Whitethorn Academy

Forty-Three

The rest of the day, I tried to pretend everything was normal. Alek was my silent shadow, saying nothing, but I could feel his lurking presence behind me the entire day.

I saw Naomi, though she didn't try to approach me again. The papers she had given me were tucked into my bag, ready for me whenever I decided I was ready to see what my friend had shared with Inara. I wasn't sure I'd ever be ready to know the truth.

Lunch passed in a blur and though I tried to eat, I just felt queasy. So I picked at my food. Alek glared at my barely touched plate, but said nothing. I wondered if he'd tell Inara I hadn't been eating.

"Hey new girl, haven't seen you around in a few days." Jason's voice reached me before he did. He gave a large grin as he reached the table, his smile making my heart skip a beat.

In all the craziness, I hadn't seen Jason since the library study session we'd had. Where he'd told me about the Black Cult and we'd shared a kiss.

Even thinking about the kiss made a blush creep across my cheeks. I hoped he wasn't able to tell. From his seat at the table, I could sense Alek's anger with Jason showing up.

"Yeah, I haven't been feeling well the last few days, so I've just been in my dorm, resting." The lie tasted like ash on my tongue, but I definitely didn't want to get into any of the events of the last few days with Jason in the middle of a crowded dining hall.

I'd had enough eyes on me as it was, after the incident with Mari this morning.

"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better then. I've missed seeing your face around campus."

Alek let out a snort, though he didn't take his eyes off his lunch tray.

Jason turned his attention to Alek, as if this were the first time he'd noticed him there. "Have something to say, Aleksander?"

"Nope."

Jason turned his attention back to me, though it was clear Alek's presence was annoying to him. "What happened to Naomi?"

I cleared my throat awkwardly, pushing bits of my salad around on my plate. "Naomi and I, we had a bit of a falling out. We aren't really speaking at the moment."

"You didn't have to slum it with Aleksander, new girl. I'll gladly welcome you at my table, if you'd like."

"She's fine where she is, Jason." Alek spoke with hatred in his voice and I fought the urge to sigh. As much as Mari hated me, I think Alek hated Jason even more.

"I don't think you get to speak for her, Aleksander. Why are you even here? Don't you have a girlfriend to bother?"

"I'm her new Guide," Alek said, with a smirk on his face. "Where she goes, I go. So I suggest you get lost before I lose my patience with you."

Ignoring Alek's warning, Jason leaned closer to me, close enough I could smell his cologne. "If you ever need to escape, let me know. I'll save you any day of the week."

Blushing harder than before, I gave Jason a smile as he leaned away.

"I'll see you around, new girl," he said with a wink, before he turned and headed out of the dining hall.

I stared at his disappearing form for a moment, before Alek's voice pulled my thoughts away from Jason.

"What did he say to you?"

I scoffed, stabbing a piece of lettuce. "None of your business."

"He's not a good person. You should stay away from him."

"Like you're such a good judge of character. Mari? Celeste? You're like the poster child for poor decision making."

Ignoring my quip, Alek stood, obviously done with this conversation.