Free Kindred by J. A. Redmerski Page A

felt similar. But now, I’m not so sure. The symptoms aren’t going away. They’re getting worse and multiplying, quickly.
    But I suck it up.
    So many voices carry on all around me, mostly talking about Seth and his Ascendancy. Odd, sophisticated conversations about thrones and lineage and a host of other things to which I can never offer input.
    Yeah, I definitely feel like an outsider. And despite Harry being here too, I still feel like the only human.
    But then Genna Bishop, who I only know from Mrs. Schvolsky’s Geometry glass, comes strolling down the stairs and I only have time to wonder why she is here. Other than Harry and me, there has never been anyone else from school hanging out here.
    And I sort of hate Genna Bishop because she is so beautiful that, as one of Nature’s laws, it’s impossible not to hate her. Jet-black hair that flows like silk down the middle of her back. Soft, creamy skin that would be tragic if ever tanned. Green eyes so radiant that I swear she must wear contacts because eyes can never be that striking naturally. Even the way she moves, every subtle gesture of the hands, the way she tilts her head to one side when she smiles, is graceful and fascinating. Genna is a kind and quiet girl and has never come off as spoiled or conceited or shallow, but I hate her in that secret, envious way.
    She steps down off the last step, her gentle fingers sliding away from the wooden banister. Maybe it’s just me, or maybe it’s because she arrived earlier and everyone else has already had their fill of gawking, but I notice I’m the only one staring as she makes her way through the room. Figures appear to move to let her by in areas where there is little space, but no one really looks at her. They go on with their conversations as though she’s any other ordinary girl and isn’t more beautiful than everyone in the room combined.
    She’s coming toward me.
    Instantly, I feel like camouflaging myself into the couch. Not only do I feel disgusting because of the impending illness sure to ruin my Portland trip, but suddenly not even one of my favorite shirts and best pair of jeans seems adequate.
    Secretly, I glance over at Isaac sitting next to me, just to see if he feels as compelled to look at her as I do, but he doesn’t seem to notice her at all, at least not until she steps up to us. But it isn’t enough to warrant his attention. He goes back to talking with Nathan who sits on the couch arm on the other side of him.
    “Hi,” she says, smiling as she stands over me, “I’m Genna. From Mrs. Schvolsky’s class?”
    Really? Did she actually think I wouldn’t remember her?
    I smile back at her, but I’m not about to stand up and risk vertigo or vomiting. “Yeah, I recognize you. How are you?” I really like her, despite not knowing her and setting that whole hate thing aside. I would never treat her badly.
    “I’m good,” she says.
    Awkward silence.
    “Ummm, want to sit down?” I say, patting the cushion to my left. “Kind of packed in here.”
    Her face seems to light up a little more.
    Isaac and Nathan look over at me warily, but I ignore them.
    “Yeah I guess it is,” Genna says as she sits down next to me. “Thanks.” I feel her hand touch my shoulder, but I really think nothing of it.
    Maybe Genna just feels like an outsider as much as I do. I admit, even with Isaac next to me, it’s hard not to feel like dinner.
    She sits with her back straight and proper, one leg crossed over the other and her pretty powder hands folded loosely on her knee.
    And then it occurs to me: Is she really human? I have to know and soon, because how can I have a conversation with her otherwise? Too many factors have to be taken into consideration: If she’s human, but doesn’t know what everyone else is, I have to choose my words wisely. If she does know, then it’ll be awesome to be able to talk about it. And if she isn’t human…well, there will be a lot questions for Isaac about why I