Chapter 13. New Authority

LEO

Suddenly, my phone buzzed beside me.

I glanced down at the screen and saw that the caller was Ryan.

I hesitated—I was too angry to talk to him at the moment—but eventually, I picked up.

“What?” I said flatly.

“Yo—Leo, man,” Ryan’s voice came through, slightly panicked. “The shower just stopped mid-rinse. No warning. And the lights in here are freaking out—what the hell is going on?”

“You insulted my guest, Ryan.”

There was a pause.

Then an awkward laugh.

“Guest? You’re talking about that chick?” he scoffed. “C’mon, man. She’s not even—look, I came to talk. We’ve been friends for almost a month. You’re gonna cut me off over a hippo?”

I inhaled sharply, my eyes narrowing.

“I’m not in the mood to talk to you,” I replied coldly.

“I’m your only friend, Leo! Don’t let some hormonal sob story ruin that. You know she’s gonna ruin your image, right? Imagine you with that cow in public… even if it’s an experiment, you