J''s expression was a clear sign that something was wrong. Fine. Juniper would let it go for now. With J''s exams and Saskia''s recovery, her hands were full. But as soon as she had a moment, she would deal with it.


    Saskia made it through the 24-hour critical period and was moved from the ICU to a regr room. After herst exam, J rushed back to the hospital and found her mother awake.


    “J, why are your clothes wet?" Saskia asked, her voice weak as she looked at her daughter with concern.


    Juniper noticed it too. It wasn''t just her clothes; her hair was damp as well, though it looked like she had tried to dry it. The clothes, however, were still noticeably wet.


    J put down her backpack, a pained smile on her pale face. "It''s nothing, Mom. I walked past a car wash and got sshed by ident. The attendant already apologized."


    "Is that so?" Saskia''s lips barely moved as she spoke. "If something happens, you have to tell me, do you understand?”


    "Really, it''s nothing," J insisted, her head down. "Mom, I think I did well on my exams this time. A lot of the questions were on topics Juniper helped me review."


    “Juniper,” Saskia took Juniper''s hand, her eyes filling with tears. "Thank you."


    If it weren''t for her, she would be dead. It wasn''t death she feared, but the thought of leaving her poor daughter alone to face the world''s cruelty. But now, she wasn''t afraid anymore. She had Juniper, who would protect J.


    "We''re family. There''s no need for thanks,” Juniper said with a gentle smile, patting Saskia''s hand. "You focus on getting better. I''ll take care of J for a while."


    "You can count on us, ma''am. We''ll look after J," Melvin, who had been quiet until now, suddenly chimed in.


    Saskia looked at the kind young man, thinking how good-hearted Juniper''s brother


    was.


    “J,” Saskia said, turning to her daughter. "I heard Mr. Steele has been driving you to and from school these past couple of days. He''s Juniper''s brother, so from now on, you must treat him with the same respect you would your own brother, understand?"


    "I understand," J nodded.


    The room fell into a heavy silence. Melvin''s smile vanished. He finally understood the crippling


    awkwardness Shanley must have felt when he first started pursuing his sister.


    After leaving the hospital, Juniper leaned back in her seat, the exhaustion of thest two days finally catching up to her. Her nerves had been stretched taut, but now that Saskia was safe, she could finally rx.


    "Headache?" Shanley, sitting beside her, gently began to massage her temples. "Is the pressure okay?"


    “It''s good,” Juniper murmured, melting into his embrace. She rested her head against his chest, her voicezy.


    "Did you take lessons? You''re as good as a professional. I bet you''ve done this for plenty of other girls."


    "What?" Shanley paused, then chuckled, his voice a low rumble. "You''re the only one."


    "Oh," Juniper pouted, snuggling deeper into his arms and closing her eyes. "Flint, look into what''s been going on with J at school recently."


    "Mr. Schwartz already asked me to It''s being investigated," Flint replied respectfully from the driver''s seat. "You and Mr Schwartz are really in sync."


    swny


    "Oh." Juniper pursed her lips. "I guess we are."


    "Flint,” Shanley said, a triumphant smile on his face, “you get a raise this month. Double."


    "Thank you, Ms. Payne!"


    Juniper rolled her eyes. Wow, this guy could mine forpliments and strike gold every time.