Darkest Powers Bonus Pack 2

Derek’s arms. He grumbled that his dad worried too much, and it wasn’t like we knew people in thistown anyway. It didn’t matter. People were looking over because we caught their attention, and for us,that’s bad.We caught their attention because, well, we kind of stand out. Derek’s a foot taller than me andtwice my size. I’m hoping for a growth spurt, but I figure he’s just as likely to get one, so it won’tmake much difference. I’m tiny and makeup makes my skin break out, so I look young for fifteen.Derek’s size means people think he’s older than sixteen. He doesn’t really look it, though. His skinhas cleared up a lot in the last month, since his first Change, but it’s not perfect. His lank, black hairusually looks in need of a wash, even if he showers twice a day. All this means he’s learned not to tugme into back alleys for some private time, because someone’s liable to call the cops.“Dad said he told Tori that he’s her father,” he said as we started walking. “He saw you guys talkingby the oak tree. Then when I got home, you were gone.”“She’s upset.”“Why? Her dad turned her over to her mother when she called him for help. I say good riddance.Now she has a real father.”That was his way of looking at it. The best I could do was try to get him to see things from her pointof view, even if he didn’t agree with it. Now wasn’t the time for that, though.“I screwed up,” I said. “I let it slip that I’d known for a while.”“Yeah, you shouldn’t have told her that.”I gave him a look. “That’s not how I screwed up. I should have told her sooner. She considers me afriend.”“Does she? Huh. Never thought friendship started with one girl locking the other—bound andgagged—in a crawlspace.”“That was in Lyle House. Tori—”“—has changed? Right. Like when she left you behind to fight a gang of girls with knives, while sheescaped.”“We’ve come a long way since then.”“Sure. Now she only throws you around in self-defense practices. She really enjoys that quality timewith you, too. Won’t practice on anyone else.”I glowered up at him. “Yes, she’s never going to be my BFF. But what do you want me to do? Hangout with only you and Simon? Ignore her?”“Um, yeah, because that’s exactly what she’d do to you.”“Which doesn’t mean I should do it back. She’s been trying to fit in. You know she has. And if shedoesn’t have at least one person she can talk to, she’s liable to just take off. Get captured or killed. Shemight not be your favorite person, but you don’t want that.”He hesitated a second too long.“That’s cold, Derek. Even for you, that’s cold.”“I didn’t mean—”“Just go back to the house, okay? You obviously aren’t interested in helping Tori. Or helping me.”“I—”“Just go.”When he didn’t, I did.