ined features, the same jet-black hair, the same deep-set eyes. But where Aldric's gaze was intense and

arried himself with a breezy confidence that suggested

p frowning like that, you're gonna get wrinkles," he chided lightly, his tone full of mock

elbow, a mischievous grin

ot, a childish gesture that looked strange on someone so polished. "Caius! I'm se

are. But look at you, all worked up ov

t, withering glare in my direction, but the fight had clearly go

king at me with an u

. I have to get to class," I

rcastically, and her eyes

ould feel their eyes on my back-Fiona's hostile glare and the twins' curious gaze. The scent of

where I'd been standing, while Aldric just listened, his hands shoved in his pockets. Caius was still leaning against the wall

sappeared into the stream of studen

weary-looking man with glasses perched on the end of his nose, gestured to an empty seat bes

e and an energy that seemed to vibrate right out of her. The moment she learned I was n

e," she said, leaning in conspiratorially. Then sh

e bait. "So... who should I be w

thud. Of course. "She's the queen bee around here. Super rich, super pretty, a

le. Great. I had already man

ting Aldric, and she's insanely jealous. She sees every other girl as

till, I nodded as if this were a

rkling with gossip, "there are the most

"Aldric and Caius?" I guesse

ce? Don't fall for them. Seriously. They're players. Total heartbreakers. They flirt with an

more firmly th

a bizarre anomaly, a strange blip in my otherwise pred

ocal knowledge, I shifted the conversation. "Hey, you seem to know everything aroun

work, 'The Starline,' is looking for another waitress! I c

e washed over me. "Really? That would

! Consider

science, and Betty, with a cheerful wave, headed in a different dir

as the teacher scanned the room for a spare seat, her fi

you can take t

e with a silent, desperate plea.

r confusion and gestured more insi

I could feel two sets of intense eyes on me, one amused, one unreadable. I reluctantly slid i

e a low, teasing purr. "Look who i

. Little kitten? It was both condescending and strangely intimate. I force

my textbook out with m

g a hand over his heart. "And after I saved yo

he lecture," I stated fl

uriating sound. "Oh, a s

: boring. He thought I was bor

he entire exchange. "Aldric, she's so cold. What did we do

d to the whiteboard

ould undoubtedly have any girl in this school, so

raying for the minute hand to move faster, desper