LA

onth

to for

ally

carved by angels-I told myself I'd stop thinking about him. I would bury every glance, e

didn'

fter that, he came to e

clock

looking like a god who forgot how to smile, an

d

m the window

sing

me without hesitation, even offering him coffee when he dropped by early. Mother had always liked him, of

saw something in him that

ried it

I was imag

ped paying attention, this stupid

today h

-

pale blue now, streaked with clouds that looked like brushstrokes across a canvas. A strange sense of calm settled over t

t sick. No one was in the mansion except the maids and

ac

ie

mpare me to

ric shimmered slightly under the light. It wasn't fancy-it was one of those dresses Mom bought for events I

book open in my lap, though I hadn't turned a p

he sound of a

ed at t

ither of my par

eked through

mach d

ri

on

oothing down strands that weren't messy. I tugged at the hem of

oor o

tepp

nded on me

fr

surprised to

. But in my rush, the strap of my dress slipped off my shoulder-and worse,

crambled to fix mysel

uttered, voice bar

is throat. "

s presence filling the room li

across from me, no

s

tretched

unbea

ably, fingers twisti

n't he

forced myse

now why you're here? My sister

mentally preparing himself

of his neck. "Since you're her only sister... ca

lin

as une

g my eyes slightly. "And isn't she your gi

ry. And I want to surprise her, but I don't know how to make that chocolate lava cake

rt cle

Mar

cou

rcing a polite smile

uptly. "Com

here Mother kept all her secret recipe books. I flipped thr

it

ed it

scanning the

ooked at

do you know

lin

admitted

our mom if I could use your kitchen to prep this cake, but si

red a

si

e

" I said

yway," I added befor

s shot up.

ded s

smi

he looked g

owing along. He handled everything-measuring, mixing, pouring batter into

it. Being alone with him. Talking. Laugh

," he finally said, watching me

s... I don't know ho

. "Why not? We're

ost c

mi

gh

pt you as my sister's boy

should get used to me.

t my

tly. "You're also pretty. Try to smile more and stop having tha

. "You think I need

Just someone who sees

wn, my ches

as a lo

, "How old ar

urt

e age as Marian

ed up

d. "We met at the front café of the

ed. "Sh

ning. I told her no. Then she in

't help

ys been bol

"Yeah. That

twisted in

oked

id gently. "For he

"You're

-

ay – Campu

ped cl

ai

it wasn't bec

I couldn't bear

or hallway window,

e gazebo, surrounded

th a box in one hand an

ga

smi

he pl

voice deep and smooth, carrying lyrics that made gir

nne c

hug

one c

lip so ha

id I have to

o

e

I

, I

window, tears already s

an

answe

espond t

my room and cried un

-

t N

, staring at

gh the blinds, casting s

ed to the

ng tom

t my goal t

y of his voice, his

I never w

d I never

f it b

-

OF CH