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“Track? College?” Halen lifts a brow.

“Track’s a sport. Running. And college is kind of like academy, but you don’t start until you’re eighteen.”

“Interesting. So, who’s the guy you were just about to tell me about?”

I tell her about Roman and the pool party I was thinking about going to. “But since I had to leave without a word to anyone other than one friend, everyone probably thinks I’m a jerk.”

“Then they obviously don’t know you.” She moves back and looks me over. “Did I miss anything?”

I look at all my wounds in the mirror. “I think that’s everything. Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me. We may have been separated for most of our lives, but we’re still besties, right?”

I throw my arms around her, never so grateful for anyone in my life. “Of course we are.”

“We’d better get going before we get in trouble for missing another class.”

“Wait. You’re going to get in trouble because of me. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. I told my teacher that I had to go to the bathroom. Said it was a girl issue, and he got all squeamish.” Halen giggles. “I’ll pop in before the next class starts.”

“Thanks for looking out for me.”

She gives me a playful shove. “I told you not to thank me. Let’s get you into a uniform and have a look at your class schedule.”

Five minutes later, we’re heading for the classrooms. I’m wearing a fresh shirt and have brushed my hair. I’m ready to conquer the world. Or at least my history of magic class.

We round a corner and nearly bump into Mrs. Middlebrooks.

She crosses her arms and glares at me. “Where have you been? You missed your government class.”

“Look at me.” I point to a gash in my arm. “Do I look like I’ve been lazing around?”

Her eyes narrow. “You don’t miss my class without consequences. Come to my office after your last class.”

Halen moves in front of me. “But Mrs. Middlebrooks, she—”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’ll deal with the consequences.”

Halen looks at me like I’m crazy.

“See you in a few hours,” Mrs. Middlebrooks says. “Don’t be late.”

“I can’t believe her.” Halen throws her arms above her head. “Or you! You have to tell her what happened, even if you don’t mention names. It’s not your fault you missed the class.”

The thought of Mrs. Middlebrooks’s glare makes my blood run cold. “She doesn’t like me. I don’t think it’d matter.”

“Why wouldn’t she like you?”

“Probably the same reason nobody else does.”

“Because they want to impress Earwyn?”

I give Halen a double-take. “That’s why the students don’t like me? I thought it was because of my dad.”

“Kings change, but nothing else really does. We still go to classes, do homework, have our extra-curricular activities. Nothing’s going to change that.”

“Then she’s only mad at me because of the suite?”