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He nods once. Sharp and short before storming from the room without a backward glance.

Goodbye to you too.

“What the fuck was that about?” Brax murmurs, but I shake my head, not wanting to talk in here in case we’re being watched in any way.

Turning to look at him, I squeeze my arms around his waist. His arms drape around me, holding me close as he breathes me in. “Please get me the fuck out here,” I whisper against his ear as I brace on my tiptoes.

Wordlessly, he grabs my hand and tugs me toward the door.

Back out in the corridor, we still don’t speak, putting as much distance between us and Burton’s old office as possible. When we come to a stop in front of the classroom we’re supposed to be in, I consider whether it’s worth even joining now.

As if sensing my indecision, chairs scrape across the floor and students begin to disperse and I realize the day’s first class is already over.

We weren’t gone that long, were we?

Instinctively taking a step back, we let everyone filter around us until Leila comes into view.

“Hey, where were you guys?” she asks, hooking her backpack over her shoulder. Her gaze flickers between the two of us, neither of us having an answer for her. Is she herself or another imposter? “What?” Shaking my head, I start down the corridor, Brax at my side as Leila hurries to keep up with us. “What am I missing?”

I rub my lips with uncertainty and Brax takes the lead instead. “When we were in Silvercrest High, what house were you in?”

I frown, but keep my mouth shut.

“What house?”

“Yeah, your team. Red, yellow, blue, or green? Which was yours?”

She rears her head back, clearly as confused as I am. “I was yellow, just like you. Why is that relevant right now?”

“Who was our head professor?”

Uncertainty continues to dance in her eyes as she glances at me, but I have nothing to offer, so she returns to Brax.

“Professor Wallace.”

Brax exhales, turning his attention to me. “You’re good. She’s…her.”

Bewilderment morphs into surprise as understanding washes over me.

“What does that mean?”

I wince as I turn to Leila. “It means he was making sure you weren’t someone pretending to be you.”

“Why would somebody do that?” Her steps slow, but I quickly reach out, hooking her arm with mine as I pull her along with us.

“Because that’s why we weren’t here.”

“Fuck. Are you guys okay?”

I nod, despite the swirling panic inside of me confirming that, in fact, I’m not. But that’s something for me to break down later. Not in the presence of others. I’ve already released some of my vulnerability in front of someone I didn’t want to this morning. That’s my limit and I’ve already surpassed my comfort with it.

“I’m good. Let’s get to the next class, shall we?” I offer, and even though I can see the indecision on her face, she agrees.

“Was my father okay with you?” she asks, and my nose crinkles.

“As okay as possible.” I’m quickly reminded of what he said on the way to seeing my father about how Leila now knew to keep me at arm’s length. Maybe I should still be cautious with what I divulge until I know what he meant by that. “Are you free tonight?”

“Uh, I kind of had plans with Grave, but?—”