"Thanks again, Mason," I said quickly, my fingers tightening over the heavy stack of textbooks as I shuffled backward toward the glass entrance of the science hall. My heart was pounding against my ribs like an escaped prisoner, my mind still totally stuck on the sight of Leo crushing that soda can at the top of the stairs. "I can take them from here. Really. You should get to practice."Mason let his hand drop from my elbow, though his left-cheek dimple showed as he offered a warm smile. "Are you sure, Ivy? I can carry them right up to your classroom door. It's no trouble at all.""No, no, I'm totally fine," I insisted, my voice sounding a little too breathless, a little too frantic. I gave him a quick, tight nod, desperately trying to look natural. "You've already done way too much. I'll see you around, Mason.""Alright. Just remember what I said about Maria," Mason called out, taking a step back toward the quad. "If she steps out of line again, you tell me immediately. Don't handle
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