The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 1012

She goes still for a moment and then laces her fingers with his, squeezes his hand. "We're not dating or anything," she snaps. "Just...because you got all rejected and stuff. I didn't come running up here just because you're single - I thought you were going to die -"

"Sure, you didn't," Jesse says, dry, nodding slowly, a smile curling his lips.

She laughs a little, turning her head to look at his profile in the starlight. "I mean it, Jess. I...stand by everything I said before."

"Okay, Daphne." Jesse says quietly. "I believe you. Let's just...see how it goes."

She nods, even though he doesn't see it, and then turns her face up to the night sky.

They lay there for a long time.

Neither drops the other's hand.

“Midnight?" I call, seeing the little figure crossing the grass, dragging her feet and looking down. I frown, standing from my place at Jackson's side on the little wicker loveseat that mom got us for our front porch.

Jackson looks up too, curious, and even Marigold lifts her head from her

front porch, a little stuffed tiger taking pride of

lap.

calls, climbing up our front steps, looking a little wobbly. "Um, I rejected

I breathe, going

heavens," Jackson murmurs.

gives me a little nudge down the bond that's equivalent to a dirty look, letting me know that that's not what's important

snarl back, shoving his little nudge away.

it's a long story," Midnight says, looking totally exhausted. She eyes the couch and the empty space at

course you can," I say, reaching for her, ushering her

to talk softly to Jackson, telling him everything I wait long enough to hear that she held on to part of the bond, and that Jesse is sad but okay, and that she sent Daphne to him. With a sigh and a glance up to the roof of

them back out and pass them around, I curl up in Jackson's lap and listen to Midnight tell the whole story. It takes a long time, but by

of you, Mids," I say

up at me

mean, I'm sorry that you're hurting, and Jesse too," I continue. "But...you're going after what you want in this life. And not letting. anyone else define that

swnovel

wiping away a tear or two and then taking a big sip of her

onto the poor strained little wicker couch too and curls up in Midnight's lap. Midnight smiles