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hear their words over the singing, but I have spent the weekend mastering the art of lipreading. What
isn t amusing, however, is that Tobin has caught on to the fact that I m merely moving my own lips
along with the rest of the choir. Daphne looks up at me. I stare down at the songbook in my hands.
Maybe I should try singing along, but I don t know how to make my voice do what hers does, even if I
want to. I feel her gaze leave me and I glance back at her.
 Maybe he s just intimidated, Daphne says.  It s his first day in the program.
My hands grow hot at the idea that she thinks I am afraid. I take a deep breath, tempering myself
before I set the songbook on fire.
 Maybe he doesn t know how to sing.
 Then he shouldn t be here at all. The hard-lined look on Tobin s face makes me wonder what
exactly his problem is.
 Leave him alone, Daphne whispers to him.  I think I was mistaken about him. He s not the bad guy I
thought he was.
 I think he s exactly who you thought he was.
Mr. Morgan shoots them a cross look for talking while the others are singing. This song is supposed
to be for the rock opera that Daphne s father is writing or so the teacher had explained at the
beginning of the class period. It s a chorus piece, which apparently means that Daphne is not part of
the song. I find myself wishing she were. I want to know if her voice is as enchanting as I remember.
When the song ends, Mr. Morgan addresses the class.  Very good. Very good. But we still have a lot
of work. I want this song ready to present to Mr. Vince for his approval by the end of the week. Now
for another matter, he says.  The mayor has asked me to find volunteers to provide entertainment for
the Light-up Olympus Festival at the end of November. Does anyone want to sign up to do a musical
number as part of a showcase the night of the festival?
Tobin s hand shoots up.  I will.
 Thank you for your enthusiasm, Tobin. I ll mark you down. Anyone else?
Tobin s hand goes up again.
 Yes? Mr. Morgan asks.
 I think we should hear from the new student, he says.
I look up at him. I keep my face expressionless, but I can only hope that the glint of panic doesn t
show in my eyes.
 I d like to see what he s got. And where better than in front of the whole town? He must be
something pretty special to have earned a spot in the department without auditioning.
I sit up straighter. My gaze shifts to Mr. Morgan.
Mr. Morgan looks flustered. I wonder what kind of  requests Simon made of him to get me in the
program.  Well, only if he wants to. It s completely voluntary.
Tobin sets his glare on me. The rest of the class follows his lead.  What say you? Are you up for the
challenge?
If it is possible for someone s expression to say,  You re not fooling me. I know you don t belong
here. Try to prove me wrong, all in one narrowed-eyed look, this Tobin guy is pulling it off. It isn t a
physical confrontation, but his challenge is just as serious as any one I d accepted in the Underrealm.
And oddly, feels just as dangerous.
Like not accepting will prove to him that I m not who I claim to be.
 Challenge accepted, I say.
As other students volunteer to add their names to the performance list, I catch Daphne s eye for the
first time since class started. I want her to see that I am not afraid. Even if deep down, I really am.
When the bell rings, I pick up my songbook and leave as quickly as I can. I can sense Tobin coming
after me, and Daphne only a few steps behind him. I duck around a corner. Leaning against a locker, I
listen as Daphne catches up with him.
chapter thirty-two
daphne
 Stop, Tobin, I say as I catch up to him in the hallway.  What was all that challenge crap back there?
You re not going to go and try to punch him again, are you? Because you d probably get kicked out of
the play this time if you do.
 I just wanted to see where he goes next.
 To class, I say.  Like everyone else.
 Or so we think.
 I told you, I don t think Haden is a bad guy.
Tobin takes me by the elbow and leads me into a small alcove in
the hallway, like he s afraid someone might overhear what he has to say next.  You know there was
another attack Friday night? he says. His voice is low and quiet, but I can hear an edge of accusation
in his voice. At first, I think he s referring to what happened to Lexie in the grove and he s mad at me
for not telling him about it frankly, I didn t because I haven t been able to process what happened
yet, myself but then he goes on:  She was a cater waiter at the party.
One of the valets found her unconscious near the lake.  Oh no. I clasp a hand to my face.  What
happened?  They re saying heart attack again. But I don t believe it. And I
don t think it s any coincidence that Haden was skulking around a party where someone ended up
being attacked. I saw him sneaking over my back fence just after we left my mom s office.
I shake my head.  Haden didn t hurt anyone after leaving the party.
 How do you know that?
 Because he was with me, I say.
 What? Tobin s face goes ashen.  You left the party with him? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]