Flight of Life (Essence Series #1) (24 page)

Breccan nodded. “That’s
true.”

“
We’ll just take it step
by step,” Calloway said. “We’ll figure it out
eventually.”

“
We could catch a Hara-Kir
and question it,” Breccan said. “One spoke to Calloway.”

Easton thought for a moment. “I guess
we could do that,” she said. “We are bound to run into one today at
the library.”

“
Of course we will,”
Breccan spat. “Those things are always there.”

Calloway wasn’t sure why they were
drawn to the Grandiose Historian Library but Breccan was right—they
were always there. He’d never run into one anywhere else—at school,
the store, on the streets, anywhere—and the revelation made him sit
up in his chair. “They’re always at the library.”

Breccan glared at his cousin. “I just
said that. Are you deaf?”

“
But it’s true,” he said.
“There’s something about the library that attracts them. What is
it?”

Easton shrugged. “I have no
idea.”

“
We’ll research the
building tomorrow,” Calloway said. “They want something from the
building or they are hiding in it. There has to be a reason. And
why else would my father leave the Kirin Book there? We are missing
something.”

Easton nodded. “We’ll head over right
after you’re dismissed from detention.”

Breccan rolled his eyes. “Or teacher’s
pet time.”

Calloway stared at his cousin. “Why
does it bother you that I spend time with Mr. Avey?”

Breccan looked away. “Forget it,” he
said.

Calloway was going to question him
further but the lunch bell rang. Calloway completed his afternoon
classes and avoided Hawk as much as possible in photography. Later,
Mr. Avey and he worked on his personal statement and edited the
first draft, making it as clean as possible.

“
Now let’s submit the
applications,” Mr. Avey said as he sat in the desk beside Calloway.
They both looked at Calloway’s new computer. “You can upload your
SAT scores after you take the exam.”

Calloway nodded as he chose the school
he was interested in attending.

“
Dartmouth?” Mr. Avey
asked. “That’s a fine school.”

Calloway shrugged. “I probably won’t
get in. I just wanted to try anyway.”

“
I have a feeling you
will.”

Calloway entered the information for
his applications then the payment information came on the screen.
He was getting paid this afternoon but he didn’t have the money or
a credit card to make the purchase. After his teacher paid for his
formal fee and bought him a computer, Calloway felt awkward asking
for more money. The college applications required a purchase
through a card and Calloway had no access to one—he had to be
eighteen. If Mr. Avey didn’t do it, he would have to ask Uncle
Scott—something he wanted to avoid.

Mr. Avey pulled out of his credit card
and typed in the information for Calloway. The order was finalized
and the application was sent. Now Mr. Avey paid for his educational
expenses again and Calloway felt guilty—it wasn’t his teacher’s
responsibility. After he received his payment this afternoon he
would reimburse his teacher.

“
I’ll pay you back,”
Calloway said. “I get my check today.”

“
I know,” he
said.

“
Thank you.”

“
Of course, Calloway,” he
said. “You’re a good kid.”

He thought about his second job as a
Hara-Kir hunter, risking his life on a daily basis, in addition to
the dark thoughts he had about punching Hawk in the face. “You
don’t know me very well.” Calloway smiled.

“
Actually, I think I do,”
he said. “Are you ready for Saturday?”

Calloway shrugged. “It’s going to be a
hectic day,” he said. “But I think I’m ready.”

“
I was referring to the
SAT.” Mr. Avey smiled.

“
And I was referring to
both.” Calloway laughed. “The exam and the dance. But I’m more
frightened of the formal.”

“
And why is
that?”

Calloway was quiet for a moment. “I’m
going with a girl. I don’t know how to act around them.”

Mr. Avey laughed. “Women are very
unusual creatures,” he said. “But isn’t this young woman your
friend?”

“
Yes.”

“
Then I wouldn’t worry
about it,” Mr. Avey said. “You’ll do fine.”

“
I hope so.”

“
Do you have a ride to the
exam?” he asked.

Calloway thought for a moment. “I was
going to ride my bike.”

“
At seven o’clock in the
morning?” Mr. Avey asked incredulously. He shook his head. “I’ll
take you there. Write down your address and I’ll pick you
up.”

“
Really?” he
asked.

“
Yes,” he said. “I’m
always awake early on weekends anyway.”

Calloway wrote down his address and
handed it to Mr. Avey. “Thanks,” he said.

“
And I can provide some
moral support on the way. Make you stay calm.”

“
Could you do that on the
way to the dance, too?” Calloway asked.

Mr. Avey laughed. “You’re on your own
for that one.”

Calloway sighed. “Darn.” He looked at
the clock in the front of the room. “I need to get to work,” he
said. “And go by the bank before it closes.”

Mr. Avey nodded. “I’ll see you later,
Calloway.”

Calloway left the classroom and grabbed
his bike from the metal rack. His shift started in an hour but he
wanted to cash his first check before he started his workday. When
he arrived at the shop, he saw an envelope by the timecard with his
name on it. He opened the letter and frowned when he saw the amount
of taxes that were taken out of his check—it was
unbelievable.

“
I know,” Marquan said as
he opened his own envelope. “They are practically stealing from
us.”

Calloway sighed. “Some money is better
than no money.”

Marquan shrugged. “I guess.”

“
I’ll be back,” Calloway
said. “I’m going to cash this before I start work.”

“
Cool,” he
said.

Calloway went to the bank across the
street and cashed the check. He stuffed the money inside of his
wallet and felt elated—he never had money before. When he returned
to the shop, he clocked in and worked his shift, fantasizing about
how he could spend the money. He knew he couldn’t buy anything—he
had to return Mr. Avey’s loan and purchase a tie for the
formal.

While business was slow, Calloway
looked at the weekly schedule and felt his heart fall when he read
it—he was working on Saturday. It was the day he scheduled to take
the SAT and it was the night of the formal dance, and he
specifically asked for the whole day off. He wasn’t sure what to
do.

When we walked back to the front, Joe
was inserting more bills into the register before he left for the
day. “Hello, Calloway.” He smiled. “Just got done with
school?”

“
Yes,” Calloway said.
Since he never had a job before he wasn’t sure how to go about
this. He requested the day off so he knew it wasn’t his fault—this
problem shouldn’t have happened at all.

“
Can I talk to you about
something?” Calloway asked.

“
Of course,” he said.
“What’s up?”

“
Well, I’m scheduled to
work this Saturday but I asked for the day off.”

“
I thought you said you
could work weekends?” Joe asked as he crossed his arms over his
chest.

“
I can,” Calloway
answered. “But this Saturday I have prior engagements.”

“
Such as what?” he
asked.

Calloway could tell his boss was
annoyed with him for asking for time off. Since it was his only
request he thought his boss was being unfair. This was the only
instance where he needed a day off—it wouldn’t happen again. “I
have my SAT in the afternoon and winter formal in the
evening.”

“
Well, I’m sorry,
Calloway. You are scheduled to work.”

“
I asked for the day off,”
Calloway blurted. “I have to take this exam.”

“
I don’t know what to
say,” Joe said. “You shouldn’t ask for a day off when you’ve only
worked here for two weeks—not a good impression. And there is no
one else to work. The other employees have also asked for the day
off.” Joe closed the register and walked back to the office. The
anger was visible in his tense frame, and Calloway hoped he
wouldn’t be fired because of this mishap. Calloway felt his heart
fall when he watched him go. He had to make a decision—either his
exam or his job.

“
I’ll cover your shift,”
Marquan said as he walked over to him. “Don’t worry about it. It’s
more money for me anyway.”

Calloway stared at him for a moment.
“But Joe said everyone already asked for the evening
off.”

Marquan shrugged. “It’s not a big
deal,” he said. “Your test is more important anyway.”

“
Are you sure?” Calloway
asked.

Marquan rolled his eyes. “Don’t make
this more emotional than it needs to be,” he said. “I got your
back—we all do.”

“
Thanks.” Calloway sighed.
“I appreciate it.”

“
Now you owe me one.”
Marquan smiled.

“
I didn’t foresee this
problem,” Calloway said.

“
I’m just playing with
you.”

Calloway smiled. “You know I got your
back, too.”

“
You better,” he said as
he walked to the board and helped the customer waiting in
line.

They worked for the next few hours
until the shift was over. Marquan drove Calloway to his home down
the street after they clocked out. There was a basketball in the
backseat and an extra pair of shoes on the floorboard. The stereo
was playing music but Calloway couldn’t distinguish the sound. He
wouldn’t have recognized the song anyway—he only listened to
classic country and mariachi music.

“
You need to save up for a
car,” Marquan said. “Riding your bike in the freezing cold is
insane.”

“
It’s better than the
blistering heat,” Calloway answered.

“
Well, a car is good for
any weather.” Marquan laughed. “It’s a good investment.” Marquan
stopped in front of the petite two story house and looked at the
front door. “Nice place,” he said.

“
Are you being sarcastic?”
Calloway laughed.

“
No,” he said. “I live in
an apartment. It’s annoying being so close to your neighbors—they
are loud.”

Calloway nodded. “Thanks for the
ride.”

“
Anytime,” Marquan
said.

Uncle Scott walked out of the house and
approached the mailbox at the end of the driveway. “Hello,” he said
as he walked to the car. He leaned toward the car and looked
through the open window.

“
Hey, Uncle Scott,”
Calloway said. “This is my friend, Marquan.”

Marquan stepped out of the door and
nodded to him. “Nice to meet you.”

“
How do you two know each
other?” Uncle Scott asked.

“
We work together,”
Calloway answered as he got out of the vehicle.

Uncle Scott nodded. “That’s what the
smell is.”

Calloway rolled his eyes. “I get that a
lot.”

“
Come inside, Marquan, and
join us for dinner,” Uncle Scott said.

“
Really?” Marquan
asked.

“
Of course.” Uncle Scott
smiled. “It’s a thank you for driving Calloway home.”

“
Okay,” Marquan said.
“Thanks.” He closed the door and locked it behind him.

When they walked in the house, Aunt
Grace smiled when she saw them. “Calloway has another friend?” she
said happily. She hugged Marquan tightly and he stood still for a
moment, unsure what to do. He stared at Uncle Scott while he patted
his wife on the back awkwardly. She pulled away. “This is
wonderful. Please take a seat, honey,” she said to Marquan as she
ushered him to the table. “And what is your name?”

“
Marquan,” he
answered.

“
That’s great.” she
smiled. “My name is Grace. I hope you’re hungry.”

“
I’m always hungry.” He
smiled.

Aunt Grace laughed. “You and my son
will get along just fine.”

Calloway sat next to Marquan at the
table. Breccan stared at Marquan for a moment before he addressed
him.

“
Hi,” he said as he shook
his hand. “I’m Calloway’s cousin, Breccan.”

“
Cool,” he said. “I’m
Marquan.”

“
I call him MQ—it’s
shorter.” Calloway laughed.

“
But not as cool.” Marquan
laughed.

Breccan stared at them for a moment
then drank from his glass of water. Aunt Grace set the spaghetti on
the table and they began to eat.

“
Do you go to school with
Calloway?” Aunt Grace asked.

Marquan wiped his mouth before he
spoke. “No,” he said. “I go to Fresno University. Hopefully,
Calloway will join me in the fall.”