Despite myself, I wanted to argue with her, to tell her that the need had arisen the moment he’d opened his mouth and rebelled without repercussion. My insides shouted for answers, but I bit my tongue. She did not want to explain. Asking again could prove dangerous.

I lifted my chin. There was only one safe route. I would avoid everything political. I would shelter in the library. If I had to, I would ignore the others entirely—even Jetson. If the New Seed did, indeed, exist, then maybe as a Senator I could help—I shook my head. First things first. I had to stay out of it.

Teacher Jones stood, but she did not move to leave. Instead, she took a small black journal from her pocket and placed it on my desktop.

I flinched. I didn’t know what the book was and I did not want to find out.

She nodded for me to pick it up.

My breath caught. “Teacher, I—”

“Don’t speak, girl. Pick it up.”

I wobbled forward and picked up the book with two fingers. “What is it?”

“Think of it as a gift.” Her voice was low. “Open it.”

Biting my lip, I flipped it open. I glanced at the top of the page. Jones had written Monday’s date, three days hence. “I don’t understand,” I said.

“You spoke of the New Seed,” she said, casually.

“Yes, but I know nothing. I—”

“Be quiet!”

I shut my mouth.

“I’m interested in the upcoming Assembly vote regarding the Seed,” she said. “I’m interested in Director Kumar and the New Seed Party.”

My jaw clenched. With every word, she confirmed Covington’s story.

Jones touched her chin. “If Master Vine discusses a topic that you think would interest me, I want to know. Write it down for safekeeping. Be precise, mind you. Nothing lost in translation.”

I set the book down, glad to get it out of my hands. “I don’t need a notebook for that. Can’t I just tell you?”

“No, you cannot just tell me,” she growled. She snatched up the book, pried open my hand and slammed the book into my palm. “Use your head, girl. Today is the last day of class before Break.”

“Oh, yes.” The purpose of Break was to give the senior class time in which to complete the essay portion of the Final Exam. It counted for fifty percent of our final score and the Teachers graded it blindly, so as not to show favoritism. To ensure accurate results, senior students were given complete autonomy from Teachers during Break. With the Senatorial seat open, autonomy this year would be more important than ever.