Silver: The Lost Royal

3| Conclusions

THE last bell didn't give Karyn as much vigor as she desired, but she was grateful for it. She dragged her feet down to her locker where she met Elowen and Marcela in a conversation.

It was only after Marcela had concluded with Elowen and bade them goodbye that her best friend asked, "How was your class with your tourists?"

Elowen then moved to rest her shoulder on the locker as Karyn perused through hers.

"They ended up being partners for music class."

"I thought you were having a theory class today?" Elowen asked. Her best friend had some knowledge of how their music classes worked.

"Yeah, but Zack made Mr. Brian excited when he said he wasn't there just for extra credits, so he made this class practical."

"Typical. Did he set them together?"

"No, he allowed them to choose, and Zack chose Gema."

Elowen's brows rose. "And what do you think about that?"

She shrugged and cleared her throat to avoid her voice going a pitch higher as she said, "There's nothing... peculiar about it."

Despite her words, she couldn't ignore the uneasy feeling that Zack's sudden interest in Gema had sparked. Was it simply because they shared a passion for the same musical instrument, or was there something more?

The questions he asked and the underlying tones she had yet to decipher all made her feel there was more to it. She wanted to dismiss it as nothing, but talking with Elowen was making her think about it.

"If you ask me—"

"And I didn't."

"I think," Elowen continued, ignoring Karyn's quip. "Zack has an interest in Gema. He seemed so fascinated by her during lunch."

"Good for him," she said and closed her locker with a little more force than necessary.

"What's wrong? Does that thought bother you?" Elowen tilted her head with a smirk.

She couldn't deny it, because she knew Elowen would see through it. So she asked, "Why would it?"

Elowen was quick to tease. "Because you find him attractive, and the mere fact he could have an interest in someone else kills any... dreams."

"That's—"

"I mean it's fine. I find him attractive too. But I know my chances diminish every time you're with him," Elowen said and giggled.

She narrowed her eyes at Elowen, who knew of how much the uncharacteristic giggle grated on her nerves. But she cast it away with a smile when she caught sight of Elowen's teasing blue eyes and wide, toothy grin.

"I've only known him for a day. I can't even call him a friend yet."

Elowen scoffed in disagreement. "Ever heard of infatuation at first sight?"

She groaned. "No, I've not, because there's nothing like that. And I am not infatuated with him."

"Okay, I'll believe you for now because I know you don't do dark and broody boys, given how Luke is anything but that."

At the mention of Luke, her smile flattened. She moved to rest her head back on her locker, giving Elowen a view of her side profile. "Speaking of Luke, he had lunch with Maria today."

"Maria, as in SAC-President Maria?" Elowen asked, and she nodded. "I thought they were rivals?"

"The elections and campaigns must have brought them closer."