The next morning, sunlight spilled into Zoey's room like a silent invitation. She stirred, blinking up at the ceiling as Jace lay beside her, already awake and watching her with that half-smile she was growing used to.
"Morning," he whispered, placing a few soft kisses on her cheek and lips before getting up. "I'm gonna go get ready."
Zoey smiled, lingering in bed for a moment before dragging herself to the shower. After washing up, she did her hair, picked out an outfit, and grabbed her bag.
As she made her way downstairs, she heard whispers her family and friends murmuring among themselves. But the moment her foot hit the floorboard by the kitchen door, silence fell like a curtain.
Zoey pushed the door open anyway. "Good morning, everyone," she said, eyes scanning the group.
"Good morning, sweetie," Sarah said quickly, plastering on a smile. "I made you breakfast. Go sit with your sister."
Zoey raised a brow but didn't question it. "Morning, Elaine. Only person not acting weird today," she said with a smirk.
"Morning, Zo. Of course I'm not being weird. We're sisters," Elaine replied proudly.
Zoey smiled and kissed her little sister's cheek. "I'll be right back."
"Hurry up or I might eat your pancakes!" Elaine called.
Zoey laughed softly and headed back toward the hallway. Using her hybrid senses enhanced hearing and magic to quiet her heartbeat she paused to eavesdrop on the conversation she clearly wasn't supposed to hear.
"She shouldn't know what's going on," Sarah said.
"I think she has a right to," Mya responded nervously. "She needs to know. The hunters... they're everywhere. At school, outside of school… even some of the teachers and students could be one of them."
"No," Sarah said firmly. "Yes, you're right, but... she's just starting to feel better."
Everyone murmured their agreement.
Zoey stepped into the room before they could move. "You know, I don't need you to protect me," she said sharply. "Remember? Hybrid. And stop treating me like I'm some baby that can't take care of herself. I want to fight. I want to protect you all—and everyone else too."
The room went silent. Then, slowly, one by one, smiles broke across their faces. Mya was the first to nod.
They sat together and had breakfast. Soon, it was time to leave. Zoey, Jace, the girls, and Elaine piled into the car, dropping Elaine off at school first. She looked anything but happy.
Zoey leaned over. "Hey. Look, E... You're beautiful, smart, funny. You've got amazing parents, and, I mean, what can I say—a wonderful big sister."
Elaine chuckled.
"Those girls or boys being mean? They're just jealous. So go in there, be your best self, and if anyone tries you smile and say, have a nice day."
Elaine hugged her tight. "Thanks, Zo. You're the best."
Zoey kissed her forehead and watched her go.
"Awww, look at Zoey and her big sister skills," Jada teased.
"Shut up, Jada," Zoey said, rolling her eyes. They all laughed even Jace.
They arrived at school, and this time Zoey didn't hesitate to get out of the car. Jace walked her to class, kissed her goodbye, and she greeted Mr. France before taking her seat in history.
After class, she barely got a few steps down the hallway before the girls rushed up.
"ZOOOEYYYYY!" Alina shouted.
"GUESS WHAT!" Mya added, practically bouncing.
"You made the basketball team! And you're captain!" the girls all screamed.
Zoey's mouth dropped open. "See? Told y'all things would get back to normal," Mya said, grinning.
Zoey laughed and walked off to her next class, only to bump into someone. A girl.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," the girl said quickly.
"No, it's totally fine," Zoey assured her. "Most people would've been mean about it at my old school," the girl said.
"Well, I'm not most people," Zoey replied with a smile. "I'm Zoey, by the way."
"I'm Emmaly. Nice to meet you."
"You looking for Mr. France's class?"
"Yes!"
"He's right there," Zoey pointed.
"Thanks," Emmaly said. "It was really nice meeting you!"
"You too," Zoey said, waving. At the end of the hallway, she spotted Jace.
"Who was that?" he asked, watching Emmaly walk away.
"A new girl. She seems sweet."
Jace narrowed his eyes. "I think I've seen her before…"
"Oh, what, is she an ex or something?" Zoey teased.
"I only have two exes, and I regret both of them."
Zoey laughed. "This is my stop gym."
Jace gave her a kiss. Then another. "One more?" Zoey asked with a grin.
He shook his head, chuckling. "I gotta go."
In gym, Zoey changed into her uniform and saw Emmaly again.
"Hey, Zoey! Wait up."
"I thought you had Mr. France?"
"I thought I did," Emmaly shrugged.
They laughed and chatted as they walked. Zoey noticed a tattoo on Emmaly's arm.
"Oh, that's real?"
"Yep."
"What's the arrow in the heart stand for?"
Emmaly hesitated. "First guy who broke my heart."
Zoey could tell she was lying, but didn't press. "Wanna get ice cream after school?" Emmaly asked.
"Sure, I'll let my friends and Jace know."
After school, Zoey met up with them outside. "Hey, I'm not going home. I'm getting ice cream with Emmaly."
"Okay," the girls said. "We'll let your parents know."
She gave Jace a quick kiss before heading off. The ice cream trip turned into more meetups. Days passed. Then a week. Zoey started seeing less and less of her family, her friends, even Elaine.
Until one day, the girls confronted her.
"What's your problem?" Alina asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been ditching us for Emmaly," Mya said. "You forgot about your family and Jace."
"He's really been missing you," Jada added.
"Oh my god," Zoey said. "Emmaly told me you guys would act like this. I'm done."
"Where are you going?"
"To Emmaly's. Don't follow me."
Zoey drove off, tears stinging her eyes. She arrived at Emmaly's and broke down.
"I just wanted a new friend," Zoey whispered.
"It's okay, Z," Emmaly cooed. "Why don't you lie down?"
Zoey nodded. But when she woke up, Emmaly was hovering over her with a knife.
"What the hell? Emmaly?!"
"Oh shut up," she hissed. "This won't hurt…"
Zoey jolted upright, blasting her back with magic. She grabbed her stuff and ran but hunters were waiting. They grabbed her, tied her up.
Just then, the front door burst open.
"GET OFF HER!" Jace shouted.
Her parents. Her friends. They came for her.
Mya untied Zoey as Sarah and the others fought. In the chaos, the hunters were destroyed but Zoey knew more were out there.
They drove home in silence. Zoey went straight to her room and collapsed in tears. The one person she thought she could trust betrayed her.
A knock at her door.
"Zoey… it's me."
"Go away," she said hoarsely.
Jace came in anyway, kneeling beside her.
"It's not your fault," he said gently. "She manipulated you."
Zoey sniffled. "Yeah… but I should've never left you guys. Especially you."
"Just don't do it again," he whispered, pulling her into a hug.
Zoey clung to him. "I won't."