12. Loveleena
LOVELEENA
Most of the hallways had cleared as students crowded the Grand Hall. After crafting papers for her in the headmaster’s office, Ren swiped a uniform in her size from storage and waited for Loveleena to change in the washroom. Finally, they reached the swarm of students and settled in the center.
“Loveleena!” She had been so distracted by it all, she didn’t realize who stood directly beside her: Kumani Katla.
“Kumani, hey!” She grimaced, wanting to run in the opposite direction. “I forgot you were attending the Academy.”
“Yes…” Kumani looked at her, perplexed. “I had no idea you were attending. In fact, I distinctly remember you saying becoming a Defender was the last thing you ever wanted.”
Loveleena started to speak, but Kumani cut her off. “You’d rather eat knives were your exact words, if I remember correctly,” she said, using her fingers to mimic quotes.
“It was.” Ren cleared his throat, and she backpedaled. “Changed my mind I guess.”
She could feel Ren’s glare cut into her and she stopped talking. Kumani raised an eyebrow. She could tell Loveleena was lying. She could always tell because she was awful at it.
“Sure, if you say so.”
“It’s not really any of your business anymore, anyway,” she spat. Of all people she could find herself standing next to before she could figure out her cover story, it had to be Kumani.
Ren glared, and Kumani took the hint and turned to face the front, frowning. Loveleena’s stomach was in knots. She was a lot of things: bold, loud, unapologetic. But dishonest to the people she loved wasn’t one of them; lying to Kumani made her insides squirm.
While Kumani was focused on the stage, Loveleena chanced a look at her.
The daylight breached the stained glass of the corridor, casting a colorful shadow over her almond eyes and short coiled hair.
The bright red lipstick she usually wore had been rubbed off, an old stain left on her full lips.
Kumani’s beauty was undeniable. But they broke up for a reason.
At this particular moment, Loveleena couldn’t remember exactly why.
She hadn’t gotten any sleep and wasn’t thinking straight; she reasoned, while admiring Kumani for a second too long.
“If you want to see Park again, pay attention,” Ren said quietly in her ear.
Headmaster Adeyemi spoke, but she wasn’t listening, Ren’s words playing on loop in her mind.
If you want to see Park again.
Ren believed Park was alive.