A Collision with Danger  

[IRAYA]

The color drained from his face. Kylie glanced between us, clearly unsettled by the tension.

"Iraya, it's just food. You don't have to be so dramatic about it," Kylie said with a hint of irritation. "Besides, isn't Jason the one who's paying for it anyway?"

But Jason only raised a hand to silence her, his expression hardening.

"I don't understand what's wrong with you today, but you'd better fix it," Jason hissed, leaning closer so only I could hear. "Do you want everyone to think you're crazy? Is that what you want?"

I held his gaze, unflinching. "What I want," I said slowly, "is for you to stop pretending to be someone you're not. But we both know that's never going to happen."

Before Jason could speak, I stood up, forcing a bright smile at the two of them. "I'll go get lunch," I said cheerfully, as if nothing happened.