“No,” she said with a smile. “Nathan trains dogs, and some of the teens walk them. But our kids aren’t the most popular people in town right now.”
“So you two have to do it,” I said, feeling guilty.
“It’s good for us,” Nathan said. “We were getting lazy anyway.”
She grinned at him, and I felt a little shock to my soul. They looked at each other as though the rest of the world didn’t exist. My parents had been like that once, before our problems grew unmanageable. But they never made me feel like a third wheel, and I was definitely getting those vibes around Dorian’s guardians.
I cleared my throat. “Well, see you at school, Ms. Rivers.” I pulled my earbuds out of my pocket to drown out the rest of the world again.
“Margo, wait,” she said. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, fine.” I forced a smile and wondered what weird stuff they had been up to when I barged into their home. “I only fainted because I missed breakfast.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She studied my face. “Is something bothering you?”
Only all of the crazy things that had been happening. What did she know? Would she tell me if she did? “I’m good.” I pressed my lips together in a line. She made me want to talk, but I didn’t even know her, and nothing I had been saying lately had done anything but make people hate me.
“How are you finding school?” she pressed. “Any problems?”
“I just… keep to myself.” I looked away. “Kind of not the most popular person either.” That bit slipped out, surprising me.
“Have any of our kids been bothering you?” Nathan asked tersely. “I’ll make sure that stops now.”
“No, it’s not that. I made the mistake of trying to be everyone’s friend. I tried to be the voice of reason, and it backfired. With everyone.” I shrugged. “It’s stupid. I wanted to join the drama club, but I’m not welcome there. I tried to apply for a job, but apparently I’m not townie enough.” I sighed in exasperation. “I don’t know. It’s weird around here, don’t you think?”
Nathan smiled warmly. “Extremely. But you get used to it, eventually.”
They glanced at each other, and Nathan nodded, almost imperceptibly.
Ms. Rivers smiled at me. “Why don’t you join us at Nathan’s self-defence classes? You might meet some new people.”
“I don’t know.” I shuffled my feet. “I’m not very coordinated.”
“You’re welcome any time,” he said. “Wednesdays at seven in the community centre. You might learn something useful.”
“Yeah, maybe. I mean, thanks.” A prickle ran down my back. Something pulled at me, made me want to move closer to the field. One of the dogs whimpered. Sweat beaded at my temples.
Ms. Rivers frowned. “Margo? You look pale, well, paler than usual.”
I half-gasped, fighting hard against the compulsion threatening to take over me. Not there. Not in front of people. “I… have to go.” I dashed off.
“Margo!” Nathan called after me, but my legs kept moving, and I didn’t dare stop.
I ran toward home. That feeling was back. One of foreboding and doom, one that had gripped me at Dorian’s place. Why? What was happening to me? What was going to come next, hallucinations?
I needed to talk to somebody, so I texted my old best friend. She didn’t reply, no matter how many times I checked my phone. I paced my room until my lovebirds squawked at me.
That night, I stayed awake for a long time, fighting sleep and setting frequent alarms to ensure I didn’t sleep deeply at all. I had a feeling that something terrible was going to happen, that if I fell asleep, I might sleepwalk.
I read about hereditary mental illnesses for as long as I could, and I felt like a zombie the next morning. Maybe it was time to consider going back on my old medication. It had made me feel less human, somehow subdued, but that was better than feeling as though I were losing my mind.
Chapter 18
Dorian
Mara nudgedme as I was switching out books in my locker. “What’s that about?”
I looked behind me. Victor had his arms folded, standing directly in Margo’s way. She looked exhausted, but she coolly held his gaze before bypassing him. He glared after her.