Rea wasn't sure why she felt weird about this.
It wasn't like she and Aster showing up to school together was some big deal.
Right?
And yet, as they walked across the parking lot, side by side, with Aster lazily sipping his second coffee of the morning, Rea could feel the stares.
People were watching.
Whispering.
She tightened her grip on her bag, ignoring the way her stomach flipped.
Aster, of course, looked completely unbothered.
He caught her glancing at him and smirked. "Nervous, Jones?"
Rea scowled. "You wish."
Aster chuckled. "Relax. You're acting like we just made a dramatic entrance on a motorcycle or something."
Rea rolled her eyes. "Might as well have."
Aster grinned. "Noted for next time."
Rea was not going to dignify that with a response.
—
The second they stepped into the hallway, Elena was there.
Like she had been waiting.
Her eyes flicked between Rea and Aster, then landed on Rea with a look that practically screamed explain. now.
Rea braced herself.
"So," Elena drawled, linking arms with Rea. "Care to tell me why you and Aster Westwood just strolled into school together?"
Aster smirked. "Morning to you too, Vasquez."
Elena ignored him, eyes locked on Rea.
Rea forced a casual shrug. "We—uh—we wait at the same bus stop."
Elena's eyebrows shot up. "What?"
Rea cleared her throat. "Yeah. I mean—it's not that weird, right?"
Elena narrowed her eyes. "You take the bus?"
Rea swallowed. "Um. Sometimes?"
Aster snorted.
Elena knew she was lying.
Rea could see it in her face.
But, thankfully, before Elena could interrogate her further, the warning bell rang.
Rea exhaled in relief.
Elena pointed two fingers at her own eyes, then at Rea. This isn't over.
Rea groaned.
Aster leaned in, voice low and amused. "Smooth, Jones."
Rea elbowed him.
Aster just grinned.