When Perfect Meets Crazy
Chapter 35: 34 - Lucky for us, I was a great liar.
An awkward bit of silence passed and I finally looked up, meeting his gaze.
“I hate that.”
He blinked and stared back, not saying anything. I forced a smile, then averted my gaze, returning my attention to the desk unit as the most uncomfortable silence ever settled between us.
He cleared his throat, drawing my gaze back to him.
“Do you know what we should do?” he asked.
“What?”
“Screw her over,” he answered. “Seriously. You’re crazy smart. You can come up with a legit plan. I can help you carry it out. My sister had to deal with something similar too when she was young.”
“She’s just nine,” I said flatly.
“My older sister,” he clarified.
That made more sense but I still wasn’t interested. I understood the sentiment behind the offer and it was exactly why I was unwilling to accept it.
“Don’t pity me.” I rolled my eyes.
“Pity you?” He raised his eyebrows. “You?”
I shrugged. It was the reason he was oh so chivalrously offering to mess with Claire, wasn’t it? I wasn’t stupid nor was I interested.
“Whoever pities you is completely stupid and contrary to what you believe, I’m not. I know you’re tough. I’ve seen it. I know what you’re capable of.” He gave a one shoulder jerk. “I’m not denying that it must’ve hurt but I know you. I wasn’t even going to say sorry.”
I arched one eyebrow, disbelief coloring my face specifically at the last part of his statement.
“You heard right.” He held my gaze. “You’ve insulted me way too often for me not to know you have a tough skin. Remember all the times you outright called me dumb. Not to mention the times you implied it.”
A gasp of surprised laughter bubbled out of me. He shrugged and I found myself smiling in genuine appreciation.
“I used ‘idiot’ more than any other adjectives,” I corrected. “For accuracy’s sake.”
He rolled his eyes, a smile on his lips. My answering smile was so wide it made my cheeks ache.
“I have a question.” His expression suddenly turned serious.
My smile collapsed.
“What?”
“I’d ask Claire myself but it feels like a touchy subject so I’d just rather ask you than go behind your back. I’ve seen you in action so I’d prefer to not be a target.”
“What you want to know?” I asked reluctantly.
“Claire. How did she manage to pull one on you? You have eyes in the back of your head. I want to know how she did it.”
I released the breath I had been holding, relief flooding through me. All that anxiety for nothing. He really needed to stop building up to questions or confessions and just outright say whatever he had to say. Who builds up to random only mildly invasive questions, for the love of God? I shook my head exasperatedly.
“You’re insane,” I stated.
to do was laugh. So I did. But once I started, I couldn’t stop. The whole while, I was conscious of Ian’s confused gaze on my
“No seriously,” he pressed.
would be important to him, especially since he’d never successfully pulled one on me himself but in the face of everything, there was something intrinsically hilarious about the idea that an undercover special officer was avidly interested in how to pull one over
managed to quiet down for
quiet in middle school. Harmless,” I answered, forcing
the word ‘harmless,’ he flashed me
become the teacher’s pet. You have people comparing others to
best to ignore the sudden
have to be just that
He nodded slowly.
best as I could. “I was quiet and not disruptive the way smart kids always are. It was part of
nodded, staring at me like I was something he couldn’t
time I think I get you.” He shook his
uncalled for internal
I was good at school and a model kid at home.
a
acting out.” I shrugged. “I stopped studying. Stopped doing everything I
My gaze found his.
child. A straight ‘A’ Harvard bound student.”
lightly. “I
“What?”
“It backfired.”
does rebelling backfire?” He
efforts on Olly. You know, to at least secure the
“Isabelle?”
“Lightwood.” I clarified.
stared back
“Isabelle Lightwood,” I expanded.
to me.” He shook
eyes widened
I tried
shook his head.
Instruments?” I was at my wits
just saying
I blinked.
no. That’s... no.” I shook my head
My lips parted
My tone was drenched
He shrugged nonchalantly.
series with me. Argue and I’ll add
His brows furrowed.
movie and a series?” His tone made it clear he didn’t think it was necessary and would much rather have his eyelashes
for him, I couldn’t
“Prepare yourself,” I warned.
• • •
drove back home with Ian riding shotgun, I
asked, turning his head
“Nothing.”