A disbelieving laugh tumbled from my lips, the air finally reaching my lungs again.

Seth made a strange choking noise that made me look over at him for a split second. “Are you serious?”

“Completely. Advantage of being an androgynous, French god: you’re absolutely everyone’s type, boys or girls. They call me The Confuser because I make everyone question their sexuality.”

Seth frowned. “No one ever calls you that.”

“No,” Jasper admitted. “But that would be cool. So, you like Noelle?”

“No,” I replied, at the same time that Seth said, “Yes.”

“Interesting.”

I felt my cheeks heating up and quickly went on to ask, “How is she?”

“I don’t know, really. The nurse kicked me out as soon as I put Noelle down and she’s not letting anyone besides Mrs. Whitworth in. She’ll probably have to stay there for the night.”

“Alone?”

“Yes. But don’t worry, princesse,” Jasper said. “It’s by far not the first time Noelle has ended up in the infirmary overnight.

Knowing her, she’ll probably be back on her feet by tomorrow, even if she really shouldn’t be.”

Before I could reply I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder, making me jump.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Mrs. Whitworth said with an apologetic smile. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Yes. Yes, of course,” I hastily said and followed her as she led me out into the hallway where it was a bit quieter. “Is this because I went onto the court without permission?”

“It’s not. Don’t worry, Evelyn, I’m not angry with you. Quite the opposite, actually.”

My shoulders sagged in relief. “Oh.”

“I don’t know you all that well,” she said in her gentle, smooth voice. “But I appreciate empathy and courage, which is what you showed when you raced to help Noelle. You know her well by now, so you must know how . . . difficult she can be, at times.

Frankly, I didn’t expect the two of you to get along.”

“Me either,” I said.

“I love all my students and want only the best for them, but Noelle has always been one of those over whom I feel even more protective. She didn’t always have it easy. Seeing someone care for her as much as you do . . . it’s very special.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. To hear the headmistress speak about her students with so much warmth in her voice was as unexpected as it was touching.

“I can see how worried you are about Noelle. I want you to take your mind off her tonight. I give you permission to go out into town with Seth and Jasper.”

“Really? We’re allowed to go out?”

She smiled. “Yes, but only if you return by eleven.”

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Whitworth.”

“You’re welcome.” Her brown eyes glinted cheerfully as she made a shooing motion. “Go ahead. Just don’t tell everyone.”

“I won’t,” I said, turning around. “Thanks again!”

“Eleven sharp!” she called after me, but I was already flying through the doors of the gym, towards where Jasper and Seth were still standing, one looking flustered, the other amused.