“Yeah, I know that’s the party line. But there are a million other schools they could’ve sent you to. And if a boarding school was what they were after, the UK does those way better than the US.” He paused, listening to their shoes rustle in the grass. He was saying a lot, maybe more than he should, certainly more than he usually did. But he wanted answers. “St. Rosetta’s has… a reputation. The administration has done a good job covering it up, but it’s still out there. If you transfer in in the middle of the year or in the middle of your high school career, say… you’re usually running from something.”

She turned to look at him, her face defiant. “Is that why you’re here? Are you hiding something?”

Grey looked away. “I didn’t say that was true of all the students here.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“You didn’t answer mine.”

They’d stopped walking and were now glaring at each other. Every trace of humor and flirtation was gone from her demeanor, and Grey knew he’d hit a nerve.

“Jaya!”

They both jumped at the female voice. A short, younger student was running toward them, waving, her smile huge and carefree. Even though the way they carried themselves was completely different, Grey saw the resemblance in the younger girl’s features as she got closer.

“Isha,” Jaya said. Grey saw the look she was darting him; she was clearly uncomfortable. “Shouldn’t you be going to class?”

“Sophomores have study hall this period,” Isha explained. “Mrs. Price told us we could go to the library today since it’s the first day and all. That’s where I’m headed.” She looked at Grey and beamed. “Hi,” she said, sticking out her hand. “I’m Jaya’s sister, Isha.”

He took her hand. “Grey Emerson.”

The girl’s—Isha’s—smile slipped for a second. Grey watched with increasing perplexity as she rallied an unconvincing facsimile of it back onto her face. “In-indeed. Nice to meet you.”

Grey dropped her hand. Something told him there was more behind her reaction to him than just the Emerson/Rao feud. But years of self-imposed isolation made it easy for him to keep his true feelings off his face, which remained a blandly neutral mask.

“You should go to class,” Jaya said quietly.

“Okay,” Isha said, glancing at Grey. That strange fake smile was completely gone now. Another benefit of watching people but hardly ever interacting with them: Grey could read their energies pretty easily. Isha was a ball of barely suppressed confusion and anxiety, whereas Jaya seemed… protective. And maybe a little defensive. “Bye.” Isha walked off quickly, missing the previous bounce in her step.