After school, Mera was already waiting by the door.
She hooked her arm through mine.
Casual.
Possessive.
Several people stared.
Let them.
We walked into the hallway together.
"So," Mera said. "Your place."
"Yeah. My place."
Mera glanced up at me, yellow eyes bright with something I couldn't quite read yet.
"Should I bring a change of clothes?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"To be safe? Might as well bring a suitcase. Leave some stuff at my house."
She stumbled mid-step.
Recovered fast.
"Rome."
"Or we can go shopping," I added. "Pick up whatever you need downtown."
Her expression shifted.
Warmer became cooler.
Not cold. Just... guarded.
"I don't want you spending money on me."
The words landed flat.
No room for negotiation.
I stopped walking.
Pulled her to the side near the stairwell where fewer people passed through.
"Mera."
"I'm serious." She crossed her arms. "I'm not one of those girls who—"
"I know."
That stopped her.
She blinked.
"You... know?"
