began to clear out. She wasn't in any hurry. Blending in or

beside her. They twirled their hair and giggled in that rehears

cafeteria?" one of them asked swe

a. "Aurelia and I already have plans," he said flatly, and before she could even reg

they reached the hallway. Her eyes flashed wi

didn't care. She turned to walk away, but Nico c

girls are... relentless. But could you please come to t

her gaze narrowing. "Fine," sh

he two walked side by side in

ant. Students were seated at small tables, and waiters moved from on

ooth, Nico broke the silence. "

kle. "You don't seem like t

, "I have to when something or

stly, I don't even want to be here. My aunt insisted, and there was no arguing.

d the conversation paused b

ally," Nico said between bites. "It

urelia raised an eyebr

lightly.

ads turning toward their table. Whispers pa

y eyes on us," she mutte

co said with a shrug.

"You seem... different now. War

asked, tilt

you were giving m

ferent moods for di

into casual gists and observations. All the while, curious eyes watche

rried. By the time the final lesson began, everything felt routine again until Nico abruptly packed up his thi

shrugged and began arranging her bo

l," a voice c

tanding in front of her desk, arms c

Ginny. Just so you know we've got our eyes on Nico. So

ly unbothered. "So you two want to... share him

pled across the classroom. H

d," someon

in trouble. She's so beautiful," another

d. "I see you like t

trying to stir. If you want Nico, go get him. I'm not stopping you. Telling me you've got yo

silence

you do have a point. Threatening you

"She's the first girl he's ever taken to

d smile. "That was just an

, her voice now holdi

er bag over her shoulder. "It was

ul, unaffected and headed out of the class

hool?" Leah asked as Aurelia slid

e seat with a sigh. "Two girls were trying to pick a fight with m

ring wheel as she pulled out of the school

to move, the weight of the day starting t

"but your school has finished preparing the boarding rooms. Guardians and parents were supposed to get their children's things r

you kidding me, Aunt? Just

. "You're the only family I have left,

any harm in you living at the school. I want only the best

and rolled her eyes again, her

er would have wanted

laying that card with me? For sixteen years of my life, you never talk about my m

ng. Leah didn't answer immediately. She kept her eye

born. She gave you your name. And she's not here to take care of you, no

ht. She turned to loo