"I can''t exin it," Jett said quietly. "There''s just something about her... Whenever I look at her, it feels like I owe her a debt. Like I''ve done her some wrong I can''t even name. Especially when she looks at me with that guarded, almost hostile expression it makes me uneasy."


    He kept his eyes on Calliope, a restless knot tightening in his chest. He didn''t like how she looked at him. At his age, he''d learned to take most things in stride, but this girl somehow unsettled him, stirring emotions he couldn''t control.


    Mrs. White was also watching Calliope, a thoughtful look shadowing her features. "Maybe it''s because she looks a bit like me. I can''t help feeling drawn to her, almost like I want to be close."


    A small, wry smile touched her lips. "But if I did, Blythe would get jealous." Not wanting to upset Blythe, she kept her impulse in check.


    "You feel it too?" Jett asked, shooting her a puzzled nce before returning his gaze to Calliope. “I have this urge to talk to her, to get to know her. But we''re basically strangers. Still, it feels like I''ve known her for years. It''s the oddest thing."


    Calliope had no idea the Whites were talking about her. Every so often, she''d catch them looking her way, and she couldn''t help but frown, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face.


    Her friends at the table noticed too.


    "Anyone else feel like Mr. and Mrs. White keep watching us?" someone whispered, ncing nervously over their shoulder.


    "Now that you mention it, I''ve noticed. What do you think they want? Did we do something wrong?"


    "No idea. It''s kind of making me anxious.”


    "They''re not watching all of us. Looks to me like they''re fixated on Callie."


    "You don''t think this is about that whole casino thing, do you? Maybe they''re looking


    to settle the score with Callie?"


    "Come on, they''re not like that. Jett isn''t the type."


    "Exactly. Mr. White would never."


    Calliope kept her head down and ate in silence.


    After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways. On her way back, Calliope ran into Nigel.


    "You''re up early," he said with a hint of surprise.


    She nodded politely. "So are you, Mr.


    loks like you''re feeling


    By the way think you forgot


    to pay me."


    Nigel blinked as if caught off guard. "Are you really that strapped for cash?"


    "Maybe a little." Calliope raised an eyebrow. "No such thing as too much money, right? The more, the merrier."


    Nigelughed. "I''ll send it over in a bit."


    "Have you found out who poisoned you yet?" Calliope asked, giving a side nce to Lnd.


    Lnd looked positively sheepish, head lowered like a student caught cheating on a test.


    “Try feeding him something that boosts brainpower,” Calliope suggested lightly as she continued on her way.


    Nigel watched her go, a gleam of amusement and curiosity in his eyes.


    Jett, who had been following behind Calliope, fingered a moment before resuming his pace. As he pass passed


    Nigel, he paused and sized him up.


    "What''s your rtionship with her?" Jett asked abruptly, after a brief hesitation.


    Nigel''s gaze sharpened. "What''s that


    supposed to mean, Mr. White? Are you stilsmarting from your less looking to pull something behind her back? If that''s your n, I''ll have to disagree."