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Chapter_46
As Yvette stepped out of the principal’s office, the door clicked shut behind her. She stretched her arms, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease as she walked down the corridor. Simon’s desperation was palpable, but Yvette had no intention of delivering his hopeful message to Siren. She knew Siren’s choices weren’t something to be easily swayed. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck in the middle of politics and research that didn’t concern her.
As she made her way back to class, her mind wandered to the conversations she had overheard, the pressures mounting, and the odd undercurrent that lingered around the people in her life. She had been through too much to care about something as trivial as being a pawn in someone else’s game.
Just as she rounded the corner, she spotted John and Bonnie waiting outside the classroom. Bonnie waved enthusiastically, and John just gave her a subtle nod. There was something in Bonnie’s eyes that told Yvette her friend was a little more subdued than usual, but she didn’t ask. Bonnie was quick to bounce back, and Yvette knew it wouldn’t take long for her to be back to her usual, carefree self.
“You’re back so soon,” Bonnie remarked, her voice a bit too bright. “Did Mr. Sunderland want to keep you longer?”
Yvette shrugged, her expression unreadable. “Not really. He had a lot of questions, but I don’t think he’ll get the answers he wants.”
Bonnie raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like a story, but I’ll let it slide for now. Did you find anything interesting?”
“Nothing worth sharing.” Yvette said coolly, but the slight curve of her lips suggested there was more to the situation than she was letting on. “Simon’s hopes are in the wrong place.”
John, sensing the mood, changed the subject quickly. “So, what are we doing for lunch today? I’m starving.”
Bonnie, seemingly returning to her usual self, nodded eagerly. “Yeah, let’s go grab something before the next class starts.”
Yvette glanced at her friends, then down at her watch. It seemed like a good idea. She was tired, but the mundane moments were a welcome relief from the intensity of the day.
As they made their way to the cafeteria, Yvette’s mind kept returning to the earlier conversation with Simon. There was something off about all of it—Siren, the research, Simon’s desperation. She didn’t trust how tightly everything seemed to be wound around her, and she certainly didn’t want to be a part of it. She was already walking a tightrope between keeping her distance and getting involved, and the last thing she needed was more weight on her shoulders.
Bonnie was chatting animatedly about her latest struggles with her chemistry class when Yvette felt a familiar presence. She didn’t need to look up to know it was Jeremiah. He always seemed to be around when she least expected it.
“Hey, Yvette.” His voice was low but smooth, like it always was when he was addressing her.
She turned slowly, her face neutral. “Jeremiah. You’re here for lunch too?”
He nodded, his expression unreadable. “I was actually hoping to catch you before you went to class. I need to talk to you about something.”
Yvette raised an eyebrow but nodded, silently inviting him to continue.
“Not here,” he said, his eyes flicking to the crowded cafeteria. “We can meet later. There’s something I need to ask you about. It’s important.”
Her curiosity piqued, Yvette glanced at Bonnie and John, who were both engrossed in their own conversation. She’d known Jeremiah long enough to understand that when he said something was important, it wasn’t a request—he meant it.
“Alright,” she said coolly, not wanting to seem too interested. “After class?”
Jeremiah’s lips quirked into a brief smile. “Sounds good. I’ll be waiting.”
With that, he turned and left, leaving Yvette to wonder what exactly he needed from her this time. She had learned long ago that Jeremiah’s “important” requests always carried some weight, and whatever he wanted now, it wouldn’t be a simple favor.
