The good news is that sending a mouse up Ivy’s leg was a really satisfying viewing experience.
The bad news is that I still had to watch Alec be all smiley to Ivy. Not fun.
After the assembly breaks up, Bry finds me in the passageway to the fae section of the school. She grabs my wrist. “Elle, are you all right?”
“No.”
Bry lowers her voice. “Were those your stepsisters?”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you go home sick today?” She makes little quotation marks with her fingers when she says the word sick. “I’ll make some excuses for you.”
For some reason, I keep speaking in one-word answers. “Thanks.”
I march out the front door and cut across Central Park. With each step, my rage fumes hotter. Ivy and Agatha? Really? A small, logical part of my brain reminds me that Alec is probably being blackmailed, but those thoughts are overruled.
Sometimes, a girl just gets to feel angry. For me, that’s right now.
I’m half way across the park when Jacoby materializes beside me. “Don’t punch my face,” he says with a sly grin.
I stop. “Not once?”
“You’re in a snit.”
“I hate it when you say that.” What is a snit anyway? And who talks like that outside of elves?
“Oh, that’s snit talk for certain. Makes it tempting for me to avoid you.”
“Act on the temptation, Jacoby. I’m not fit to be near anyone right now.”
Jacoby’s silver eyes get all wide with sympathy. No one can pull on your heartstrings like an elf. “Elle, I’ve known you since forever. I saw what happened at the assembly today.”
“If you say one word about Ivy…” I ball my hands into fists.
“Wasn’t planning on it,” says Jacoby. “I just want to be sure you’re all right.”
Normally, Jacoby is all snarky and pushy. That version of him I can deal with. But this guy is all sympathy and sweetness. Yes, it’s probably an act. Even so, it’s been weeks since anyone with a y chromosome has shown me any serious attention. Knox doesn’t count.
Jacoby steps closer and slowly wraps me in a hug. I should still punch him in the face, but it just isn’t in me right now. Being held is just so comforting. Jacoby rubs my back in slow circles. Total bonus.
“You know what you could do to feel better?” he asks.
“Hmm?”
“Attend the Autumn Masquerade.”
“I’m not going. They who will not be named will certainly be there.” Meaning Ivy and Alec. And thankfully, Jacoby knows me well enough to realize that fact.
“Will you allow them to stop you from attending? Everyone will talk.”
Jacoby has a point here. If I don’t go, it will definitely be noticed.
“There’s still time to decide.”
“Not really. The masquerade is this weekend.”
“Oh.” I make some quick calculations. Once again, Jacoby is right. That snuck up on me there.
“Bry and Knox will be there,” says Jacoby.
“True.”
And did I mention the back rub is nice? It is.
“I would consider it an honor if you would allow me to accompany you. I can take punches to the face or dole them out to others, whatever you prefer.”
I open my mouth, ready to tell him no. Then an image appears in my mind. It’s Alec, grinning up a storm at Ivy. At this rate, he’ll definitely be attending the Autumn Masquerade. Maybe Ivy will even go as Alec’s date. I refuse to think about the whole Glass Slipper Ball plus marriage situation.
Oops, just thought about it.
Barf.
Jacoby is right. I can’t not show. And if I do attend, walking through the door alone isn’t as nice as having Jacoby along. Besides, I’ve known Jacoby forever. He’s a good friend. We’ll have a fine time.
That said, I can’t deny that it’s pretty clear Jacoby might want more than being my buddy.
“You should know,” I say. “I’m not much for relationships or anything right now.”
“Hey, I’ll take what I can get.” Jacoby plays with the ends of my hair. That’s also very sweet. “I just want to spend time with you.”
This may be a bad choice, but screw it. I just released a mouse on my evil stepsister. I’m on a roll. “All right, I’ll go.”
“Excellent,” says Jacoby. “Would you like me to walk you home?”
“I can manage.”
“Very well. I’ll be in touch.”
And in perfect Jacoby style, he vanishes into thin air.