The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0239

“How do know this shit,” Jackson mutters, shaking his head, letting himself be led.

you

“You handle kicking the shit out of the bad guys,” Jesse says, giving Jackson a broad grin. ” I’ll handle the girls. Besides, Rafe and I reserve the right to yell at Ariel tonight. We’ve known her longer, we get first dibs. You come to breakfast at our place tomorrow before the train leaves – really give her a piece of your mind then.‘

“If you say so,” Jackson sighs, his eyes moving upwards to the window he knows is hers or, at least, the one closest to the nook in which she sleeps. There’s still a light on, which means she’s still up.

“Trust me, Jacks,” Jesse says, giving him a little squeeze, “I wouldn’t do you dirty. We’re friends now, after all. Best friends.”

“Don’t push it,” Jackson grumbles. But as the pair walk back into the castle Jackson has to admit…the whole friendship thing, it does have its perks. Even if it involves a lot more talking than he’d prefer.

“So, how’d you know?” Ben murmurs, sitting at the other end of the couch while I stretch my legs between us. He digs into his half–eaten third slice of cake with abandon.

“Benny, my love,” I sigh, lifting another forkful of chocolate icing to my mouth

that word –” Ben says, pointing his fork at me with a wink. ” Men

he’s really been an angel over the past hour or so, cajoling and teasing and being sweet to me by turns, all in the effort to get me back to myself, to make me realize that

the most disastrous way

–

mates the reality of our situation – I had to

“Don’t go

does, and tapping my foot with his fork. “You’re betraying the cake, and the insane piece of gossip I just handed you, if you just…ignore it and delve into your despair. Honestly, Ariel, I

“You laugh at all of Rafe’s jokes, Ben, and he’s

bursts

just listening to him with your love earmuffs on. My mom does it to my dad, from whom Rafe gets his sense of

Ben says, hanging his head back, shaking it. “Both of our greatest secrets, which we thought we were doing such a good job of keeping to ourselves, revealed

chances

say, and he lifts his head. to smile at me. “Why did you keep it a secret? I mean, you know that I’d never judge you for it, right? And I have no idea if Rafe or Jesse knows, but I

Ben murmurs, smirking a little as he pushes

“Do