The library at Moonveil Academy was nothing like the small, cramped room I used to call a library back at Braywick High. This place looked like something out of a movie, vaulted ceilings with carved beams, rows upon rows of polished mahogany shelves, and ladders that slid along the walls like something Belle would have adored.
No, it would have put the beast's library to shame.
It even smelled expensive. Not just of paper and ink, but of lemon polish and faint lavender, like someone spritzed the entire place with wealth.
Freya was already flipping through a stack of books on one of the long wooden tables, her fiery red hair catching the sunlight that streamed in through the tall arched windows.
"Do you think 'The Ethics of Leadership' is too cliché?" she asked, holding up a hardbound book that looked heavy enough to crack a skull.
"It sounds like a book that'll put me to sleep in three minutes flat," I muttered, scanning the shelves. "Do we have to pick something so boring for this Research Skills assignment? We could spice it up with a topic like—"
"—'Why Rich People Are the Worst?'" Freya smirked.
"Exactly," I grinned. "It'd practically write itself."
She snorted. "Moonveil would love that. You'd probably get extra credit for roasting the heirs."
I was about to make another joke when a voice, smooth and teasing, cut through the quiet of the library.
"Speaking of heirs," it said, "I heard you made quite an impression on them already."
Freya's head snapped up, and a wide grin split her face. "Kai!" she squealed, practically launching herself off the chair to hug the newcomer.
I turned around to see a guy with dark blue hair, yes, dark blue, like the ocean at midnight. It wasn't neon or obnoxious, though, and it fitted him well. He had a massive grin plastered on his face.
"Kai, this is Maeve," Freya said when she let him go. "Maeve, this troublemaker is Kai, one of my closest friends. He's a second-year."
"Troublemaker?" he asked, feigning offense. "I'm a bit hurt." He turned his attention to me, extending a hand. "So, you're the girl who stood up to the heirs, huh? That's… ballsy. Respect."
I blinked, shaking his hand with a sheepish smile. "I wouldn't say I 'stood up to them.' I just—uh—called one of them rude after bumping into him."
Freya rolled her eyes like she'd heard the story a thousand times. "And you nearly caused World War III in the hallway."
"Not my fault he's got the personality of a brick," I shot back.
Kai chuckled, leaning against the table. "You're not wrong. Lucian and his crew aren't exactly known for being sunshine and rainbows. You either avoid them or kiss their asses. Most people pick the second option."
"Yeah no kidding," I muttered, "I've apparently chosen option three: piss them off."
Freya snorted. "You should've seen them this morning, Kai. The girls from the Silver Circle just walked into our room and dumped water on Maeve's purse."
Kai's grin dropped instantly. His brows shot up. "Wait what? They did what?"
"Yeah," I said, shrugging like it was nothing. "They just came in, made fun of me being a scholarship kid, and left like it was a normal Tuesday activity."
Kai groaned and dragged a hand down his face. "The Silver Circle," he said with a dramatic sigh. "Of course. I swear, those girls think they're untouchable because their dads own half the city. They've been obsessed with the heirs since, like, forever. You made eye contact with Lucian or something, didn't you?"
I blinked. "Uh. Maybe?"
Freya snickered. "Maybe? She called him blind to his face."
Kai stared at me like I'd just confessed to robbing a bank. "You what?"
"What? They were mean!" I protested. "I'm not just going to stand there and let some random guy talk down to me."
Kai tilted his head, amusement returning to his eyes. "You've got guts, Sinclair. I like that."
"Thanks, I think?"
He grinned again, shaking his head like I was some kind of enigma. "Anyway, don't let the Silver Circle get to you. They're all bark, no bite. They act tough because they've never had to fight for anything in their lives. You're already ten times more interesting than they'll ever be."
Freya nudged me playfully. "See? I told you they're pathetic."
Kai clapped his hands together suddenly, making both of us jump. "You know what? You two are coming with me later."
"Later? Where?" Freya asked suspiciously.
"Basketball practice," he said, grinning like it was the best idea in the world. "I've got court time reserved at the East Gym around five. Maeve, you're coming too."
I blinked. "Me?"
"Yeah, you," he said, pointing at me. "You play, don't you? You look like someone who plays."
"Actually…" I smiled sheepishly, "I was a forward on my high school team."
Freya's eyebrows shot up. "What?! You never told me that!"
I shrugged. "It never came up."
Kai grinned wider, looking like a cat who'd found a new toy. "Perfect. We're short on players today anyway. You're officially drafted."
I hesitated, chewing my lip. "Are you sure I won't… embarrass myself?"
"Please," Kai said with a dramatic scoff. "You'll be fine. And besides, it'll be fun. Plus, it's a good way to blow off some steam after, you know… water-purse-gate this morning."
I laughed at the ridiculous name, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. "Okay, fine. I'll come."
"Great," he said, slapping the table like a done deal. "You can start coming at 4:30. Don't wear anything you'd be afraid to get sweaty."
Freya groaned. "Wow, could you make that sound any more weird?"
Kai just laughed and gave her a playful salute. "You love me anyway."
We spent the next hour in the library trying to focus on our Research Skills assignment, but I kept getting distracted by the thought of basketball practice. It had been months since I'd played. Maybe I could actually feel like myself again for a little while.
As we packed our books, Freya gave me a sly grin. "You know, you're making friends faster than I thought."
I raised an eyebrow. "You mean Kai?"
"Yep. He doesn't usually warm up to people so quickly. You must have impressed him."
I scoffed. "Or maybe he just needs a spare player."
Freya laughed. "Either way, you're in for a fun afternoon."