The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0943

"No, Ariel," Jackson says, laughing a little and putting a hand on my knee. "What do you think in like, a larger sense. Do you...want to live here?"

I sit up straight in a bit of surprise. "I...do live here," I say quietly, not getting it. "This is my home."

"I mean permanently," Jackson says, turning more completely to me now with a small frown. “Like, is this where you want to be to raise Marigold? Here, where you grew up. Is that best?"

I just stare at him, realizing finally -

Stupidly -

What everyone else has probably put together.

That...that we have to live somewhere. Somewhere steady, and solid, where Marigold can go to school and have a schedule and a routine. Where she can participate in activities with other children and make friends.

But...

have to go back to the Academy!" I blurt out,

dead quiet for a second before turning politely away and starting little mini conversations, pretending to give us time to

raising a hand to my cheek. "You go back to school, Ariel," he says, cupping my face, shaking his head at me a little bit. "It's so important to you, I know that -

I gasp, smacking his hand away. "We're - we're both going back to school!

moment, his shoulders slumping. "Ariel, I have to put Marigold before my own wants right now - I have to stay

ask, my eyes going

stares

our room is crowded enough," Jesse says, wandering over, perfectly casual, as if we're talking about sports

hard at him, not in the

a sip of his drink. "Touche. Problem solved. I'm in on this

reality on his face. "It's clearly stated in the school's

young men can

as firm and starting to get mad. "It's also a rule that enrolled students

you, Ariel. But if we begin to throw out rule after

it ends!"