With Lucy’s gentle encouragement, Ileana nervously returned <b>to </b><b>the </b><b>ssroom</b>. At first, difort clung to her every movement, but as she realized no <b>one </b><b>was </b>paying her any special attention, she finally exhaled in relief. Gone was <b>the </b>cheerful, outgoing girl from before; in her ce was someone careful and <b>quiet</b><b>, </b>doing everything possible to avoid drawing notice.
Whenever she identally made a noise, no matter how small, Ileana would <b>nce </b>anxiously at Lucy. Only when Lucy met her eyes with a reassuring nod did she allow herself to rx again.
Of course, others noticed this change in her, too. Her air of wounded vulnerability was so conspicuous that most people simply decided to ignore her. The day passed without further incident–a wee relief.
After school, crowds of students poured out of the building.
“Hey, isn’t that Max?” someone whispered nearby.
“Who?”
“You know, the guy who’s always on the school website. Didn’t you go to the family party yesterday?”
Realization dawned on the friend, who smacked herpanion’s arm, excitement written all over her face. “He’s even more stunning in person than in those photos. No wonder no one’se close to knocking him off his pedestal all these years.”
“What’s he doing here?”
“Want to bet? Is he here for Alessia or Ileana?”
“My money’s on Ileana. He was the one who stepped in and calmed things down yesterday. Besides, she’s his little sister. Alessia’s been at this school forever–have you ever seen Max show up for her?”
“Are we about to witness a doting big brother moment?” one friend said, eyes sparkling, unconsciously slowing her pace as she kept ncing toward where Max
stood.
“You know, you might be onto something,” the other girl replied, instantly convinced. Several others who’d witnessed yesterday’s drama drifted over, curiosity pulling them like mas.
After all, gossip is practically a sport among teenagers.
<b>1/2 </b>
16:43
<b>Chapter </b><b>83 </b>
<b>Fortunately</b>, <b>they </b><b>didn’t </b>have <b>to </b>wait <b>long </b><b>before </b><b>one </b><b>of the </b><b>story’s </b><b>stars </b><b>appeared</b>.
“Ileana, isn’t that your brother?<b>” </b>Lucy nudged her. Ileana had <b>already </b><b>spotted </b><b>him </b>her whole face brightened, convinced Max was here to stand up for her <b>after </b>everything that had happened.
As Max himself had said, they were both Tates. There was no way <b>they’d </b>let <b>the </b>family’s reputation take a hit–at least not in front of everyone. Max had handledst night’s fiasco with grace and authority, and that alone made Ileana certain he’de today for her sake.
“Yeah, after my little brother’s antics at the party yesterday, Max spent the whole night reassuring me. He promised to take me out for a fancy dinner,” Ileana said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, a soft smile settling on her lips.
Lucy nodded, understanding. “Then go on–don’t keep your brother waiting.”
“Come with me! I want to introduce you,” Ileana insisted, grabbing Lucy’s hand before she could protest.
Lucy blushed, flustered. “I–I’m not sure that’s a good idea…”
“You’re my only real friend here–why wouldn’t it be? Don’t worry, Max doesn’t bite.” Ileana’s pride was obvious; whether in the Morton family or the Tate family, her older brother was always someone she boasted about.
Lucy finally gave in, letting Ileana pull her along.
“Max!” Ileana called, grinning as she waved at him, dragging Lucy through the crowd.
“Max, what are you doing here? I told you you didn’t have to pick me up,” she said, carefully choosing her words so he wouldn’t identally let anything slip.
She let go of Lucy’s hand and moved to hug her brother, but Max sidestepped, the faint crease in his brow betraying his irritation.
Ileana froze, ncing instinctively at Lucy, whose expression was nk with confusion, as if she’d just snapped out of a daze. Only then did Ileana’s tense smile
return.
Chapter <b>84 </b>