I Don't Trust You... (JR) BOOK 1

Chapter 17

Third person POV:

As everyone was caught up in their own conversation, Zoe remained quiet, as usual. She felt as though she shouldn't be in this kind of environment because she was afraid to break something.

That and the fact that she is afraid to get punished.

Jade, who was having her own little conversation with Miyagi and Shinobu, kept stealing little glances at her every five seconds. Even though Zoe had no expression on her face, she knew that she was on edge and wanted nothing more than to leave. Faith knew as well and occasionally patted Zoe's hand as a way to comfort her.

Nowaki kept glancing back and forth between the three girls, curious as to what they were up to. He could sense that Zoe was nervous by the way she was stiffly seated in the chair. He wanted to ask her, but decided against it. It could wait until later.

"Ah, Kamijou-sensei! What made you want to become Zoe's Foster parents?" Misaki asked, bringing all the attention towards him and Hiroki.

Zoe perked up a bit, curious as well. 'Why did they pick me?' She thought.

Hiroki glanced at Nowaki and Nowaki glanced back, then smiled at Zoe from across the table. Zoe looked at him for a second, then bowed her head as Hiroki started to talk.

"To be honest, Zoe seemed quite interesting when we first met her." He says shrugging. "Even though she was rude..." he adds the last part, glancing at her.

Jade and Faith look at her and she dips low in her seat. 'Interesting? What's that supposed to mean?' She thought again.

She glanced at Nowaki and he smiled at her. "I have to agree. There was just something about her that was... special."

Zoe's eyes widen and her head snaps up, looking at Nowaki. Jade and Faith both giver her a concerned look as she stands abruptly.

"I have to go to the...bathroom..." she mumbles. Before anyone could say anything, she walks out of the dining room and down the hall. Everyone looks shocked and confused.

"What was that about?" Shinobu asks after a moment of awkward silence. Jade glanced at Faith and Faith looks back at her, nodding her head. They both stand up and bow to everyone.

"Please excuse us. We'll go talk to her." Jade says.

They both run off after their friend before the adults could say anything. Misaki looks at everyone and nervously starts to speak.

"Is, um she okay? Did you say something wrong?"

Hiroki looks at Nowaki, then closes his eyes and sighs, putting his hand on his head. "In all honesty, we don't know."

"She never really speaks, unless you talk to her directly." Nowaki adds.

"On top of that, there's no telling what she's thinking because she doesn't show emotion." Hiroki grumbles.

Usami raises and eyebrow. "Do you know why she acts that way?"

Nowaki and Hiroki shake their heads. "No, she doesn't talk to us." Hiroki says.

"What about Jade and the other girl, Faith?" Miyagi speaks up.

Hiroki frowns and crosses his arms. "What about them?"

"Do you think they know about Zoe? I mean, they seem pretty close to me." Miyagi says, shrugging a bit.

   Nowaki shook his head. "Not that we know of-"