, still talking over one another while Lydia continues mocking Eve'

ed ready to pass

dy to sue," Cha

ugly," Rihan

Lydia agrees

the hallway thanks to the blasting air conditioning, and sunlight pours through the tall windows alon

ke the desk. Nina settles calmly at the table ahead of us, already

n't b

eside me. "You know," he says, "one da

it happen without a fig

ai

ars near the doorway clutching books t

turns.

ts you in

busy and I'll come before lunch." Then, with com

ly before glancing

lly, and the poor girl nearly

ely twists. "Seriousl

rugs. "Sh

lirting with fres

. "Relax. He winked.

ts her a d

tely raises bot

y about creepy behavior from older stude

e. She's obviously too young for me." Then he

him before h

a

y, dropping to his knees while th

says before casually smack

teamwork," I ex

gh, g

stantly restoring order without even trying. She's gorgeous, intimidating,

ore

e says calml

roans. "I think

t permanent if I

l wincing dramatically while Bianca shoves him a

ssa says with

ling innocently despite being the

us accusingly. "I hate e

?" we ask swee

nstincts kick

Noth

patience of a man who has dealt with me

students, not staff, not even hi

ooks seconds away f

unbothered while Kieran and his friends remain trapped in the cl

says immediately, his voice

asantly. "T

ired. "Kara, please don't mak

tunately for him, politics exist. My parents are close family friends, and exp

yes, Kieran and Ri

nfortunate

relessly before Rihanna cl

gh

till her

tly. "I mean... he

ed to this chair,"

ay committed t

rough the argument. "Kara, I gen

ds

r that constantly falls into his eyes, soft hazel eyes so large they make him look permanently innocent, and the kind of fac

that he's genuin

ike a very tall emotional support puppy. Bianca has been hopelessly in love with him f

e too?" he asks aga

u were near

," Bianca corrects s

exactly what he's doing. His pout deepens slightly as he looks at her through those

turns red al

brot

Hudson drags o

t dramatically. "That sho

annoyance. "Stop we

es inno

ehow make

s seconds away from

ness any more of whatever this is. I reach into my bag, pull

ks him

hat th

dissolver,

s immediately.

iggles so hard she

singly. "You're emb

e," Rihanna s

," Bianc

work here is done." Then I lean toward Mr. P and

ly pushing me toward the door. "Please leave

anna calls swee

e hallway again, Kieran's

ate

even tur

it up,

y pleased with myself. And honestly? He's