My cheeks burned. I wasn’t sure I’d accomplished anything.
“I would never intentionally make a member of my pack uncomfortable. I swear that I will watch her as if she’s my own. I’ve given you full access to St. Ailbe’s. Feel free to visit her whenever you feel the need. She’s not my prisoner. I’m only here to help as she learns her new abilities.”
The rest of the conversation went normally enough. They asked about classes and my friends, and ignored all things Dastien-related.
After a bit, I walked them to the parking lot with Mr. Dawson supervising so I wouldn’t accidentally wolf-out on them. They’d brought me my car, just in case I needed it for some reason. My parents said their good-byes, promising to come back and visit whenever I wanted them to.
It was harder to say good-bye to Axel. He was going to college, and I wouldn’t see him for months. I knew that he was always going to go, but the reality proved to be a bit harder than I expected.
Axel held out the keys to my car. “I picked out an awesome car for you.”
I snatched them from his hand. “You better have been good to her.”
He pulled me in for a hug. “I might be farther away, but I’ll always be here for you.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
“Me too.”
My heart was heavy as I watched their car disappear from sight.
Mr. Dawson put his arm around me, and turned me back toward school. “Come on. Let’s get you some ice cream. I hear it can help at a time like this.”
“That’d be good. Thanks.”
When we got back to the cafeteria, he disappeared into the kitchen. He came back carrying two light brown pints with gold lids. “Here you go.” He slid one to me.
“Blue Bell?”
He set his spoon down. “Please tell me you’ve had Blue Bell.”
I shook my head. “But I like Cookies ‘n’ Cream, so I’m sure this is fine.”
“Blue Bell is more than just fine. It’s the Cookies ‘n’ Cream. Trust me. I’m a connoisseur of all things ice cream.”
I pulled off the top. It looked like ordinary Cookies ‘n’ Cream to me. “If it’s so amazeballs, why haven’t I heard of it before?”