“You do?” Picking up my pen, I start doodling on my notebook. “It’s one thing to be treated that way by a ghoul, but not…You know.”

Zeke nods. “I understand.”

Setting down my pen, I take a good look at Zeke. Of all the people in my life, I never expected to confide in him, let alone during history class. But here he is, caramel eyes wide with understanding.

I fidget in my seat. “I guess it caught me off guard.” Taking a deep breath, I feel my limbs loosen.

“It could happen to anyone.” Zeke folds his hands neatly on his desk. “Why did you keep it a secret?”

Why didn’t I tell anyone I was insulted by a thrax? “I guess it was embarrassing.”

Zeke sighs. “You should have confessed your major crush on me years ago. I would’ve been cool about it.”

My mouth falls open. “My major crush on who?”

“Come on, Myla. You’ve been crushing on me for ages and now everyone knows it. A bunch of kids saw you lose it when Cis and I were dancing.”

Anger zooms through my body. I scan the room; half the class stares at me and Zeke, their eyes filled with pity. Unholy Moley. Zeke’s version of Friday night is all over school. Rage smolders up my spine.

“You’re wrong, Zeke.” My eyes glow red.

“Don’t go all demon-iris on me. It’s not a bad thing. I was starting to wonder if you were like those single cell thingies we learned about in Biology. You know, the ones that don’t need a mate? What are they called again?”

My hands clench into fists. “Amoebas?”

“I was going to say paramecium.”

My eyes flare brighter. “Well, now you don’t have to say that. Ever. Again.”

Leaning across the aisle, Zeke speaks in a low voice: “All I want to know is this: are you okay with Cissy and I dating? I mean, can you actually handle seeing all this–” he gestures across his chest “–with someone else?”

It takes all my strength not to howl and rip the room apart. Three-fourths of the class stares at us now. The scene perfectly matches what Zeke told them: I had a massive obsession with him, not the other way around. I grip the edges of my desk so tightly, I think my knuckles will pop.

Zeke eyes me carefully. “Well?”

“I was never interested in you, Captain Ego.”

“That’s not what I asked you, Myla.” He makes tut-tut noise in his throat, and I have to stifle the urge to punch him. “Look, Cissy and I talked about this over the weekend.” He takes a deep breath. “Unless you say you’re okay with us, she won’t see me anymore.” The color drains from his face.