Chapter 16

Erica sets her fork down and looks me in the eyes. “Are you okay?”

I’m anything other than okay, but I can’t talk about that in the middle of a meal surrounded by all the students in the academy.

“Mila?”

I move my fork around the plate. “Let’s talk later.”

“Right after the meal?”

“Sure.” I turn my head just enough to be able to see the band at the end of the table. Isaac is turned toward them, so I can’t see anything other than the back of his head. If only I could see his face, I could gage how he’s feeling. Does he want to work through things or break up with me?

Tears blur my vision. I realize Erica speaking, so I turn back to her. She’s talking with Lumen, which is a relief. I don’t think I can pull myself together enough to hold down a conversation. There isn't anything I want to talk about anyway. Not my parents, not Isaac, not the fact that I’ve angered Earwyn again. When she and her friends arrived at the table, they each made a point to glare at me before sitting.

I should ta