Cipher

Summer hung her head. “I’ve had a lot going on.”

Gabriella halted her pacing and put a fist on her hip. “More important than a girl’s life?”

Summer stared back, not knowing how to respond to a question like that. No response seemed good enough. Her stomach dropped and the guilt started. “I don’t know how to do this.”

Gabriella sat down on the bed, her dress billowing up around her. “Look honey, I know. You’re really young—younger than most—and I wish I had more time to help you out. I can assure you that you’re the best person for this job. Not just the best, the only person who can help Ashlyn. We’re never wrong about these things.”

“I think you’re wrong this time.”

“I’m not. Now, you need to get close to her. Get her to trust you so that you can figure out how to repair her relationship with her mother before it’s too late.”

“But like I told you, she haaates me.”

“I have faith in you. You’ll figure out something. You Ciphers always do.” Gabriella patted Summer’s knee. “You’re our little miracle workers. Now, remember that nothing can replace genuine care. And what’s the best way to genuinely care about somebody?”

Summer shrugged.

“Get to know her. I know you can see the best in people. You’ve always had that gift. Even if you haven’t been practicing it as much lately.” Gabriella’s watch chimed and she looked down at it.

Summer couldn’t see what the digital message said, but there were definitely letters flashing across the face, a name, if she had to guess.

“Oh heavens, is he really dying now? I thought that was scheduled for tomorrow morning. Looks like I’ve got to go collect another one. Just embrace that this is what you were born to do, and you’ll find you have more strength than you ever imagined. Goodbye for now, darling.” Gabriella waved, then disappeared, her shimmery outline burned in Summer’s mind.

Over and over she heard Gabriella’s voice, words that felt like they’d stabbed through her skin and dug into her chest. I know you can see the best in people. You’ve always had that gift. Even if you haven’t been practicing it as much lately.

No, she supposed she hadn’t been searching for the best in other people lately. Part of her faith in humanity had never been healed, and she didn’t know if it was good to get her optimism back. You can’t have your faith destroyed if you don’t have any in the first place.

Chapter Six

Cody frowned. “You’re going to sit with them again?”

Summer had spent every lunch since Monday with the group who called themselves The Misfits, trying to win Ashlyn over. At first she’d found herself wishing to be back with her friends—with Kendall and Cody especially. Little by little, though, she was getting to know the people in the other group. She was even beginning to enjoy her lunches filled with unexpected conversations not involving the latest gossip or who was wearing an uggo outfit.

Summer wrapped her arms around Cody’s waist. “I’m going to sit with them for lunch, but I was hoping that after practice you’d come over to my place. My dad and Tiffany are going to be out late tonight, and I could use some company.” She tipped onto her toes and kissed him, knowing this situation called for a little lip on lip persuasion. “What do you say?”

Cody hugged her closer, pressing his hands into the small of her back. “Okay.” He gave her another kiss, lingering for long enough that Summer’s knees were wobbly by the end of it. She nearly teetered when he released her and headed toward his usual table to sit by Jack.

Summer walked toward The Misfits’ table, thinking she was glad she’d stuck it out with Cody. They were on their way back to normal, and she had a feeling she’d need the support over the next…however long it took to take care of this thing with Ashlyn.

“Hey, guys,” she said as she settled into the seat next to Marcie—the girl was sweet as they came, kind and giving and always checking on everyone in the group. Almost like a mom, Summer thought with a pang of longing.

“’Sup, Summer?” Aaron asked, and Darren pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and nodded. The twins were totally obsessed with chess and math, but also nice, with an odd, yet charming sense of humor. And Nelson—well, he marched to the beat of his own drum. He talked on and on about role-playing games, practically speaking a foreign language as far as Summer was concerned. He also carried a digital camera around in order to record every little thing he found interesting. Which, yesterday, had included the way she ate her Double Stuf Oreos—push the chocolate cookies together, lick off the frosting that squeezed out the sides, then eat the rest in two bites. All of them got such a kick out of it, and by the end she was laughing, too.

They’d all been so nice to her, and you just can’t dislike genuine, nice people.

So far, Ashlyn was the only one from the group who’d remained distant and cold. For three days Summer had failed to break through the girl’s tough exterior. Strained, one-word answers filled the conversations she’d tried to have with her. With any luck, today would be the day Ashlyn decided to give her a chance.

Summer smiled across the table at her. “How’s your day going?”

Ashlyn narrowed her gaze, the way she tended to do whenever she looked at Summer. “I saw you with your boyfriend. Why don’t you eat lunch with him?”

“Because I’ll see him later. Right now, I thought I’d hang with you guys.”

“You’re on the dance team, though. The dance team filled with girls who like to make fun of us. I thought you all stuck together and frowned upon independent thinking.”

“Come on, give her a break.” Marcie gave Summer a warm smile. “I like having another person to talk to.”

“Yeah, Ash,” Darren said. “We like Summer being here. We need all the cool we can get.”

“You guys are plenty cool on your own,” Summer said.

Darren grinned, and there was a piece of lettuce stuck to one of his teeth.

Aaron was gripping a pawn in his hand, like it might run away if he didn’t keep his hold on it. “No one’s ever accused us of being cool.”

“Well, I’m accusing you, and I think soon the jury’s going to find you guilty,” Summer said.

Ashlyn rolled her eyes. “I still don’t get your game. No one would choose us over the cool crowd.”

“Maybe I need a little more intellectual stimulation.” Summer smiled over at Darren and Aaron. “Someday I’m going to have you guys teach me how to play chess.”

“And do your homework for you?” Ashlyn asked—more like accused.

“I do okay on my own.”

Darren glanced away from the chess board. “I’ll help you if you want.”

“Let me help you,” Aaron said. “Darren doesn’t know the difference between the tangent line and the secant line.”

“Whatever!” Darren shot back, and the two of them started arguing.

“Now look what you’ve done.” Ashlyn leaned in and lowered her voice. “If you end up hurting their feelings, I’ll make you pay.”

Summer locked eyes with her. “I swear to you, I’m genuinely interested in being friends with them. And you. I don’t understand why you won’t give me a chance. Did I do something to you?”

Ashlyn shook her head. “No. And I’m going to make sure it stays that way.” She tossed her half-eaten apple in her lunchbox and stormed off.

Argh! Things are getting worse instead of better. How am I supposed to fix Ashlyn’s relationship with her mom when I can’t even establish a relationship with Ashlyn?

“Don’t worry,” Marcie said. “She’ll come around.”

Summer watched Ashlyn walk out of the room. But will she come around before it’s too late?