The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 943

“No, Ariel,” Jackson says, laughing a little and putting a hand on my knee. “What do you think in like, a larger sense. Do you…want to live here?”

I sit up straight in a bit of surprise. “I…do live here,” I say quietly, not getting it. “This is my home.”

“I mean permanently,” Jackson says, turning more completely to me now with a small frown. “Like, is this where you want to be to raise Marigold? Here, where you grew up. Is that best?”

I just stare at him, realizing finally –

Stupidly –

What everyone else has probably put together.

That…that we have to live somewhere. Somewhere steady, and solid, where Marigold can go to school and have a schedule and a routine. Where she can participate in activities with other children and make friends.

But…

“But we have to go back to the Academy!” I blurt out, staring wide-eyed at Jackson.

Jackson stares back at me and my family goes dead quiet for a second before turning politely away and starting little mini conversations, pretending to give us time to discuss this amongst ourselves while they very clearly – at least to me – continue to listen with rapt attention.

Jackson is quiet for a moment before smiling softly, raising a hand to my cheek. “You go back to school, Ariel,” he says, cupping my face, shaking his head at me a little bit. “It’s so important to you, I know that – and you should finish, it’s just another year –“

“Jackson!” I gasp, smacking his hand away. “We’re – we’re both going back to school! We’re both finishing Alpha Academy!”

He hesitates for a moment, his shoulders slumping. “Ariel, I have to put Marigold before my own wants right now – I have to stay here –“