The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



“Well, I stand by it," Rafe says, settling back into his chair and pretending to turn his attention back to his own homework. "If you want help, Jackson is your man."

The room rings silent for a moment and I keep my eyes on my brother. When Rafe's own eyes flick back up a moment and he glances between Jackon and Luca, I smirk - because I knew he wasn't really reading. He's just as desperate to see how this plays out as I am.

The silence soon grows...awkward...as Luca sits, scowling at the book, and the rest of us just...wait.

"Look, man," Jackson says, low and serious, "I'd be happy to talk you through it if you think it'd be helpful. But it's also fine to figure it out yourself."

Luca heaves a big sigh and grabs his book up, looking over at Jackson but appearing none too happy about it as he gives in. “Fine,” he says, his mouth twisting a bit. “If I don't get help I'm going to fail this assignment, and I'd prefer not to do that, so...can you make any sense of this?”

I watch in a bit of awe as Luca passes his book across me and into Jackson's hands.

“Oh, yeah,” Jackson says, his eyebrows going up and his face brightening. “The battle of Thrimpole. This is...this is actually a fun one." "Awesome," Luca says, totally dry, his tone implying that he thinks it's the opposite.

Jackson looks over at me for the first time and clears his throat a little, expectant. I stare at him for a second and then realize what he wants. Instantly, I scramble backwards, taking my own book with me, and then I hop to my feet, moving to the couch where Daphne and Ben make a little room for me between them.

Luca and Jackson move a little closer together, bending over the book, and I watch in awe as the two of them...start to work together.noveldrama

Because I never, ever thought I'd see it.

"Close your mouth," Ben whispers next to me, giving me a little nudge with his elbow.

I look over at him and then laugh

when I realize that I actually am gaping. I snap my mouth shut and both of my mates glance up at me simultaneously and then back towards their work. Shaking my head, I lean against Daphne, not even bothering to pretend to look down at my own homework.

"You're going to embarrass them," she whispers, keeping her own eyes on her sewing.

"Oh whatever," I murmur back. "I'm not missing this."

As I watch, Jackson asks Luca some questions about the schematic, working to see what Luca does and does not understand. As they talk quietly, I realize how naturala teacher Jackson actually is - especially with this stuff, which he knows like the back of his hand. In no time, Jackson has a pretty strong command of Luca's abilities and begins to show him what else he needs to know.

But, as they work, it's immediately clear that Luca grows frustrated – not with Jackson, but with himself.

"Look, I just don't get it," Luca says,

sighing and leaning back on one hand as he gestures to the map with the other. "I know what the red

et

arrows mean, I know what they're supposed to tell me and the order in which they progress. I just don't....see it the way you do - the battle, in your head." He clenches his teeth and takes a deep breath through his nose, hanging his head a bit. "I'm never going to get this."

"Yes you are," Jackson says, frowning at Luca. "Look, if you don't get it this way, let's just...try something else."

And then, to my delight and surprise, Jackson glances back at the nook and then up at me, asking the one question which the nerdly little bookworm in me has been waiting years to be asked.

"Hey, do you think we could borrow some school supplies?"

"Yes," I breathe, delighted, a huge smile taking over my face. "Yes, of course! What do you need?"