At lunch, two guys in the front row whispered behind a wall of books.
"Hey, got any of that stuff left? Toss me one."
"I'm down to two packs. Go buy your own."
"School's frying my brain. I'll owe you two after class."
Lillian's eyes drifted to what they were holding.
One of them caught her staring. "Want a pack? Keeps you sharp."
He waved a small packet of powder rolled like a cigarette. Lillian frowned. "What is that?"
"You don't know? It's the hot thing now. Everywhere has got it. It tastes sweet and makes you crave more. Total pick-me-up."
Lillian glanced at the cigarette-like thing.
Just then, Solomon strode in from the hallway, snatched it, and tossed it back to the guys.
"Don't give her that junk," he said coldly.
The guys ducked their heads.
Ever since Solomon showed up yesterday, Lillian couldn't even chat with dudes. Cousin or not, he was intense.
Solomon sat beside her. He wanted to let it slide, but seeing Lillian's wide eyes locked on the snacks, he couldn't help but pinch her cheek.
"What did I tell you this morning?" he sulked. "You got a goldfish memory or what? Need me to spell it out again?"
"Me neither."
...
The girls whispered. The guys shot envious looks. The man had every dude's dream look.
"Sit down, everyone," Juan said, his voice cool and commanding.
"Godfather?" Lillian blurted, only for Solomon to clamp a hand over her mouth.
The room's eyes flicked to her, weirded out.
Solomon hissed, "You got a motor mouth."

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