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Bash gives me a kiss. “Want to sit with Halen?”

I glance over at my best friend, who’s waving furiously at me, then wave and laugh. “I’d better. I wish the band could sit with us, then we could all be together.”

“Not likely. Everybody would flip because it’d mess with everyone else’s seating order.”

“But I switch seats all the time.”

He squeezes my hand. “One chair doesn’t make a huge difference. Six would definitely cause waves.”

“Okay,” I relent. “But I want some more time with you after dinner.”

“Perfect. I’ll be studying.”

“You?” I tease.

He ruffles my hair and nudges me toward Halen. “See you later.”

Before I can sit, Halen attacks me with an embrace. “I’ve been so worried about you!”

I hug her back. “I’m ready to try life again. Can’t go too long without my best friend.”

We sit, and she and our friends catch me up on what I missed—thankfully, the pageant was one of those things. Cove was thrilled to take my place, and while neither Earwyn or she won, they did place, and Middlebrooks threw them a party.

“What about the sparring competition?” I ask.

Halen grins. “Rumor has it Zayn Landon is freaked out about being paired with you after you killed your dad.”

“He’s scared of me?”

They all talk over each other, sharing various aspects of the rumors from one of the other academies. I glance over at Bash and exchange a smile before turning back to the girls and my meal.

After announcements, Middlebrooks makes her way over to me. “Marra, I need to speak with you for a moment.”

I glance over at Bash, who tells me to meet him in the garden, then I follow the dean—no longer my future stepparent, no longer my dad’s fiancée—to her office.

She closes the door and sits behind her desk without saying anything.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ve been asked to tell you that the date of the small, private service for your father has been set. We’re to tell no one about the details.”

“Not even Bash and Halen?”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but no.”

“I’ll talk to my uncle.”

“He specifically said for you not to bring them.”

I clench my fists, and they glow green.

“I’m only the messenger. The service will be this weekend, on Saturday afternoon.”

“The weekend before finals. Great timing. I’m already behind.”

“You’ve been granted an extension. If you prefer, you can take your exams during the break.”

“Thanks.” As much as I hate to accept special treatment, I might need to take advantage of it. With any luck, that won’t make people resent me again.