Page 20 of Crush
“And then?” Aiko’s eyes widen with eagerness as we slow in front of the door to my first class.
“Then we figure out where Thorne really was the moment Savannah went missing.” I fold my arms across my chest, my backpack’s straps tightening on my shoulders. “I doubt his alibi’s true, and now that I’m a part of you-know-what, I bet I can get real answers.”
Aiko’s lips part. “You’d put yourself at risk like that? They could be the reason she’s—” She clamps her mouth shut as students filter between us and sit at their desks.
The first bell hasn’t rung yet, but the hallway’s getting crowded. I say to Aiko, “They are the reason. They have to be.”
With the way Aurora and Thorne run the Nobles and Virtues, the challenges they make us complete despite passing our initiation, there’s no way the secret societies are innocent. I try to convey all of this in my voice, my face, without saying anything too suspicious in public.
“You’re right.” Aiko’s chin dips in a curt nod. “I’m so glad you’re with me on this, Ember. No one’s taken me seriously before.”
“I’ve got your back.” I reach over and squeeze her arm. “I’ll see you at lunch, okay?”
She smiles in return, then waves before disappearing down the hallway.
The weight of my chest is heavier than my bag as I turn into the classroom and find my assigned seat. Aiko misses her stepsister so much, enough to put herself on the Societies’ radar. That alone should have me wanting to find Savannah first, and not just as a bonus to Thorne’s demise.
Aiko’s worth it. My friendship with her matters. Perhaps, if I reorganize my thoughts, I could lessen my anger enough to—
“This seat taken?”
I jolt, lifting my gaze to a set of merry green eyes surrounded by sharp, light brown features and close-cropped hair. A light smattering of freckles bridges his nose, but not in a youthful way. More in a I’ve traveled a shit ton more places than you and laid in the sun surrounded by exotic landscapes you’ll never lay your fuckin’ eyes on kind of way.
“It’s a joke,” he amends. “I’m the taken seat. This is assigned to Zeke Aiden, right?”
I blink. “I don’t—I’ve never—there’s never been someone…”
What’s the matter with me? Do I not speak English anymore?
The cute guy chuckles before taking the empty seat at the double desk, a spicy, clean scent wafting with his movement. “I get it. Too early for small talk. I’ll let you finish your coffee.”
I glance down at the cup Aiko gave me, still stupidly clutched against my chest. I think I’ve also sat down with my bag still on my back. Zeke must think I’m a moron.
Why do I care?
“Sorry.” Even though I have nothing to apologize for. I set the coffee on the desk and slip the straps off my shoulder. “Case of the Mondays, I guess.”
“Totally understand. It’s been a while since I’ve participated in a school setting. I probably need to work on my conversation starters.”
His smile is so disarming that I can’t help but smile back, forgetting what I was brooding over for a brief few seconds.
“My dad does research with silverbacks. Gorillas,” Zeke continues. “I’ve been homeschooling with my mum while we traveled with him this past year.”
“So I was right.”
Zeke raises his brows. “Come again?”
“Oh—uh. Your face. You look … well-traveled.” I say it into my chest as my chin has gone lower and lower in mortification. When is the teacher getting here?
But instead of pointing and laughing derisively, like the student body at Winthorpe tends to do, his smile pulls wider. “You calling me old?”
“No! You’re just…”
“Gorgeously exotic?”
Oh, Jesus. “That’s not what I—”
“Relax.” He laughs louder, and it’s the aural equivalent to river logs rolling over rocks in a strong current. “I’m just shitting with you. I’m sure it’s a combination of my accent, my good looks, and my charm that has you studying me so hard.”