pened, they came straight from school. Simon, the gentlest of us all, immediately

m behind while he cries, "I'm so sorry for not coming here s

d by Cal, who seems disgusted at the thought but did it anyway. Seb is the only one who doesn't join the

can't...I can't breathe." I say

long. But even as her death becomes more real

d to her?" Ki

He acknowledges the boys with a serious nod before turning to me, "Ari, I'm g

eyes at him

bastian," Lucien added

ssuringly. And that is all I needed. Silently, we follow Lucien to his study together, o

anymore. I made a promise to be there for you no matter what, remember? I plan on keeping that, Ari. But you need to be honest with

we talked about this," I tell him, feigning a smile, "Mom and I just thought it best that I move back here si

ther is dead. And I haven't shed a single tear about it yet. Somethin

sighing, "Very well. I guess none of that is any of my business. I guess I should just be

o say that our parents' divorce was ugly is an understat

e panic rising in my throat. "Why would you do t

yebrows, "Tell me w

alizing my

ost forget he's beside me, still uncharacteristically quiet sinc

son. I'm merely as

e should be comforting her, not asking her what went wrong betwe

's eyes this time, I falter. I can't press on any further. He kno

ucien is saying, "I didn't ask to talk s

ed by his height when I was a kid. Not much has changed now. But there is warmth in his brown e

wasn't...the happiest. But I did love your mother, and I came to love you

f you're talking about adopting me officially this time, I'

She said you took nothing with you when you left. N

ar. The food is free there, so I won't have to spend money on that, too

ou want to go to colle

ws exactly what to say. And

ead. And go to college, and write as much as you want. That won'