Theodore got home and went straight upstairs. Cold shower. Microwaved dinner. Ate at his desk.
After, he opened his physics notebook and made an outline: _Radioactivity. Basics. Examples. 15 practice questions._ For Starry.
He was on question 12 when his mother knocked.
"Teddy?" She stepped in, eyes on the pages. "Have you had dinner?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Oh, you're studying." She smoothed his hair like he was still ten. "If you need anything, just tell me. Alright?"
"Yes, Mom."
She kissed his forehead and left.
---
The next morning, Theodore was already in class when Starry came in with Gretel.
"Good morning," Starry said, smiling.
"Hmm," Theodore answered, not looking up.
She stood there. Staring.
"What?" he said. "Mesmerized?"
"No way. As if." She crossed her arms. "I'm just wondering if yesterday was a dream."
"Why? Do you dream about me?"
"As if. You were nice yesterday. Today you're back to your old self."
"Here." He slid a book across her desk. Didn't meet her eyes.
"What's this?" She picked it up. _Physics for Dummies._
Her head snapped up. "What did you just call me? A dummy?"
"I didn't." His tone was flat. "Take the book. Stop making a fuss."
He turned away. Starry lifted the book like she was going to bop him with it. He turned back. She froze.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing. And thanks." She dropped it on her desk. Fake smile, teeth and all.
"So ugly," he muttered, turning away again.
"What?" Her glare could have melted steel.
The teacher walked in before she could retaliate.
---
Lunch. The girls grabbed a table and swiped their meal cards. They were halfway through laughing at something Stacy said when a shadow fell over them.
The Stunning Trio.
Hansel flicked Starry's spoon out of her hand. It clattered to the floor.
"Hey, girl," Hansel said.
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" Starry didn't bother keeping her voice down.
Hansel smirked. "Listen. I like ya. Wanna be my girl?"
"No thanks." Starry stood. Gretel and Stacy stood with her. They left without looking back.
Back in class, Stacy dropped into her seat. "Why can't that jerk leave you alone?"
"I don't know what crime I committed in my past life," Starry said, then thunked her forehead against her desk. Once. Twice.
"Stop. You'll hurt yourself," Gretel said, catching her arm.
Stacy leaned over. "By the way, Star. Why the band-aid?"
Starry touched her wrist. Smiled, small. "Just a scratch." She went to her seat.
"Did Hansel ask you out?" Theodore asked. He didn't look up from his book.
"Yes." She narrowed her eyes. "Why? Do you care about me?"
"I'm just wondering what came over him." He turned a page. "To ask you out."
_Jerk,_ she thought, glaring at the back of his head.
---
After school, Starry grabbed Stacy's and Gretel's hands. "Finally free," she sighed.
"Starry Knight."
They all stopped. Theodore stood by the door, bag on his shoulder.
Starry blinked. "What?"
"Are you acting dumb or are you actually dumb?" His frown was back.
"Oh." She hit her forehead. "I forgot."
"Guess you're actually dumb."
"You girls go without me," Starry said. "Gretel, I told you yesterday. See you at home."
"Why is she staying?" Stacy whispered.
"Come on, I'll tell you," Gretel said, dragging Stacy out.
Starry went back to her desk.
"Where's the textbook I gave you?" Theodore said.
She pulled it out. And a new notebook. A pen.
He opened to a page. "Radioactivity."
He explained. She listened. Really listened. Until she didn't.
He was… unreal. Sharp jaw. Dark lashes. The way his mouth moved when he said "half-life."
_Is he even real?_
Her hand moved before she thought. Reached for his face.
Flick.
Her forehead stung.
"I know I'm handsome," Theodore said, deadpan. "But listen. I don't waste time teaching a dumbass. I've got better things to do."
He gave her a worksheet. Watched while she did it. Took it. Marked it in red.
"You got 30% correct. 70% wrong." He paused. "You're actually better than Mr. Blake said."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" She glared.
"No." He circled fifteen questions. "Do these. I'll check tomorrow."
He stood and left.
Starry stared at the page. "One, two, three… fifteen? He expects me to do fifteen hard questions in one night? Is he crazy?" She shoved everything into her bag.
Outside, Theodore was by his bike, helmet on. He looked like he'd walked out of a magazine.
She stared. Then shook her head hard. _Even with the face of a saint, he's a devil._
She glared at him and walked to the bus stop.
---
"Uncle!" Starry dropped her bag when she got home.
James stood, grinning. "Kiddo." Secret handshake. Old and easy.
"When did you get back? What did you bring—"
"Hold it." He held up a hand. "Don't distract me. Why are you this late from school?"
"Study session. Didn't Gretel tell you?" She widened her eyes. Innocent.
"Save the face. She did." He crossed his arms. "So. How's the school?"
"Awesome!" Two thumbs up. Big smile.
"Good. You like it." He pulled a folded paper from his jacket. "Brought you something."
She opened it. A deed. An address she knew.
"Is this…?"
"Yours." He nodded. "Your dad bought the house in your name. The one Edward gave us was fake. Your dad's lawyer had the real one. Couldn't get the rest yet. Edward's going to be inside for a while."
"Thank you, Uncle." Her voice cracked. "But how—"
"Later." He took the deed back. "I'll give it to you officially on your eighteenth. For now, it's safe with me."
"Okay."
"Dinner's ready," Fran called from the kitchen.
James ruffled Starry's hair. "Come on, okiddo."
Gretel was already at the table. Four plates. Four people.
For the first time in a long time, it felt like enough.