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"Then why did you say that?"

Clancy rubbed a hand over his face "Because I’ my head You really hurt me

"Ruby, isn’t it obvious?" he said "I like you I’ve only known you for, what, a month? And you’re probably the only real friend I’ve had since I turned ten and figured out what I was I’ so upset that you were focused on someone else when I wanted you to be focused on me"

I was almost too stunned to ht it would help you focus I let her go because I thought it would make you happy I didn’t even stop to think that, yeah, of course you’d be worried about her, especially after how hard you worked to protect her"

He more than cares about you

I had to look away now Play the situation off My brain had turned to ive you…"

"But only if I do you that favor?" I could hear the smile in his voice "Sure What?"

"Well…I know you don’t allow it, but I was hoping you’dback at him "My friend…he needs to use your computer to try to contact his parents"

Clancy stopped s "Your friend Liam?"

"No, Chu--Charles Meriwether?"

"The one who’s been skipping Garden duty?"

Okay, apparently that girl had ratted him out

Clancy was silent as he shut the laptop and stood "I’ht I made it clear that no one else could leave"

"Oh no!" I said, forcing a laugh "He just wants to check in with his parents toaround so he was sitting on the edge of the desk in front of ements to leave and take you with him Don’t try to cover for him, Ruby It’s the same for everyone I don’t doubt for a second that he’s desperate enough to tell his parents the location of this ca riled up on Chubs’s behalf "Really"

"You were there e had intruders a feeeks ago You sa easy it could be for soered the alarm? We would have been in serious trouble" Clancy’s face was dark, worried "If Charles wants to contact his parents, tell him he needs to fill out a request with instructions on how to do it, just like everyone else I have to base ht threaten the camp’s security--no matter how ood Chubs would rather not contact his parents at all than grant a stranger access to his only h," Clancy said after a s up on the desk "There is so that could persuade me"