The break bell rang before Minerva knew it.
"Hey Estelle, you want to walk with me? I'd like to get a coffee."
"Sure thing."
Minerva was fascinated with Estelle. The African-American teenager was cheerful and bubbly, much like Catherine, but shyer and more reserved, only speaking her mind if she was asked. Minerva like that about her.
"How was your life before you came here?" Minerva asked. "I don't know much about Harlem, but I watched enough gangster movies to know it can get pretty hairy."
Estelle blushed red with embarrassment, and silence passed for a few seconds. Minerva was about to wonder if she had crossed a line when she giggled and spoke up. "Yeah, it can get violent. Very violent. My dad was... He was involved in lots of gangs. It's kind of the reason we skipped town and moved."
"What happened?"
"The mobsters wanted to get to my dad. He was too protected by his gang for them to attack him directly, but one day they saw me and my mom crossing the street... That's the day I manifested. Started hauling neon signs halfway across the street. The stress was too much for me."
"Did anyone get hurt?"
"We didn't. Can't say the same for the hit men. Shortly after, my parents separated. My mom wasn't down with the street life. And a little time later, neither was my dad."
Minerva looked her new friend up and down. Estelle didn't look like the kind of person who had lived on the street; full lips and brown eyes, like the eyes of a deer. A slender body with the complexion of milk chocolate. Frizzy hair the color of brown sugar. Estelle looked more like a movie star than a street kid.
"So what about you?" Estelle asked. "What's your backstory?"
Minerva opened her mouth to speak but was cut short. A slender boy with cherry red slicked back hair, and porcelain skin strolled up to them, a new glass flask dangling from his belt. Oh great. Daimen.
"Hello ladies. Hello, Estelle." Daimen gently took hold of her hand and kissed it chivalrously. She blushed and smiled sheepishly. Minerva rolled her eyes and pulled them away. "What do you want Daimen?" She asked.
"Can't a guy talk with his classmates?"
"Sure, if you actually came to talk, and not flirt."
"Flirting is talking too."
Finished with his smart remarks, he turned his attention to Estelle. She smiled playfully, ready to poke some fun. "So Daimen, I see you have a new flask."
Daimen didn't lose a beat, his slick smile persistent. "I have numerous replacements."
"Didn't lose any Mercury, now did you?"
"Doesn't matter. I'll refill it."
"What can't you replace then, money-boy?"
"Oh, many things. Pity. Friendship. Beauty."
"Oh, you're smooth."
"I know."
Minerva had had enough. "So, Estelle, why don't we get that coffee? You know, the reason why we're walking in the first place?"
"Oh yeah. See you, Daimen."
They turned off a side road, Minerva waiting until Daimen was out of earshot before she fumed.
"What was that, Estelle?! You totally led him on!"
"I know right? For a bad boy, he's pretty charming."
"He's evil, babe. For real."
"No way. He's actually pretty cute."
"Yeah, in a "So when do I get to slit your throat" kind of way."
"Come on. Just give him a chance. You better not be jealous."
"Jealous that you were getting hit on by a future serial killer? Not really."
"Nah, I'm going for him. He's probably into some crazy stuff."
"Alright enough, I'm going to get a coffee, you just stay over here."
"Fine."
Minerva walked up to the coffee stand, standing behind the first student there. As he ordered, she looked up, confused. She was quite sure she recognized his voice...
The student turned around, sipping on his decaf. She recognized the rimless glasses and dark eyes immediately.
It was Virgil.
"Hey there, new girl."
"Oh.... Hey Virgil."
Virgil took another sip and leaned against a canopy post. "I couldn't see you during the ceremony. How did you find it?"
"I found it very... Inspiring."
"Your friend is staring at me."
Minerva did an embarrassing face slap and turned around. Estelle was staring, her mouth agape.
"I have to go... I'll see you at the house."
"Sure."
Fuming, she stormed over to Estelle, who was giving her best smirk. "Look who's talking about scary guys? I hear he needs a special ring just so he doesn't kill everyone."
"It's not like that."
"You would know."
Minerva opened her mouth to speak but was cut off for the second time by the ringing of the bell.
Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong!
"Come on, Minerva. You can explain at lunch."