The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0499

Jacks nods, solid. "She's really funny. And...surprising. I never know what she's going to say next. It's just..." he shrugs, at a loss for words. "Great."

Rafe smiles a little, unable to help it, pleased that these two found each other. But he sighs again, still troubled.

"Do you want my perspective?" Jacks asks, turning to his friend.

Rafe sighs and turns as well, meeting Jackson's eyes. "Lay it on me, kid."

Jackson rolls his shoulders, loosening them after their long run. "If Daphne is the one who needs to take it slower, go by her schedule. There's no point in dragging her up to your speed - let her set the pace. And if you tell her that that's what you're doing, she'll probably be grateful that you care about what she wants and you two will be stronger for it."

Rafe twists his mouth to the side, wishing it wasn't such good advice. Wishing he'd thought of it himself. "Where did you learn so much about relationships?" he mutters, rueful.

yeah, your

his head at Jackson. "It sounds simple enough. I guess

shrugs like he hopes it helps but also like he doesn't think he did much. Rafe just smiles, suddenly grateful to have Jacks in his life. Especially as...well, for some reason, it doesn't

the question forming on his tongue before he even realizes he's

eyes then, a little sad. "I

hating the idea. He takes a moment, staring out at the newly-risen sun, wondering passively about what a

his eyes closed and presses the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, erasing the thought from his mind. It's not his reality right now, after all. No

head, turning back in

off at a jog that Rafe matches. "If we go fast, we can probably still beat Ariel and

to say that that's not necessary, but then he tilts his head to the side, considering it. "Actually," he says, picking up the pace a little and starting to really run, approaching a sprint. "Let's try to do that. That will really piss her off." Jackson laughs and matches the prince's pace. Together, they make record time back to the