l

ssroom floor as I slumped into my seat w

aflame at

were stil

ks burnt like I had been tattooed, not even the hollow throb Mark had cut into my chest. It was th

eeping my gaze fixed on the worn wooden desk in f

re. This has to ha

nce? I

ped around it, sent shiver down

ked hardly ab

sroom we

ing toward me right now. H

troduce yourself?" Mr

Raised my

e gray eyes, were darker than earlier, turbulent and impenetrable. I wo

better,

" I remarked.

a half-formed whisper already, so

ed. "Thank you;

he bell rang piercing and relentless,

ourse, his writing neat and steady. His voice was profe

hadn't kissed him in front of half t

en calm. Instead

me like smoke. My gaze followed his every movement. Every time his e

e his gaze loc

tween us b

My heart stilled then sped. I felt... exposed. Like he could see straight

ed his eyes.

afterward. The gossip

t down, her tray dropping with a

d, eyes wide. "You'l

poked at my food. "Th

win. The other half believes you kissed a replacement teacher. And Bethan

eased flared in my chest

h Chloe. the kiss, the

was staring at me as thoug

ur teacher," s

rked. "He doesn't have the

he defense you

my forehead on the d

People have short attention

arly when Mark quietly sank

id softly. "We

ruptly, chair scraping loud

ed, "No."

I steppe

losed too long for half a second. Anger, dre

The words came out coole

gh I had slapped him.

. Every time I passed Mr. Thorne in the hall, my heart rate shot up. Every time I sm

d by the f

iet. Sunlight streaming through tall windows, dust mot

ok easier

ty page and set my bag down. My hands reacted

Clear eyes. A mouth I should not r

ok as though it

me?" I whispered. The so

A rumble. low, far-off. Like a

ally up. The hairs

der the school grounds. Dark and thick, the forest loomed,

ing moved. And the

t a handle, Elara." Still

nize Mr. Thorn

t?" I leapt, almo

ngly controlled. He appeared taller at close quarters. More concret

lying, "

back to my face. Something illegib

d, "Head home

th worry, slight

myself," I said, h

u can," he s

erm s

us moved fo

ut. "Earlier abou

eplied. instan

ike he was holdi

nce," he said,

cheeks. "It wa

t accusing you." "I'm e

d something cause

," even though

nodded.

I passed him, curling low in m

asp. Just j

er sa

the woods t

an barefoot among moonlit trees. Every sense was vi

n't a

owerful, defensive

s racing and my sheets w

moon glowed f

ent woke somewhere