10th Muse: Blade of Medusa. Darren G. Davis
Dawn agreed. “Who needs to balance a check-
book?”
Brett emerged from the school doors, but much to the girls’
surprise, he was not alone. Gloria Merrick was walking next to
him. And she was smiling more than she had since she first
arrived at school. Probably her first time smiling at all, Emma
thought.
“Hey guys,” Brett said as he and Gloria reached them.
“How’d you do on the math final?”
“Let’s discuss happier topics,” Emma said, “ like pestilence
or plagues.”
• 37 •
C H A P T E R F O U R
The gang laughed, but Gloria looked horrified.
“You guys know Gloria, right?” Brett asked.
“I don’t think we’ve ever been officially introduced,” said
Emma. “I’m Emma, this is Dawn.”
The girls all shook hands, but it felt more like a chore than
a pleasure. Dawn and Emma agreed later that they both felt
uncomfortable around Gloria. As if she didn’t want them there.
“So, Gloria,” Emma tried to make conversation, “where did
you transfer from?”
She shrugged, “Around.”
“Around?” Dawn asked. “I’m not familiar with that city.”
Ignoring the girls, she looked directly at Brett and said, “I
need a soda.”
With that, she turned and walked back into the school.
Through the lunchroom windows, the gang could see her as she
counted her change for the soda machine.
“Isn’t she great?” Brett said, smiling.
“Did I miss a chapter here?” Emma asked. “Are you two an
item?”
“I guess,” Brett said. “We haven’t gone out on a date yet,
but she agreed to go to the movies with me Friday night.”
• 38 •
T H O M A S J . M I S U R A C A
“That’s great,” both girls said at the same time, but neither
sounding like they meant it.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Brett said. “What does a
good-looking girl like that want with a geeky guy like me?
Well, I’m just as surprised myself.”
“Oh stop it,” Dawn said. “You’re not a geek.”
“And you deserve the best,” said Emma, “but Gloria does-
n’t seem like the friendliest of folks.”
“She’s just a little shy,” said Brett.
The three watched as Gloria pulled out her soda from the
vending machine and started back through the lunchroom. As
she passed Grayson’s table, they saw his mouth move in what
they were sure was a rude comment. She walked right past him,
but he kept her eyes on her as she walked out of the lunchroom.
Grayson practically jumped out of his seat when he saw
Gloria stand beside Brett and take his hand.
“So, Gloria,” Dawn said, trying once again to make conver-
sation, “any plans for your summer vacation?”
She shook her head.
“Maybe we can all hang out at the beach some time,” Dawn
suggested.
• 39 •
C H A P T E R F O U R
“Have fun,” Emma said. “I’ll be working.”
“ T h a t ’s right,” Dawn shrugged. “Sorry to rub it in your face.”
The four stood in silence for a moment.
Emma looked at her watch. “You know, I think I’m going to
take advantage of these last fifteen minutes to head over to the
library and give one last cram for my chemistry final.”
“I think I’ll join you,” said Dawn.
“Have fun,” Brett called after them.
When the girls were out of earshot from Brett and Gloria,
Dawn exclaimed, “What was that all about?!”
“I’m happy that Brett has a girlfriend,” Emma said, “but I
think he could do a little better. Like a girl with a pulse.”
“He might as well be dating one of those statues from the
museum,” Dawn laughed. “I had better conversations with
them.”
“Something bugs me about her,” Emma said.
“Is your Muse sense tingling?”
“It’s not that,” Emma explained. “I’m not sure what it is.”
“Maybe we’re jealous,” Dawn admitted.
“I like Brett,” Emma said, “ but never in that way.”
“I don’t mean that. I mean because he’s dating somebody
• 40 •
T H O M A S J . M I S U R A C A
and we’re not.”
“He hasn’t even gone on a date with her yet!” Emma
exclaimed. “And she already has him wrapped around her fin-
ger.”
“ I wouldn’t go that far,” Dawn said. “She may act different
outside of school. Plus, I’m sure Brett has told her all about us.
She’s probably more scared of us than we are of her.”
“What is she, a bear?”
“I’m just trying to look at things objectively,” said Dawn,
“which I thought was your job.”
“I’m taking a personal day.”
“All I’m saying is we need to get used to it,” said Dawn. “If
Brett has found somebody special, then we need to do every-
thing we can to accept her and make her feel comfortable.”
“When did you become the voice of reason?” said Emma.
Dawn shrugged. She didn’t know what else to do but be rea-
sonable. Because even though she denied it, she was jealous
that the new girl in town had snagged her best friend.
• 41 •
CHAPTER