Chapter 59
Mirabella paused mid–stride before turning to look at Summer. There was a cool detachment in her eyes, and her voice was chilly as she declined. “No, thanks. I’ll take the bus.” Without waiting for Summer to respond, she withdrew her gaze and walked towards the bus stop with a pace that was neither hurried nor slow.
Jenna, who had been watching the exchange with the enthusiasm of a spectator at a sports game, Instinctively followed Mirabella. “Queen Mira, wait up for me!”
Summer’s expression stiffened slightly, but her sunglasses concealed any sign of discomfort. She watched as Mirabella’s silhouette grew smaller in the distance, and her grip on her bag tightened ever so slightly.
“Queen Mira, you know Summer, right?” Jenna asked with a certainty that belled her casual demeanor.
As Mirabella reached the bus stop and waited for the bus, she turned to face an eagerly gossiping Jenna and replied noncommittally, “Sort of.”
“Are you guys… related?” Jenna blinked, guessing boldly. But before Mirabella could respond. Jenna’s face fell. “Oh no, oh no, Queen Mira, please tell me you won’t rat me out to Summer for the comments I made?” In that moment, Jenna felt as if her heart was in a vise. After all, Summer had plenty of die–hard fans at Parkside High School who could drown her in their spitfire words if she crossed them.
Mirabella gave her a half–smiling glance. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Mirabella added as she stepped onto her usual bus, pulling out her transit card. “Are you sure you want to keep following me to discuss my sense of humor… or the lack thereof?”
Realizing her mistake, Jenna smacked her forehead, which had been clouded by gossip. “Holy cow, how did I end up following you to the bus? My dad’s waiting for me at the school gates.”
After casting a look of mock resentment at Mirabella, she turned and sprinted back the way she came.
A soft chuckle escaped Mirabella.
Summer got into Emmitt’s car and after a brief chat, she mentioned. “Emmitt, I’ve signed up for BrainSpark Nationals. The Education Association is really focusing on it this year. If I can make it into the top three nationwide. I’ll get a direct admission offer from Prestige College.”
Emmitt, surprised, turned to her. “Sounds like an interesting competition. Do your best and aim for a top spot.”
Summer’s gaze lowered as she fiddled with the fluffy keychain on her bag, murmuring an agreement before adding, “I saw that Mira signed up too.”
Emmitt’s grip on the steering wheel tightened briefly as he frowned. “With her grades, why bother with this competition? Isn’t that just a waste of time?”
“She might just want a challenge. It’s all good. Just think of it as an extracurricular activity, broadening her horizons.” Summer said with a soft laugh.
Emmitt, slightly exasperated, just shook his head. It seemed his little sister really wasn’t the type to make things easy for anyone.
After dinner with Summer, Emmitt dropped her back to the Gilbert family home. It was still early when he left, so he decided to drive back to the Davis household.
Delilah, with a face mask on, was surprised to see her eldest son at the door. “Emmitt, what brings you home so late? Everything okay?”
Stepping inside. Emmitt glanced around before saying, “I’ve just finished up with some stuff and thought I’d stay at
Chapter 59
home for a few days.”
He paused before asking, “Where’s Mirabella?”
