The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 898

I laugh and happily move forward with Jesse, ducking into the yurt and looking around with curiosity at the surprisingly large, semi-shabby space. Some things were very obviously brought over from the Land of Darkness – like her bed and some of her pots and pans. But some things are very obviously new, and very obviously Ella additions.

“Oh, I like your tiny fridge,” I say with an admiring gasp, taking a seat on a pillow on the floor around what I assume is Midnight’s eating area. I leaning close to admire the shiny black mini fridge in Midnight’s makeshift kitchen, which is only an arm’s length away.

“Thank you,” Midnight says, patting the fridge, very pleased as she sits down across from me. Jesse sits down next to both of us so that we form a little semi-circle and begins to open and pour the wine as I continue to look around at Midnight’s strange little home. The whole space speaks of so much deprivation and sadness but bizarrely also holds an adorable array of toys and supplies and books - even a little television in the corner with a DVD player attached and what looks like dozens of movies resting next to it on the floor.

“You’ve got a lot of good stuff here, Mids,” I murmur, still looking around.

“Yes,” Midnight says, confirming this with a steady nod. “Miss Ella has given me lots of Orange Soda and I like that very much once I stir it so all the bubbles come out. She says that I can have as I want any time I want and all I have to do is order up more.” Midnight leans over to tap on a little walkie-talkie that’s resting on the floor.

“Well, that is very convenient,” I say, nodding appreciatively as I accept the glass of wine from Jesse and take a sip from it. He pours himself one too and then, to my delight, pulls a can of orange soda out of the fridge and empties it into the third wine glass, offering it to Midnight, who takes it very lightly and grabs a straw, beginning to stir out the carbonation.

“How are you liking it here, Mids?” I ask quietly, curious.

“I like it a lot. I like the bathroom,” Midnight says, gesturing out of the tent towards the corner of the roof where, indeed, my mom had a full bathroom put in a few years ago. “It is sometimes strange and scary here, with all the planes and helicopters going on overhead, but,” she shrugs. “I like it better here. There is more food and things to do and Jesse is here.”

She nods casually to him and Jesse raises his glass towards her in salute, which breaks my heart just a little bit.

“Plus, Miss Ella says I can start going to school and learn a lot more – she says I’m smart,” Midnight says, perking up quite a bit at that idea. “I would like to learn more. My brain…got very bored, all alone in the Darkness.”

I work very, very hard not to cry for this girl, instead swallowing and forcing a smile onto my face.