"Gertrude hit me with her car first, and now you're trying to trigger an allergic reaction. I'm not letting either of these slide."
The moment I said it, Gertrude's eyes turned red and watery.
"Mrs. Barnes, I don't know what you're talking about. Professor Barnes told us to buy the mangoes. He said they were your favorite."
My heart sank. I turned to look at Zachery.
He knew full well I was allergic.
Gertrude was lying.
I waited for him to expose her, to call out the lie.
But after a beat, Zachery raised an eyebrow.
Then, as if he'd made up his mind, he spoke. "It was my mistake. I told them wrong. Ellie, if you want to blame someone, blame me. Don't make things hard for Gertie."
He disappointed me again.
I stopped looking at him.
My gaze shifted to Gertrude, half-hidden behind his back.
The girl's eyes were brimming with provocation and triumph.
A thought slammed into me out of nowhere.
Why was Zachery so protective of Gertrude? Was it really just about saving face and his career?
Then he leaned in close, his voice low and pleading. "Ellie, the university needs a group photo for their records. Just bear with it one more time, okay? I know you're upset. Don't worry, I'll—"