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

toys on the front porch, a little stuffed

lap.

calls, climbing up our front steps, looking a little

breathe,

Jackson murmurs. "Are

bond that's equivalent

it's not, I snarl back, shoving his

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

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

sad but okay, and that she sent Daphne to him. With a sigh and a glance up to the roof of the Castle, hoping Daphne

I bring 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,

proud of you, Mids," I say quietly, giving her

up at me in

you want in this

swnovel

two and then taking a big sip of her cocoa. "You're

the poor strained little wicker couch too and curls up