Chapter 190

The Monday after our trip into town is Parents' Week.

Dad shows up as usual, but he's skinnier than when I last saw him, and he's definitely got less hair. That stresses me out to no end, but I push through the emotions, spending as much time with him as I can, having picnics in the gardens, inviting him to watch the cheerleading routine we've been working on, and letting him listen to the harp solo I've been practicing.

He gives the boys wary looks, but he doesn't say anything, and I do my best to show him that I'm doing okay here, that I'm happy.

We steer clear of the ex-Bluebloods and their families. It's not hard, considering I've got Kathleen Cabot around most of the time, making conversation with Dad, and generally putting up a barrier of don't mess with me vibes. The woman is a legend, and the richest person at the school. Nobody bothers her.

For the third year in a row, Zayd's dad doesn't come. He seems resigned to it at this point, but I make an effo