Any Way the Wind Blows (Simon Snow, #3)

by Rainbow Rowell

“This is so much more idiotic than I thought.” “All right . . .” I sit up and grab the papers from her hand. “I know! This is why I lied to you—because I didn’t want you to know what a fool I am.” Penelope’s face is hard. “I prefer fools to liars.” “I’m not actually a liar,” I say, folding up the papers and shoving them back into my jacket. “I mean, I am literally. In this case. But I’m not. Generally. As a person. I’ll just get my backpack—” “I believe you.” I look up. Her face is still hard. “What do you believe?” “I believe that you didn’t mean to lie to me.” My hand is still in my jacket pocket. I take it out. “You do?” “Yes,” she says. “Just . . .” She turns to one of the chalk-board walls. “Don’t do it again, okay?” I nod slowly. Even though she can’t see me. “Okay.” She picks up her chalk. “Don’t lie to me, and don’t leave anything out.” “Okay,” I say again. “Don’t surprise me.” “I wasn’t trying—” She whips around, with her hands on her hips. “Just assume I want as much information as is possible, in every situation!” “I can do that.” I’m nodding too eagerly. “I want that, too.” Penelope looks up into my eyes, and it feels like a warning. It feels like she’s giving me another chance. But only this once. “Let me see me the translation again,” she says.