"What?" I blurted out.
Angel was giving me this weird look before shaking her head and turning her attention to Michael, rubbing his back while he worked on his steak. There was something about her that nagged at me—something I was missing. Something important. But without any memories from this body, I was flying blind.
A hand gripped my chin and forced my head to turn. Jenny. Again. This time she looked pissed.
She didn't say anything. Just locked eyes with me for what felt like forever before finally letting go and returning to her food.
What the hell is this girl's problem? Since the moment I arrived, she's been doing this—demanding I look at her, forcing my attention. What's the point?
"So when were you planning to tell us about her?" Michael's voice cut through my thoughts.
I frowned. "About who?"
"Tania. From the other class." He had that stupid smirk plastered on his face. Fred looked surprised but curious.
He was talking about Lyra.
I sighed. "You don't even know what happened and you've already jumped to conclusions?"
"I mean, she doesn't give any guy the time of day. But after practicals? She came straight to you, man."
"Is this true?" Jenny's tone was sharp, her frown deeper.
I shrugged. "Yeah, it happened. Just not for the reason this dumbass is thinking."
I went to scoop up some of this chicken... whatever it was called. Chicken malash? Before the spoon reached my mouth, a sharp pinch hit my arm. Jenny. The ease with which she did it told me this wasn't new behavior.
"Why did she approach you?" Her eyes were dead serious.
*[I think you should answer this question.]*
Yeah, no shit.
"It was a misunderstanding she wanted to clear up. Nothing serious." I waved it off, even though that look she was giving me sent a chill down my spine.
Fred must've sensed it too. "It's a good thing if he gets a girl, right? Come on, we should be—"
"Maybe you should focus on your meal, Fred." Jenny didn't even let him finish. "Don't you think?"
The guy practically wilted under her gaze and went back to eating.
Michael leaned forward with that goofy grin of his and clapped me on the shoulder. "Look, Jenny, we can't protect him forever. He needs to make his own decisions. So yeah, if you've got eyes for her, you've got my full support."
Jenny knocked his hand off my shoulder. "No, he doesn't. You already know what happened last time."
Both Michael and Fred exchanged complicated looks.
"What time?" Angel asked—thankfully voicing the exact question I needed answered.
"Um... it's, uh... well..." Michael stammered, clearly uncomfortable.
"It's personal," Jenny said flatly.
Angel gave a strained smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
Michael frowned at Jenny. "Did you have to talk to her like that?"
"It's okay, Mike." Angel squeezed his hand. "It must've been something sensitive. My fault."
He clicked his tongue in annoyance before turning back to me. "Look, at the end of the day, it's your life. No matter how much your decisions might hurt you, they won't kill you—and they're *your* choices. Next time we meet, things might be different. We could get separated. I think it's time we let the past stay in the past."
I would've shed a tear at the speech if I had any idea what the fuck they were talking about.
"I'm right here, you know," I pointed out.
They promptly ignored me.
"He's right, Jenny," Fred added. "It's time to move on."
She said nothing for a long moment. Then she grabbed my arm and stood up.
"Let's go."
"Eh?"
I mean, I know the original me was a weakling and all, but they're treating me like a goddamn child at this point.
"Please?" Her expression was complicated, vulnerable even. Her grip tightened on my arm—not like Lyra's forceful grab, but something else. Something I couldn't quite put into words.
I held her gaze, weighing my options. From what I could tell, she wasn't going to hurt me.
I stood up and followed her out.
Let's see where this goes.