el

was on my third cup of black coffee. Spread across the large wooden table were three t

. He had thrown his syllabus at me three hours ago and told

table, his boots resting on an empty chair. He was watching me. Not reading, not on his pho

muttered, not lookin

g," Killian replied, his voice a

how to write an economic analysis,"

and leaning across the table. The shift in his weight made the wood c

. Ten missed texts. They were worried about where I ha

e, his long fingers snatching m

whispered, half-ri

into his jacket pocket. "Your friends don't need to know w

whispered, anger bur

stopping right behind my chair. He leaned over my shoulder, his chest brushing against my back. The sudden phy

nd strong. "Section three is w

cologne filling my lungs. It was a bizarre twisted contrast, his actions were cruel, but his physical

arely a whisper. "You have all the money in the wor

own my spine. "Because the others are boring, Hazel. They bow down the second I look at them. But

skin. "I like watching you fight me. It make

aking. "I'm never

ee," he

eave me alone? It's been years kil

question you already

. Why me?" My voice breaks down

eft to run. I didn't think it would feel this good to finally have it but it does. People think I'm cruel because I enjoy it." He tilted his head, studying me like I was something under glass. "I'm

to his chair, he said. "You have f

and my head throbbed. I packed my bag, my movements sluggi

turning on his heel and walking out of th

into my chair, gr

nter's name before I fin

ong night. Will

y came i

l it's 6am. Where th

about to call

sed about classes. I promise to ex

s a lie and w

he contract, the video sitting somewhere on Killian's phone, But if I told them, they'd try to help. And

tter explain

at the dorm now I'm

heels of my hands against my eyes, ex

messages again,

had texted me. There was a new, ano

om the party belongs

, and I was sinking dee