Page 231 of Ruthless Court

Noor watches from her desk. “You’re doing too much.”

“I was labeled Tortoiseshell before breakfast.”

“The lashes won’t erase your face.”

“They might distract from it.”

Lila applies them while I keep one eye closed and try not to flinch.

When she finishes, I study my reflection.

Contacts.

Hair down and curled.

Full makeup.

Borrowed black sweater.

The lashes make my eyes look larger without the glasses, which feels counterproductive, but I’m too committed to start over.

Lila smiles behind me.

“You look amazing.”

“I look suspicious.”

“You look like the hot cousin of the girl in the picture.”

“That is the goal.”

Noor closes her laptop.

“What are you doing today?”

“Studying.”

“Outside this room?”

“Why?”

“Because you’ve checked the blinds three times.”

“I was checking the weather.”

“The blinds face a brick wall.”

I glance toward the window.

Fine.

Maybe I’m hiding a little.

Noor stands and grabs her tote bag. “We’re going to the used bookstore.”

“I have work.”

“Bring it.”