smile playing on my face, when Et

own because I just wanted to go

her number, which meant I could reach out anytime. When I stepped foot

"Have you seen the news?" "What news?" I wal

rl was in an acc

as just with me. I'd just collected her phone number. I'd just dropped her off... He showed me

uck?" "She was attacked by some girls... they didn'

ng their earlier posts of today and found

ted at myself for being so careless or at th

nto fists and I wante

ot your fault, you know." He seemed to understand where my mind was

hing for me," I decided. "And wh

ng," he said. "You're not a damn detective, you know. Also, you've never once

t, Ethan. I can't visit her because everyone will know, which would make things worse for her. And I can't call because I know

ction film and ate something he ordered. Nadia didn't rea

he school news and saw it filled with what happe

r, I dialed Emily's number. I was sure she would

idn't a

in pain as I closed my eyes, f

**

as at my parents' house in the mo

sn't around, but unfortuna

the house, offering me a hug that I accepted. I didn't want

after she let me go. I didn't say

and decorations, the paintings and carved pieces around. It was

also fe

s aside. I took out my phone and looked at a number I

ed the di

nd I held my breath in wait

entual

hoarse voic

" I bre

her end of the line. "Julia

ly," I sai

n't want to see you at the hospital because I didn't want a repeat of that. And I couldn't call because... you were still unconscious." "It's fine," she replied after a moment. "I didn't really

u feeling?" I as

have to use crutches for now. It'll all heal soon and I'll be back to normal

I interrupted, insistent. "You got hurt because you were with me. I don't pa

ar and rich, and... every girl wants you." I looked up at the chandelier and fan

tion, "Do you want me?" I was heavily amused by the sound of shock she made and her stutte

ng her. Or maybe it's just my over-inflated ego. It would be nice if she wanted me tho

d in surprise, sitting up. "Who said I had someone?" "Everyone is saying that," she answered somewhat nervously. Before I could de

ing," she told me,

oughts scattered. Then I h

ome down for breakfast,

getting up, dreading sittin

the atmosphere. Spread on the table were toast, bread of diff

ly was always a

me. I sat at the other side of the table just within her view and reach

s school?"

goes. Your father and I met the same way." My grip on my cup tightened. "Well, I'm not my father." She appeared surprised by my tone. "But you're the only child and son we have left. It'd be best if you do everything like your father did, for your success." I remembered what I

ove," I said, looking all over her

d... her fear of my father were too strong. Unfortunately, I understood her. But I still felt like it didn't

king, and when I was done, I walked out the door to the lar

ysanthemums and more. The silence mixed with the chirping of bi

t wasting time. "My guys found out who the girl

t them to... speak to her for my sake." I told him

for Emily to apologize, but the one thing I could do is

t to question myself: Am

e him. I was doing a good thing by protecting an inn

cause the only thing I really knew about her was that she was on scholarship, really smart and... that's it. She's not rich or even the most sociab

decision to see her in school later.

ore dinner, but then I bumped into someone on my way up the stairs. It was an unfamiliar

gized when I realized that I

ved me off as he promptly picked up his ba

ed in suspicion a

t he once was and squatted down

d of powder spill

.A p

thoughts swirled, reach

snapped my head up to look