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.

that Rafe bursts out laughing. "There is a lot about relationships on the internet - I did some research. And yeah, your

says, shaking his head at Jackson. "It sounds

smiles, suddenly grateful to have Jacks in his life.

says with a frown, the question forming on his tongue before he even realizes he's going to ask it. "If she...never gets up

"I mean,

newly-risen sun, wondering passively about what a future without Daphne would look like. Like...would she...find someone else, someone she likes more?

and forefinger, erasing the thought from his mind. It's not his

dropping his hand and shaking his head, turning back in the direction of the castle. "You

a jog that Rafe matches. "If we go fast, we can probably still

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