I exhale a long breath. “But the two of you will really be doing what exactly?”

Zeke holds up his hands in the universal sign of surrender. “Just watching television and hanging out, I swear. My parents will be around too.”

My forehead creases with confusion. “So, what’s the problem?”

“My parents heard these awful lies about Zeke.” Cissy shivers. “Now I’m supposed to have an official chaperone with me at all times and, well, I know how much Mom and Dad trust you.”

“They think I’m a weird-tailed Arena fighter.”

“But they know you’d kill anyone who tried to hurt me.”

I pop another bite of salad into my mouth. She has a point.

Cissy starts blinking again. “Pleeeeeeeeease, Myla?”

I let out a low groan. The rumors about Zeke aren’t wrong, but I’ve known Mr. Smarmy McSlutster since kindergarten. He’s never let a girl meet his friends, let alone his family. I honestly think he’s okay around Cissy. Plus, if I can get access to diplomatic records, I may find something out about my father.

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

The rest of the day is a blur of boringness, including the long drive home in Betsy. I step through my front door to a very happy mother.

“Welcome home, Myla!”

“Hey, Mom.” I give her a kiss on the cheek.

Mom plunks down onto the living room sofa and pats the empty spot next to her. “Guess what, sweetie? I was able to snap a few pictures of you and Cissy in your gowns before you got into the car. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

I sit down beside her. She presses the images into my hand. I look and wince. Even with all the flounces cut off the dress, it was still mighty puffy, like a neon pumpkin.

“Cissy looks beautiful.” I sigh. “And I look very orange.”

“You’re both lovely. Be sure to show these to Cissy.”

I set the photos into the pocket of my hoodie. “I will.” In another lifetime.

Mom smiles and pats my hand. She’s in a good mood. That means now’s the perfect time to get the Maternal Inquisitor to approve regular afterschool trips to the Ryder mansion.

“So, Cissy’s started dating this guy named Zeke Ryder.”

“Oh, I know the Ryder family from before the war.”

Wow, another random fact from Mom’s mystery past.

It’s going so well, I decide to keep things moving. “Now that Cissy’s dating Zeke, she goes to the Ryder mansion after school. Her parents want a chaperone, so they asked me along.”

Mom bounces in her seat. “Oh, the Ryder mansion’s beautiful! I have a map around here somewhere.” She takes to her feet and disappears into her room.