Chapter 43

As I stepped onto the bus, the driver greeted me with a sneer instead of a friendly 'good morning.' Quickly, I made my way to my usual seat at the front, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the other shifter kids who filled the back with their raucous chatter. As I let out a quiet sigh of relief at not being pelted with something, as was often the case, I managed a smile at Leonard just before he passed by on his way to sit with his friends.

To my surprise, however, he settled into the seat right next to mine instead.

"Leonard," I whispered urgently, unsure of what to make of his unexpected choice. "What—"

"I don't care," he interjected, cutting off my question before I could fully grasp his logic. "You're my sister."

I couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth and comfort at those words. I don't care... You're my sister... If those two phrases didn't instantly become my favorite combination in the world from that moment on, I couldn't fathom what else could