Share
Chapter 13.3
Nyla considered the proposition. Almost instantly, she discarded the notion; school was too stressful for her and in general, a waste of time. Anything she read, she immediately memorized. “After I’m done at Alet, I think I'm going to be done with school in general. But I know you’d be a good teacher, Eason. A really good one. You’re so patient with me.”
“I just help you identify what you already feel. That’s not really teaching. You’re still human, I’m not really teaching you anything new.”
Nyla rolled over onto her side so she could see his profile. “But I’m a Menhit, Eason.”
She watched his scowl. “That doesn’t mean you aren’t human, Nyla.”
&n
Bab terkait
What Is Love? Chapter 14.1
Time started to fly by for Nyla. February slipped quickly into March, bringing only slightly warmer weather. Fighting to keep her eyes open as Mr. Richards droned on and on about the War of Attribution, Nyla regretted for the first time her ability to memorize whatever she read. The ring didn’t diminish that ability, and it made class dreadfully dull. She jerked to attention by Sarah jabbing her hard in the side. Casting her a questioning glance, Sarah motioned towards the front of the room.“We’ve finished the War of Attribution early. I thought it’d be interesting to open the floor to any questions you may have. They can be over the topics we’ve covered or something else, it’s really up to you.” Mr. Richards stood waiting for someone to raise their hand.The room erupted into whispers, but only one student, a loud-mouthed boy who often berated Nyla, was brave enough to stick his hand up. “Where do Menhits come from?&rdq
What Is Love? Chapter 14.2
No one spoke, waiting for her to go on. “That’s it,” she said lamely.“Doesn’t it bother you? Not remembering?” Dylan asked.Nyla shook her head. “I’ve never considered it before.”“How have you not wondered what your parents are like? Why they let you leave? Or be taken?” Eason exclaimed, riled up by the conversation and Nyla’s apparent lack of interest.“How do you know her caregivers were parents?” Sarah interjected.“Well, everyone is born, aren’t they?”Or are they? Her eye’s met Sarah’s father’s, and a silent understanding passed between them.“Have you ever thought about having parents? What kind you would like?” Dylan asked.Turning the question over in her mind, she finally answered, “Parents like yours, Dylan.”Their father looked touched. Nyla avoided his gaze
What Is Love? Chapter 15.1
Nyla didn’t notice the changing of the seasons until one day she woke up and the trees had new leaves. This was the first time Nyla could ever remember having this time of the year free; in the military, the first hint of spring heralded an arduous march back to District 4 to fight. She’d never had the opportunity to enjoy the refreshing breeze or the tiny animals that started to pop up out of nowhere.Much like the small critters, Mason emerged from her room more as the weather changed. Apparently, all she’d needed was the cold to disappear for her anger to dissipate. Personally, Nyla was beginning to believe that Mason was colder than the weather ever had been. No matter how much her parents threatened her, she still refused to call Nyla by her name instead using ‘it’ and ‘that.’ To Nyla's surprise, being addressed like an object slowly started wearing on her until she couldn’t help but snap at Mason’s snide comment one
What Is Love? Chapter 15.2
Nyla thought she understood. She placed a comforting hand on Eason’s shoulder. “Then why are these still here, if you ended up hating it enough to quit?”“Dad won’t let me take them down. He wants me to look at everything I threw away or something. So they stay.” Eason shrugged. Before, Nyla wouldn’t have noticed any nuance to Eason’s words, but now she knew him well enough to see the hard glint in his eyes.He hates them being here. Edmond picked an excellent punishment.Bringing his attention back to Nyla, he asked, “What do you need?”Her mind preoccupied, it took Nyla several seconds to process what he said. “I don’t know what to pack,” she blurted out.Eason blinked at her, and then his empty bag. “Okay,” he said slowly, “do you want my help? Or my mom’s?”Nyla didn’t hesitate. “Your help. Your mom is nice, bu
What Is Love? Chapter 15.3
Relief washed over her. If money had exchanged hands, she and Sarah would be roommates. Getting to the head of the queue, Sarah and Nyla were each handed a paper that held three names. “Who…?” Sarah questioned, staring at the third name underneath her own.“It’s Breanne.”The duo glanced around them, trying to find the quiet girl who hid in the background so often. They found her standing next to their literature teacher. Even divided by the twenty feet that separated them, Nyla could see the girl's hands shaking. A pang of something struck Nyla in the heart.I should be mad at her, but I’m not. I can’t be. I understand why she stays away, she has no protection, not like Eason and Sarah.“Let’s go see our room,” Nyla said, drawing Sarah’s attention away from Breanne.They had already chosen beds and started unpacking when Breanne shuffled into the room, her head down.
What Is Love? Chapter 16.1
“Each team of three has received a holopad, correct?” the camp counselor asked. The students nodded. “It has been preloaded with a map of the grounds and your first clue. You all have received a different lead to begin with, so there’s no reason to try and follow another group – you’ll end up in the wrong spot. When you find an item, please do not bring it with you; instead, take a picture of it—no need to disturb anything out here. The first group that cycles back here is the winner, given that they’ve completed the rest of the scavenger hunt correctly. We’ll send a message to the pads when it’s time to come back. On the count of three, you’re off. One…two…three!”Sarah, who was holding the holopad, swiped up and the first clue projected into the air for all of them to read.I bloom only three days a yearSurprise! Today is number twoMy fuchsia pe
What Is Love? Chapter 16.2
“Do you think we won?” Sarah huffed as they rushed back to the chateau.“We have a good chance, thanks to Nyla,” Eason managed to cough out between breaths.Nyla slowed down when she saw how much they were struggling. “No, no, keep going,” Sarah directed, clutching a stitch in her side. “I want that extra credit! It’s enough to fix my C in history!”Nyla sped back up, making it back several minutes before the other two. She waited on the edges of the clearing for Mrs. Smith to notice her.“Are you done already?” Mrs. Smith asked, blinking confusedly at Nyla. She nodded, smiling.“Where’s the rest of your group?” her teacher snapped, looking over Nyla’s shoulder.“We’re here! We’re here!” Eason cried out, running up to them before collapsing in a wheezing heap on the ground. Sarah laid down next to him, exhausted.&ld
What Is Love? Chapter 17.1
When the news broke that Breanne was missing, there was a moment of silence before chaos erupted. The only two who didn’t jump up out of their seats were Breanne’s teammates. Instead, they shrunk down, then quietly got up and left the room. Nyla watched them go with what she thought was probably disgust rolling around her stomach.Meeting Eason’s worried gaze, Nyla said, “You know what I have to do, Eason.”“Yes,” his voice broke on the single word. Concern made his eyes bright.“Do what? Nyla?” questioned Sarah, looking between the two of them, not privy to their silent understanding.Nyla started towards Mrs. Smith, leaving Eason to explain the situation to Sarah. “What is it, Ms. Braun?” her teacher asked, her usual gruff voice tired and worried. The change unsettled Nyla and strengthened her resolve.“Let me help look,” Nyla said boldly. “The sun’s already
Bab terbaru
