Page 94 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“What makes you say that?”

The others laugh.

“From the expression on your face. You look as if you won the lottery.”

“Perhaps I have.” I glance around and lean in, whispering, “You will never guess where we ended up.”

All eyes are trained on me expectantly, and I fill them in on Luca’s secret mansion.

By the end of it, the astonishment on their faces is a picture.

“Wow!” Siri shakes her head. “Why does he live with the other guys if he has a luxury mansion nearby?”

“Because he’s lonely.” I shrug. “He’s a secretive person who finds it hard to open up. It’s why his folks bought him the house, so he had somewhere to go if he needed it.”

“He’s secretive alright.” Imogen says with an incredulous smile.

Siri catches my eye and like me she is used to secrets. All of us are and see nothing strange in Luca’s position, but Cassie and Imogen obviously do.

Cassie sighs. “That’s sad. I can’t imagine growing up with nobody to confide in. To share my secrets with and open up to when I need advice.”

“He has a family, but his siblings are younger and so are his cousins.”

I smile brightly. “Anyway, I can help him with that – we all can. He has a family now. A Rockwell one and it may be a fucked one, but we kind of love that kind.”

Cassie rolls her eyes. “We sure do. God help us.”

When break is over,I walk with Cassie to history which is the only class where it’s just us and I seize my moment.

“Tell me what the story is with Jesse.”

I’m aware we don’t have long and she guards her response carefully. “What makes you ask?”

“Imogen.”

I sense her protective streak as she says quickly, “What about her?”

I fill her in and she sighs heavily. “Jesse has a few demons. He’s working through them and Imogen is the best person to help with that.”

“Is she aware she’s an antidote?” I say roughly because I am not okay with this if it involves using my friend to clear up Jesse’s shit and I’m surprised at Cassie for going along with it.

“It’s complicated.”

“I understand complicated. Hit me with it.”

She hesitates and I can tell she is conflicted and after a while, says with a shrug. “Jesse is a good guy who got involved in something bigger than him, but it’s over now.”

“So how does Imogen fit into this?”

That’s all that concerns me, and Cassie smiles. “He likes her, and she was the reason he needed to change direction. He’ll be okay. Why, what’s she said?”

If anything, I’m surprised that Imogen hasn’t confided in Cassie about this because they are as close as sisters. Perhaps that’s why? Maybe too close and she doesn’t want her involved. So, I keep my concerns to myself and smile in apparent relief. “That’s good to hear. I want her to be happy.”

“She is.” Cassie’s smile is a little less bright and I’m guessing she will have questions for her friend, just as I intend on questioning Frankie at the first available opportunity.

46

LUCA

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