Page 23 of Until We Burn
The ache in my heart sharpens into a guilt I can’t ignore. It continues even two weeks later when Kai is still absent from class.
This should be a good thing, right? I can focus again. Kai and I will never have to cross paths now that he’s gone.
But fate has other plans.
When Mellonbaum assigns the groups for a major project, she slides a piece of paper in front of me with Kai’s email written on it.
“Diana, you and Kai will be doing your midterm presentation on the Giants at Granville Island.”
I gawk at the paper. “He’s still in this class?”
“Of course!” Mellonbaum chirps. “He’s simply taking the course online for the month to focus on preparing for the first game of the season.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I shouldn’t be making requests after getting such a horrific grade, but I’m desperate to keep Kai at arm’s length.
“I don’t mean to overstep, Professor. I just don’t think Kai and I should work together. He’ll be too busy with practice to participate.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Your peer staunchly promised me that he will continue putting in effort.” She smiles and tuts her finger. “There’s a good head on that boy. Especially with all those pucks flying at him.”
“But—”
“Andhis analysis and close examination skills are excellent.” Mellonbaum stares at me pointedly through her cat-eye glasses. “It would be good for you to learn from him, Diana. Might help boost up that miserable grade.”
The second class ends, I storm out of the room, raging with frustration that an arts elective has the audacity to cause this much stress.
“You look stressed.”
I glance over my shoulder. Sophia saunters beside me with herbooks in hand and her pink Angeline Vivienne purse slung over her shoulder.
I avoid her eyes.
“I’m fine,” I snap.
In the corner of my eye, a sliver of concern flecks across Sophia’s face. But it schools back into that careless, scornful stare she’s known for. “I need the number of that source you interviewed for the disability story last year.”
I snort. “I thought you didn’t need my help?”
Sophia hesitates. This time, her guard slightly falls now that Gregory, Jonathan, and bàba aren’t around.
“Well, I took the initiative to get the source’s contact information from you, so I’m technically helping myself,” she reasons.
I roll my eyes. On any other day, I would’ve told Sophia to figure it out herself. But right now, I lack the willpower to deal with things that aren’t going my way.
I stop in the middle of the hallway and hand her my phone. “Look for it yourself.”
Sophia perks up. Luckily, it only takes her a few seconds to scroll through my contacts and text the number to herself.
“Alright, that’s all.” She hands back my phone. “Thank you.”
“Oh, so youdoknow how to say thank you.” I smile bitterly. “I thought it was just a myth.”
Sophia scoffs and walks off.
My smile drops when I glance back down at the piece of paper with Kai’s email on it. The stress festering in my stomach grows worse.
Especially when bàba’s secretary calls me to deliver a message on his behalf.
“Ni hao, Huang xiaojie.”Hello, Miss Huang.“Your father requests your presence at dinner tonight. Your Uncle Frederik will be joining you.”
