BuzzNovel“Oh please, like our friendship could ever fade?” Stella scoffed, rolling her eyes. “And guess what? Queenie’s
transferring to our class this semester-she says she wants to tough it out with us through the college entrance
exams.”
“She’s all right now?”
“The heart transplant was a huge success! Queenie’s healthier than ever, aren't you, Lessie?” Stella tipped her
chin up, looking far too proud.
“Of course!” Alessia grinned.
“But as soon as she got better, she started pulling all-nighters working on designs again. The moment | heard
she was back in the hospital, my own heart nearly gave
out.”
Stella pressed a hand to her chest, remembering how her dad had been in the hospital with his chronic stomach
issues at the stime. She’d been running herself ragged, so Alessia had gone to visit Queenie alone-and
delivered Stella's share of scolding on her behalf.
It had taken a miracle to snatch Queenie back from the brink, and now she was pushing her luck all over again.
“Oh, my darling Stella, | was wrong, okay?”
No one saw where Queenie cfrom; suddenly she popped up behind Stella, throwing her arms around her
shoulders. Stella nearly whipped around and tossed her off on pure reflex, but Alessia was faster, catching
Stella's hand before she could move.
“Jeez, you almost scaredto death!” Stella’s heart was still pounding.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThat sneak attack startled all three girls-except for Pierce, who just watched the whole scene with obvious
amusement.
“Hey, long tno see,” Pierce called out to Queenie.
Queenie nodded politely. “It really has been a while.”
She was wearing the school uniform, her long black hair glossy and straight-exactly the image of the perfect,
untouchable campus beauty.
“Trinity Chain only has this one style, and honestly, it wouldn't suit your mother much. But there's a new launch
coming up soon, and one of the limited editions would be just perfect for her. If you want, | can reserve one.”
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12-41
Clearly, Queenie had overheard their conversation.
“I'd be forever grateful if you could. My mom's birthday is coming up, and | could use something special to make
her smile.”
Even if that “something special” started at five hundred grand.
“Well, I'll get out of your hair now. Didn't mean to interrupt you lovely ladies.” With Queenie’s promise secured,
Pierce left, looking completely satisfied.
“Stayed up late again last night?” As soon as Alessia saw Queenie, she reached out to check her pulse-by now, it
was practically a habit.
“The new collection launch is keepingbusy, but | swear, I'll be in bed by ten tonight.” Queenie knew there
was no hiding anything from Alessia, so she confessed immediately, hoping for leniency.
“If you keep this up, you'll burn through every heart you've got,” Stella scolded, jabbing Queenie’s forehead-
though she couldn't bring herself to do it with any real force.
“I'm sorry!” Queenie clung to Stella's arm, turning on the charm with puppy-dog
eyes.
Even tough-as-nails Stella was powerless against that kind of attack from her childhood friend.
“So, you heading to the office to check in?”
Queenie nodded just as the bell rang for class.
“You two go on ahead. I'll join you after | talk to the teacher.”
Alessia and Stella didn’t argue, heading back to class together.
At the stime, across the street at Crestview High, the school bell rang as well.
But unlike the cheerful chatter at their
school, Crestview was tense and
silent on the first day Erk BaNNELs
about Sli&geetrance exams hung
from the hallways, and the
countdown to the big test was
scrawled across every blackboard.
Every student sat alone at their desk,
heads down, as if their posture had
been measured witidprofractor
TReBASSUnds were pens
scratching answers onto practice
papers. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
About half an hour passed before
Zachary finally stretched, rolling his
neck as he got reqdy toyura fel!
Te
page, Thate when he noticed
Ignatius Stone slumped over the
desk in front of him—apparently
asleep. Zachary blinked, surprised.
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