Strangely, there was nothing about Kian’s mother. Not that it was Riya’s business. For all she knew, Kian’s mom simply valued privacy.
Still, it was weird. Most people their age leftsomekind of footprint online, didn’t they?
With a sigh, Riya snapped her laptop shut. If she wanted real answers, she’d have to ask the one person who kneweveryoneat their school.
Her phone buzzed again.
Mel:
RIYA. WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. HELL.
DON’T YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL ME????
LIKE MAYBE AN EXPLANATION FOR WHY KIAN KHO JUST CONFESSED HIS UNDYING LOVE FOR YOU IN FRONT OF EVERYONE????
I THOUGHT YOU DIDN’T KNOW HIM
anyway please call me RIGHT NOW before I literally die
LOVE YOU
but also FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CALL ME <3
Riya exhaled.
She had fully expected Mel to freak out, considering she’d witnessed firsthand how Kian Kho, of all people—had asked Riya, of all people—out. It would be concerningfor Melnotto have questions.
But reading the words on her screen, the reality of it all pressed in, thick and suffocating.
Kian liked her.
Because ofherperi magic.
Riya chewed the inside of her cheek. What would she even say to Mel? She could tell the truth. Admit that she’d botched the spell, that it had somehow rebounded on to Kian instead. But that would mean admitting she’d royally messed up, and worse, didn’t know how to fix it.
That she neededhelp.
Her stomach twisted violently.
She took another deep breath. Right. Panicking wouldn’t fix anything. She just had to compartmentalize andfocus.
Finally, she bit the bullet and called Mel, who, predictably, picked up after a single ring.
“AREYOUOKAYANDWHATISHAPPENINGTELLMEEVERYTHING,” she squealed so loudly that Riya had to pull the phone away from her ear.
“I’m... okay,” she answered carefully. “Just, breathe first.”
Mel took a deep gasping breath on the other line.
“Good,” Riya continued. “Now, quick question: Did Andrew... ever say anything to you today?”
“What? Oh. Um, not really.” Mel’s energy dimmed slightly. “I bumped into him after last period, and he said hi in the hallway. He was nice and polite to me, as always.”
So that was it, then. The love spell for Mel and Andrewreally had failed. Now Mel sounded even more deflated than before.
“...I’m sorry,” Riya murmured.
“It’s not your fault!” Mel insisted, her voice warm, as if she were the one comfortingRiya. “I know you did your best. Maybe it still needs more time.”
