Chapter87: Chapter 87

Chapter 87 XENOIS I found Celeste sitting on a bench near the school's rose garden, away from the crowds and chaos of the athletic fields. She'd changed into dry clothes from the school store—simple leggings and a Whitmore sweatshirt—and her damp hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She was staring at her phone but not really looking at it, her expression distant and troubled. "Hey," I said softly, not wanting to startle her. She looked up, and for just a moment I saw something raw and vulnerable in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a smile.  "Hey yourself. Did the boys completely destroy the snack table yet?" "Miranda's supervising," I replied, sitting down beside her on the bench. "They're fine. I wanted to check on you." "I'm okay," she said automatically, the response so practiced it probably came without thought. "Really, it's not a big deal. Just some petty parent drama." I took her hand, lacing my fingers through hers. "Celeste, a woman tried to assault you. That's not