"Thank you, Dana." Juniper walked over and sat across from Shanley, sneaking a peek at him. The dark circles under his eyes confirmed it—he really hadn''t slept.


    "I''ll take it from here," Shanley said to Dana. "Could you prepare some lunch and snacks for Juniper to take with her?" He didn''t want her always eating unhealthy food out.


    "Of course,” Dana replied with a knowing smile and discreetly left the room.


    Now it was just the two of them. Juniper took a spoon and began sipping her soup in small mouthfuls. Shanley peeled a hard-boiled egg and ced it by her te, then spread mango jam on a slice of toast for her. She didn''t have to lift a finger; she was being waited on hand and foot.


    After breakfast, Shanley stood up, picked up her backpack, and draped her school zer over his arm.


    Juniper was still not used to this level of attentiveness. There was nothing left for her to do. She ran a hand through her hair and simply fell into step beside him.


    "Dana, please make some fish soup for dinner tonight," Shanley called out, his eyesnding on the slightly dazed girl with an amused smile. "It''ll be good for Juniper."


    Fish was brain food, after all. With her examsing up, he nned to start tutoring her tonight.


    ...


    In the car, Juniper was leaning back against the seat, texting someone on her phone.


    "Juniper..." Shanley turned to her, a slight frown on his brow. "Give me your hand."


    "Oh." She knew what he meant and habitually extended her right hand for him to apply the ointment.


    "There''s still a bit of a scar," he murmured, his gaze fixed on her hand. The mark stood out against her fair skin. “Just two more weeks, alright?"


    "Okay," she nodded. After pulling her hand back, she took a mango candy from her pocket and offered it to him. "Here.”


    Offering snacks was her highest form of courtesy.


    Shanley took it, holding it between his fingers without moving. The smell... was a little hard to stomach.


    "Go on, eat it. I thought you liked mango candy," Juniper said, watching him with a serious expression.


    "I do," he managed, a pained smile on his face. Forcing back the wave of nausea, he popped the candy into his mouth.


    "Is it good?"


    "Delicious."


    Remembering how he''d stayed up all night for her, Juniper felt a surge of gratitude and pulled out another one.


    Shanley''s face fell instantly. He hadn''t expected the consequences of his lie to arrive so swiftly.


    In the front seat, Felton and Flint were trying so hard not tough their faces were turning red. Ms. Payne was definitely their boss''s kryptonite.


    ...


    At Aurora High School, the quiz was just around the corner, and the rumors were flying. Everyone was saying that if Juniper ended up at the bottom of the rankings, she would be kicked out. Many of the teachers, who had long disapproved of her, were certain she was a goner.


    "Juniper." As soon as she sat down, Dolce leaned in and whispered, "Do you want us to highlight the key points for you?"


    Her textbook was so pristine it looked like it had never been opened. How was she going to pass tomorrow''s quiz? A littlest-minute cramming was better than nothing.


    "Yeah," Qadir added seriously. "Juniper, you better not score lower than me." Queenie propped her chin on her hand, observing the calm girl.


    "Hmm?" Juniper raised an eyebrow, looking at the mess of red lines in their books with aplicated expression. How could they possibly call that a summary of key points?


    Queenie sighed and shook her head. How could those two be so clueless? After spending so much time with Juniper, hadn''t they figured it out yet? Who would be helping whom was still up for debate.