Chapter 148: Pyjama Party

Blanche had to wait until her last class of the morning to put her plan into motion.

Her mind had been elsewhere all morning.

Even during the math quiz—which she had aced, though that wasn't really the point.

She had deliberately avoided her best friend all morning.

Surprisingly, it had been remarkably easy.

Instead of sticking with Eva as they almost always did, Blanche changed her routine at the last second and practically glued herself to Roberto. The young man clearly hadn't seen the trap coming; delighted to finally have someone willing to listen, he immediately launched into a passionate monologue about cars.

And, against all expectations...

It was actually interesting.

A few weeks ago, Blanche hadn't known the first thing about cars, but ever since Cassie had started teaching her, she was gradually learning to tell different models apart, understand why certain engines had such legendary reputations, and why Roberto could spend ten whole minutes marveling over a gearbox.

"So, you see," he explained with almost childlike enthusiasm, "the problem with front-wheel drive is..."

She nodded with perfect seriousness.

"I see."

"No, you really don't."

"Not yet."

"Good. That means I get to explain."

And off he went again.

Blanche couldn't help smiling.

Roberto had the rare gift of talking for hours without ever sounding arrogant. He simply shared what he loved with disarming sincerity. His hands accompanied every explanation, sketching invisible diagrams through the air, while his eyes lit up whenever he mentioned an engine or a body style.

She even found herself asking him a few questions.

Which only made the conversation last even longer.

Honestly, that suited her perfectly.

The more Roberto talked...

...the less she had to face Eva.

Because she knew.

She knew her best friend would eventually ask why she was disappearing again tonight.

Why she seemed so distracted.

And for once, Blanche had absolutely no desire to answer.

She was simply tired of lying.

So she ran away.

Quietly.

With almost admirable efficiency.

A deep sigh escaped her.

Something had been bothering her for the past several minutes.

A faint sensation.

Persistent.

Like a draft constantly brushing the back of her neck.

Then she realized.

Someone was staring at her.

She turned her head ever so slightly.

Eva.

Sitting three rows behind, the petite brunette wasn't even pretending anymore. Her chin rested in her palm, her large brown eyes fixed on Blanche with almost unsettling intensity, and her expression hovered somewhere between curiosity, reproach, and amusement that was far too obvious.

Their eyes met.

Eva slowly raised an eyebrow.

Blanche immediately looked away.

"Roberto."

"Yeah?"

"Keep talking."

"Gladly."

He resumed without missing a beat.

"So, imagine you wanted to build a track car..."

Blanche pretended to listen with absolute concentration.

In reality, she could still feel Eva's gaze resting on her.

Now that she'd noticed it, it was almost unbearable.

She became aware of every single time Eva looked at her.

Which was...

...roughly every thirty seconds.

She lasted exactly two minutes before sneaking another glance.

Mistake.

Her best friend was smiling now.

Not a big smile.

The little one.

The one that said: I know something's going on. I don't know what yet. But I will find out.

Blanche stiffened ever so slightly.

"Roberto?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you keep talking for a long time?"

He considered the question very seriously.

"About cars?"

"Yes."

"Honestly... years."

"Perfect."

"Why?"

Blanche shot a desperate glance toward Eva.

The petite brunette waved cheerfully, wearing the most angelic smile imaginable.

The kind of smile that, on Evanescence, usually meant a full-scale interrogation was coming.

"Let's just say," Blanche murmured under her breath, "you've officially become my alibi."

Roberto blinked.

"I... think that's a compliment?"

"It is."

"Then I'm going to tell you about V8 engines."

Blanche gently rested her forehead against the desk.

She was safe.

Temporarily.

Phoenix had finally returned.

After disappearing for most of the morning for photoshoots—or some other mysterious mission he stubbornly refused to explain—the demon naturally reclaimed his usual spot on Blanche's lap, as though the seat belonged to him by right.

He settled down with a satisfied sigh, meticulously grooming his black fur with his pink tongue despite the fact that it was already immaculate.

Fortunately, black on black made him nearly invisible.

Only his silver eyes gleamed in the shadows.

Blanche smiled despite herself.

"So?" she whispered, only half listening to Roberto.

Phoenix lifted his head with that smug expression he always wore whenever he knew something before everyone else.

I've got good news.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Which is rare enough to deserve recognition."

I can leave again if you don't want to know.

"You can also just tell me."

He feigned deep offense before grinning mischievously.

Asher's on duty tonight.

Blanche immediately felt her shoulders relax.

Perfect.

It was exactly what she'd hoped for.

For once, luck seemed willing to cooperate.

If Asher was on duty tonight, it meant the barracks' usual schedule wouldn't change...

...and, more importantly, Kiyan would have no reason to alter his own plans.

Her mind immediately began fitting the puzzle pieces together.

Asher on duty.

Which meant...

He would almost certainly take a nap before his afternoon class so he could help the little Pixie afterward.

She knew his routine well enough by now to be almost certain.

A smile tugged at her lips.

Then a far less reasonable thought crossed her mind.

She glanced absently at the teacher writing on the board.

Then at the clock.

Then at Phoenix.

Then back at the clock.

After all...

Fortunately, this wasn't history class but science.

Otherwise, she never would have gotten away with pulling out her phone.

Hey. You doing okay? Am I bothering you?

She'd only had her son for a week.

And somehow...

She'd already missed him.

The irony wasn't lost on her.

She typed quickly, anxiously waiting for a reply—which, thankfully for her stress levels, arrived almost immediately.

Hey! I'm good. You? You never bother me. Honestly, I was getting worried—we didn't see you last night.

Blanche grimaced, biting her lip.

The time difference between Epsilon and the Otherworld was starting to drive her crazy.

She still couldn't get used to it.

Had homework to catch up on. Spent the night studying in the library. I need a favor.

One more lie wouldn't make much difference at this point...

Anything you want.

Pick me up from the Academy at five.

Deal. But what for?

Blanche smiled to herself before typing her reply.

Pyjama party at your place.