The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 47

Liora

I stared at the sky a little longer, mostly to avoid looking at Zane. He still had that smug grin on his face like he knew I’d just said too much. He didn’t tease me about it though, which was worse somehow. Instead, he just laid back, arms behind his head, like we were sunbathing on a beach.

I looked down at the half–empty pile of gummies between us. Now transferred from his palm to a dirty napkin, which was also from his pocket.

“I can’t believe I was in a sour enough mood to eat your pocket candy,” I smirked.

He sat up, lips twitching. “True. But my blood sugar’s still tanking,” he declared suddenly, springing to his feet like a cat. “I need something fizzy and artificially colored immediately.

“What?”

He brushed the grass off his jeans, then held out his hand.

“Come on.”

I stared at it. “Where?”

“I’m buying you drink from the vending, think of it as a send off gift for you to get off your bum and stop pouting. Doesn’t suit you.”

I hesitated.

Then, despite everything, the bruises on my pride and the mess in my head, I took it.

His hand was warm, calloused, as he pulled me to my feet.

“So, soda or water?”

“Tea,” I nodded, “Tea is good.”

“Come on, princess.”

“I’m not your-” But he was already walking. I sighed, brushed the grass off my own pants, and followed.

The vending machines sat just inside the east wing doors, humming with the same apathetic buzz I felt. I stood

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Chapter 47

beside Zane while he stared at the options like it was a life–or–death decision.

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I glanced at him beside me, realizing I’d never really considered how much taller he was. Not like Callum, Callum towered, all muscle and intimidation. Zane was tall too, but leaner, wiry in that slippery sort of way. I narrowed my eyes. I could take him down if the time ever came.

“I swear they had Blue Voltage Blast last week,” he muttered. “Why would they remove the best one?”

“Tragic,” I said flatly. “Do you want to light a candle for it?”

“You joke, but that drink got me through midterms last year,” he said, punching a button with finality. “Guess I’ll have to settle for… Mango Dragonfire. Sounds like a deodorant.”

He caught the bottle as it dropped and twisted the cap off. “Ladies first?”

“Gross,” I said, stepping back. “You already backwashed just by breathing near it.

He grinned, took a sip, and let out a fake sigh of ecstasy. “Tastes like regret and syrup. Want some?”

I grabbed my own drink–the tea and lemonade mix—and leaned against the machine. “I’m good.”

Just then, the door to the gymnasium creaked open and surprisingly, Mia of all people poked her head out. Her

arms full of books as usual, as her blac hair swung over her pale face, searching.

Her eyes landed on me. “Oh gosh! There you are—”

Then she noticed, I wasn’t alone. Her gaze moved to Zane, and then, unfortunately, to his shirt that clung a

little too perfectly to his annoyingly toned arms.

I smirked.

“Oh. Hi!” she squeaked, immediately fumbling one of her notebooks.

Zane, the traitor, was already in motion. “Need help?” he asked, bending to grab it for her. “Wow,

Chem. You must be the smart one.”

Advanced

“Oh–I–we’ve actually met before, but um–I guess I do okay,” Mia stammered, clutching the book to her

chest like it might anchor her heartbeat.

I watched her cheeks go pink and tried not to smile. Zane stood and offered her the notebook with a wink. “Brains and beauty. Dangerous combo. What was your name again?”

Mia blinked. “I–uh–thank you. I’m Mia.”

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Choplex a?

“Hm,” Zane eyed her over once with a grin. “I’ll be sure to remember this time.”

I cleared my throat. Loudly.

Zane turned back to me with a faux–innocent expression. “What? I’m being polite.”

“You’re being a menace,” I muttered, popping the cap of my tea.

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“I’m multifaceted,” he said with a bow. Then to Mia, “Hey, you wanna help me convince your best friend here

to ditch school and become a beach bum with me?”

Mia’s eyes widened. “I–uh-”

“He’s joking,” I cut in.

He wasn’t.

“Anyway,” Mia said quickly, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Are you okay, Liora? I heard someone dumped

your books in the fountain again. I–I tried to grab them, but…”

“It’s fine,” I said, softening. “Thanks for trying.”

Zane elbowed me. “See? That’s friendship. You’ve got more than one reason to stick around.”

“Why must you speak,” I deadpanned.

Mia smiled between us, her eyes flicking to Zane like she couldn’t help it. He flashed that lazy grin of his, and

her knees actually wobbled.

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