2

I drove home slower than usual and stopped at the overlook to the cove, far out of sight of Adam or any of the Circle. They might know about this place, but they never came here. The lights of town were not visible, and the stars burned brightly. The hood of my borrowed car was warm, and I flattened my palms against the metal to warm them.

While staring at the W of Cassiopeia, my phone chirped. I thought about ignoring it until it chirped a few more times.

Curiosity usually killed the cat, but I checked it out anyway. I almost dropped the phone when I saw Adam's text message pop up.

We need to talk.

When I hadn't answered immediately, he'd texted me again.

I'm at your house right now. Where are you?

I thought about ignoring him, but that never worked.

Nowhere important.

That seemed to stall him for the space of fifteen seconds.

I'm worried. Your Dad said you were expected over an hour ago.

I rolled my eyes and tapped out a frustrated response.

Why do you even care?

Because I do, OK? You're my friend, and you're hurting because of me.

My fingers felt like jelly as I typed back at him.

It's nobody's fault, Adam.

Isn't it? I'm the one who pushed things.

I couldn't deny that part. If he hadn't pursued me, we'd probably still be dancing around one another.

Maybe so. But none of that matters now.

There was a pause before his reply popped up.

I'm waiting until you get here so we can talk in person.

Then you'll be waiting awhile.

I turned off my phone and lay back on my car, watching the bright beacons of overhead stars circling my position. It lulled me to sleep and when I awakened, I knew it was late. The car clock said 12:30 am and I knew my Dad would get on my case for not calling in. He'd been spending occasional nights at the house, and I felt safer when he was around.

With all my magic, that seemed pretty silly when you got down to it. But after so much time alone, I wanted somebody around, even if I didn't trust him. He was a better cook than I was, and he made a mean cup of java.

I turned on my phone and found a few more messages from Adam, ending with the disappointed note of 'going home now, will see you tomorrow'.

It was intended to make me feel guilty, but all I felt was relief at dodging him once again. What the hell could I say to him? We can't be friends, because I love you too much? Yeah, that would go over real well. Adam had been the first one to reach out, which kind of surprised me. I know his feelings were gone, so what was this about? Was he trying to make himself feel better? I could see him feeling that way, thinking he could move on after that. And who would be next, Melissa? Was she his destiny? Maybe I ought to warn her that written in the stars was a crock of shit, and the joke was on me. Because destiny had been unwritten for only one person, and it wasn't me.

My Dad was waiting when I got home, but he said nothing as I dropped my school bag and purse on the table. I grabbed a banana and nearly swallowed it whole.

"Have you eaten?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Not since lunch."

Without another word, he pulled out a pan and scrambled me some eggs. As I flavored them with a river of ketchup, I said, "You need to help me undo the destiny spell."

"I'm not sure it's possible, Cassie. That potion should have worked on you."

A sudden thought occurred to me. "Maybe dark magic will work then."

He shook his head. "Don't even go there."

"If you know someone who can help, then take me to them." I was emotionally damaged and didn't care what happened to me.

"Dark magic is not to be trifled with, and there are always consequences."

"You don't think I get that?" I yelled, my voice filling the kitchen with pain-drenched anger.

"You need to calm down," he said, raising one hand to halt me from whatever path I was moving toward.

"I'm sick of everyone saying that. Calm down, Cassie. Don't stress out. This too shall pass. Everything happens for a reason. You know what? I'm sick of platitudes. They mean nothing, and everyone can just go to hell."

And with that declaration, I grabbed my gear and ran up the stairs. With the door closed and locked behind me, I finally took a deep breath, but nearly jumped out of my skin when a rock tapped against the window. I knew it was Adam, and I wanted no part of him tonight. I looked down at the swatch of lawn between my house and Jake's. With a shake of my head, I mouthed "Go away" and lowered my shade.