Reluctant Guardian Read Free Page A

me. “Dweeb.”
    â€œBe careful who and what you think about,” Shana whispers, leaning in. “If you think about someone, they'll know. Good thoughts or bad.”
    Great. A shiver runs over my shoulders, and I straighten out on my bed. I don't even know Deedre, but her thoughts—which run along the lines of murder—totally freak me out.
    This is not going to work. I cannot live here.
    â€œHow 'bout a tour?” Shana says, interrupting my thoughts. “I'll show you around.” Her peppiness and undisguised gaiety rouses me from my paralyzed state, and I let her lead me out into the bright light of day. Or what looks like day. I feel lighter and happier instantly.
    Shana takes me through town, points out the sites, and even shows me the library. I had no idea they'd have libraries in... wherever I am, but I'm not going to complain. The library is one place I'll happily explore. Getting lost in a good book sounds like heaven. And if I can't live in heaven, I'll live in la la land instead.
    ***
    After my brief tour, Shana and I stand in front of the white, marble building where Rafael's office is located. “I have to go inside,” I say, remembering he wants to speak with me.
    â€œOh, right. See you later then.” She leaves reluctantly and doesn't seem happy to go back to the cottage alone. I feel sorry for her. I wouldn't want to be alone with Cinder and Deedre either.
    With a sigh, I take a moment to prepare myself for the coming interview. What will Raphael want to talk about? Will he ask about my suicide? Will I have to explain? Can I request new roommates? That thought is enough to propel me through the double doors in search of his office.
    He is all smiles once I enter, and he gestures to a chair across from his black desk, then moves to the other side and sits down. “How do you like your new place?” he asks. I have a feeling he already knows.
    â€œUh, about that.”
    â€œI know, I know,” he says, raising his hand to stop me. “The beds are the most confusing. Why beds instead of tables and chairs? We get that a lot.”
    â€œUm, it's not the beds. The beds are fine.”
    â€œOh. Good. Did you find the quilt inside the box I gave you?” A bright light radiates in his eyes and his lip twitches.
    â€œYeah. I got it. Thanks.”
    Leaning forward and clasps his hands on his desk. “Did you notice anything special about it?”
    I scowl, picturing the quilt in my mind. “It's like the one I have at home?” I couldn't care less about the stupid quilt, or The Spirit's Guide to Immortality book that was also in the box. If it had been my real quilt, that would have been something. But it's not. It's only a look-alike. A cheap copy.
    â€œYes!” he says, excited. “We do that on purpose, you know. To help you feel more at home here.”
    It doesn't work. I don't feel at home. I feel lost, hovered over, and frustrated. Everything is different and weird, and a quilt doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. “Actually, it's my roommates I want to talk about.”
    â€œOh?” He leans back.
    â€œWell, I wondered if I could get different ones. Shana is okay, but I really don't think I should hang out with Cinder or Deedre.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œDeedre wants to kill me. That kind of bothers me even though I'm pretty sure she can't do it.”
    Raphael sputters and coughs. I smile, because this is such a ridiculous conversation. I'm sitting in an office asking for new roommates, when I should be flying free through clouds of snowy white. Where is my harp? My golden wings?
    With an exasperated sigh, I lean forward. “Listen. I'm not sure what I'm doing here, but I'd really like to get on with the rest of my life.”
    After regaining his composure, he becomes serious again and leans forward until our faces are only inches apart. “This is the rest of your life.”
    ***
    Needless to