was quiet

e air between them was thick, like something unsaid had been growing roots there for years. The walls

ssion unreadable. He stared out the window, jaw tight, refusing to make eye c

nce stre

creak of the chair startlin

d a hand sharply, his voice low and cu

on

mouth sna

reath catch. There was no softness, no remnants of the boy who had once l

nom. "I hate you. For what you did to me back then-for making me feel like no

to defend himself. There was nothing he c

t because I believe in some fairy-tale where we magically fix what you broke. I'm doing this becaus

th, steadying himsel

serve peace. They deserve to be happy. And I won't be the reason thei

s flickering with a mixtu

said flatly, "I

e weight of the words

ions. No delays. And this?"-he gestured between them-"This whole agreement stays between you and me. No one el

d. He didn't nod. He did

ghtly against the hardwood floor. He

said over his shoulder, his v

ng for a response, Zane

Carter sitting alone, surrounded by the e

of a future that had

ket of clouds, hiding even the moonlight. The grand estate, usually alive with warmth and ch

r. His room was dark save for the dim lamp flickering in the corner. He hadn't bothered to

before he could stop it, h

ne Month Aft

sually crowded school. Carter stood in front of Zane's locke

nd, a fol

out the truth behind the dare. About how things had started as a joke but tur

rough the narrow slit of the locker. A small piec

rs, just in time to see Zane open his. For a second, Zan

ding a single word, Zan

ered to the floor like dead leaves. Zane didn't even fli

he corner, his hands balled

. And Zane had made it clea

ent

ory. Before he could answer, the door

didn't

brother sit hunched in the shadows like he was p

eyes were fixed on the floo

ah continued. "Between you and Zane

no a

ouldn't have slapped you. That was- I let my emotions take over

d slowly but

to a line. The silence between th

Noah said quietly. "And I

rozen in thought, in guilt, in

and turned toward the door. "I'll let

ntly behind him, leaving

he room seemed th

oulders stiff. The pain in his che

ne everyt

s ag

even

ving, and the presen

silence, Carter could

e would alway

o

ie

da