I listen to my friends moving around the suite, which lulls me into a sense of calm.
Honestly, I’d be fucked without them. They make the darkness bearable.
“Okay, let’s do this,” Noah says, drawing my attention to him.
We work on the assignment until it’s done, but my thoughts stay with Fallon. I wonder if the appointment is going well and if she’s okay.
When the front door opens, I turn my head slightly in its direction.
“You’re back,” Noah says. “How did it go?”
“Good,” Fallon answers.
“What did the doctor say?” Noah asks the question that’s burning on the tip of my tongue.
“He was optimistic. He can only schedule the surgery in January.” I can hear the ache straining Fallon’s words. “All and all the feedback was good.”
Fallon’s not telling us everything, and I almost ask her what it is, but I know I have no right.
“We’re all going for lunch at two,” Noah informs her.
“I’m going to pass. I’m tired after the appointment. Have fun, though.”
I hear her walk away from us, and then her bedroom door shuts.
“How does she look?” I ask Noah.
“I haven’t seen the cuts. She’s still wearing a bandage,” he tells me.
“I mean emotionally? Is she okay?”
Noah pauses for a moment, then he murmurs, “She looks terrible, Kao. She’s not coping.”
My body jerks with the instinct to get up and go after her. I want to comfort her so badly, it’s tightening every muscle.
But I remain seated, knowing I’m the last person she needs right now.
“Don’t worry. Hana’s with her,” Noah says as if he can sense my internal struggle.
Noah starts to go through more of the work I missed, but I’m hardly paying attention.
Staying away from Fallon is fucking hard. I have no idea how long I’m going to manage to keep up with the act. As much as I need my friends, I might have to consider leaving the academy.
Fuck, who would’ve thought this is how the year would turn out? I think back to the day the girls moved in.
I remember the welcome ball and how beautiful Fallon looked? Images of her flash through my mind, and I find relief in them. They lessen the dark.
I was going to ask Summer to accompany me to the welcome ball, but after Jase said we should all go as a group, I let that idea sail. Also, the girls didn’t seem to get along with Summer and her friends. That’s how I automatically became Fallon’s plus one.
As I walk out of my room, my eyes lock onto Fallon, where she’s a couple of steps ahead of me, heading toward the living room. My breath catches in my throat. She looks fucking beautiful in a silver dress that matches my charcoal suit. My gaze drifts down her perfect body, stopping at her ass.
Damn, she’s sexy as fuck.
There’s a sharp burst of attraction, and I’m unable to tear my eyes away from her.
“Mila, can you help me with my necklace?” Fallon asks as she steps into the open space, yanking me out of my thoughts.
“I’ll help,” the words rush from me as I come up behind her. Moving to stand in front of Fallon, I take the necklace from her hand. I open the clasp, and taking a step closer to her, I first brush her hair to the side. Her soft scent spins a web around me, and unable to stop myself, I lean in close until our cheeks brush, and I clasp the necklace in place.
Awareness grows in my chest, and a current zaps between us. Pausing for a moment, I take a deep breath of Fallon as the attraction increases. It’s over-powering.
I’ve always thought Fallon was beautiful, and yeah, we’re good friends, but since she moved into the suite and we’ve seen each other every day, I’ve realized I feel more than friendship for her.
A hell of a lot more.
Pulling back, I let my gaze drift over her before I meet her eyes. “You look breathtaking, Fallon.”
Her lips curve into a smile. “Thanks, Kao.” A nervous expression pulls around her mouth, and she fiddles with the necklace. “You almost look like an adult in the suit.” Then she darts to where Hunter is sitting, and it makes the corner of my mouth lift. Fallon doesn’t get nervous often, and knowing it’s because of me gives me hope that she feels the attraction as well.
The corners of my mouth curve up at the memory. That night Jade and Mila grilled me to ask Fallon on a date, but I was more than happy just holding her in my arms and dancing with her.
At least I have my memories. My eyes drift shut, thinking they’ll have to last me a lifetime.Chapter 10FALLONDr. Menard is optimistic that he can remove all the scarring. It gives me some hope, but until the surgery in late January, I’ll have to live with them.