to wo

He was disorganized, unfocused, his mind spinning and his

hadn't ha

g would likely get their soul chewed

immediately struck by two conflicting sens

y C

the exact shade as hers. The same maddening silver that had haunted

aying his favorite piece-Clai

ful, painfully so. Too close to the memory he was trying to erase. Just as he

rl trying t

om memory, which shocked him. No one memorized

hell w

wi

e tactic he'd used the first time they met

nce?" he said coolly. "They're probably turning in thei

led, her left index finger bleeding, having split open while she playe

" she said, defiant despi

, she had missed some notes which made him realise she m

ld you to give up. Look at this." He gestured to the bloodi

He wanted her to feel the same chaos he'd woke

e didn

pine straight. Fought back the t

hat-he en

ou're my professor. I'm he

en know what she was offering? Did she underst

work li

here to quit. I don't care about your reputation. I don't care if you're cold as death

n't li

beginning to

ke fragility, she wore

eat. "You want this to wo

ow. "What kind

tepping closer, "-I don'

e echoed, cle

"Number two-you dress like a nun

outh to protest,

'll work longer hours

aced h

her distractions. I don't care about your preferen

stunned. "You

adl

knew, dictating terms that could reshape her life. Y

very reasonable. No offense, but... what if

reak up. You have to prioritize, decide what ma

mind," she muttered. "I'll do what I have to do. My

tance, maybe a self-righteous speech about her autonomy or boundaries

ce clipped. "Do you

at her parents' house. But she was currently staying at Kyle's, and there was no way she'd

sort of... between places. Where

ask more. But curiosity wasn't someth

hinking, "-I think I have an old one in storage. I'll lend

at did he think this was, some setup for him to show

't think th

tion creeping into his voice.

e the piano at school. I app

two days to finish that music sheet. That's a grace I don't give o

denly, then bit her lip as

ad slightly. She k

ake your own corrections, and master everything I gave you-then maybe, just maybe,

face. Something bright and unguarded. I

sir. I promise I w

at her for

for something? When was the last time he e

t sharp but soft face that always seemed slightly pained, those lips... And legs he'd defi

at resemblance walking around hi

ked, a strange thou

a smile so sweet it made

ir

erhaps hiding something, it unsettled him. Her body said one thing. Her face said

know a V

ished. Her br

clicking her fingers like

ka! A composer from t

a second, his mo

musical terms... it was annoying, funn

ee you in three

m, bright and bubbly, completely unawar

d at her c

cy," he muttered under his breath

't leave em

ty office, he slipped

per research-on the one stu