sical blow. She wrapped her arms around herself, de

spe

voice came fr

of the dining hall, half-hidden in the dark. The glowing cherry of a cigaret

refused to move. She slowly walked

e and crushed it beneath the heel of his boo

tion. It was a brutal statement of fact. "You l

nch to the gut. Her breath hitched. "I-

e stuttering. The spilled water. The way you practically h

ed. Her shoulders slumped, and she squeezed

he opened her eyes, looking at him with raw despe

his face. "Why? If you like him so

ts. "Look at me, Slade. Look at him. He's the Student Body President. He wears cashmere. I smell like sawdus

tear herself down sent a hot spik

tep closer, blocking her path entirely. He loomed over her, his presence suffocating an

she looked up at him, her heart hammering wi

locked onto hers, refusing to let her look away. "You're ten times smarter th

eavy weight pressing down on her shoulders even without physical contact. The raw

he was, how he had unconsciously leaned in so far that he could s

step back, shoving his hands deep into his jacket pockets to hide

instantly throwing up

" Slade said, his voic

feeling the ghost of his touc

I'll even help you. I live with the guy

ed suspiciously. "In

Slade said. "And you help me g

n hitting her. "You need my help? You literal

e hates my guts. She thinks I'm an arrogant prick. I need

ed made her physically sick. But the thought of having Slade-Juli

eath, the cold air

ce. "Fine. We