SuperNova: Heroes of Arcania by Liz Long Page A

up, not date them. The teacher called for attention and I breathed a sigh of relief as our talk came to a halt.  
    An English and Spanish class later, I realized I had the wrong book for my next class. I had plenty of time so I ran back to my locker to grab the textbook. With the same locker for all four years of my high school career, it was easy for Henry to find me.  
    “There’s the person I’m looking for,” he said slyly, sidling up next to me.  
    I shut my locker and gave him the side eye. “Why?”
    He gestured behind me. “Nova, I’d like you to meet our two new students, the Warners. This is Penelope, a junior, and her brother Cole, who’s a senior.”
    I turned around to find two of the prettiest people I’d ever seen in person. Both blond and golden-eyed, they politely smiled at me with identically beautiful, straight teeth. I restrained sarcastically lifting my hand to my eyes to shield against the brightness of them. Henry would laugh, but they’d probably find it rude.  
    Penelope had long, wavy hair, almost fluffy; it fell past her shoulder blades, and her eyes, a shade lighter than her brother’s, didn’t linger on one spot or person for too long. Shorter than me, tiny and cute, I knew it wouldn’t only be cheerleaders clamoring for her attention. I could already tell Henry wanted to make a move.  
    Cole, on the other hand, seemed quite opposite from her despite their appearance. His thin face had sharp angles, like he was cut from stone. He kept his hair shaggy on top, but still relatively short, and he smiled more than his sister. His golden brown eyes were still brilliant, but a touch more normal than hers, and his friendlier demeanor put me at ease.  
    Cole held out a hand and I took it, hoping to every god possible that my hand wasn’t too clammy or gross. We shook and Cole kept his eyes on me as he spoke.
    “So you’re Nova,” he said. “Henry kept saying we had to meet you.”
    “He’s always encouraging me to meet people,” I replied ruefully. I took my hand back, adjusted my messenger bag strap on my shoulder. He stuffed his hands back in his pockets.  
    Cole grinned at me and I knew instantly he could be a distraction. I’d have to be careful around him. I mean, I noticed that the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. And it made me feel all swoony. He looked a little like one of those hot CW actors, which did not suck on the eyes.  
    “You’re the Nova everyone’s talking about?” Penelope asked, snapping me out of my daze. Her gaze finally rested on me in surprise. Her big eyes unnerved me, like she was reading me as easily as my textbook. I didn’t want her attention on me for too long.  
    I nodded a little, glanced down the hallways at the students rushing into their classes.
    “Sorry about what happened to your sister,” she said bluntly. Cole winced and Henry stiffened next to me, his body leaning forward into mine.
    Old Nova might have fallen apart, but I—new Nova—wouldn’t let that happen. New Nova kept her emotions under control. Instead, I gave a sharp nod in thanks at her statement.  
    “They’re still talking about that, huh?” I asked. I kept my voice casual and shot Henry an I told you so glance. Penelope gave a disinterested shrug.  
    “Better get to class,” Henry said. He acted like he was taking note of our frantic classmates, but I knew he was trying to change the subject. Plus the bell was due to ring any second. “They’re on the same lunch schedule.”
    “Maybe we can join your table?” Cole said with a hopeful smile.  
    “Sure. See you after class,” I said as nonchalantly as possible. I quickly spun on my heel and took off for history class, slipping through the doorway as the bell rang.  
    God knows what the teacher discussed that period. To my own surprise, I didn’t think about the new kids or getting Andy’s attention. I contemplated the best way to throw Fortune off a very tall building. My thoughts were