Page 97 of The Bleak Beginning

I step out of his hold, feeling a sudden need to create some distance between us. The air feels charged, thick with a tension I can’t quite understand.

“Look, I appreciate the…welcome,” I say, glancing between Sylvester and Christopher. “But I should really get going. I don’t want to interrupt your practice.”

Sylvester’s expression shifts, a flicker of something—disappointment?—crossing his face “Right, of course. Coach said two minutes.”

I nod, backing away slowly. “Thanks for…um, everything.”

As I turn to leave, I hear Christopher’s voice behind me. “Hey, plant girl! If you ever want to see my collection, just let me know.”

I quicken my pace, pushing through the heavy doors of the pool complex and out into the cool evening air. Because what the hell just happened back there?

“Dude. You doing okay?” Aubrey asks.

I nearly jump out of my skin at the sound of her voice. I’d been so caught up in my own thoughts, I hadn’t even noticed her coming up from the courtyard.

I blink, realizing I must look as flustered as I feel. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant. “Just had a weird…interaction in there.” There was no way I was bringing up the Bishop issue, so I go with the safer option.

Aubrey raises an eyebrow. “Weird how? Did one of those meathead swimmers try something?”

I shake my head. “No, not exactly. It was just…unexpected.” I pause, unsure how to explain the bizarre encounter. “You know Sylvester Oliveri, right? The Legacy?”

Aubrey snorts. “Who doesn’t? Mr. Golden Boy himself.”

“Well, he was actually…nice to me in there. Like,weirdlynice.”

Aubrey’s eyes widen. “Sylvester? Nice to you? Are we talking about the same person?”

I nod, still trying to process it myself. “I know, right?”

“Yeah, well, I suppose miracles can happen,” Aubrey mutters, her tone dripping with disbelief. “But I’m not buying it. Not for a second.”

“Miracles? Please.” Aubrey's smirk fades asOpheliasaunters up, her posture as perfect as her snark. “Next you’ll say he's been handing out puppies and rainbows.”

Where had she come from?

I shift my footing to see Ophelia standing beside us, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her bag before digging inside. She doesn’t even look up as she continues, “No offense, of course. It’s just the natural order of things.”

“Gee, thanks for that insight, Ophelia,” Aubrey says, crossing her eyes. “Come to bother us because your boyfriend Bishop doesn’t want to bother with you?”

Ophelia’s eyes narrow at Aubrey’s jab, but her saccharine smile remains firmly in place. “Aubrey, always so quick with the comebacks. It’s adorable, really.” She turns her attention to me, her gaze sharp despite her sugary tone. “I’m just looking out for our new friend. Wouldn’t want Alex getting any…misguided ideas about how things run around here.”

“I am perfectly capable of forming my own opinions, and maybe if you had arealboyfriend, you wouldn’t have to take your frustrations out on us,” I interject. I’m not about to let Ophelia talk about me like I’m not even here.

Her brows pinch, but she maintains her cool composure. “You know nothing about my relationship. But since you brought it up, Bishop and I are perfectly happy.” She pulls out a compact mirror, checking her reflection as she speaks. “Unlike some people, I don’t need to obsess over every little interaction with the popular crowd.”

My lips part, ready with a comeback, but before I can retort, Aubrey steps in front of me, her stance protective. “Why don’t you take your ‘happiness’ and your condescension somewhere else? We’re not interested.”

Ophelia snaps her compact shut, her smile tightening. “Fine. I was just trying to help. But clearly, some people can’t handle a little friendly advice.” She turns on her heel, her long hair swishing behind her as she struts away.

“I swear, she’s the reason they invented earplugs,” Aubrey grumbles once she’s out of earshot.

“Yeah, well maybe if we’re lucky, when she’s picking up trash with Atlas this weekend, she’ll swallow some plastic.”

“I heard about that! Three full Saturdays.” She lets out a low whistle. “She must have really upset Atlas. That guy is like the chillest professor we have.”

I was beginning to understand this about him. Atlas had a certain modern-day, save the planet, hippie vibe about him.

“Hey, wanna swing by the dining hall with me? Fending off Altair’s mean girl really works up an appetite.”

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