Her smile falters slightly.
“You don’t really hate the sisters. You just try very hard to make it look that way.”
Silence stretches between us for a brief second before I continue. “And I’m certain you did something to Octavia for her to react to you the way she does.”
That catches her off guard, but she quickly shakes her head. “I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”
I let it go. “Anyway, I think Isaak Markev officially takes first place on your list of people you can’t stand because the second he walked into the dining hall, you completely forgot about Octavia and redirected all your energy towards arguing with him instead.”
Adelaide scoffs softly. “Stop trying to figure me out. It’s futile. Now, are we or are we not having a spontaneous night out?”
I consider it for a moment.
Perhaps I should allow myself something.
One small choice that belongs to me while I still can.
Even if I know I’m being watched. That every step I take could be reported.
“Alright. I…mightcome.”
She nods. “I’ll see you later.”
Then she disappears in another direction, leaving me to continue towards the stairs alone.
Or not entirely alone.
Because the moment she leaves, I finally acknowledge Hunter’s presence behind me.
He stood the moment I did.
And he’s followed me ever since.
“You know,” I say quietly as I begin ascending the steps, aware that he can hear me, “if you intend to follow me everywhere, you could at least try to make it less obvious. People are bound to get the wrong impression.”
He falls into step beside me.
“I couldn’t care less what people choose to think,” he replies evenly. “And, rumours are already circulating. I’m merely… confirming them.”
I turn my head, frowning slightly. “What do you mean?”
His eyes move to me, but his expression remains completely blank.
“Have you, by any chance, opened social media today?”
“No.”
A slow sense of dread creeps into my stomach.
That academy gossip profile is going to be the death of me.
And I mean that literally.
I have no idea what’s waiting for me there.
And honestly, I’m not sure I want to know.
That will be a later me problem.
