SuperNova: Heroes of Arcania by Liz Long Page B

no longer boys and parties; I wanted Fortune’s blood on my hands. It was all that truly mattered.

    As promised, Cole and Penelope followed Henry to our lunch table where I already sat. Henry immediately hit journalism mode—he wanted to know everything about everyone. Thank god he thought he already knew everything about me.
    “So what brings you to Arcania?”
    “Our dad got a new job,” Cole said. “He works for Arcania Bank now.”
    I paused, gave him a stare that was probably angrier than it should’ve been. My voice came out with too much bite. “New head of security?”
    “Yeah, actually,” Cole said, clearly not getting my question. “They had someone working there for a bit, but he didn’t want the job permanently.”  
    “Don’t see why not,” I mumbled. “Not like that particular bank would get attacked again.”
    Henry grimaced; Cole looked uncomfortable, putting two and two together. A twinge of guilt went through me; I shouldn’t be snapping at the new kid. Penelope’s gaze floated around the cafeteria, not seeming to take a word of our conversation in. I met Henry’s eyes and the look on his face was clear: could I please play nice for thirty minutes?  
    I sighed. “Sorry, Cole.”
    He shook his head. “No, I am. Really, I’m sorry. I didn’t think…”
    “It’s okay,” I said firmly. “I can’t go taking out my frustration on everyone who mentions it or gives me a strange look.” I’d half-directed that comment at Penelope, who still hadn’t so much as looked at me. She continued to ignore me.
    “Anyway, he got the new job and we moved here about a month ago,” Cole said.  
    I noticed Cole had a tendency to keep his hands to himself. Not like my own wild motions that occasionally clotheslined passersby.  
    “Technically, we had to move, since I got kicked out of our last school,” Penelope tossed in, looking as though it were no big deal.  
    Henry’s eyebrows shot up, the right side of his mouth pulling up in an interested smile. “For what?”  
    “Her attitude,” Cole answered before she could, giving his little sister what could only be described as a warning look. Before Henry could question it, Cole laughed good-naturedly, changing the subject. “I’m glad school finally started since we needed to meet some people. We had to help Dad with housework and I was about to lose my mind.”
    Henry pushed his glasses up on his nose and I could see him fighting not to ask about Penelope’s past. “Do either of you have any hobbies? Any plans to try out or join any extracurriculars?”  
    “Geez, Henry,” I said with a laugh. “Let them eat.”  
    “I know, I know,” he said. “But these are things people want to know.”
    “We don’t usually get involved at our schools.”  
    “How come?” I asked.  
    “Not enough time,” Penelope tossed in while she stared at someone several tables over. Her snide grin at some personal joke made me all the more curious.  
    Cole bit his lip and I felt like maybe this time I’d overstepped my bounds. “Um, we move around a lot. I kind of thought since this was my senior year, I should try something different. Do you do anything, Nova?”
    “I’m on yearbook,” I answered, following his change of subject. “And if you couldn’t tell, Lois Lane over here is on the school newspaper, so be careful if you want anything off the record.”
    Penelope laughed, a short, high-pitched sound like tinkling bells. “I think I’ll shop around. I’m more of an observer. I participate when necessary.”
    My friend Amber stopped by the table. I stood up and we gave each other a big hug.   We’d been close over the last two years, but after Starling died and I retreated into my own personal bubble, Amber and I didn’t talk as much. To her credit, she really did try to keep our friendship as it had always been. We’d had a couple lunches after school ended, but it died off as she got busier with extracurriculars and I fell