off we go

Vada spotted Gage first thing at school. He was smiling as if he was up to something.

She knew what Josie thought, but she couldn't prove it. And their was that mystery of who burned down the old church. Instantly, she thought of Gage when she heard the story on the news. At the moment though, she was completely ignoring him.

Evidently, two could play at that game.

"I just don't know how he did it." Josie shook her head. "He was with Halie. I just know it."

Vada only shrugged trying not to think of him. And the fire.

"I'm glad Halie is OK." Vada nodded as she walked along hanging on to the straps of her backpack. She was in her new riding boots and black skinny jeans.

"Why would she end up at Cody's house?" Josie knew the truth, even if it didn't seem to matter.

"Have you talked with Halie?" Vada wanted to know as she looked at Josie in her new red sweater and bright blue fleece tights.

"Not really." Josie's lips were chapped. Vada supposed Dean made up with her. She didn't think Josie was completely worried about Halie.

Just then Vada looked up, and there Roman with someone new. They were holding hands in the hallway. For a second Vada thought she could be her. Vada swelled up with emotion, but she beat it down, as if no one was going to spoil this dull mood she was in. It was cold out. Windchills and frigid snow in the forecast. Yes, she lived in an iceburg, even in this shell of hers.

Vada looked a little grim as if she was certain of it now. Roman would always be Roman and she would always be Vada.

She trudged on. What was there to be happy about? She looked over her shoulder and saw Gage all talkative and anew.

She thought of her Christmas. She felt as if it couldn't be true, but she'd spent New Year's Eve with Henry's parents, and it was beginning to feel they might be her parents too.