<b>hapter </b><b>219 </b>


    Ileana jerked her head up, just in time to see two housekeepers standing on the balcony above. One held a basketball, the other a volleyball.


    Before she could react, they hurled the balls straight at her. Ileana barely <b>had </b><b>time </b>to think–she just ran, stumbling across the courtyard in a panic. No matter where she dodged, the housekeepers seemed uncannily practiced; every throw <b>found </b>its mark, thudding against her back or shoulders.


    Somewhere along the way, the butler had quietly disappeared, leaving lleana’s shrieks echoing through the misty early morning.


    Later, the butler reported in aposed voice, “As you instructed, Miss Tate has received her wee gift.”


    Max twirled a pen between his fingers, tugged lightly at his tie, and let a thin smile flicker across his lips–a smile that never touched his eyes.


    “I’m sure she’ll absolutely love it,” he replied, voice calm and unreadable. No one could be certain exactly who he meant by “she.”


    Back at the academy, the spring sports meet was in full swing. The ss rallied behind theirpetitors, cheering loudly, and hardly anyone seemed to notice that Ileana had quietly transferred overnight.


    Ste imed first ce in both shot put and the 50–meter dash with ease. With both Alessia and Ste–undeniably the stars of the team–victory for their ss was a foregone conclusion.


    For the third year in a row, their ss took home the championship, putting a perfect finishing touch on the final event of their high school


    years


    The afternoon events were about to begin, with Alessia’s long–distance race upst. “Is your hand alright?” Ste asked.


    “I put some ointment on–it’s almost entirely better,” Alessia replied.


    “Mr. Dawson’s remedies always work wonders.”


    As they chatted, Pierce Quinn appeared, carefully bncing two cups of milkshake. “Ste, Alessia–milkshake!” Pierce had memorized everyone’s favorite vors and


    13-31


    <b>treated </b><b>the </b><b>whole </b>ss. <b>Naturally</b><b>, </b>since Ileana <b>was </b><b>nowhere </b><b>to </b><b>be </b><b>seen</b>, he left <b>out </b>of the count.


    “Thanks!” the girls chorused, taking their drinks and sipping contentedly.


    On a day like this, nothing beat the sweet chill of grape milkshake and <b>the </b>satisfying chew of tapioca pearls.


    Ste leaned backzily on the steps, eyes half–closed. Her father had gone home after watching her morning events, leaving Justin and the Morton brothers sitting. side by side nearby.


    “Don’t mention it,” Pierce grinned. “We owe this year’s trophy to you two–you’re the real MVPs!”


    Ste and Alessia exchanged a look andughed.


    “Alessia<b>, </b>good luck this afternoon–don’t push yourself too hard. I’m off to hand out


    the rest of the drinks.”


    Alessia smiled, waved him off, and turned back to Ste.


    “It’s strange,” Ste said, her voice softer than usual. “This is ourst big event before graduation. Next year, everyone will scatter–some going abroad, some to universities all over the country, some taking over family businesses. Life won’t be this simple anymore.”


    “It’s true,” Alessia agreed. “But at least for one more semester, the three of us can finish out school together. We’ll still have time to hang out, just like always.”


    Alessia didn’t add anything sentimental. Rather than worrying about what mighte, she preferred to savor every moment now, making sure she’d have no regrets.


    “Oh, by the way–your Cole has been shooting you the saddest puppy–dog eyes all morning,” Ste teased, nudging Alessia with her elbow.


    Alessia only grinned,pletely unfazed. “I’ll go make it up to him after the race.”


    Ste rolled her eyes. “Wow, listen to you–go make it up to him!”


    She must have made too dramatic a face, because Alessia burst outughing and gave her a yful p on the arm.