Elyra leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So, you like him too."
Charlotte blinked. 'Straight to the point, huh?'
Elena's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Elyra…"
"What?" Elyra shrugged. "It's better to be clear about things. We both know what kind of person Noel is. It's not strange others would feel the same."
Charlotte let out a breath and gave a wry smile. "Yeah. I guess I do like him."
The silence that followed wasn't awkward—just thoughtful. The kind that only happened when girls dropped their masks and decided to speak plainly.
Elyra was the first to break it again. "Then let's talk. Honestly."
Elyra tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing with a calculating glint. "So, out of all the boys in the academy… why Noel?"