30

I was hoping no one would notice my absence last night. But one person did. "Shel! Where did you go? You can't just disappear like that!" Elizabeth complained, glaring at me from her spot on the couch, her knees drawn to her chest. She was wearing thigh-length shorts, and an oversized, yellow hoodie-with her hair in a long braid that reached the floor. "Sorry. I was just patrolling the city." I lied, but it was kind of true. Other than almost crashing, and figuring out the truth about Connor last night, that was what I'd been doing. Unfortunately, Elizabeth wasn't one I could fool easily. But before she could ask a question, Connor walked into the kitchen, wearing a white tank and blue shorts. I pinned my anger, and sealed it in a bottle, playing the look of calm and collected on my face. I couldn't give anything away. Not if I wanted to save the citizens and my friend. He smirked, knowing everything I had just thought, and asked, "What are we talking about?" "How I was patrolling the city last night." I answered, and he raised an eyebrow, asking if I'd told her. I gave him a look that said, Bitch, I made a deal. I won't break my end if you don't break yours. He gave me a look that seemed to say, That's what I thought. Clever little girl. I bit my lip, willing myself to shut my mouth before I opened it. This guy had a plan, and if I didn't uphold my deal, he'd use it. "What's going on with the two of you? What's with the looks?" Elizabeth asked, completely oblivious. So she couldn't read what people said behind looks. Good. "Oh, nothing. Just trying to tell her how adorable she is." At this, my face went red, but I didn't really react. "Yeah. Because, apparently, he just loves me that much." Elizabeth squealed, and I almost jumped. I'd never heard anyone do that before, never seen anyone do that. "Shel, you're dating him?! And you didn't tell me?! How dare you!" "Hey, now, it's not her fault. I asked her last night when she came back." He lied, so smoothly, that I almost hadn't noticed how he'd come to stand behind me. And how he was wrapping an arm around my waist. I acted like I was comfortable, since I expected my body to tense up, but it didn't. Somehow, even after knowing he was a villain, his touch still calmed me. I decided not to read too much into that. "Ok, fair. But you two are so freaking cute!" "Hey, we've got to get to class, or we'll be late." I cut in, and then we were waiting for Connor to change, heading to class only after he was ready.