"Exactly. Still growing. Emotionally, at least." She tears into a roll with the enthusiasm of someone who hasn't eaten in weeks. "Jace, stop judging me with your eyes."
"I'm not judging." He settles across from us, his own tray containing a sensible sandwich and what looks like a kale smoothie. "I'm observing. There's a difference."
"You're judging."
"Maybe a little."
"Traitor."
I slide into the seat next to Sage, my own tray holding a modest pasta dish and a side salad. My stomach is still recovering from the embarrassment of its earlier performance, and I'm not about to tempt fate with anything too adventurous.
The cafeteria buzzes around us with the controlled chaos of students grabbing meals between classes.
Alphas cluster at certain tables, their scents mingling into an overwhelming fog of testosterone and territory. Omegas stick to their own corners, laughing and chatting with an ease I've never quite mastered. A few Betas drift between groups, the social glue holding everything together.
I notice more than a few curious glances aimed our way.
Great. The new girl is already attracting attention. Exactly what I wanted.
"So." Sage swallows her bite of bread and pins me with those sharp green eyes. "Spill. How's life been, Mae? What brings you to our illustrious institution?"
She gestures grandly at the cafeteria like she's presenting a prize on a game show.
"Are you here to finally pursue the figure skating dream? Because I remember how obsessed you were. All those early morning practices. The way you'd make me watch competition videos until my eyes bled."
I snort.
"Your eyes did not bleed."
"They bled metaphorically. I still have PTSD from that one Russian skater's spiral sequence. The one you made me watch forty-seven times."
Damn. She still remembers that? I mean…it was worthy of such.
"It was a perfect spiral!"
"It was traumatizing!"
Jace watches our exchange with barely concealed amusement, sipping his green smoothie like he's at a tennis match.
"Anyway." Sage waves a hand. "Figure skating? Is that why you're here? Finally chasing the dream?"
I push a piece of pasta around my plate, buying time.
How do I explain this without sounding pathetic?
Answer: I probably can't.
So I might as well just rip off the bandage.
"Actually..." I take a breath. "I'm here because my family is trying to marry me off."
The table goes silent.
Sage's fork freezes halfway to her mouth. Jace's smoothie hovers in midair.
They both stare at me with identical expressions of horror.
"I'm sorry." Sage sets down her fork with deliberate care. "Can you repeat that? Because I could have sworn you just said your family is trying tomarry you off."
