The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0379

"I thought you said a shower wasn't going to change the way I smell now?" I say, frowning at Rafe.

"It's going to help," he says, turning back to me and raising his eyebrows. "Seriously, Ariel, you...you smell like you took a bath in eau d'Jackson. It's not a bad thing but it is...a statement cologne."

I laugh a little and he nods to me, stepping out the door, clearly letting me know he'll give me a minute. Rafe pulls the door after him, but doesn't let it completely shut.

Quietly, I cross the room to Jackson, who holds my gaze as I do.

"Hi," I say quietly - the same thing I said last night when I showed up at his door. But this time I say it with...a little less verve.

Jackson just smirks at me, reaching to cup my cheek in his palm.

"I'm really sorry, Jacks," I whisper. "It shouldn't have happened like that."

fault," he

say, my voice low. "You're the one who had to deal with

for you," he says, his smile growing a

a little closer and look up into his face.

in that way he

can tell he doesn't feel quite

ask, kind of hoping that he'll say yes, let me talk him through this, fix it all. I raise myself up on my toes, bringing my face

sighs and shakes his head. "I think I need a

worried. Is he mad at me? Is this...is this way worse than I think it

at me. "We're fine, Ariel. I just... Ella said...she said that I am allowed to take a minute. To ask

at him for a second, absolutely gaping, before I burst into laughter. "Seriously!? Ella?" He grins at me. "Ella is behind all of this

grin deepens. "Yup," he says, nodding down at me. "She's on my side

take her for now. She's going to want someone to do all

my forehead, murmuring that it sounds like a fair deal