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

of toys on the front porch, a little stuffed tiger

lap.

up our front steps, looking a little

I breathe, going quite

heavens," Jackson murmurs.

equivalent to a dirty look, letting me know

shoving his little nudge away.

long story," Midnight says, looking totally exhausted. She eyes the couch and the empty space at Jackson's side. "Can I...can I come sit down?

I say, reaching for her, ushering her over

okay, and that she sent Daphne to him. With

curl up in Jackson's lap and listen

I say quietly, giving her a

up at

continue. "But...you're going after what you want in this life. And not letting. anyone else define that for you think that's incredibly

swnovel

away a tear or two and then taking a big sip of her cocoa. "You're half the reason I thought

wicker couch too and curls up in Midnight's lap. Midnight smiles at her and