Page 103 of Spearcrest Knight

“Mm, yes, that’s true.” He tilts his head. “But even tough girls deserve to be cared for and looked after sometimes.”

Freddy looks past my exterior and sees somebody he wants to protect and care for.

What does Evan see when he looks past my exterior?

Someone he wants to challenge, battle, conquer?

I laugh and give Freddy’s arm a little smack. “Whoa, your parents really raised a gentleman, huh?”

He laughs. “What can I say.” He hesitates, takes a deep breath, then speaks quickly. “You know, Sophe, I had a great time tonight and I… well, I like you, I’m sure that’s not a massively shocking surprise because you’re literally gorgeous and must have guys embarrass themselves trying to ask you out all the time, but… well, I like you, so would you like to go on a date, sometime—not just dinner, but a proper date?”

My heart sinks.

Anger and sadness rise inside of me. Anger at myself for being so broken I’m about to turn down the first guy to have properly asked me out. And sadness, sadness for Freddy, but also for myself, for being so caught up in the storm of Evan to even want the safe harbour of Freddy.

“I’m really sorry, Freddy, I don’t want to give you false hopes or mess you around.” I hesitate, because Ididmess him around a little. “But I don’t think we should go on a date. I…” I don’t want to lie to Freddy, but I can’t exactly tell him the truth, because I hardly even know what the truth is. “I need to focus on my studies right now, and I’ll be leaving Spearcrest soon, so… um…”

He raises a hand and smiles. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Sophe. A simple no is fair enough. You’re too good for me anyway!” He laughs and shoves his hands in his pockets with a tiny shrug. “Well, I’m not going to inflict any more awkwardness on either of us, so I’m going to head home. You’re going to be alright?”

I nod, thankful for his understanding, his patience, his compassion. “Yes, my bus should be here soon.”

“Good. But also, are you going to be alright, in general?”

It’s a complex question. I don’t know the answer.

“I hope so,” I say.

“Me too,” he answers. “I’m always around if you ever want to chat or vent. Take care, Sophe, alright?”

“You too.”

He waves, and walks away. I watch him until he disappears around the street corner. I let out a long, shuddering sigh when he does, unsure whether I am devastated or relieved.

Luckily, the weekend is over and there isn’t much time for melancholy or introspection. There are exams to prepare for, coursework to complete, and plenty of extracurriculars to keep me busy.

And if I thought tutoring Zachary Blackwood instead of Evan was going to be easier, that only winds up true in the way there isn’t any tension between Zachary and me, but only in that way.

On our first session, he’s there first, bent over a book. We’re meeting in an empty English classroom, and his organisation is enough to rival mine: his notes are filed away in a folder, grouped and tabbed by texts, then characters, themes and context. His notebook is full of notes and essays, the mark schemes stapled to the last pages.

After I’ve taken my seat next to him I have a look through his stuff, and then I put everything down.

“How on earth do you need tutoring?” I ask. “You seem to be on top of everything.”

Zachary shrugs. “Lit is the only subject I’m not getting full marks for.”

“I mean…” I raise my eyebrows at him. “Do youhaveto get full marks?”

Zachary observes me in silence for a moment. It’s crazy how different from Evan he looks: slim, dark, almost aristocratic. His uniform is impeccable, and his black curls are cropped short, exposing a tall forehead and intelligent honey-brown eyes. Even the way he speaks is different, his posh, clipped British accent a stark contrast to Evan’s soft American lilt.

“Do you know Theodora Dorokhova?” he asks.

I nod. “Of course. Head girl.”

Theodora is more than just head girl: since I arrived at Spearcrest, she’s always topped every grade ranking in every subject. Where I need to work hard to achieve my grades, Theodora doesn’t just work hard—she has this insane natural intelligence that’s just impressive to witness. Anytime she falls short of being number one for grades in the year or in a specific subject, she doesn’t rest until she gets there.

I admire that about her, but could never dream of a friendship with Theodora. Amongst the elite of Spearcrest, she’s in the stratosphere, a Young Queen in her own right. Her parents are descended from both British and Russian nobility and probably own more land than the queen of England.

Theodora is the kind of rich and posh even other Spearcrest kids are in awe of.

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