Chapter 20 DECEIVED

Rae laughed so hard through dinner her cheeks and stomach muscles hurt. It felt good to let go of the cloud that had been hanging over her. Dinner and ice cream dessert were both a riot, and the evening was over way before Rae wanted to head back to Guilder.

Julian pulled his Jaguar into the student parking lot, and the four of them walked toward Aumbry House together.

"I hate to call it a night," Rae moaned, sandwiched between Molly and Devon, "but I've some major catching up to do. IfI don't start studying, I'm going to need a real tutor." She elbowed Devon.

"We still up for a session this week?" Devon shoved his hands into his coat pockets.

"Definitely." Rae replied.

Molly shouldered Rae. "Let's go in. It's freezing."

As they turned to go, Julian touched Rae's arm. "Do you have an extra moment? Can I show you something?"

"Sure. Anything wrong?" Rae watched Molly head to the warmth inside.

"I don't think so, but I had a vision the other day. I've been trying to figure it out. As usual, I'm lousy at it." He paused then quickly added, "I think it has something to do with you." He pulled a sheet of folded paper out of his coat and handed it to her.

Rae opened it, her body shaking from the cool evening air.

The picture had been drawn in some type of charcoal or pencil. A circle lay in the center with a fairy sketched inside. Dark ghost-like figures were around the circle with an eye looking down on the sketch. The detail and tone reeked of something dark and scary.

She studied the paper for a few moments. Then realization hit her and she grinned. "When did you say you drew this?"

"Two mornings ago." Julian pulled on his ponytail. "Does it make sense to you? It's so freakin' frustrating when I can't figure out my own visions. I feel like a flippin' book sometimes: my drawings are foreshadowing bits and the reader doesn't realize it until they finish the rest of the story, only...I'm the reader!" He shook his

head. "I figured if I showed you and maybe touched you so you could mimic my ink...we'll, maybe you could read

into it somehow, figure it out."

"Oh, I know what it means." She blushed, despite the cold. "I've been going through a bit of a rough patch. I had a little well, more like a lot of self-pity. Angry at myself, at my tatu and at my family's past." She pointed at the picture. "This shows me fighting my own personal demons. The eye is probably Lanford. We talked today after class in the Oratory, and he kind of straightened me out. Maybe this vision came from Headmaster Lanford. You know, him seeing me and being worried about what was happening to me?"

Relief flooded Julian's face. "My ability's pretty difficult to read. I get these visions, and sometimes they're insignificant and other times they're huge. I'm still learning how to read them. Guilder and the Privy Council really want to work with me to learn to figure them out." He zipped his coat tighter. "Originally, I'd draw stuff that was going to happen, but things now seem to be evolving and my head's flooded with stuff."

"It sounds very challenging." Rae felt bad for him, but also glad she wasn't alone in her own personal frustrations.

He gave her a quick, friendly hug. "I'm just dumping my problems on you. Everyone here has them. None of us are perfect."

She grinned. "I'm glad you might come back next year. Maybe I can help you a bit with your ability." She shrugged, totally embarrassed by her own words. Like this guy needs my help. You're such and idiot sometimes, Rae! "I doubt I'll figure out anything, but ifI tried to mimic your tatu, maybe we could figure out some stuff together."

"Great idea. It's definitely worth a try. It's not like I have anything to lose."

"Let's get together sometime after the spring dance. Like, when it's warmer." She stomped her feet, trying to stop the chills.

"Sounds good." He turned to go. "Thanks again for helping me with this vision. I'm glad it didn't turn out to be something terrible."

"Me, too. Have a good night." Rae folded and handed the charcoal drawing back to Julian.

He waved his hand. "Keep it. Hang it on your bulletin board beside the other one." He winked. "As a reminder you need to stay away from demons." He laughed and headed toward Joist House.

The next few Weeks, Rae felt like a squirrel that'd been holed up for the winter, coming out for spring with a todo list. She spent the time leading up to the dance working on incomplete assignments, studying and catching up. Thank goodness all her teachers were willing to work with her and she took advantage of the sympathetic looks, promising to hand in reports and labs as soon as she could. She continued meeting with Devon

and focused on strengthening their friendship. With the back-log of work and keeping up with current class homework, she didn't have much time for distractions, but her time with Devon was something she wasn't willing to give up.

For the spring dance, Rae asked Molly to help her find something to wear. Molly spent an entire weekend dragging Rae through endless shops until she found the perfect one. It was a two-piece dress in a lovely pastel, and in different shades of green ranging from light to emerald. The skirt was silk with layers of chiffon. It rested just above her knees. The matching top had been designed a few shades lighter, with simple straps.

"The best part," Molly said, holding the two pieces together against Rae, "is if you lean forward, your tatu is going to show."

Hopefully Beth will see it then. Rae snorted, surprised at her own thoughts.

Molly hit her on the back. "You okay?"

Rae pretended to cough. "F-Fine."

Rae finally asked Lanford to help her figure out how she could mimic abilities. He didn't seem surprised by her request but actually, quite pleased. Everyone at the school knew what she could do now, but no one had approached her or asked for help. Lanford promised to make things interesting.

Classes in the Oratory took on a new twist He would instruct Rae to touch a student and mimic their ability. Together, they would try to see if there was a hidden part of the tatu that the other student might not have realized yet. Each tatu seemed molded to the personality and physical attributes of the person possessing it. Most often, Rae could pick up a small talent or ability the other hadn't noticed, or vice versa. Rae loved the challenges, and some of the students who'd been shy around her began to warm up to her and feel more comfortable. There were still students who refused to touch Rae. She would occasionally catch Headmaster Lanford looking frustrated by the unwillingness of the students to cooperate, but he never pushed or forced any student to work with her. She and the other students respected him for it.

Dean Carter stood in during several oftheir classes, watching all the students intently, taking notes in a black leather journal he carried with him. Rae tried her best to ignore him when he came around and then avoided him after class. Ironically, he seemed to be staying away from her now, as well.

However, she knew from experience that Dean Carter was anything but predictable. So she wasn't entirely surprised when after Friday's class while she zipped shut her backpack, Carter came to speak to her.

"Ms Kerrigan, nice job again today. It's interesting to see how you're able to teach others to use their abilities

more precisely. Your father was never able to show others how to improve their skills. He kept the advancements to himself." He made a note in his little black book and turned on his heel.

Rae watched him leave, her mouth gaping open. Had he actually just paid her a compliment? And what did he know about her father? He acted as if he'd personally been with her father and shared his skill. despite the fact that she and Devon had found no connection in their research. But then, so much was secret and unknown. No one could really say who had been a part of it and who hadn't. The thought made her stomach turn. The loser probably was her dad's biggest fan. Like the kind of groupie that kept scrapbooks and freaky stuff from serial killers in prison. Rae shuddered at the thought. Thankfully, Molly yelled for her to hurry up and all thoughts of the dean were pushed aside.

Molly said she needed Maria's help to get Rae's hair done for Saturday evening, which made her curious. But it wasn't until the morning of the dance, when Molly pinned a poster of Tinker Bell beside the mirror, determined to create an exact copy that Rae began to get nervous.

"I'm jumping in the shower before you get to work," Rae said after they'd come back from breakfast. She ran out the door before Molly could stop her.

She needed a moment to herself, knowing that having both Molly and Maria touching her at the same time was going to be chaotic at best. The few minutes of peace with the running shower faucet turned out to be short lived.

"Rae Kerrigan!" Molly shouted, the heavy wooden bathroom door slamming shut perfectly timed against her yell. The noise echoed off the tiled bathroom walls. "Get out of the shower! I have the perfect idea for your hair tonight. Are you willing to walk on the wild side?"

Rae shut the taps off and peered around the curtain. "What do you have in mind?" She did feel a bit edgy this morning. Maybe she could be up for whatever Molly had in store.

Molly held up a hair coloring kit and pointed at it. "I'm going to give you blond highlights."

Rae stared at her roommate and played with a wet, dark lock. Would Devon notice? Wait... would BETH notice? Rae grinned. unable to contain her glee at the possibility of making Devon's ex jealous. Her face took on a wicked and playful expression. "I'm in."

Molly blow dried Rae's hair and then went to work. They sang along to Molly's iPod and Maria came in to help and speed the process up. After jumping in the shower again to wash everything, Rae patiently let Molly blow dry her hair. The large chunks of blonde blended almost magically with her dark, curly hair. Molly had left the bottom back part dark, saying it would look totally

awesome when Rae put her hair in a ponytail.

"It's amazing, M0115." Rae couldn't stop staring at herselfin the mirror, loving what she saw.

"I told you it would totally suit you." Molly grinned before bending over and grabbing a bunch of stuff out of her bag. She dumped hundreds of different bits and pieces of hair things and ordered Maria to grab the Tinkerbelle poster and hang it up in the bathroom instead. Maria winked at Rae and then disappeared down the hall to their room. She was back moments later and waited for Molly's next command. Rae heard Maria giggling inside her head and had to avert her eyes to avoid bursting out laughing. Molly had done a fantastic job coloring but didn't, for one moment. stop talking.

"You planned this all, didn't you?" Rae asked two hours later, trying to sit still as a pin poked her scalp. They'd all dressed and were just finishing up with their hair.

"Ob coursthe." Molly said with a mouth full of hair pins.

Rae grinned. actually excited about going to the dance. "You're one very imaginative girl, Molly Skye, and I'm glad we got to room together this year."

"Me, too, but I have to admit I'm looking forward to moving upstairs next year and having my own room. You talk a lot in your sleep."

"You snore like a wood chipper."

"I do not." Molly put her hands on her hips. "...Do I?"

Before Rae could answer back, Madame Elpis shouted up the stairs that it was time to get moving. The guys' bus had already left ten minutes ago and many of the seniors were driving their own cars. Molly added a few more pins to Rae's head and gave a single sweep to her always perfect looking hair. Then the girls headed down the marble stairs.

The drive to Roe Hampton took about twenty minutes. The girls were giddy by the time they arrived, and were giggling when they walked into Roe Hampton's gymnasium.

"Ladies, you arrive at last." Andy spread his arms out to greet them. All the senior boys had dressed in tuxedos. Andy wore a polka-dot bow-tie.

"Nice dickiebow," Haley snorted.

Rae glanced around the room for Devon. She spotted him talking to Beth, and her light mood of the moment before was instantly dark. She strained to hear what they were talking about, but could barely make out their conversation over the music. Beth looked beautiful and mature, in a Victorian-style dress. Rae suddenly felt very childish in her Tinker Bell outfit. It felt more like a silly costume now.

"Why the long face?" Riley stood beside her. "Dance with me and let me put a smile there." He took Rae's arm and, without waiting for a response, led her to the dance 

floor. "You're gorgeous tonight, as you are every night. But I really like the hair." He pulled a blonde curl and watched it bounce back into place.

"Thanks," Rae muttered when they started to dance. Her plan had been to make Devon see her differently, but he couldn't be bothered to even glance her way. She remained quiet for the rest of the song and let Riley ramble on, barely paying attention to what he said. She did refocus when she heard Riley mention Devon's name.

"Crazy Dev...l-lard to believe, isn't it?" Riley quipped.

"Pardon? What did you say?"

"I said, It's nice to see Devon and Beth together again. They're on the dance floor all cozy and lost in each other's eyes. It's hard to believe, isn't it?"

"I hadn't heard they were back together." Rae felt sick to her stomach. After the past few months of her rebel phase, she hadn't paid any attention to what was going on with Devon. If it didn't involve her grades, assignments or the two of them together, she hadn't bothered to ask or care. Why had she focused so hard on their friendship? She really liked the guy but had never stood a chance with him romantically and she hated herself for not realizing it sooner. The bitterness of disappointment churned in her stomach and the blood drained from her head.

"You all right?" Riley stopped dancing and stared at her with concern. His cheetah tatu making her feel even dizzier. "You look a little green. Do you feel sick?" He took a slight step back, but held onto her wrists.

"A little..." She suddenly felt like this was the last place on earth she wanted to be. What a stupid idea this was.

"Do you need some punch?" He glanced over at Devon then back at her. "Or do you want to go back to Guilder? I have my car and can drive you home."

"I don't want you to miss the dance," she argued weakly.

"Don't worry. Let me drive you back, and I can head back here after I know you're all right. Just say the word." Riley squeezed her wrist.

Going back to the dorm sounded better than staying here watching Devon and Beth fall back in love. She'd vomit all over the dance floor if she had to watch that.

She stared across the room one last time, silently begging Devon to turn her way. Instead, she felt the bracelet he'd given her slip off her wrist, like a sign telling her to give up. She bent down to pick it up, and heard gasps behind her. Remembering her outfit had been designed to show off her tatu if she bent over, she straightened as fast as she could and pulled the back of her top down with lightning speed. She could hear the whispers from the Roe Hampton girls and saw Beth, a smug look on her face, lean over to whisper to a surprised Devon. Rae grabbed Riley's arm, not paying any

attention to the smirk on his face.

"Let's go." She pulled him toward the exit.

"Hold up." Riley stopped just outside. "I gotta tell Molly I'm bringing you back. If any of the professors ask, Molly can explain."

The fresh air offered nothing to cool her burning face. She could feel a headache starting at the back of her head, creeping its way to the front. Riley raced back out of the large metal doors and helped her into his car. She sat in the passenger seat and covered her face with her hands as he drove.

Rae didn't glance up until she felt the car roll to a stop and felt the car rock when Riley got out. She lifted her head. and had to blink, surprised to see they were parked in front of the Main Building. Riley opened her door to help her out.

"What're we doing here? Are the gates locked or something?" Rae tried to focus, the headache putting dots in front of her vision.

"No. Dean Carter asked me to bring you here." Riley's answer came out curt.

"Carter?" Just freakin' great! What a topper to a screwed up evening.

Riley grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the building door, kicking it open with his foot.

"Let go!" She tried to shaking her arm free. "Riley, you're hurting me. I don't want to see Dean Carter tonight. I just want to go back to my room."

"Sorry, but you need to see the dean. Right now." Riley continued to pull her up the stairs.

Too ticked to resist him, she jerked her arm free. "Fine. but this had better be quick." She stomped up the stairs, passing Riley and barging into the dean's office. She didn't even bother to knock. She was too angry to worry about being polite.

Dean Carter stood leaning against his desk. He'd been checking his watch. He smiled when he saw Rae and Riley come into the room.

"Well done," he said, clapping his hands slowly, making her head ache with each loud, percussive clap.

Rae opened her mouth and then glanced at Riley.

"Thanks." Riley puffed his chest. "It was easy. I just told Kerrigan the Wardell boy was back with his old Roe Hampton bit-girl. Kerrigan fell for it." He snickered. "She hesitated, but I slipped the stupid bracelet he bought her off her wrist. Suddenly, she was more determined than me to leave. She feigned being sick, and now the entire school thinks I'm taking her back to her dorm room." His face and shoulders bunched in excitement. Rae felt nauseous when she realized how easily she had been tricked.

"Fine." Carter flipped his wrist to dismiss Riley. "Go to Rae's dorm room. Make her bed look like it's been slept in and then grab her backpack and throw some

clothes in it. Make it look like she's gone somewhere purposely. Then go back to the dance and let everyone know, especially Lanford, that she's resting."

"Yes, sir." Riley turned and headed out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Rae watched Riley leave. She was completely shocked at what had just occurred, but the pieces all slid into place in her mind. This had been planned. Dean Carter wanted to be alone with her. For what reason?

She turned to eye him cautiously, jerking back in surprise when she found his face hovered only inches away from hers.

Great...what do I do now?