“I was studying.”

“Studying? During school?” I tried to stand up straight. “What were you studying, your prophecy?” I dared myself to cajole him.

His eyes burned. “You know not of what you speak, little one.”

“Why not?” I squeaked. I had wanted it to come out stronger than it did. “Because I’m just an ‘insignificant little girl?’ ”

His gaze was white-hot, it was all I could do not to cower under it. So overwhelmed was I that I scarcely heard Bree come up behind me.

“Hey, there you are, Riles!” she said. “Shame you weren’t in class the last couple of days. You missed Substitute Hottie, PhD going on about all sorts of conspiracy crazy stuff.”

“Crazy stuff?” he inquired.

“She’s not that hot,” I retorted.

“Walk with us to lunch?” asked Bree.

I did not get her! How could she be so unquestioningly blind and nice to people? Did she not see what he’d done to Travis?

Maybe Riley was right. No one would believe me.

“I have already feasted upon my required daily sustenance,” said Riley, his burning eyes aglow.

Bree laughed. “You’re cute,” she said. “I can see why the Andster likes you.”

I felt my face go sheet-white. Riley seemed nonplussed, moving on without a word. I marched toward the cafeteria like a robot, eyes wide, waiting for the blood to return to my face.

“Hey!” said Bree, playing catch up.

“Why would you say that?” I demanded once inside the bustling cafeteria.

“Oh, come on!” said Bree. “It’s obvious what’s going on. I know it, he knows it. It’s time to sweep those seashells off the table and give in to the passion!”

“You know I’m afraid of the ocean, Bree!”

“It was a joke, lighten up!”

I scoffed, turning from her to go find Vik. He sat at our usual spot on the far side of the room. I suppose Bree was a bit humbled after the incident at Henrietta’s a week ago; she didn’t even begin to suggest that we leave campus to find something more palatable. As I sat down with my veggie burrito, carrots and banana, Bree went to go stand in line, probably to get her usual double helping of ultra-processed half-plastic school pizza. I didn’t know how she could stand to stomach the stuff, but that topped with ranch dressing was one of her favorites.

“I can’t believe her,” I snapped. “I just can’t believe her! Telling Riley to his face that I like him? While I’m standing right there?”

Vik’s eyes shot up like I’d smacked him.

“I mean,” I amended. “It’s not true! I don’t like him. So uncool for her to tell him that. With me right there!”

“How could you like him?” asked Vik, concerned.

“I don’t! I just told you.”