Chapter 7

I kept my head turned toward the window, but from the corner of my vision, I saw him notice me anyway. A moment ago, I’d been eager to see him and tell him about my dream, but now that he was weaving through the crowd towards me, I just wanted him to go away. I wiped my hands down my thighs, nervous for no real reason. This was Kyer. We’d been friends since birth. The only person my own age I’d known longer was Brin. Why did I want to avoid him all of a sudden?

I had no time to think. When the train started moving again, Kyer dropped into the seat facing mine, and his Other clambered over his long legs to take the seat beside him, opposite Brin. I’d always thought Lyra was plain—nowhere near as pretty as Brin—and now seeing her take Kyer’s hand so easily in her own made her hideous.

I scowled out the window, biting the inside of my lip to keep from saying anything mean.

With his free hand, Kyer slapped my arm. “Don’t say hi or nothing.”