^“Come on, Kenz,” Kelly urges, tugging me along. I cast a glance over my shoulder as we turn the corner, watching Mr. Daniels lead Locke into the classroom. From the look in Mr. Daniels eyes, I wouldn’t want to be Locke right now. I wonder what he did to provoke him? Whatever it is, I need to make a note to not do it.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” I mumble, trusting Kelly to lead me in the right direction to class. She’s a lot better at directions than I am, and she actually has her phone with her to use the map-app. That always helps.

“So, you and Locke looked close,” she probes lightly.

“Nothing is going on, yet. You’d be the first to know, but I do like him,” I admit.

“I think he likes you, if that kissing was anything to go by,” she teases.

“Shut up! Totally doesn’t count. Cheek. I kiss my mother on the cheek, hell, you kiss my mother on the cheek. What are you trying to say, that you’re trying to bang my relatives?” I tease back. She flushes.

“Of course not. Ugh, come on, Kenz. We’re running late. Have you been on time to any of your classes yet?” she asks.

“Um, maybe one?” I reply.

“Were you this bad in human school?” she asks.

“Worse,” I answer with a grin. I think back on my time at the human, comprehensive school I went to in my home town. Most marked children get private tutors, or attend small marked schools, that teach the basic human subjects, Maths, English, and Science, as well as the history of the marked. My parents opted to send me to a human school, like Dad P went to. They taught me about marked history at home, not like I ever paid much attention. I always enjoyed human school, had human friends, and I loved some of my human classes. I think about some of my classes in particular, and my goals for when I left school. But now, it feels like my goals are never going to work, it feels like everything has changed. The plan is still there, twelve marks or one. Three years at the marked academy, and then I can go back to the plan. I think the mantra over in my head a few times. Maybe if I do that enough I can believe it.

I’m drawn out of my thoughts as we come to a stop outside of a classroom. Kelly pushes open the door, and I follow in after her. Everyone in the class is sitting at desks already, listening to our teacher. I inwardly groan as all the eyes turn to me and Kelly.

“Sorry we’re late, sir,” Kelly says, giving him her sweetest look. Like everyone else does when Kelly uses that look, the teacher’s frown fades away, and he smiles back at her.

“That is fine, Miss Curwood. Please can you and Miss Crowe take a seat?”

I try to spot where we can sit, but there aren’t any seats together. Kelly slips into a spare seat in the front, next to a guy with pale-blond hair. I glance around for another empty seat. You have got to be kidding me? Ugh. I make my way across the room and drop into the only free seat left, which just so happens to be next to Enzo. Sighing as I shove my bag under the desk, I deliberately face forward, pointedly ignoring him.

“You look pleased to see me,” he mutters.

“Because it’s always such a pleasure to see you,” I chirp back sarcastically.

“You are so frustrating. I can’t believe I’m missing my elective with Mr. Daniels for this,” he says bitterly.

“I didn’t ask you to,” I snap back.

“No, because if you did, I’d have told you where to go. I’m here because Mr. Daniels asked me to be. That’s it,” he says sharply, and a little too loudly. A couple of students sitting around us shoot dark looks in our direction. I kick Enzo’s foot under the table.

“Shut up,” I mutter. He kicks my foot back. Asshole isn’t meant to kick me back! I kick his shin this time, harder and shoot a smug look at him. Like he’s going to—Ouch! The fucker actually kicked me harder.

“Don’t start what you can’t finish, Crowe,” he snaps.

“Who said I won’t,” I reply, narrowing my eyes on him.

“Important conversation you’re having I assume, Miss Crowe, Mr. Langston?” the teacher asks, somehow having snuck right up to our desk. I wonder why Enzo has a different surname to his sister? Did he not take his mum’s name, or did she not?

“No, sir,” Enzo says quickly. I follow suit and shake my head.

“Well, I will assume the two of you were listening and know exactly what we are doing today then?” he asks.

“Yes, sir,” we both answer in unison. A united front in our joint lie at least.

“Good. Everyone stand up and get into pairs for the activity,” he instructs as he walks back towards his desk. I quickly move from my seat and grab Kelly.

“What are we doing?” I whisper to her.

“We’re meant to be reading each other for injury or sickness,” she whispers back.

“How are we meant to—”

“Miss Curwood, Crowe, you two girls first,” the teacher calls, cutting me off. Shit. He gestures for the two of us to come to the front of the classroom. The smug look on his rounded face telling me that he knows I have no clue what I’m doing, and has just called me up to humiliate me. I thought healers were meant to be gentle, kind souls. I roll my eyes and saunter up to the front of the class with Kells in tow. It’s cool, I’ll just copy Kelly.

“Miss Crowe, you will check Miss Curwood first,” he instructs.

Well, there goes that plan . . . how the heck did Mr. Daniels check me for injuries? Hand on forehead? I never realised how inconvenient my never getting sick would be. The sound of a throat clearing makes me jump.

“Anytime now, Miss Crowe,” he says, sighing with exasperation.

I lay a hand across Kelly’s forehead and close my eyes, trying to concentrate. I picture the healing mark. Nothing. Shit. I open my eyes and move my hand from her head, stepping back.

“She’s all good,” I announce.

“Are you sure about that?” he asks sceptically.

“Yep, I’m feeling great, sir,” Kelly answers for me.

“Fine, Curwood, your turn,” he says curtly, shooting me a disbelieving look, but it’s not like he can just call me a liar in front of the whole class. I’d look up how to do it later.

Kelly places a hand over my forehead and closes her eyes. I feel the light, probing feeling roll through me. Trust Kelly to get it right first time. She drops her hand and her eyes fly open.

“You’re hurt,” she accuses.

“It’s nothing much,” I mutter back. Just an aching all over my body that won’t go away since bitchface Stella zapped me. She frowns and puts her hands either side of my head and closes her eyes again.

“Wait, Miss Curwood, you really should not be doing that,” the teacher begins to say, when suddenly, a glow takes over Kelly, much like when she had the vision. Shit. A hush falls over the room.

I’m about to move back from her hold on my head, when a feeling of lightness fills me. I feel like every inch of my body is sparking for a moment, and then nothing. I feel fine, the aching is gone. A rush of energy hits me.

“Shit, Kells. I feel like new,” I mumble, feeling like I could climb a mountain or run a marathon right now. She moves her hand.

“S-sorry,” she stutters to the teacher. “I just knew I could do it,” she says simply. He stares at her for a moment like she’s this peculiar creature, and he just doesn’t know what to do with her.

“Take your seats, both of you,” he says. We quickly scarper back into some seats, she slips into what was Enzo’s seat to stay with me. After a tense moment or so, the teacher calls the attention back to the front of the class, and calls up another two students.

“What the hell was that, Kells?” I ask her, feeling a little concerned.

“I have no idea, Kenz. Not a fucking clue.”