Chapter 15

Amara POV

Alexia has been ghosting me; she won't return my calls or texts.

She can avoid me online but not here at school—actually, she already attempted that. She skipped school yesterday, and we missed our marathon for the first time in two years. I can't even imagine the ambit of her anger. The picture is misleading, but what makes it worse is that she had expressed her frustration about Mr King, Alister's father, not wanting her at those high-profile events, and she wanted to attend as a way of establishing a sense of permanence in Alister's life. And that she took the responsibility for their relationship, and his duty to his family with the utmost of solemnity.

Instead, it was Alister and I eye-to-eye.

I crane my neck, my face darting as I try to scour every fleeting face that flits past my vision. Vanko seizes my attention, speaking to Brett Taylor. I thought he was going to execute one of his earth-shattering ploys. Instead he releases my gaze, disregarding me with the same cold nonchalance as the day he first arrived in Braidwood. As if I would care. It's third period, and Alexia always has to pass through here to get to her math class. It was this shortcut or go around the peripheral building on the other side. She may be avoiding me, but she is no coward or stranger to confrontation.

A hand grasps my elbow with almost imperceptible gentleness. Alister.

Guilt grips my heart, looking up into those tumultuous eyes untouched by sleep.

I shake my head ruefully. I take his forearm and I draw him to the rims before I let go.

"Nothing."

Alister winces, looking away, his frown deepening, appearing more harried.

"Did your parents see the picture?"

He casts me a slightly baffled look. "You mean the headlines, the front page? Everyone saw it. And my father..."

Panic overtakes me in that moment. "Oh my—what did he say?"

"Why do you look so mortified?" he questions with a tincture of chagrin. "I think you forget how renown you are, your parentage aside. People our age may not care, but actual people of importance do. He said: now that is union he would be pleased to parade. Because everything is about him."

"I'm gonna find her, and make this right—" I move my head to catch his gaze, "—and hey. You did nothing wrong. We did nothing. All we did was attend a function at our parents' bidding."

Alister's brows furrow, nodding stiffly as he struggles to accept a simple truth.

"I know that," he says in a murmuring rush. "Difficult to be composed when your source of serenity is absent."

My gaze hits the floor, doubly wounded. When I look back up, I spot Alexia closeby. I can't see her facial expression from this distance, but I don't get a chance to because she spins on her heels, diluting into the crowd. My hand smacks Alister's chest—his eyes fly up, following my line of sight and we dash on point in unison. He and I weave, dodge and race to Alexia, who dunks into the girl's bathroom. Two girls come out and Alister comes at full speed like he's about to barge inside. I snap my arm out to block his way.

"In case you hadn't noticed." My eyes point to the sign on the door. "These aren't unisex bathrooms. Let me, okay?"

Without much of a choice, he concedes a nod and retreats only to lean against the sidewall.

"Don't you have to get to class, Mr student-president?"

"Some things are incomparably more important, Miss Smith."

My hand taps the wall on my way. I ease inside to see Alexia fixing her flawlessly shaped winged eyeliner. Suddenly, each rise of my foot feels heavier and my pace slows as I make my way to her, pausing when I am at the basin next to hers. I reel out my chapstick and I apply it on with my gaze locked on my reflection. I pocket it when I'm done.

"Why is this awkward?" she says jadedly before storing her eyeliner away.

"National geographic says, except for a bear, to never look an apex predator in the eye."

Alex breaks into a fear-thawing grin and nudges me with a playful jab to the ribs.

"You got some balls on you, kid."

"Nothing happened," I say quickly and bluntly. "The tabloids made it into something it's not, and—"

She flips up a silencing hand. My lips seal close.

"Two things I am sure about in this world. One of my brothers eating the leftovers I left for myself for after school. And the fact that Alister is as loyal as a golden retriever. I am not mad at him."

"Me?" I ask uneasily.

She gives me this regretful look that makes my heart plummet.

"You're mad at me?" A crack in my voice.

"No," she says uncomfortably, like there's a lie behind the truth. "Not mad. I guess... I've been shunned out of Alister's world, and you're welcomed... honored even. I am not mad at you. I'm kinda jealous, okay, there." She forces herself straight and plants her palms on the countertop. "I know it's stupid and doesn't make sense—and neither of your guys' fault."

"Hey, your feelings matter," I say to validate them even if she doesn't understand them. "There's not much I can do about attending these events, our families run in the same circle. But I can make sure I don't even come within ten feet of Alister—"

"No." She faces me fast and swats that offer away. "I like that the two of you have each other to keep the other sane in, what I picture, to be excruciatingly boojey and uptight functions. My envy comes from the fact that I'll never fit in his world, and his father is adamant in reminding me without saying a word to my face."

I drape my one arm over her shoulders, pulling her into a side-hug. Eventually, she rests her cheek on my shoulder and wraps her arms around my waist.

"The only opinion about yourself that matters is your own," I say to her reflection in the mirror. "You have never needed anyone's validation. And when Mr King sees that you're in it for the long haul, he will have no choice but to see what the rest of us do."

Alexia pushes me away with a scrunched up nose. "Grouse, don't be giving me butterflies and shit."

I prop out my collar pompously, pulling a pose.

She gags and makes her start for the door. I slide over to impede her.

"You should know your man is waiting outside the door," I say with my thumb signaling behind me.

She nods carefully, finally ready to face him.

"By the way, you owe Kenji and I another movie night since you flaked on Monday."

Alex throws an apathetic glance over her shoulder and shoves the door open.

¬¬¬

During history class, a text blinks on my screen. I almost didn't recognize it and wondered whose phone it is because it technically isn't mine, but it is mine. If I still had my phone, I would've kept it if Vanko hadn't disposed of it. In fact, today has been eerily quiet, a foreboding peace that feels like an illusion. For I know better, chaos lurks around, just waiting for me to turn my back again.

Alex: Alister wants to take me and my brothers out tonight for dinner.

Me: I am not seeing the problem here??

Alex: My brothers hate him even more, because they think he steppin out on me with you.

Me: I am not a home-wrecker! And Alister ain't a homie-hopper.

Alex: I know, which is why I want you to come and play peacemaker. My bros will find anything to hate on Alister, they see him as an entitled rich bitch. And they can make things difficult like a divorced mom trying to date again.

Me: I can shuffle things around. Where's the place?

Alex: Oceania

Me: That's quite an entitled rich b*tch move

Alex: I know! I begged him to do a regular burger joint like a regular person but he goes and books a 5-star restaurant.

Me: No worries, I'm sure we can smoothen everything out.