13 The Morning After (2/2)

”We can talk here,” Isabelle said, staring icicles into Hunter's face. Celia quietly crossed her arms across her chest and flashed him a thin-lipped smile that was more obstinate than friendly.

”People are staring at us. I'd like to speak to you privately,” Hunter answered, his smile unwavering. His amiable tone parried Isabelle's coldness. The boy was used to winning people over. He gestured to a nearby tree.

When they were at a safe distance away from eavesdroppers, Celia spoke first.

”So, did the girls stop coming to you that you had to come here?”

Hunter ignored the question.

It was no secret that a number of girls would go to the Boys' Dorm to ask for Hunter and his friends. With its elite credentials, many families considered Saint Blaise's Academy as a meat market for their children: many were encouraged to make connections with the sons and daughters of other powerful families. Hunter and his best friend Luka not only belonged to mega-rich families, but they were also among the more attractive heirs at SBA. Heiresses were falling over themselves for the chance to go out with either of them.

”I just wanted to ask you about Boots. Is she okay?”

Isabelle and Celia's eyes locked together in a heartbeat. Isabelle tilted her head sharply and Celia shrugged back and quickly nodded. Their perfect wordless communication was a shining display of best friendship.

”Yeah,” Celia replied. ”She's a little sick today, but she's fine.”

”Sick how?” Hunter pressed.

”Oh, just a little fever. Did you need something from her?” Celia asked as casually as she could muster.

”No, just asking.”

”You came all the way here just to ask about her?” Isabelle interposed.

”Yeah,” Hunter replied, sounding nonchalant. ”I didn't see her today, I just thought I'd ask.”

Hunter slicked his hair back from his forehead. He bit the corner of his lip and then added, ”Could you tell Ash I asked about her?”

”Sure man,” Celia answered. ”I'll let her know you were here.”

”Yeah . . . uh, thanks,” Hunter nodded, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. For a moment, he seemed to hesitate. Then he looked up and smiled at the 2 girls, his usual confident demeanor belying the split second of indecision.

”I'll see you guys around. Bye!” He gave them a little wave and walked away, head high and shoulders back, exuding the confidence and swagger of a young royal.

Hunter's posturing didn't fool Isabelle. She had caught all the little signs of Hunter's vacillation. She noted the genuine concern in his voice when he pressed Celia about Ash's condition.

Celia didn't catch his hesitation; she was stuck on his words. Why was he asking about Ash when they weren't even friends?

”What do you think that was about?” Celia asked Izzy.

”I'm not sure. But he looked worried about her. You caught that, right?”

”Huh? No way. He probably just needed an excuse to go to the Girls' Dorm. He doesn't even know Ash like that.”

”Hmm,” Isabelle murmured, tapping her finger on her chin.

”When you go see Ash, tell her Hunter asked about her. See how she reacts to it.”

Celia scratched at her neck. ”I dunno, Izzy. I think Hunter just wants to mess with her. I actually wasn't going to bring that up.”

Isabelle put her hand on Celia's shoulder. ”Maybe he knew where she went last night, did you think about that?”

Celia furrowed her brows.

”Look. Ash disappears. She misses class for one day and suddenly Hunter---who's only spoken to us a handful of times---wants to know if she's okay? You do the math.”

”Ash and Hunter, really?!” Celia asked, skeptical.

Isabelle just shrugged in response.

Upstairs in her room, Ash sneezed out of nowhere.

Hunter, who was on his way to the pool, tripped on the pavement and lost his footing for a second.