She opened her mouth and closed it.
She might have wished the ground to open and swallow her whole.
“I didn’t mean… that is, I wasn’t trying to…”
“Relax, princess.” I pushed off from the sink, taking a step closer. “I’m not offended. Though I am wondering what other charming things you’ve been saying about me to your friend.”
“My sister,” she corrected automatically, then looked like she regretted giving me that information.
“Sister, right.” I nodded slowly, studying her for a moment, my gaze lingering just long enough to notice the careful styling, the straight posture, and the way she seemed to hold herself in check.
“And what exactly did you tell your sister about me? That I was rude? Annoying? Or just that you couldn’t figure out what I was?”
Her jaw tightened, and for a moment I saw a flash of the fire she’d shown in the classroom the other day.
“You were. You called me princess and made assumptions about me.”
“Fair,” I admitted. “I can be blunt.”
“That’s one word for it.”
I almost smiled.
“Though, to be honest, the princess thing seems pretty accurate. Well-dressed, careful mannerisms, that general aura of someone who’s been protected from the messier parts of life. And I could tell that you’re used to doing everything right, making everyone proud.”
Her eyes blazed.
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“No, I don’t. But I know what I see.” I let my eyes roam again.
“And you think how I look means my whole life revolves around making other people happy?”
“Doesn’t it?”
She went quiet, long enough that I wondered if I’d crossed a line. Then she lifted her chin and met my gaze.
“Maybe,” she said softly. “Or maybe you’re only seeing what I let you.” She straightened. “Being polite doesn’t mean I’m fragile, and choosing when to speak doesn’t mean I don’t know how to stand my ground.”
A small smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“Still, feel free to keep guessing. It’s interesting to watch someone be so sure of themselves.”
Her words caught me completely off guard.
“Guessing,” I repeated quietly.
She blinked, like she’d just realised she’d said too much.
“I shouldn’t have said all that.”
“But you did.” I held her gaze. “So what are you doing here, Kelechi?”
She looked surprised that I remembered her name.
“I’m getting my masters,” she said.
“Really?”
