Jasmin's POV
"Eat," Max commanded, his voice cutting through the cafeteria noise.
I stared at him, confused. Had he actually brought this second plate for me?
There was no way he could have known I was still hungry. My stomach had been silent, hadn't it?
Heat crept up my neck as his intense gaze remained fixed on me. The untouched plate sat between us like an accusation.
"I'm not hungry," I lied, turning away to sip my juice with forced casualness.
He continued eating, but I felt his eyes burning into me. After swallowing deliberately, he spoke again.
"Such a waste," he said with theatrical disappointment. "All this food will end up in the garbage."
My head whipped toward him. "Then you should eat it."
He gestured at the plate with mock helplessness. "Academy policy. Once served, plates cannot be redistributed. I certainly cannot consume this much." His shoulders lifted in an exaggerated shrug. "Straight to the trash bin."
Another dramatic sigh escaped him.
