Shouldn’t we be headed back to class? I asked him.
Class is over by now,he pointed out.
Where are you taking me?
You’ll see, he replied simply.
Oberi,I groaned internally.Tell me where we’re going, or I’ll—
You’ll what?he challenged.
Oberi rushed ahead of me, then a door creaked open. I stopped dead when I heard the sound of an angelic voice spilling out into the hall. She sang a beautiful tune that warmed my heart.
I barely heard a second of the song before she cut off and cried, “Oberi!”
I stepped toward the music room and pushed the door open wider. Oberi had shifted, and she stomped her hooves happily.
I scowled.What a greeeat surprise.
Did I tell you it’d be great?she snickered.
“Charlie,” Ava breathed, sounding surprised.
“Pi— Ava,” I replied, catching myself before I could call herthat.
Ava must’ve noticed the bandage on my finger, because she gasped. “They tested you?”
“No, thank the ancestors,” I said as I ripped the bandage off. “Oberi forged some paperwork. As far as anyone knows, my test is negative.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank the Great Spirit.”
“It’ll hold the Warden off for now, at least,” I said. I didn’t know if the ruse would last forever.
A beat passed, like Ava was thinking. The piano bench squeaked as she stood. “You don’t look good.”
My shoulder slumped. “You gonna give me a lecture?”
“I was thinking of giving youmakeup, to cover up that black eye you’re sporting,” she responded. “But if you want a lecture—”
“I don’t,” I replied curtly. I’d been walking around with bruises for months, and Ava hadn’t said anything. We’d all just ignored the topic, like fight club didn’t exist. It must’ve looked pretty bad if Ava was bringing it up now.
Ava tugged at my arm. “Sit down. I have some makeup in my bag. I’ll make you look brand new.”
I groaned, but I sat anyway. “No one cares.”
A case snapped open, then Ava began brushing powder over my face. “Myfollowerscare. I can’t have you record another music video looking like that.”
I froze. Ava got so close that her breath brushed across my face. Heat flared in my stomach, but I ignored it. We’d agreed to make music videos together again, but we hadn’t planned a time to do it. I thought for sure it’d be one of those things wesaidwe were going to do, but never actually got around to doing.
“Did you post anything new yet?” I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.
“One thing,” she admitted as she dabbed makeup over my bruises. Her tone was casual, like we were old friends catching up. It hurt a little, to be honest. “Ez played guitar while I sang, but I think my followers were disappointed. They wanted to see you on piano. You were quite popular with them.”
“I was?” I asked, loosening up. “I’ve never been popular withanyone.”
“That’s not true,” she protested. “After we came in second in the Games, all the girls wanted to fuck you. Maybe even some guys.”
I chuckled lightly. “Well, there was only one girl I wanted—”
