replied, coming down the ladder with a book tucked under an arm.
Reaching the bottom, she stretched out her hand.
?How long are you going to want it for?? Helen asked as she
fingered her necklace uneasily. She really hated to take it off for
any reason, even if that reason was as important as Cassandra was
making it seem.
?I?ll give it right back. I promise,? Cassandra said, keeping her
eyes locked on Helen.
?Yes, of course,? Helen replied, feeling silly for balking. She obediently
muscled through the naked, panicky feeling that came along
with the thought of removing her necklace. Taking it off, she
handed it over. As soon as she placed it in Cassandra?s outstretched
hand she felt a burning sensation across her forearm.
?Cass, are you crazy?? Lucas yelled. He snatched a small blade
out of his sister?s grip.
Helen felt someone step against her back and put a hand on her
shoulder, and, from his size, Helen knew it was Hector, supporting
and protecting her.
?I?m sorry, Helen. But it was the only way to prove it,? Cassandra
said, biting her lower lip and looking up with defensive eyes.
?It?s okay,? Helen mumbled, not understanding what had
happened yet. Everyone was staring at her arm. She looked down
and saw a thin red cut dripping blood onto the carpet.
?But it?s just a necklace,? Helen repeated as she ran the charm
along the chain and looked at her arm. The cut had already healed.
?It becomes whatever you need it to be, that?s part of its magic,?
Cassandra said, grasping for words with frustration. ?It?s like the
way it looks different to everyone. That?s because there?s no such
thing as the most beautiful ornament, or the most beautiful anything
for that matter. How can I explain this??