Private (Private 1)

P R I V A T E

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Constance stepped mutely backward as he entered our room.

“I don’t know what came over me last night, Reed. I—” He

“You were just going to breakfast, right?” Thomas said to

stopped and pushed his hands over his face and up into his hair. As Constance, leaving no room for question.

always, it fell right back into place. “Well, that’s a lie. I do know what

“Oh. Uh . . .” Constance shot me a concerned look and I nodded

came over me,” he said.

at her to go. Whatever was about to happen, I didn’t need her seeI was half rapt with attention, half planning my escape route.

ing it and reporting it to the entire school. “Okay,” she said,

“I . . . I have a problem,” Thomas said, clasping his hands

snatching up her bag. “I’ll see you later,” she told me. She closed together. “With alcohol.”

the door behind her as she fled, probably relieved to be out of the For some reason, this announcement uncoiled some of my

room so that she couldn’t be implicated if we were caught. I sank muscles.

down onto my bed, feeling weak.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” he asked.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered.

“What do you want me to say?” I shot back. “Duh?”

I didn’t want to be alone with him. I felt trapped and cornered.

Thomas blinked. Score one for Reed. I actually wished Noelle

I glanced at the door and wondered if he would try to stop me if I could have heard that one.

went to leave. I imagined him grabbing my wrist, holding me here,

“I guess I deserve that, too,” he said with a smirk. And for some and stayed where I was.

reason, I couldn’t help smirking in return. Slowly, I uncurled my

“Reed, please. Just listen to me,” Thomas said, sitting at the end legs and sat Indian style against the wall, watching him. It was of my bed. I instantly curled into the corner. Thomas hung his

amazing how different he was from last night. His body language head. He got up and sat down on Constance’s mattress. “Is this bet-entirely transformed. Not at all belligerent. He looked like Thomas.

ter?” he asked.

Regular Thomas. My Thomas.

I let out a breath. “Slightly.”