Ever After (East Raven Academy Book 1)(50)

“No,” I say, feeling angry that he’s even saying that. “Charlie is the number one priority. My mom. Rick. Not me. Keep them safe. I would turn myself in to these stupid terrorists if I knew it would keep them safe.”

“It won’t,” Uncle Matty says. “Don’t even think about doing anything stupid.”

“I won’t,” I say. “Only because I know it really wouldn’t protect them.”

“For safety, we’ve decided to pull you out of school for the next couple of days. You’re staying on campus, but you’re staying here,” Jake says. “That way, if something happens, we can run quickly. We’ll go with you to pack a bag.”

“What am I supposed to tell my friends?” I ask.

Jake’s eyes glance at Estaine, then back at me. “We will think of something. Maybe we will tell them an aunt or a cousin died and you had to go to the funeral. The dean already knows what’s going on, and he’s excused you from all your classes.”

“What about soccer practice? I still haven’t gone and we have our first game next week,” I say.

“Maybe it’s best you drop out of soccer,” Uncle Matty says. “I know that you love it, but things are really out of our control, right now.”

I sigh. “You’re right.”

“Can I come visit?” Estaine asks. “While she’s here, I mean.”

Uncle Matty now looks at me. “Care to explain what pretty boy is doing here?”

I laugh at Estaine’s nickname.

Pretty boy.

It fits him, really.

“He knows. I told him,” I say. “I was talking to him about my family and kind of let a few things slip. I tried to cover them up, but while I was hanging out with him, my dad called. He saw his name on the screen and I couldn’t exactly keep saying my parents were dead when my dad was obviously calling me. So, I told him the truth.”

“Don’t you think you should’ve talked to us about it?” Uncle Matty asks.

“Yes. But then I decided I didn’t want you to yell at me, or worse, make me change schools,” I say.

He lets out an annoyed sigh. “Okay. I won’t yell. But I’m telling your dad and stepmom not to call you or text you. You have to make the contact first.”

“Okay,” I say, knowing that’s probably for the best.

“Also, we are going to be wiring you,” Jake says to Estaine.

“Wait, what?” I ask.

“Basically, we’ll be monitoring his phone calls and every word he says to his friends to make sure he doesn’t tell anybody who you really are,” Uncle Matty says. “Don’t try to fight it, because that will be the only way you will be allowed to stay at this school. Also, don’t tell anybody else. If you do, we will be gone.”

“Okay,” I say, then look at Estaine. “I’m sorry. Are you okay with this? If not, I will go.”

Please be okay with this.

Please.

Please.

Please.

“Okay,” Estaine says. “Whatever it takes to keep her here, I will do.”

Relief washes over me with his answer. I wouldn’t have blamed him for saying no. But I really, really wanted him to say yes.

“Thank you so much,” I tell him.

“You guys aren’t going to start kissing, right?” Jake says. “Because I don’t want to see that...”

I roll my eyes at him and feel my face heat up. “No. Please, just, stop. You’re worse than Charlie.”

“Hey, I’m your fake older cousin. I’m supposed to tease you,” he says.

I took at Estaine, glad to see that he’s smiling. “Sorry about him. Actually, sorry about them. And yes, they are always this intense.”

“It’s okay,” Estaine says. “I should probably go to school. Unlike you, I don’t have... bodyguards to get me out of school.”

“They’re not bodyguards. They’re secret service,” I say. “Don’t be giving them ideas.”

“Wow.”

“Yep,” I say, then look at Uncle Matty. “Think you can get Estaine out of school today?”

“Why would I do that?” he asks.

“Because if Estaine is here, I won’t bug you,” I say, grinning big. I know he’s going to cave.

“Phoenix Black, I swear...” he says. “Fine. I’ll call the dean.”

“Thank you,” I say, then look at Estaine. “You cool with it?”

“Are you kidding? I’m absolutely fine with it,” Estaine says. “It’s weird hearing you called Phoenix Black.”

“That’s my name,” I say.

“I know. But I’ve only known you as Phoenix Underwood,” he says.

“Yeah. I hate having to use a fake name, but I guess it’s for my safety, or whatever,” I say.

My safety is definitely important.

Especially, as the terrorists get more and more aggressive.

“Hey, Jake. I’m hungry,” I tell him. “I didn’t get to eat my breakfast.”

Jake rolls his eyes. “Do I look like your slave?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?” I ask.