Mirabe paused mid–stride before turning to look at Summer. There was a cool detachment in her eyes, and her voice <b>was </b>chilly as she declined. “No, thanks. I’ll take the bus.” Without <b>waiting </b>for Summer to respond, she withdrew her gaze and walked towards the bus stop with a pace that was neither hurried nor slow.
Jenna, who <b>had </b>been watching the exchange with the enthusiasm of a spectator at a sports game, Instinctively followed Mirabe. “Queen Mira, wait up for me!”
Summer’s expression stiffened slightly, but her sunsses concealed any sign of difort. She watched as Mirabe’s silhouette grew smaller in the distance, and her grip on her bag tightened ever <b>so </b>slightly.
“Queen Mira, you know Summer, right?” Jenna asked with a certainty that belled her casual demeanor.
As Mirabe reached the bus stop and waited for the bus<b>, </b>she turned to face an eagerly gossiping Jenna and replied nomittally, “Sort of.”
“Are you guys… rted?” Jenna blinked, guessing boldly. But before Mirabe could respond. Jenna’s face fell. “Oh no, oh no, Queen Mira, please tell me you won’t rat me out to Summer for thements I made?” In that moment, Jenna felt as if her heart was in a vise. After all, Summer had plenty of die–hard <b>fans </b>at Parkside High School who could drown her in their spitfire words if she crossed them.
Mirabe gave her a half–smiling nce. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Mirabe added as she stepped onto her usual bus, pulling out her transit card. “Are you sure you want to keep following me to discuss my sense of humor… or theck thereof?”
Realizing her mistake, Jenna smacked her forehead, which had been clouded by gossip. “Holy cow, how did I end up following you to the bus? My dad’s waiting for me at the school gates.”
After casting a look of mock resentment at Mirabe, she turned and sprinted <b>back </b>the way she came.
A soft chuckle escaped Mirabe<b>. </b>
Summer got into Emmitt’s car and after a brief chat, she mentioned. “Emmitt, I’ve signed up for BrainSpark Nationals. The Education Association is really focusing on it this year. If I can make it into the top three <b>nationwide</b>. I’ll get a direct admission offer from Prestige College.”
Emmitt, surprised, turned to her. “Sounds like an interestingpetition. Do your best and aim for a top spot.”
Summer’s gaze lowered as she fiddled with the fluffy keychain on her bag, murmuring an agreement before adding, “I saw that Mira signed up too.”
Emmitt’s grip on the steering wheel tightened briefly as he frowned<b>. </b>“With her <b>grades</b>, why bother with thispetition? Isn’t that just a waste of time?<b>” </b>
“She might just want a challenge. It’s all good. Just think of it as an extracurricr activity, broadening her horizons.” Summer said with a softugh.
Emmitt, slightly exasperated, just shook his head. It seemed his little sister really wasn’t the type to make things easy for anyone.
After dinner with Summer, Emmitt dropped her back to the Gilbert family home. It was still early when he left, so he <b>decided </b>to drive back to the Davis household.
Delh, with a face mask on, was surprised to see her eldest son at the <b>door</b>. <b>“</b>Emmitt, what brings you home sote? Everything okay?”
Stepping inside. Emmitt nced around before saying, “I’ve just finished up with some stuff and thought I’d <b>stay </b>at
home for a few days.”
He paused before asking, “Where’s Mirabe?”