t Sebastian said on our ride back

hat was expected. I'd grow

e'd already seen what came after,

like the turned ones, who had no choice but

e like fire-sudden, viol

Slower. A hunger that waited beneath the su

hat made us bette

wasn't

would be there for

nothing. But something in his v

a way I couldn't explain, I tru

maybe it was just easier to trust someone

ol didn't feel as heav

knowing someone would be t

ing about Sebastian since the

ere re

he went to

erson I connected wi

nd stability. A familiar f

t felt diffe

mpire friends be

n't just want to be a friend. It se

I didn't really know anyone els

class w

as one of the few cl

ft, deliberate, and just mysteriou

ready writing on the

books-and sharply of cologne,

unnoticed. But to me, every

at my attention lik

d for Sebastian, but he wasn't there. I chose a seat n

desk. I hadn't

me, but his presen

-filled, his handwriting too

his eyes on the board, but I co

not entirely fo

from the board and c

er work," her French a

or a short translation assign

airs scraping, soft

ow anyone, and no one made

me, then that

and Mr

ly just transferred-apparently, she was the k

ly looke

icate glassy look-like sun

, styled with a hint of natural wave, was like somethi

ost notable feature was the logo stamped across

klace resting at his collarbone. Effortless, like

ed. "Hi

it wasn't meant for a boy, li

"Okay," I said

r to his. He adjusted s

oked

curled through my senses, clinging to the b

was

traction?

ge to

in full. I wasn't supposed to, not yet. But somethi

ightly on the desk. I

assignment sheets, her heels c

ue on page seventy,"

already flipping to the

o you speak French?" he a

ttle. I like th

steady, calm,

x," he said, voice

hat it meant, but sti

smile. "You have

y the same

ords echoed louder

ebook, willing my h

d-of cour

slightly, softer

t didn't look at hi

was a

"I don't usually say th

is expression hadn't change

t to say, Madame Lefevre's

a smile. "If you're done practicing le fli

oom. I felt my face heat up as I

"Oui, madame," he said sm

moment passed-but it d