Chapter Nineteen: A New Normal | Part 3
After a long, bracing breath, Seerla picked up her head and ran the back of her hand across her damp eyes. “My parents… heard through the grapevine that I’ve been snubbing everyone else to hang out with you. They weren’t happy.”
Thirtyx recalled their disapproving stares when Seerla left for Solstice break, and his stomach clenched. He hadn’t imagined it.
Rhea scoffed. “Yes, but what can they do about it, really? They live a day’s carriage ride away from you.”
“They can have Dexerro monitor who I’m spending time with, and they can stop paying my tuition if he sees me with you.”
Between the anger expanding in his gut and his chest contracting with panic, Thirtyx felt incredibly claustrophobic in his own body. “Surely, they wouldn’t.”
“They’ve already made the deal with him—when we went to his house for dinner. They’re even paying him! Thirtyx, I’ve never seen them like this.”
Thirtyx gritted his teeth. “I guess we’re learning that people do wild things when the throne is threatened.”
“Really wild things.” Seerla picked at her braid. “They don’t just want me not hanging with the wrong people. They’re mad I’ve thrown away friendships they think are valuable for my future, so they’re making me repair them, even after I told them what our classmates did to Thirtyx.”
“They’re forcing you to be friends with attempted murderers?” Rhea spluttered. “Does that mean you slept in your old room last night? With Nephrie?”
“I had to! I’ve been telling everyone that a week away made me realize I was being an idiot. I’ve had to grovel to all of them. Beg for friendships back. And it’s taken all my willpower not to break down all day, so I’m sorry you two had to watch the dam burst.” Seerla punctuated her apology with another sniffle.
Thirtyx gaped at her, still struggling to understand. Good news? She didn’t hate him. She hadn’t changed her mind about his value as a friend. Bad news? Today wasn’t a fluke.
He wouldn’t get to be near her for a while.
Rhea tilted her head and raised an eyebrow as if sizing Seerla up. “Thirtyx, what’s your read on this? Is she telling the truth?”
He was pretty sure he knew the answer. Nevertheless, he focused on separating her physical displays of anguish from the energy she was giving off. There was a hint of energy there—that odd flavor that had grown more prevalent over the last several weeks. But although it tasted slightly stronger today, it had never felt like a lie. Certainly not what her theatrical waterworks might taste like if she wasn’t being genuine.
“It feels honest to me,” he said at last.
Seerla’s shoulders sagged with relief. “I need you both to know that today has been torture. I’m so glad Nephrie is basking tonight, so I can have some time to myself. Maybe a nice shower. I feel so filthy. But apparently, my parents are so concerned with my future success that they’re willing to jeopardize my future success by threatening my tuition.” She barked a humorless laugh. “They weren’t too thrilled when I laid it out that way, but hey, that’s the education they paid for, isn’t it?”
Rhea cracked her knuckles. “Want me to put Dexy in a trance so you can hang out with whomever you want? I’d love to get him back for torturing Thirtyx.”
Seerla finally cracked a smile. “If only. It’s really sweet of you to offer… which makes it even more upsetting that my parents don’t want me spending time with you and Benn, either.”
Rhea looked like she’d been slapped. “Excuse me?”
“Oh sure,” Thirtyx said with as much disdain as he could muster. “Everyone’s so willing to throw themselves at Grimmary’s feet and fawn over his heirs until the throne is under attack, then they hedge their bets.” He pinched his nose and swallowed the fury threatening to exit his mouth in a far less measured way. “No offense, Seerla, but your parents are a piece of work.”
“Like I said, I’ve never seen them like this,” she said glumly.
They remained silent for a fraction or more before Seerla stood. “I’d better get back out there. I just needed you to know I wasn’t acting this way on purpose, and that I’m so, so sorry.”
Rhea wrapped Seerla in a tight hug. “Thank you for telling us. It’ll be alright. We’re not mad… at you, anyway.”
Seerla gave them both a longing look before she closed the door behind her. Then, Thirtyx and Rhea turned toward each other.
In a blind rage, Thirtyx punched one of the desks.
Calley Jones 