r, chairs scraping-but none of it holds my attention. It never does when I know Kieran hasn't walked in yet.

s on th

us. Nina bounces into her seat to my right, notebook out before the bel

er squad. Charlotte is the most noticeable, already mid-

of blockhead friends, all of them talking over one another. They're

ing on my face. I make my way toward Kieran's designated des

you all to kneel!" I shout, startling a few stu

nd glaring at me. His eyes practically sc

o on. Woof woof," I say with a smir

gh. When they fail to figure it out, just as I planned, Kieran

rf

forward slightly. Kieran watches me with wary confusi

his head with my fingers, grinning from ear to ear. "You d

om my fingers. "I'll be waiting

forced to lean back, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before he

e confused," okay, I di

t was unnecessary. Foolish,

friend and Robert's stepbrother-yes, that Robert-asks f

es my lips twitch. He looks like he hasn't slept in weeks. Robert did mention that Shade has bee

s on Kieran again. He's looking at me like I

the seed of

oth motion and press a

e hits

intakes of breath, and exclamations.

or loses his so

r opens and the

ee

. I give a flirty wink, then break into laughter from looking at the flab

but the final resu

na whispers from behind me, her

a quiet chuckl

n unison as the teacher steps behind his desk, glanci

gave before the end of last semester?"

t not. I fall firmly into the latter. There is nothing exc

me show everyone what you w

ent smile already in place as he makes his way

y pride. "A flash camera pen. If I press this button, it emit

ng around. "Shou

shouts in near

Always prepared, Robert. That'

nothing to do with science, but there are rules to friendship, a

" Lydia

Our dearest Rober

ting my gaze drift around

one already laced with disapproval, "w

tched, hands behind his head. "I worked on ma

urse

slowly. "That's an

Not everyone has the brain of a dodo." He glance

eth. Just because he's always at the top of the cla

"you use that genius mind for no

n existence, and the teacher moves on befo

yd

es his mouth. At the front, she clears her throat, grins,

erupts int

nald d

earned over the break?" he

she replies

F

pushing herself up and returning

er than anyone els

Mr. Dona

energy using citric acid," she explains, already setting up a small demonstration. She connec

s immediate-ge

ld says, clearly pleased. "

o her seat without drawing a

ion to me. He looks like he expects absolutely

my hand as I make my way to the front, aware

, eyeing it with mild irritatio

t answ

y and meet Kieran's eyes, offer

ack