Chapter 29 +15 BONUS Chapter 29 The silence that followed was thick with calculation. Zane glanced at me, amused. "Remind me not to play chess with you." The principal coughed and sat down again, slower this time. "We may be able to find a compromise." I waited. "You will be allowed to stay-if you pass... an exam. It's scheduled just before Homecoming. you fail, your enrollment will be terminated. Quietly." If My fists clenched. I'll have to leave after homecoming anyways, but, I had a point to make. I nodded. "An exam? Easy. I'll take it." We left the office without another word, the door shutting behind us like the last line in a bad chapter. Outside, the sun had already dipped low, casting a golden wash over the school grounds, making the cobblestones glow like they belonged somewhere far prettier than this mess. I let out a long breath I hadn't realized I was holding, only to hear the familiar sound of Zane's boots crunching beside me. He stretched his arms above his head with a dramatic groan, then smirked like he'd just returned from a spa day instead of interrupting a political ambush. "Well. That was fun." I gave him a sideways glance. His blond hair caught the light, glinting silver at the edges, and I hated how annoyingly cinematic he looked for someone who just climbed in through a window. "You didn't have to do that." "No," he agreed easily, rolling his shoulders like the hero of his own movie. "But watching you go toe-to-toe with three crusty old wolves and win? Kind of made my week. You've got flair, wofless. I should start taking notes." 1/3 "You should, considering your grades," I muttered, my shoes tapping against the uneven path. "Like maybe a hint that I don't enjoy your running commentary." He clicked his tongue and fell into step beside me. "And yet, here you are. Walking beside me like we're in some dark academic rom-com. Admit it, you're charmed." "Couldn't be me," I said flatly. "Then why are you blushing?" he asked without looking at me, voice maddeningly casual. I stopped dead, my voice low. "I'm not blushing." He stopped too, turning to face me with his usual half-lazy, half-dangerous grin. "Sure, sure. Must be the sunset reflecting off your face. Very poetic." I stared at him. "Do you ever run out of things to say?" "Not when you're this fun to talk to." He took a slow step closer. "You've got good reactions." I stepped back just as fast, refusing to give him the satisfaction. "I'm not a game." "No," he said, still grinning. "But you do make excellent sport." I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt. "You're exhausting." "And yet you owe me," he said with mock sincerity, placing a hand over his heart. "Bonded by trauma and sarcasm." "Don't forget blackmail," I added dryly. He held up a finger. "Ah, right. Your trusty recorder. How could I forget? Always prepared, our Liora." "You make it sound like a compliment." "You did save me from a Callum family-style beat down, but take it however you want, pretty girl." He tossed me a lazy wave as he turned down a bush-lined path, his tone already 2/3 Chapter Wh drifting off like he had somewhere better to be. "You owe me now. Big time." "As if," I muttered. "We're even.' I watched his figure retreat, a whistle following behind him. +15 BONUS I stood there for a moment longer, one hand slipping into my coat pocket to brush the recorder's edge, still warm from the heat of the principal's office. He'd saved me without a explanation of why. No pressure, no wanted praise. Just a smug smile and a vague exit line. And for the life of me, I couldn't get a read on him. I don't know if I ever would. Friend of foe, that guy is a wildcard. I hate wildcards. 7