Page 113 of The Forbidden Note

“Alright then,” Dutch slips his guitar over his head, “let’s do it.” My lips inch higher as he says, “Let’s strike a deal with Miss Jamieson.”

* * *

Jinx: Drumsticks and Stones Can Break My Bones

It’s Day One without our resident princes and already, the air feels colder. Redwood just doesn’t seem as bright without our three shiny royals. Hurry back, dear princes. There are still so many secrets to be told.

Until the next post, keep your enemies close and your secrets even closer.

- Jinx

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

GREY

I yelp when Cadence Cooper appears outside my classroom. She’s wearing a powder blue uniform top with a checkered skirt and low black pumps. Her sharp navy jacket falls neatly over her shoulders.

“Cadence, hi. You’re here…again,” I say.

“Hey.” She flanks one side of me. Her friend, Serena, presses in on my other side.

“How was class, Miss J?”

“Good.” I drag out the word.

“Huh.” Serena pops her gum and glances at my books. “You’re doingOthellowith the freshmen?”

“Nice.” Cadence smiles.

Something tells me they aren’t that interested in Shakespeare’s play.

“Where you headed?” Cadence asks.

“Teacher’s lounge.”

“Oh, we’re heading the same way.”

I give her a suspicious look. “Actually, I’m going to the cafeteria.”

She does a one-eighty. “Come to think of it I was feeling peckish.”

I narrow my eyes at her.

“Whoa,” Serena mumbles, stumbling behind us.

I glance at the hallway filled with banners declaring ‘MASQUERADE BALL TOMORROW’. As the three of us walk in, students part like a riptide, pressing back on either side of the corridor to clear a path.

“You’ll get used to it,” Cadey says.

“Who can get used tothis?” Serena hisses. “A few weeks ago, they were pouring yogurt on our freshly mopped floors. Now, they’re treating you like a queen?”

Personally, I don’t think they’re making room because of Cadence’s connection to The Kings. I think they’re making a show of shunning me. The gossip about my ‘relationship’ with Zane has spreadeverywhere.If I thought yesterday was bad, today is even worse.

“Ladies,” a new voice says.

I glance up, shocked to see Sol join us. The fourth member of The Kings is just as handsome as the other three, but there’s something in his eyes that’s a little… unhinged. I heard Sol’s been struggling with his mental health, and it’s been on my mind to check on him.

“You heading to the cafeteria now?” Sol glances down at me, his broad shoulders almost blocking us from view. “Or another class?”

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