Page 72 of Group Studies

Without another word, Sandy bounced off in Ghalen’s direction. I wrinkled my nose, digesting Sandy’s information.

“It’s like nothing bothers her,” Roisin shook her head as she watched our friend leave.

“Except being woken up in the mornings,” I added seriously.

Roisin and I shared a grin, but our faces quickly fell. My friend rested her elbows on the table and we clasped hands.

“I’ll still send you silly selfies,” I said first.

Roisin scowled at Ashe. “And you’ll make sure she has a free afternoon.”

“Aphrodite won’t be left alone until she demonstrates complete control over her magic,” Ashe said formally. “She forced her will into another student. It’s black magic and a clear violation of her pink slip. By all accounts, she should be dead.”

My blood ran cold. Ashe wasn’t looking at me. His gaze moved from Roisin to the students around us who suddenly started chatting or gained a new interest in their phones.

Roisin studied me with concern. I swallowed, not happy with my new situation either.

She took a deep breath. “A, I love you like a sister, so do Derek and Sandy. As much as she loves anyone more than her current crush. If you need anything.” She leaned forward. “Anything. Rely on your friends. We’re more useful than most give us credit for.”

I scowled at Roisin. “You know I hate that word.”

Ashe cocked his head to the side. “What word?”

I ducked my head, not willing to repeat it.

Roisin winked. “We know you love us back, even if you won’t say it.”

Ashe sucked in a breath to speak. Roisin shifted oddly, before Ashe grunted in pain. He reached under the table cursing. I ignored him.

A tear wiggled its way out of my eye and down my cheek. I’d loved Damon. That was the problem. Love bound us together, love turned me into someone I didn’t want to be. I refused to do the same thing to my friends.

We exchanged an awkward hug across the table. Roisin gave Ashe a final stink eye before slipping off into the throng of students. I watched her go, both grateful she was gone and wishing she’d come back.

My stomach complained, but I couldn’t finish my dinner.

“I need to give Gabe my payment,” I said quietly, avoiding anything emotional.

Ashe tried to take my hand, but I pulled away. “I know this is weird, Kitten…”

I stood before he could say more. An unfamiliar kid approached my table. He pushed a brown paper bag into my hands and scampered off. I looked around, finding Saffron’s yellow rims blazing as he watched me with more intensity than usual. I shook the bag so he’d know I got it.

Ashe scooped up my used tray with his. He deposited them on the dirty rack before following me out of the cafeteria.

“So, I’ve been eating Saffron’s fucking guilt cookies?” Ashe growled.

I gritted my teeth, unsure which Ashe I was talking to now. The one putting his life on hold to help me, or the MA officer casually mentioning my death. What would he have done if I hadn’t accepted his coat to sit on in Metaphysics?

I focused on the floor. “You have way more in common with Saffron than you think.”

Ashe grunted but didn’t comment as he followed me to the cosmetology wing.

The creepy MA agent who’d given Yasmine her bruise patrolled the hall. I felt so out of the loop. Were the girls who stopped going to class okay? I didn’t even know who to ask, I didn’t even know if I should ask.

When Ashe gave his fellow agent a friendly nod, my stomach knotted. I hurried to Gabe’s room. My hairdresser paused in the trimming of a young man’s hair.

“Second to last payment,” he sang. “Girl, you got time tomorrow?”

I looked at Ashe, who shook his head.

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