Page 73 of Group Studies

My heart fell. “Ah, soon. I’ll still make the last payment. I want my long hair back.”

Gabe eyed Ashe. “Things are not jiving, girl. Not at all. We need to look out for each other. You’d give me a sign, right?”

I bobbed my head a few times, not really sure what he was talking about.

“If you even blink too much, I’ll do what I can,” Gabe said, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze.

I peered at him. “I don’t know how magic can help me blink less. Thanks, though.”

Gabe shook his head. He opened his mouth but looked at Ashe’s scowling face and closed it.

Ashe gripped my arm and spun me so I was facing him instead of Gabe.

“I know how fucking important your hair is.” He brushed my short locks, willing me to trust him. “Give the MA a few days to get organized.”

I pulled away from him and took two steps toward the exit. “I don’t have any choice, do I?”

Although I wanted to charge out of the room angrily, the creepy MA agent was standing right outside the door. He smiled at me. I hugged myself, taking a step back. I don’t know if it was something about him, or the weapons strapped to his belt, but I shivered and waited for Ashe to take the lead.

* * *

With my legs shaking from all the stairs I’d climbed today, we arrived at Professor Garnet’s office.

“The professor’s on this list of people I’m allowed to associate with?” I asked.

Ashe grunted. “It’s a short fucking list. It’ll grow once the MA’s finished clearing the trash.”

I blinked at Ashe. I was one of the trash. Just because the MA assigned me value didn’t make me any different than my peers. I hated their tormenting, but I understood where it came from. I studied the wood grains on Professor Garnet’s door. “Roisin and Sandy aren’t on the list, though?”

Ashe shook his head. “I’m sure they will be. Today, I made an exception. For now, you can still contact whomever you want on your phone.”

“But the MA reads every text.” I bit my lips together. “Are you reading every text?” I looked up at him.

Ashe’s lips quivered and my heart fell. Before he could answer, the door opened. Officer Keres motioned for us to enter. I slipped off my shoes and kicked them onto the shoe rack. My eye twitched, seeing Officer Keres still wearing his standard issued footwear.

“You may go, Ashe,” Officer Keres said. “Take some time for yourself. We’ll figure out your breaks and some sort of rotation, so you’re not working twenty-four seven.”

I winced and dropped my gaze, hating the feeling of being Ashe’s job.

“It’s not a problem, sir,” Ashe said. “I don’t mind staying.”

Officer Kere smiled. “You’re too good, soldier. But I insist.”

Ashe saluted and gave me a side hug which I didn’t reciprocate. He hesitated before releasing me. The door thudded shut behind him.

I hadn’t noticed Professor Garnet until he stood from his low desk.

He gave me a tight smile. “Relax, Aphy.” He stepped to my side and took the paper bag I held clutched in my hand. “I’ll put this on my desk. You can have your cookies during our first break.”

“Yes, relax,” Officer Keres echoed, making me feel anything but relaxed.

I danced on the balls of my feet. “There are no other students here?”

“Are there usually?” Officer Keres tilted his head to one side.

I closed my mouth. Apparently, Professor Garnet left Saffron out of his reports as well. The Greek God had no idea how lucky he was.

“No,” I said. “I assumed there would be, if we’re building on what I did in Metaphysics.”

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