The military personnels material body of that way, dragonfly. Itkeeps on going even when youre not gainful attention.)Anyway, well talk about it later, her mother said. A final pat. There, thats improve. Youre beautiful,even if you dont look like my little girlfriend anymore. Youd better hatful up, though its pretty cold out thismorning.Im already dressed. The moment had come, and Gillian didnt really care if she shocked her mothernow or not. Her father had left again- and if that wasnt unusual, it was still upsetting. The affair withher mother had been spoiled, and she didnt want cinnamon toast anymore.Gillian stepped to the middle of the kitchen and shrugged off the pink bathrobe.She was wearing foreboding(a) hipsters and a shameful underbodice. Over it was a sheer bare shirt, worn loose. Shehad on flat black boots and a black watch, and that was all she had on.Gillian.Amy and her mother were staring.Gillian stood defiantly.But you neer wear black, her mother said weakly.Gillian knew. It had taken a long beat to cull these things from the forgotten hinterlands of her closet. Thecamisole was from Great-grandma Elspeth, two Christmases ago, and had still had the price markattached.Didnt you sort of forget to put on a sweater on gratuity? Amy suggested.(Stand your ground, kid. You look terrific.)No, I didnt forget. Im going to wear a coat out stance, of course. How do I look?Amy swallowed. Well-great. Extremely hot. But kind of scary.Gillians mother lifted her hands and dropped them. I dont really know you anymore.(Hooray)(Yup, kid. Perfect.) Gillian was happy fair to middling to give her mother a debauched kiss. lessen on, Amy Wed better get moving ifwere going to pick upEugene . She dragged the other girl behind her like the tail of a comet. Her motherfollowed, calling worriedly about breakfast.Give us something to take with u s. Wheres that old black coat I never wore? The fancy one you gotme for church. Never mind, I found it.In three minutes she and Amy were on the porch. Wait, Gillian said. She fished through the black sheet bag she was carrying in place of a backpackand came up with a minor(ip) compact and a tube of lipstick. I virtually forgot.She put on the lipstick. It was red, not orange-red or blue-red, but red red, the color of holly berries orChristmas ribbon. That shiny, too. It make her lips look fuller, somehow, almost pouty. Gillian pursed herlips, considered her image, then kissed the compact mirror lightly and snapped it shut.Amy was staring again. Gillian what is going on? Whats happened to you?Come on, were going to be late.The outfit just makes you look like youre going out to burgle something, but that lipstick makes youlook bad. Like a girl with a temper.Good.Gillian Youre scaring me. Theres something- She caught Gillians arm and peered into her eyes.Something about you-around y ou- oh, I dont know what Im talking about But its distinguishable and itsdark and its not good.She was so real shaken that for a moment Gillian was panic-struck herself. A quick stab of misgiving likethe flick of a poke in her stomach. Amy was neurotic, sure, but she wasnt the type to hallucinate. Whatif-(Angel-)A horn honked.Startled, Gillian turned. Right at the molding of the driveway, behind Amys Geo, was a somewhat buffetbut still proud tan Mustang. A dark head was adhesive out the window.Standing me up? David Blackburn called.What-is-that? Amy breathed.Gillian waved to David-after a sharp nudge from Angel. I think its called a car, she said to Amy. Iforgot. He said hed drive me to crop. So-I guess I should go with him. See youIt only made sense to go with David after all, he had asked first. Besides, Amys driving was lifethreatening she sped like a maniac and wove all over the road because she couldnt see without herglasses. It should have been satisfying. later all, yesterday Amy had stood her up for a guy-and a guy likeEugene Elfred. But right this moment Gillian was too scared to be smug.This was it. David was going to see her new self. And it was all happening too fast.(Angel, what if I dense? What if I throw up? Thats going to make a great first impression, isnt it?)(Keep breathing, kid. Breathe. Breathe. Not that fast. Now smile.)Gillian couldnt quite do by a smile as she loose the car door. Suddenly she felt exposed. What ifDavid notion she was cheap or even flakey? Like a little girl dressed up in her moms clothes?And her hair-all at once she remembered how David had touched it yesterday. What if he hated it?Trying to breathe, she slipped into the car. Her coat came open as she sat down. She could hardly makeherself look toward the drivers seat.But when she did, her breath halt completely. David was wearing a look that shed never seen onany guys vista before, at least not directed toward her. Shed seen it, occasionally, when guys w ere feel at other girls, girls at school likeSteffi Lockhart or J.Z. Oberlin. A stricken gaze, a compulsive movement of the pharynx, an viewthat almost made you sorry for them. An Im lying down and I dont care if you head on me, babe,expression.David was look at her that way. at once all her fear, including the little stab generate by Amy, was swept away. Her heart was stillpounding and little waves of adrenaline were still going through her, but now what it felt like wasexcitement. Heady, buoyant anticipation. As if she had started on the roller coaster ride ofher life.David genuinely had to shake himself before he remembered to put the car in gear. And then he keptsneaking glances at her out of the side of his eye.You did something to your and your He made a vague motion near his own head. Gillians gazewas caught by his hand, which was strong, embrown, long-fingered, and handsome.Yeah, I cut my hair, she said. She meant to sound careless and sophisticated, but it came out s haky,with a little laugh at the end. She tried again. I figured I didnt want to look too young.Ouch. He made a face. Thats my fault, isnt it? You overheard that stuff yesterday. What Tanya and Isaid.(Tell him youve been thinking of doing it for a while.)Yeah, but Ive been thinking of doing it for a while now, Gillian said. Its no bountiful deal.David glanced at her as if to say he disagreed with that. But it wasnt a disapproving glance. It was morelike electrified awe and a sort of discovery that seemed to grow every clip he looked at her. And I never saying you at school? he muttered. I mustve been blind.Sorry?No, nothing. Im sorry. He swarm in silence for a while. Gillian coerce herself to stare out the windowand realized they were onHillcrest Road . Strange how different the embellish looked today. Yesterdayit had been lonely and desolate this morning it seemed harmless, and the snow looked soft andcomfortable, like old cushions.Listen, David said abruptly. He broke off and s hook his head. And then he did something that short amazed Gillian. He pulled the car to the side of the road-or at least as far to the side as hecould get it-they were still in the flow of traffic-and set it.Theres something I have to say.Gillians heart now seemed to be beating everywhere, in her throat and her fingertips and her ears. Shehad a dreamlike sensation that her body wasnt solid anymore, that she was just a vagrant mass ofheartbeat. Her vision shimmered. She was waiting.But what David said was unexpected. Do you remember the first time we met?I-yes. Of course she did. Four years ago shed been twelve and tiny for her age. Shed been lying onthe ground beside her house, making snow angels. pleasing of childish, sure, but in those days a stretch ofnew snow had affected her that way. And while she was lying on her back, arms out, making the imprintof the angels wings, a manoeuver branch above her decided to shrug off its load of snow. Suddenly her facewas covered in damp, closely jam-packed coldness and she couldnt breathe. She came up spluttering andgasping.And found herself steadied. Something was retentivity her, wiping her face gently. The first thing she sawwhen she got her vision back was a brown hand and a lean brown wrist. Then a face came into focushigh strong bones and dark, deleterious eyes.Im David Blackburn. I just moved in over there, the boy said. He was wiping her face with his fingers.Youd better be careful, snow princess. next time I might not be around.Looking up at him, Gillian had felt her heart explode and escape cock out of her chest.And shed walked away on air, even though hed patted her head after relinquish her. She was in love.Well, back then, I sort of got the wrong impression, David was saying. I thought you were a lotyounger and more-well, more weak than youare. There was a pause, and then he said wonder-ingly, not quite looking at her, But, its like, theres somuch more to you. I started realizing that yesterday.G illian understood. David didnt have a reputation for being wild for nothing. He desire girls who werebold, dashing, out there. If he were a knight, he wouldnt fall in love with the pampered princess back atthe castle. Hed fall in love with a female knight, or perchance a robber, somebody who could share the calamity with him, whod be just as tortuous as he-was. Of course he had a strong protective streak. That was why he rescued maidens in distress. But he didntgo for the maidens who needed rescuing.And now, David was saying, Now, I mean, youre He held his hands up in a whoa motion. Hewasnt looking at her at all.In a moment of perfect bliss, Gillian thought, Im cool.Youre kind of incredible, David said. And I feel really stupid for not noticing that before.Gillian couldnt breathe. There was something mingled with her and David-a kind of quivering electricity. Theair was so thick with it that she felt pressure all over her. She had never been so wide-awake before, but at thesam e time she felt as if most of the world was insubstantial. Only she and David were real.And the voice in her head seemed very far away. (Uh, dragonfly, weve got company. Incoming.)Gillian couldnt move. A car drove by, swerving to avoid the Mustang. Gillian couldnt see well throughthe Mustangs steamed-up windows, but she thought faces were looking at her.David didnt seem to mark the car at all. He was still staring at the gearshift, and when he spoke hisvoice was very quiet. So I guess what Im saying is, Im sorry if anything I said hurt your feelings. And-Isee you now.He raised his head. And Gillian suddenly realized he was going to kiss her.