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.This way only those with their powers could find them.I can show you the markers tonight so you know what to look for,” Journey said.“So you’re saying there are Truiets living in the forest?” Sparrow asked.“Yes,” Journey said slowly.“That’s impossible, they were all killed in the Flood,” Sparrow said.“I actually agree with Journey,” Nova said, shocking us all.“What?” I asked.“Well, I’ve been working out there for a while now and I sometimes get this feeling that I’m not alone out there, like there are other power sources out there somewhere.I could never figure it out or see any signs of anyone other than us orphans and Grifts, but it’s just a feeling.What you’re saying confirms it.”“Okay, so even if this is true, we can’t just go hand Tippy over to a Truiet and say, ‘hey, can you teach her all your secrets?’” Sparrow said.“Why not?” I asked.They all just looked at me, shaking their heads.“What? Come on, I’m sick of being in the dark about how all this magic power stuff works.It’s slowing us down.”“She’s right,” said Nova, again surprising me that he was on board.“When we go out tonight, show me the markers and I’ll try to get a bearing on it tomorrow during Flood work.Maybe I can find one of them and try to see if they might be open to helping us.”Journey nodded and we all got up from the table as the bell chimed.Chapter 19I caught a glimpse of Remi across the dining hall as I was leaving.I never saw who he was sitting with now or if he was hiding all alone somewhere.I pushed that thought out of my mind because it made me feel guilty for neglecting my best friend.I just needed to get to the bottom of all of this.Maybe once I did, I would be able to tell him and he could help me! Remi would be the perfect person to tutor me on the Truiets if he knew about them.He’s so smart and always did such a good job helping me concentrate on our studies.Speaking of studies, they’ve really been suffering this week without Remi.We had exams coming up soon before the New Year, but I could hardly ask him to help me cram after excluding him from everything else that was going on in my life.I tried to push Remi out of my mind as I went back to our room to get ready for music rehearsal, but I just about smacked into him on my way to my wardrobe.“Uh, sorry.I…”“You just were looking right through me.Don’t worry, I’m starting to get used to it,” he scathed.“Remi, no it’s not like that! You’re my best friend.”“Really? Because I thought friends talked to each other, included each other in their lives.It’s like you’ve been living in another world since you started hanging out with them.I never see you anymore and you’re always with them, whispering.What is going on with you, 65?”“Remi…”I longed for him to understand me.I begged forgiveness with my eyes and pleaded mercy with each beat of my heart, but it didn’t work.The damage was done.He knew I wasn’t going to tell him anything and he was hurt and angry and I couldn’t blame him.I watched him shake his head and walk away from me as my heart was breaking under the pain I had caused him.It was as if I could feel his pain.My chest felt tight and heavy, and I had a lump in my throat that tasted of bitter despair that was threatening to suffocate me.It choked back my words and thankfully my tears.I felt dizzy and confused, like I was lost at sea with no North Star for guidance.Remi was my North Star, but I had just cut him loose to wander aimlessly in space.It seemed the star and the sea didn’t know what to do without each other.Chapter 20GongIt was time for music rehearsal.Luckily I was able to get by so far by faking that I was singing.I stood next to Sparrow, whose sweet voice rang so clear and bright that she would surely drown out my imperfections even if I was singing.The first time I heard her singing voice up close it took my breath away.It sounded like bells or what I imagined angels to sound like.Each note was crisp and effortless.Her voice rang out like a shiny perfect bell; each note was attached to the next with a fluid quality that couldn’t be taught.She was naturally gifted with this melody.I remember thinking if I sounded that good I would sing everything.I would sing instead of talk, I would never stop.Today I took my usual spot next to Sparrow, who was beaming and flipping through the sheet music.“She’s going to assign the solo today.”“Oh, you know you’re totally going to get it! You’re amazing, Sparrow.”“Oh, thank you, Tippy.But will you be okay without me?”“Sure, I can fake it pretty well,” I smiled.Just then Miss Sprigg came into our room and called us all to attention.She looked all business with her normally unruly mop of brown hair twisted into a neat little bun, high atop her head.It almost made her look taller.I bet that was her intention, because her tiny stature was easily lost among some of the taller Johns of our year.I’ve always liked Miss Sprigg.She almost reminded me of myself; a quiet outcast even among the Grifts.She was so short and frail, and all the other Grifts paid no attention to her.I imagined that I would probably look just like her when I grew up, save for my flaxen hair.It was a shame that she was our music teacher though, because my lack of musical talent probably ensured my feelings towards her weren’t mutual.She’d been teaching us and all the other orphans to sing for as long as I could remember.She had a decent singing voice and must have had a true passion for music to volunteer to teach our lot.She had been putting up with the likes of me and some other less-than-talented orphans for a long time.Each year had one song to learn and perform at the New Year Gala.After I was able to get my performance done and release all my nervous jitters, I actually looked forward to hearing the other orphans sing.It was our only chance to hear them sing since each year rehearsed and performed separately.Last year, Nova’s year sung a beautiful song about the sea.Its melody was so sad and heart-melting that it brought me to tears.Of course, Nova was the one singing the solo that year.He had a voice as perfect as his flawless features.I sighed thinking back to his performance.Was there anything he wasn’t good at? Miss Sprigg brought me abruptly out of my daydream when she cleared her throat.“Everyone, let’s get started.Johns on the left, Janes on the right.Today we’re going to be arranging you into sections and I’ll be assigning the solo, so I hope you’ve all been practicing.”This caused quite a buzz among us.I heard moans and groans, amongst the other orphans.Perhaps some of them were dreading this as much as I was, or more likely they were just reluctant to be separated from the comfort of their cliques.There was actually some clapping and excited laughter and squealing going on, too, though.I could practically feel Sparrow’s elation about the solo selection as she squeezed my hand and practically danced in place.I tried to give her a grim look, but her joy was infectious and all I could do was grin back when I looked at her big bright amber eyes that were lit up by her hundred-watt smile.“You’re insane you know that?” I laughed.“I’m so nervous!” she squealed“Why? You’re clearly amazing! You’re going to get the solo.”“I hope so.Jemma got it last year.”“That’s because everyone was always too scared to audition against her.”“True.Maybe I shouldn’t.She’s been leaving you alone lately, maybe I shouldn’t stir up any trouble.”“No! You’re incredible and you deserve the solo.I’m sick of Jemma always intimidating everyone.It’s time everyone hear your voice.”“Thanks, Tippy, you’re a great friend.”“I know,” I smiled with a little wink
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