He nodded toward the soccer team’s table. Most boys glared back when they caught him looking; thanks to him, they’d lost their groove during the district playoff match and lost. Andrew, however, became deeply absorbed in his lemonade.
Mel blushed.
“So now you’re some sort of alove coach?” Riya asked. “Do you even have the qualifications?”
“Technically? No,” Kian said proudly. “I’ve never dated before—mostly on account of people being afraid of me. But Iamwildly in love.” He smiled at her, open and unflinching—even as Riya scowled.
“Aww!” Mel clutched her hands under her chin.
“Unbelievable.” Riya sighed and unwrapped her turkey sandwich.
“Oh, and get this!” Mel added. “Kian talked to Mr. Thakur and got my grade bumped up so I don’t have to bust my butt in Physics anymore!”
Riya almost dropped her sandwich. “You did what?”
Kian pinkened. “It’s not a big deal. I just... explained a few things.”
“And now I don’t have to write that extra-credit essay!” Mel patted his shoulder like she was rewarding a puppy. “I’ve misunderstood Kian. He’s a good one.”
Riya took a slow bite of her sandwich. Almost two weeksago, Mel had been feeding her every terrible rumor about him. Now she was praising him like he was a rom-com lead with a heart of gold.
She didn’t know what startled her more: that Mel had changed her mind—or that Riya hadn’t corrected her.
When had Kian even found the time to do all that?
As Mel and Kian kept chatting, Riya drifted. Occasionally, she caught snippets:“What if you tried giving him, like, blue flowers that match his eyes? Trust me, you can tape them to his locker and leave a note. Dudes love notes.”
She should tell Mel about the curse, she thought. Mel would forgive her; she was already cheering Kian on. But that was the problem.
“Hey, Riya, are we still meeting after school today?” Kian’s voice pulled her back. His fingers were tapping a strange rhythm against the table. Like he needed her to say yes. Like he wasn’t sure what he’d do if she said no.
“Huh?” Riya blinked. “Oh. Yeah.”
“Ohhh?” Mel fluttered her lashes. “A secret meeting? Sounds suspiciously like a date.”
“No! No. Just...” She scrambled for an excuse. She refused to let Mel think she and Kian weredating.
Kian had suggested they check out Underwood Books—some New Agey store that, yes, sold books, but also crystals, incense, and according to their website,ethically sourced worry stones.
You said peris are secretive, right? What if they’re hiding in plain sight?Kian’d asked excitedly, trailing her throughthe hallway yesterday. The store hosted what they called a “magic book club” every Wednesday, and it was the only lead they hadn’t ruled out yet.
“We’re just... going to a bookstore,” Riya said.
Kian grinned. “Underwood Books—ever been?”
Mel’s eyes lit up. “Ilovethat place! They give out free tea samples—and they have a bookstore cat! But I didn’t think that was your kind of scene, RiRi.”
“It’s not. We just thought it might be... worth checking out.”
“They might have sheet music,” Kian added quickly. “I have an audition for Berklee coming up. I’m still figuring out what to play.”
“Ugh, so romantic.” Mel clutched her heart. “Date night at the bookstore, looking through music—”
“Nope. Nothing romantic about it at all,” said Riya. “In fact, if you love it so much, you should come with us.”
Mel blinked. “Oh, I don’t want to ruin your time together....”
Kian hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then he smiled—too wide. “If Riya wants you there, it’s fine by me.”
