The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 27

I hurry my own pace, darting for an empty shower stall now, willing to take whichever is free- however filthy-

“Ari!” Jesse hisses behind me. “Are you – are you kidding me-

is he your

I squeak a little in dismay. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. Jesse!” I hiss, darting into the stall and yanking the curtain closed behind me.

“Ari!” Jesse shricks, and then he lowers his voice. “Are you with him?”

– are you f**king using the dream state

“I can’t hear you!” I shout, desperate, flipping on the water even though I’m still dressed. Jesse starts

1

to tug at the curtain but I snap it shut. “You can’t come in here!” I protest. “I’m n*ked!”

“ARI!” Jesse shouts, completely freaked out.

But suddenly he goes silent, and I

go still.

“What the hell is going on here?” Rafe’s voice asks, just outside the stall.

My eyes dart around as I pray pray that Jesse holds his tongue

“Nothing.” Jesse says, laughing and playing it off. “Ari just…played a prank on me. Lunchmeat…in my bed.”

“That’s not a prank,” Rafe says, confused. “That’s just…gross.”

“Yeah well.” Jesse murmurs. “He needs to….work on his practical jokes. I guess.”

“Whatever,” Rafe says, sighing, his voice tired as he moves away, heading back to the bunks. “You guys got this? I’ll see you in a few?”

Jesse calls confirmation over his shoulder before turning back to my curtain. “This conversation is not finished, Ari,” he says, spitting my name out like it’s a dirty word.

I don’t say anything, but when I hear his angry mutters move away, I exhale a deep breath and begin to strip down, using the entire length of my very long, very hot shower to decide what the hell I’m going to say to my cousin.

When I finally step out of my stall, damp but dressed and tugging my hat down over my head, I have a plan.

it’s a very basic, stupid plan. But it’s a

the stall as I step out, his arms crossed over the chest of his clean uniform, glaring at me beneath his freshly–washed hair.

Chapter 27

him and giving him my best baby–cousin look. “Just

my own wrists, perhaps a little more roughly than normal. “All right, with

my towel and running as fast as I can for the bunk room and the safety

did its job, as well as his week of training me to run faster, and by

going on?” Rafe asks, jumping a little as

laughing and panting a little. “Just a race!

eyes pleading – because he did promise he’d keep my secrets, and

now, at least.

Jesse growls, reaching

plan, continues to wail on me half- heartedly until, laughing, I cry

he smiles at both of us. “We’re supposed

rat cousin,” Jesse grumbles, giving me a little kick

I say, peeking out from behind Rafe and grinning at him, trying to

a little, but he smiles, and I know we’re

on

bed and telling us the story about how they couldn’t catch any fish and almost came up the time limit,

pass. Ben looks down, though, even if he smiles. Because, technically, his team didn’t fully pass – they didn’t make the ten–mile hike

Chapter 27

cusp of failure.

all hungry and ready for dinner–and the rankings that are going to come

candidates who are relatively sure that they’re going to be admitted as candidates. Ben does his best, keeping his head high and laughing along with Jesse’s jokes as we move along the food line, filing our tray with a

is tender steak, and gravy, and baked potatoes, and flounder

stomach absolutely rumbles as I sit down at our table, and I don’t even notice who sits down next to

I whip my head up to look at Luca, his eyes are already on me. “Hungry tonight?” he asks, flicking a humor–filled

help my smile. “Starving.”

–

for a long moment – before

I guess – someone across from me clears their throat. I turn my head to see Jesse looking at both of us

in, while I purse my lips and give Jesse what I hope is a very subtle, very fervent

conversation. Luca and I do the same after a moment, and honestly the dinner

room.

twice for silence. “Tomorrow is the last day of your candidacy and your final examination. Your semifinal rankings will be posted in just a moment. This is your last opportunity to know your

time.”

of what’s coming tomorrow – the obstacle course which I still can’t get through, not completely. That stupid

“I sugge

little bored. “You’ll have a chance to clean up tomorrow before final rankings, which will be announced in person, in order, and those who make the cut will be invited