SOUL DORM

60

Stand by me...

***

CHAPTER 60:

COURT JESTER

On the last day of classes for the week, I woke up with a splitting headache after a restless night filled with relentless thoughts. Although Angel Ria's syrup had somewhat eased my discomfort, I struggled to muster the motivation to get ready for class. Seeing 'Drama' on my schedule only added to my reluctance—my life was already like a tangled series, and I certainly didn't need any additional drama.

Reluctantly, I headed to the cafeteria. Lark and Helene had missed breakfast this morning, and Diego and Ursa had already set off early for a brisk walk to class. With Tarben nowhere to be seen, I sat alone, listlessly pushing food on my plate. My dreary breakfast should have been a sign of how the rest of the day would unfold, yet I was still unprepared for the looming darkness. Just as I was leaving, a voice called out from behind me. I didn't immediately recognize it, and before I could turn around to identify the speaker, they were already standing next to me.

"Olive!" Lea chirped. The sullen expression she had last night was gone, replaced once again by her bubbly demeanor. "Heading to class?"

I tried to return her warm smile. "Yes, you?"

"Me too. But mine isn't much fun today. Yours sounds wonderful, though—Drama, right?"

"Uh, yeah..." I continued walking.

Of course, she knew about my class; Mars must have told her, or perhaps she had seen it herself. They might have woken up together and opened the envelope hand in hand this morning. I quickly dismissed the flurry of images that invaded my mind. Despite my efforts, my forced smile faded. Why wouldn't Lea just leave me alone? Instead, she grabbed me, spinning me around to face her. She scanned the corridor to ensure we were alone before leaning in close.

"Olive," she said, taking a deep breath. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something."

Now, prickles of anxiety ran through my stomach. I tensed under Lea's grip.

"You know," she continued, "Mars has always been a bit of a free spirit, and his past isn't exactly a secret. I'm his first serious girlfriend. I'm certain he loves me, but..." She pursed her lips, hesitating. "It's hard not to wonder where he is, who he's with, what he's doing..."

It seemed this girl was blissfully unaware of whom she was dating. Even if Mars had forsaken all other girls for her, would those girls so easily give up on Mars? Especially with Pam leading them... It was a miracle nothing terrible had happened to Lea already. Perhaps as long as Mars kept the princess happy, she chose to ignore who else stood by Mars's side. The thought made my stomach churn, but I managed to keep my expression neutral.

"I was thinking..." Lea was saying. "Since you're always with Mars, being his soulmate and all, you're the only one who can help me."

My brows must have furrowed deeply because the headache I was nursing worsened. "I don't understand," I said, genuinely puzzled. What was she talking about?

She chuckled softly. "It's quite straightforward," she confided. "I need you to keep an eye on Mars for me."

"I can't do that..." I was about to say.

"Please, Olive!" she interrupted eagerly. "I can't trust anyone else." Before I could ask why she trusted me, she added, "You're different. There's hardly a girl Mars hasn't hung out with in this school. But you're not one of them. If he had any interest in you, he would have shown it by now. He clearly regards you more like a sister. I saw it in art class, and his actions confirmed it last night." She grasped both of my hands earnestly. "Help me, please. I won't have peace of mind otherwise."