We left class later, just the four of us: still tired, still not talking. I waited for Elen to branch off at her street, and then for Cas, before deciding to confront Kalle.

I took a breath and exhaled the words. "Kalle. Could you cover for me?"

She turned, giving me a strange look. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Cover for you? Like you're going to break the rules?"

I put my finger to my lips. "Not so loud. Please."

"Miranda," she said, stopping in the middle of ...