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22.

Grace spotted Leila sitting at a table in the back of the dining hall, absently pushing her food around with her fork. With a sigh, she grabbed her tray and slid into the seat across from her.
"You look miserable," Grace said, setting down her drink.

Leila blinked up at her, snapping out of whatever daze she'd been in. "I'm fine."
"Liar." Grace smirked, then leaned in slightly. "So, I just met this guy."
Leila raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yeah, in the library. His name's Cullen," Grace said, her tone light but intrigued. "Tall, really tall. Broad shoulders, dark hair—and his smile? Ugh. Dangerous."
Leila finally cracked a small smile. "Sounds like someone has a new crush."
Grace rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. "I wouldn't go that far... yet. But he was interesting. And funny. I don't know, just something about him."

Before Leila could respond, a figure dropped into the seat beside her.

Jesci.

He didn't say anything right away, just leaned back in his chair like he belonged there. The weight of his presence was immediate, suffocating.Grace stiffened slightly. The words from Wayde and Macy echoed in her head. Jesci ruins everything he touches.

She swallowed hard, suddenly aware of him. Of the way Leila unconsciously leaned toward him. Of the way Jesci glanced at her, noticing the shift in her demeanor but not commenting on it.
Instead, he simply reached for one of Leila's fries and popped it into his mouth like nothing had changed.
But something had.
Grace just wasn't sure what.

Jesci reached for another one of Leila's fries, chewing slowly before casually asking, "Who were you talking about?"
Grace stayed silent, her lips pressing together.
Leila, on the other hand, glanced at Jesci and answered honestly. "Grace met a guy named Cullen."
Jesci scoffed instantly, shaking his head with a smirk like the name itself was a joke.
Grace narrowed her eyes. "What?"

Jesci leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out under the table. "Nothing."
"Doesn't sound like nothing," Leila said, studying him.
Jesci exhaled sharply through his nose, his smirk shifting into something more amused. "I know of Cullen."
Grace folded her arms. "And let me guess—you don't like him?"
Jesci let out a dry chuckle. "I don't."
Grace rolled her eyes. "Shocking. You don't like anyone?"
Jesci shrugged, feigning thought before tilting his head toward Leila. "I like her."
Leila felt her stomach dip, her cheeks heating slightly.
Jesci's gaze flicked back to Grace, his smirk returning. "And I tolerate you."
Grace scoffed, unimpressed. "How generous."
Jesci just grinned, stealing another one of Leila's fries.

Grace rolled her eyes but couldn't shake the way Jesci's words made her stomach turn. His smug attitude, his complete disregard for how his presence made people feel—it was exactly what Wayde and Macy had warned her about.
Jesci, meanwhile, had gone back to stealing Leila's food, as if he hadn't just declared his obvious favoritism out loud. Leila, on the other hand, was quiet, poking at her tray with her fork.

Grace cleared her throat. "Anyway," she said, steering the conversation back, "Cullen seems nice."
Jesci huffed a laugh. "Yeah, real nice."
Grace shot him a look. "What's your problem with him?"
Jesci shrugged. "Don't have one."
Grace narrowed her eyes. "You just happen to dislike him, for no good reason?"
Jesci leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "Some people just rub me the wrong way."
Leila finally looked at him. "Why?"
Jesci met her eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was debating whether or not to say more. But before he could, someone else slid into the seat next to Grace.

Dane.

He clapped a hand on Jesci's shoulder, grinning. "Look at you, all domesticated. Lunchtime with the missus?"
Jesci shoved Dane's hand off, rolling his eyes.
Dane chuckled before his gaze flickered between Grace and Leila. "What's the topic?"
"Cullen," Jesci answered flatly.
Dane let out a low whistle. "Ah, the golden boy. Good looks, good grades, good manners." His grin widened as he turned to Grace. "Should I be congratulating you?"
Jesci's jaw tensed.
Grace crossed her arms. "You both sound jealous."
Dane laughed. "Oh, sweetheart, Jesci and Cullen go way back."
Jesci shot him a sharp look. "Dane."
Dane just smirked, clearly enjoying himself.
Leila frowned slightly. "What happened?"
Jesci ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly before getting up from the table. "I need a smoke."
And just like that, he walked off.