Page 55 of Just One Bite
“Just saying, you lookedprettyinto it. I’m sure it was terrible for you to have some hulking man kissing on your neck,” Emma concludes, now finished with her scone and scrolling the blog.
I try to remember any part of it being unpleasant but come up with nothing of use. My attention returns to Parker’s usual spot in the dining hall, but he doesn’t appear next to his team, and Gavin and his pack aren’t there either. A few members of his team see me looking and playfully wave.He’s fine. Eat your food, Olivia.
Emma’s gasp and her hand hitting the table echo in the roar of the dining hall.
“What?”
“This isn’t fair.”
She’s staring at a hole in the table.
“What is it?” I grab her phone and read the headline:Culinary and Baking Clubs Will Not Accept Any New Students This Year as Set by the New Council Rule.
“Some asshole named Dacre decided to close off the culinary and bakingclubs this year. This is ridiculous, I swear. I already signed up for the cookoff.”
It’s only seconds before her hands are shaking and tears are running down her face. I hand her a napkin.
“I’m sorry,” I say, knowing it’s hollow in the face of her disappointment. Emma and I share a common trait of ambition. I’d almost say she’s a tiny bit more ambitious than me, but I think we have different reasons. Emma wants to be great and so do I, but I want to finish Mom’s dream, and Emma wants her name in lights.
“What about classes?” Eva asks.
“Classes aren’t—you know it’s not the same. The clubs are what get you noticed and get you the best jobs. It’s not fair. This is the whole reason I wanted to come to Doxlothia!”
“Dacre is an asshole.” None of us saw Zant take a seat across from us. “Unfortunately, the council is being overrun with a lot of them. I don’t have to tell you all that, now, do I?”
He's wearing a lighter green blazer than he normally does that compliments his olive complexion.
“What are you doing here?” My tone is harsher than I intend. Zant may be Parker’s best friend, but he isn’t mine. He’s still a wild card in my book, and being connected to the council doesn’t help.
His smile widens. “I’m extremely loyal to your boyfriend.I’ve been told to keep my eyes on the lot of you, and I heard tears. Good thing is, I think I can help a little.”
Parker only told Zant about our arrangement, and I don’t like it, but he deserves to have someone to talk with about it who isn’t my sisters or me.
Zant has kind eyes. “I do have access to the culinary club’s main lounge. I could take you. Would that cheer you up?”
Emma sniffles, but her eyes light up. “Can we go now?”
“Yeah, let’s go. The whole Osborne clan can come if you want.”
“I have class,” I say, putting the trash from the table onto my plate. “But have you heard from Parker? I haven’t seen him.”
“You know I haven’t.” Zant continues with that smile, plucking an apple from the table. He knows exactly where he is. “You should definitely go check on him in his room.”
When my sisters and Zant leave, there’s still no message, and my next classis Potions. Parker is my lab partner, so I need him to be there. That’s why I make the walk all the way back to Noxx House to check on him. Definitely not because I’m worried. And the fact I’ve packed him a plate from the dining hall is a common courtesy.
Chapter Nineteen
Parker
“I’m scared,” she says. Her bare feet swirl in dirt as the wooden swing she’s on creaks. We’re in our secret place. A place among the trees where the forest floor is covered in moon nightingales. I never need to look for her because I know where to find her.
“Why?” I take the spot next to her.
“I’m scared of everything.”
I place my hand on hers. “I’ll protect you.”
A light knock wakes me, assaulting me with chills and a splitting headache. It’s not worse than the hollow sadness lingering in my chest. It’s a loss when I wake up, and I don’t know why. Like when I wake up, it’s dragging me from somewhere else I’d rather be.
