e's

I can avoid him. I take the long way to class. I eat lunch when the

w many detours I take. T

tom limb. Something missing that I never

spot him across the quad. My h

culous," I mu

ange look. I adjust my backpack and

er the classroom ten minutes early

ewed your research proposa

ssor," I say, sli

th neat, precise notes. Study. Work. Surviv

here I work part-time. I've picked up extra shi

rk tonight too?" he asks

need the

it, kid. You

ell anymore. When I close my eyes, I se

y ten, my feet ache, but it's better than sitting al

w," I tell my ma

y bag closer as I walk toward the library. I

roken desk lamp that no one wants. I spread out my books and

n, like a change in barom

bond pulses, growing

the words blur. My hand trembl

y notebook. My elbow knocks it over, se

," I gasp,

es and textbook. I grab for na

let m

down my spine. I freeze, coffee dr

de me, offering a

" I say, not me

tes are

book. Our fingers brush, and the bond fl

ge is done. The contact b

e says, hi

hold the coldness from the gala. Inst

u here?" I

ns. "I was ret

ction of th

ou neede

een us, impossible to ignore up close. It

r night," he be

barely b

poken to you that w

an apology, but

," I lie, dabbing

't even know

e I can stop myself

in his eyes. "Abe

uickly. "No relation

a moment, then n

who yo

. Daniel Harrington. Fut

who reje

ffectively at the coffee stains. "You shoul

wrist. The touch sends a jolt

his irises darkening. For a moment, we're caugh

What are

through our conne

nd of the table, her perfect eyeb

instantly. "Just helpi

r my stained clothes and wet books. "Though I'm not

om Daniel's face. Th

pping away from me. "We have

arm through his. "Mother's been go

making sure I heard. M

ys, not looking at me

e tells me with a cold smile. "Scholarshi

g back to me. I stand there, coffee cooling

with more paper towels

I tell her, my voice s

ok damage," she says kind

pen. Nothing about this

fee has obliterated weeks of work

ouch. The look in his eyes. Th

he walked away w

and walk out of the library, the ghost