But she’s already gone.
One second, it’s just Naomi and Lilia, the next, the whole damn table explodes. Ava, Berlin, Zia, Sam—voices overlapping, punches, slaps. Someone knocks over a tray, but the sound of it clattering to the ground barely registers over the noise.
And I stand frozen in the middle of it, my pulse roaring in my ears. This is because of me. God, why does it always have to be because of me? It’s like I’ve dropped a match into gasoline without realizing it.
Then—
Bodies move. Fast.
Will, Liam, and Christian materialize out of nowhere, but Will is there first. He practically tackles Lilia as she lunges again, arms locking around her middle as he hauls her back. She’s still swinging, still trying to fight something that isn’t even there anymore, her breathing ragged.
Liam is arguing. Christian just plants himself there like a wall, pushing people away from each other every now and then.
“I have to say, I was a bit bored this morning.”
I whip around, my whole body twisting before my brain catches up.
Kai.
Sitting at the table. Legs kicked out, yet somehow, he makes it look graceful, as he tears into a croissant like this is some kind of entertainment put on just for him.
A slow, amused smile tugs at his lips. “I’m not anymore.”
I glare so hard my vision blurs.Is he serious?“You’re unbelievable.”
“Unbelievably handsome? Unbelievably talented?” he taunts, still smiling. “You’ll have to be more specific.”
I’m about to reply, until three teachers storm in, their expressions caught somewhere between exhausted and murderous.
People are still shouting, still pushing.
The teachers don’t bother saying anything for a few moments. In fact, they seem perfectly content just blowing their damn whistles, the ear-piercing kind, and I cover my ears with a grimace.
“Enough!” one of them yells. “Hands off each other! Now!”
It doesn’t fully stop until the teachers actually get involved. One of them even storms straight into the middle of it, the eye of the storm, eyes blazing.
“Everyone involved—office. Now.”
Things die down. Surprisingly.
And Kai just watches, completely relaxed, completelyamused, licking a stray crumb off his thumb.
“Well,” he mutters, way too pleased with himself. “If nothing else… it’s turned into excellent theatre.”
I can’t have disagreed more.
***
Update. Liam, Lilia, Will and I are sat outside Mr. Ryder’s office.
The wait is long. The chairs are extremely uncomfortable.
In conclusion, no one really wants to be here.
I sit between Will and Liam, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, and across from us, Lilia is still fuming, arms crossed, glaring absolute murder at Will.
A scratch marks the side of her cheek.
