The two girls left the ssroom, chatting andughing, while the rest of the students began packing up their things one after another.


    At the front gates, Zachary was already waiting. Wanting to avoid drawing. unnecessary attention, he lingered just outside Crestview High, eyes fixed on the building across the street. He was hoping to see Alessia emerge, but instead, he locked eyes with Ileana.


    Zachary’s expression flickered with emotion. Ileana, however, only hesitated for a split second before looking away, pretending not to recognize him at all.


    “What’s wrong?” Lucy followed Ileana’s gaze, but Ileana quickly gave her hand a gentle tug.


    “It’s nothing. But you have to promise me you’lle to the family wee dinner tomorrow. You’re my first real friend here. I’ll feel so much better if you’re there.”


    “Of course I’lle, don’t worry.” Lucy pulled her gaze back, patted Ileana’s shoulder, and smiled sweetly.


    “My driver’s here, so I’ll head off.” Ileana waved, climbing into the car.


    “Yeah, bye!” Lucy waved back, her smile unwavering until Ileana’s car had disappeared around the corner. Then her face dropped, the warmth vanishing as quickly as it hade. She shot Zachary a cold nce before getting into her own


    car.


    Zachary stayed where he was, certain that Ileana had seen him–she’d just chosen to act as if she hadn’t.


    He lowered his head, the corners of his mouth drooping in a faint, bitter smile. “Right. You take your road, I’ll take mine. Maybe that’s for the best.” His voice was barely a whisper, swept away by the wind.


    “Zach!” A cheerful voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Alessia waving, making her way towards him.


    “Did you wait long?”


    “Not at all. How’s your hand?” He reached for Alessia’s backpack, but she shook her head and kept it.


    “The ointment your mentor gave me? If it’s from her, you know it’ll work.”


    Zachary chuckled and ruffled her hair.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    <b>14:41 </b>


    Chapter ou


    “Let me introduce you–my childhood friend, Ste. Ste, this is my brother.”


    “Hi,” Zachary greeted. Ste nodded politely, but didn’t say much else.


    “Well, I’m heading out.” Ste’s goal had clearly been to see Zachary; now that she had, she seemed satisfied. Their easy interaction made it obvious–Alessia would never let just anyone mess up her hair.


    “Some new spirits just arrived at the bar. I’m going to check them out,” Ste murmured in Alessia’s ear.


    Alessia nodded. “Go on, see you tomorrow.”


    With a casual wave, Ste turned and vanished around the corner.


    “I’ll go see if Mom and Dad need any help. If you want, you can wait for me at the bus stop?”


    “Huh? Why would I wait at the bus stop?”


    Zachary scratched his nose, and only then did Alessia notice the curious nces from people passing by. Crestview High and Aristocrat Academy students walking together–definitely not something you saw every day.


    “You embarrassed to be seen with me?” Alessia grinned, suddenly understanding.


    “No way!” Zachary’s eyes went wide with surprise.


    “Then let’s go.”


    “But-”


    Alessia didn’t wait for him to finish, striding ahead. Zachary could only sigh and hurry to catch up.


    “It’s not that I’m embarrassed,” he exined hurriedly. “I just didn’t want people from your school seeing us together and making things difficult for you.”


    “Have I done anything illegal?”


    “No… no, of course not.”


    “Have you done anything illegal?”


    “Also… no.”


    “Then what’s the problem?” Alessia’s gaze was open and direct–so honest that it made Zachary feel a little ashamed.


    All this time, he’d assumed the academy kids would look down on someone from


    <b>14-41 </b>


    Crestview High. But standing here, he realized just how narrow–minded <b>he’d </b><b>been</b>.