Ava's POV
I suddenly felt something like energy passing through my veins, and all the professor did was smile and nod. That was really creepy because I didn't know what exactly was going on.
“Concentrate, young lady.” He urged me, and I blinked my eyes a little as I was taken aback by his sudden instruction.
I let out a deep breath and shut my eyes close, hoping not to see anything weird anymore.
~
After having different classes today, I went back to my dorm and sat on the bed, cracking my neck and my knuckles as well. It was a really long day, and honestly, my bones cried for some rest. I could practically hear them creaking and groaning as I scratched my hair.
“Goodness.” I sighed, falling back onto the bed. Relief traveled down my back, and I let out another shuddering sigh.
However, just as I decided to close my eyes, the door opened, and Jack came in.
A grin played on his face as he came to lean on my desk.
“Let's grab dinner.” He said, but I turned away to the side.
“No. I don't think I'm up for that.” I groaned, but he came to me, pulling my arm up.
“Don't tell me you're tired.”
“My bones are weak.”
“A boy's bones are weak? You should be weak in class. Strong after class. That's the drill. Come on, let's grab dinner.” He pulled me off the bed, and I rolled my eyes slightly.
“Let me get my jacket.” I said, going to my wardrobe.
I pulled out a jean jacket and hung it on my shoulders before allowing Jack to push me out the door.
The common room was noisy, as boys went around laughing, scheming, eating, and conniving on how to break more rules as usual.
Jack and I went to the cafeteria, and I sat at the back while he looked at the menu on the wall.
“What would you eat?”
“Anything you want to eat.” I replied, and he nodded, walking away.
I rubbed my temples and yawned, wanting nothing but to be back in my bed.
A knock came on the table, and my head jerked up.
The tailor grinned up at me and sat, her black hair falling over her shoulder in long, silky lines. She had a cappuccino with her.
“Ava Kendall.” She called, looking at me with her gray eyes.
Cold shots went down my spine as unease seized me. I bit my lip, managing to look back at her.
“Ma'am.” I called back.
“You don't mind if I attend your dinner, right?” She asked, raising a brow, and I glanced at Jack, who was approaching us with three plates instead of two.
“Um… did Jack perhaps…”
“Yes, Jack did. I believe we have something to discuss.”
My sweaty fingers laced each other on the table, and I gave an awkward smile, waiting for Jack to arrive.
He arrived in seconds and pushed our respective dishes to us before sitting next to the tailor.
“So, Ava. I actually invited her here.” Jack began.
“For dinner.” I said, with gritted teeth.
“Yeah, I know it's unexpected, but I know her. A lot, and so I just had to arrange this little meeting.”
“Oh, I see.”
“This is actually something huge, you know.” The tailor said, brushing back her hair.
“Uh?”
“I know your secret—your true identity. You really didn't expect me not to know after measuring you and feeling all that.” She made a subtle wave towards my chest.
“Ah.” I looked down at my tight chest and turned red.
“She's got quite the nerve. And that's why I just had to arrange this meeting in the form of a bribe.”
The tailor let out a chuckle.
“What? A bribe? This? Dinner? What is this? Roasted potatoes and a few carrots?”
“They don't have much on the menu. We came too late, and the guys almost gobbled up all the good things. Luckily, we have some chopped-up turkey to the side.” Jack gave a foolish grin, and I bit my lip, even though I felt the urge to chuckle. How could he consider that a bribe?
“Keep your insane bribe to yourself, Jack. I'm going to keep her… oops, his secret, either way.”
Showers of relief burst upon me like soft waterworks, rushing down my body coldly, as I felt I could finally breathe. She wasn't going to report to the school authorities and get me busted.
I wasn't in trouble yet.
“Thank you so much. I really don't know how to thank you.”
“You don't have to stress yourself. I can see it all on your face. But then, you have quite the audacity. You're as pretty as this, yet you confidently came to pose as a boy?”
My cheeks burnt red, and Jack placed his elbows on the table, letting his face rest on his palm.
“I know, right?” He said, and I gave him a little push, as my cheeks went redder.
“Aren't you so adorable!” The tailor said, and I shook my head.
“I don't think I can even be compared to Jack. Not to talk of the other guys that I see here. They're all so handsome.” I whispered, and she chuckled.
“I know, right. You and I might have stuff to talk about. Isn't it so much pressure? What about your roommates?” She asked, and I gave a groan that made Jack laugh.
“It's so much pressure that every day when I wake up early to bathe, I can literally feel my heart in my throat!”
She chuckled.
“Your roommates are the triplets, so I heard.”
“And it's hard,” I replied, making her chuckle again.
“Your poor heart must be in turmoil.”
I blushed and looked away. “Not at all.”
However, as I did, my eyes hooked on something.
A sight I didn't like.
The triplets.
All three pairs of eyes were on me, as I smiled at the tailor.
They seemed to be sending daggers at me.