Chapter 8 290 Voucherk ? Maeve shook her head . " I won't . " da She was twenty - five , in a teen's body . Holding a grudge against a teenage boy was pointless . Calvin glanced toward the construction site and got worried . " Let's go find Finn . " Maeve didn't know the area , so she nodded and followed him across the lot to a lively playground . Finnick was on a swing , watching elementary schoolers play basketball . " Wait here , " Calvin said , walking over to Finnick alone . Maeve stayed put, watching . After a moment , Finnick looked at her , his gaze ice cold , lips pressed into a thin line . He made it clear he didn't want her there . Then , without saying a word , he left Calvin behind and started walking home . Calvin came back to Maeve . " Let's go , " She watched Finnick's back for a moment , then nodded . " Okay ." They followed Finnick slowly toward home . The moment he stepped through the door , he knew something was off . Boyce was on the couch , reading yesterday's paper , grinning like he'd hit the jackpot . Jasper was fiddling with a cheap wind - up frog toy , but his eyes kept flicking toward the door . Marlon sat on the couch , his arms crossed , still sulking . The two test papers lay in front of him - one crumpled . Debra came out of the kitchen with a pot of tomato soup , her cheeks flushed with joy . " Finn's back . Perfect timing for dinner . " She paused , glanced around . " Wait , why are you by yourself ? Where's Cal and Mae ? " Chapter 8 1288 Vouchers " They'll be back soon . I grabbed something earlier . I'm skipping dinner , " he muttered , not looking up . Then he headed for his room and slammed the door shut . Boyce set his newspaper aside and sighed . " He's still hung up on Rosa ." All seven boys had been close to Rosalind . Now she was gone , and someone new had taken her place . No wonder they were struggling . Fifteen minutes later , Maeve and Calvin were back . Maeve had swapped her fancy dress for a plain white blouse and pleated skirt . She was laughing with Calvin , clearly in a good mood . Marlon and Jasper looked over and forgot to breathe . The polished , high - society girl from earlier was gone . Now she looked less dazzling , more grounded . But her face was still striking . Her curls were pulled into a bun with a cheap new hair tie , giving her a vibrant , youthful energy . She was way too pretty . Rosalind was beautiful too , but her style never changed - always soft and sweet . Maeve , however , moved between looks like it was second nature . Whatever she wore , she made it work . Marlon found himself envying the boys at her school , and he hated that he did . If Silverleaf High had girls like her , his grades would've dropped . Then , remembering his earlier defeat , he stood up and muttered to Debra , " I'm not eating . Not hungry . " Debra had just finished setting the table . " Hey- " she started , then stopped when she saw Maeve . Her face softened , eyes full of affection . " You really are my daughter . You look beautiful in anything ." Maeve smiled at her . " Really ? " " Of course , " Debra answered sincerely . She hesitated , then leaned toward Calvin . " How much did that outfit cost ? " Calvin slid a hand into his pocket , calm as ever . " Five bucks . Two for the top , three Chapter B 340 Vouchers . for the skirt . The seller threw in a pair of socks . " Debra relaxed , then frowned . " What a bargain ! You should've grabbed a few more . " " No need , Mom , " Maeve said . " I wear a uniform to school . This is just for weekends . " Jasper had set aside his toy . Eyes wide with hope , he asked , " Mommy , can Mae take me to school tomorrow ? " If Maeve walked him to school , every kid would be jealous . " No. We don't want to bother her , " Debra said without thinking . Jasper's shoulders slumped . " Alright . " After dinner , Maeve offered to help with the dishes . Housework came naturally to her in her last life , but before she could start , Debra gently shooed her out of the kitchen . " Mae , go sit on the couch . Cal , grab some pasta for Finn and Marl ," Debra called from the kitchen . Finnick and Marlon were still growing , and Debra wasn't about to let them go hungry . In the bedroom , Marlon sat at a desk buried in books , sulking . Losing to Maeve was so embarrassing . The only way he could get over it was by telling himself she'd had private tutors back at the Crowley's house . He glanced over at Finnick , who was lying on the bed with his eyes closed , listening to music on an old MP3 player . Messy black hair fell over his forehead , and he looked enviably handsome . Chapter 9 1298 Vouchers