Her gaze falls to the black analog watch on my wrist. “That is not yours.” I tuck my wrist protectively to my chest. “Has anyone ever told you you’re really perceptive?” “Just my Auntie Mint.” Akara’s mom. Her smile fades since her aunt passed away recently, but before I can reply, she speaks. “I don’t know exactly what’s going on between you and Donnelly, aka Wonder Bread”—I heard she found out about our Fanaticon usernames—“but he better know I am still your Number One Protector.” I smile. “Always.”
