Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
What were the chances that both my father’s and Wren’s deaths occurred on the same day, at nearly the same time? Coincidence? Yeah, right. Is that what the sender of those messages wanted me to find out?
That there really is something more to my father’s case than what was announced to the public?
Walking to my Business class, the feeling won’t leave me alone. Something doesn’t add up about this entire thing—like there really is a detail that I’m missing. A detail that the person behind the messages seems to know. How is it they know, and I don’t?
Was it even an accident?
And more importantly, why? Why send me those vague texts? I’m obviously no detective; I can’t find my earbuds half the time. I might be reading too much into this. But it makes sense in my head. There has to be something else. Something so bad they decided to cover it up.
It’s not paranoia if you’re right, is it?
And Kai…
I can’t even imagine how terrible that must have been for him. Losing a sibling. His little sister. That kind of pain never really goes away. I know that firsthand.
Shoving the thoughts aside, I push open the door to my Business class. Immediately, something feels… off. A wave of surprise washes over me as I look around at the rearranged seating. It leaves me momentarily disoriented.
I scan the room, spotting Lilia first. She sits stiffly next to Ava Grey, glaring at her and looking like she’s contemplating death. Ava looks equally unimpressed, by the way; in fact, her expression says something like I can’t believe this is my life right now.
I’m still taking it all in when Mr. Anderson calls out, “Adeline Ross! Perfect timing.”
Perfect timing for what, I have no idea.
He flips through his papers, then turns to me with a wide smile that I can’t believe he has plastered on this early in the morning. “Ah, here we go. You’ll be sitting…” He trails off, squinting at the chart. “…next to Liam Grey.”
My brain does a hard stop. Liam Grey. Great. Fantastic. My stomach does a little flip, and not the good kind.
“And Christian Ryder,” Mr. Anderson adds.
Even better.
Behind me? Kai and Will. This is shaping up to be my least favourite day of the week, and it’s only ten a.m.
I smile politely, though inwardly I’m screaming. “Mr. Anderson, could I see the seating chart for a moment?” Maybe I can argue my way out of this. Or fake a sudden allergy. I internally roll my eyes at that; as if I could ever pull that off.
He hands it over without hesitation, and yep—there it is. My fate, sealed in ink. My name sandwiched between Liam and Christian. With a resigned sigh, I hand the chart back and trudge over to my new spot. Liam’s grin hits me before I even sit down.
“Hey, newbie,” Liam greets me as I sit down, a grin spreading across his face. “I have to say, you don’t look too thrilled.”
“I’m ecstatic,” I reply dryly, pulling out my notebook.
He smirks, leaning back in his chair. “Love the enthusiasm.”
Beside him, Chris doesn’t even look up. Liam mutters something to him, earning him an eye roll and a middle finger.
Liam ignores it, turning his attention back to me. “Naomi’s your sister, right?”
I nod, not looking up.
“That’s funny,” he says, chuckling to himself.
In my mind, I can’t help but wonder why he’s even bothering to talk to me. I mean, Lilia did say he was the most approachable one, but why would he suddenly take an interest in me? Does he need something? “Is there something you want?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.
Liam raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Why, Adeline, do I need a reason to strike up a conversation with a classmate? Considering you’re sat right next to me?”
“Well, no, but I don’t—” I start, but before I can say more, Mr. Anderson’s voice cuts through the room, and my gaze snaps away from Liam. “Has anyone seen Berlin? Or Paris?” Mr. Anderson asks, scanning the room for any response.
Liam mutters under his breath, almost to himself, “Maybe check Germany and France.”
It’s not that funny, but it catches me off guard, and I snort. Instantly regret it too, because Liam turns to me, a grin plastered on his face. “See, Ryder? Someone gets it,” he said, shooting a smug look at Christian, who doesn’t even blink.
Liam, clearly undeterred, glances back at me. “Sorry, he’s a little shy.” But then Liam’s mischievous smirk widens as he starts to say, “Well sometimes, because from what I’ve seen lately he’s—”
Before he can finish his sentence, Christian shoots him a sharp glare that even scares me a little. Liam quickly catches on and, with an innocent smile, interrupts himself, saying, “My bad. Sorry, man.”
Christian mutters something under his breath, but I can’t quite make out his words.
I don’t get a chance to either, because Berlin strolls in moments later, seemingly unfazed despite being late.
She slides into her seat casually, not even looking at the seating plan, and whispers something to Ava that makes her laugh.
“Where’s Paris?” Mr. Anderson asks her, not questioning her disregard for the seating plan. Although I shouldn’t be surprised at this point.
“No idea.” She shrugs, a picture of innocence as she takes out another container that undoubtedly has strawberries in it. My eyes dart between her and the teacher, realizing that Mr. Anderson has never mentioned Kai’s absence.
He knows Kai isn’t here, but he’s choosing to remain silent about it.
“Why didn’t Anderson mention Kai being absent too? He must have seen him today.” The words escape my lips before I can stop them. “He can’t just not care.”
Liam, for a brief moment, looks taken aback, his smile faltering before composing himself again. “It’s not about caring. He’s smart enough to know where his limits are. Even if Kai wasn’t the top student.”
“But that doesn’t seem fair,” I say, frowning.
Liam glances sideways at me, tapping a rhythm on the desk with his knuckles. “It doesn’t come naturally, you know.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What doesn’t?”
“Kai’s always ahead. But he works hard. He works harder than anyone I’ve ever met.”
I blink, unsure what to say. It’s not what I expected. Not from him.
“He gets free passes, sure,” Liam adds, shrugging. “But it’s not for no reason.”
I shift in my seat, surprised at his sincerity. Then lean back in my seat and say, “I never thought it came naturally. Nothing like that ever does.”
Liam watches me for a few seconds, something thoughtful flickering across his face. But before he can speak again, I beat him to it.
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “For the meal card.”
His gaze snaps back to mine.
“I mean it,” I add. “It… it means more to me than you’ll probably ever know.”
He tilts his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Any time.”
I look down, unsure what else to say, but then he adds, “We could all use a little help sometimes.”
“Is that why you helped me?”
“Perhaps.” He smirks. “If you’ve got any other questions, you can ask me,” he offers, leaning back in his chair again. The way he manages to flick between different emotions scares me a little bit.
“Why would you do that?” My tone is sceptical, my brow arched.
The grin widens. “Maybe I’m just super, super nice,” he says, his voice heavy with sarcasm, but there’s a flicker of something sincere beneath it.
Maybe? Probably?
Doubtful.
“So, about those questions—”
“Only if you tell me something too,” he cuts in, his sly grin intact.
“That wasn’t part of the—”
“Deal?” he interrupts with mock innocence. “We didn’t make one, remember?”
I glare at him, mostly because he’s right. “Fine,” I grumble.
“Is Kai with Paris right now?”
For a split second, surprise flashes in his eyes. Then he nods. “Yeah.”
I knew it. The person he was on the phone with was Paris. “P” was Paris. Maybe I should be a detective.
But before I can probe further, he quickly silences me with a raised finger. “A question for a question. My turn.”
I sigh. “Go ahead.”
“How’d you get into this school?”
Panic flashes through me. Out of all questions, why did he have to pick that one? I know the hesitation gives away a lot, but what am I supposed to say? Liam’s curiosity only intensifies as he senses my reluctance. His gaze fixed on me. Waiting.
“Well,” I begin, my voice faltering. I glance briefly at Christian. His father was the one that arrived at my door like Hagrid from Harry Potter.
But before I can utter a single word, or more specifically, utter a complete lie, Christian cuts in. “My father invited her here on scholarship,” he says flatly.
I gape at him, unsure if I should thank him or not. Christian Ryder, of all people, stepping in? To help me? Something about that is slightly off-putting.
Liam looks between us, clearly thrown. “Oh. Right. Okay then.”
Mr. Anderson’s voice breaks the awkward tension, and I can’t hide my relief. But just as I start to zone out, Liam leans over again.
“Hey, newbie.”
“What now?” I hiss as I turn to face him, meeting his gaze head-on. “You said one more question,” I remind him. “A question for a question.”
I sigh because I definitely am not going to be able to focus this lesson.
“But I have another one,” he says, and I don’t bother replying to that. Instead, I stare straight forward, trying to make out what the teacher is saying.
“I think this lesson is going to be fun this year.” I see him grin from the corner of my eye.
More like a slow descent into madness.
***
The bell rings and I hurriedly gather my belongings. But just as I am about to make my way over to Lilia, I halt at hearing Mr. Anderson’s voice. “Adeline, could you stay after class for a moment?” he asks, his gaze unwavering.
Confusion prickles at me, but I nod. I watch as Liam, Will, and Christian swiftly exit the classroom, disappearing from sight before I can fully register their departure. Lilia catches my eye, offering a reassuring smile as she mouths the words “I’ll text you”.
Reluctantly, I approach Mr. Anderson’s desk, apprehension tightening in my chest.