The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 163

I begin to flick through the pages, looking over Alvez’s notes as I glance at the other students in the class, wondering if their results were as devastatingly bad as mine. Considering the horror on everyone’s faces, though, I think they might have been. None of us have really become friends, honestly, except for maybe Hai, who I think is funny and clever.

Instead, Neumann pits us against each other in class, I think on purpose. He wants his espionage students, I think, to be quite independent, not to lean on each other for support. In the field, after all, we’ll likely be working solo.

It makes sense, even if it does make for lonely days with no one to talk to about the rigors of Chemistry track.

“This,” Neumann says, tapping on the test still sitting on my desk at the end of class, after almost everyone has already left the classroom, “has to get better, Clark.”

I look up at him, surprised by the stern note of his voice. “I’m working, Sir,” I say, my eyes wide and genuine. “Honestly, I am studying.”

“You also spend a great deal of time with your family and your friends,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at me.

My jaw drops open a little in surprise. How – how did he know that?

He just raises an eyebrow, giving nothing away. “This is serious work, Clark, not a game. You have a promising mind – don’t squander your opportunities. Save fun for your winter break. Now? Work.”

I press my lips together and nod, guilt running through me because he’s right. It’s not that friends and family aren’t important – of course they are – but I’ve got a limited time to prove my worth here at this Academy, to demonstrate that I belong here, even though I’m a girl and even though I’m a spoiled royal.

Neumann sees my renewed determination and nods once before turning away.

Exhaling, I grab my bag and my test, heading out the door and up to my room.

My brother and my cousin let me walk through the halls alone now, which is a tiny relief. Wright has stopped bothering me, either because he’s scared of my bodyguards or has his own things to worry about, I don’t know which. Either way, I’ve been deemed “safe enough,” and I think everyone in our year has figured out that I’m off limits for bullying if they don’t want to face any Sinclair wrath.

Which, considering the amount of muscle that Rafe and Jesse have put on this semester is…not a small threat.

As I burst scowling into the room, though, I find that pretty much everyone is here. Rafe raises his eyebrows in surprise. “You okay?” he asks.

Ben sends me a wave, concentrating on his essay, and Luca sits up on the couch, looking curiously at me.

“Twenty points off on my Chem test,” I snap, tossing the shameful paper on the coffee table after I press the door shut behind me. “I can’t believe it – I’m so mad at myself.”

Jesse clicks his tongue consolingly, glancing up at me before reaching for the test. “That sucks, Ari – I know you killed yourself studying for this. Honestly, did he make it too hard?”

“No such thing as too hard,” I scowl, flopping down on the couch and crossing my arms, still upset. Luca turns towards me and stretches out a leg, letting the casual touch of our bodies carry his warmth and his condolence and his sorriness to see me upset.

I meet his eyes, grateful, and give him a small smile with a pulse of thanks down the bond. He sends a sweeping sense of faith and affection in response, letting me know that he believes in me. It warms me, body and soul, and I can’t keep from smiling at him.

“Do you want me to have a word with this Neumann guy?” Rafe asks, taking the test from Jesse and studying it closely.

And I groan, knowing that if I asked him? Rafe probably would.