A sliver of fragmented light crept through the window.
Waking up, I felt something heavy on me. Opening my eyes, I saw Nathan’s face looming close.
I checked my phone–9:00. Bolting upright, my sudden movement jolted Nathan awake.
He lazily lifted his eyelids, snaking an arm around me to drag me back from the edge of the bed, pinning me down firmly.
“Sleep a bit more.”
Spotting the ring of teeth marks on his forearm, my face flushed. “I–I have class!”
The moment his grip loosened, I darted into the bathroom, catching his faint sigh behind me.
“You never seemed this diligent before.”
In the bathroom, I stared at the mottled marks on my skin–looks like I’d need to cover up well later.
Of course, I hadn’t held back either; Nathan’s back probably looked just as rough.
By the time I dawdled out of the bathroom, Nathan was already dressed and groomed.
Heat still lingered on my cheeks, making me fidget. “You’re heading out too? But you don’t have classes today…”
Nathan shot me a glance while slipping on his shoes. “How thoughtful of you to memorize my schedule.”
Defensively, I touched my nose. After all, I’d only memorized his class timetable to avoid him in the past.
Chilly gusts swept through the early spring morning, leaving me dizzy–I couldn’t quite tell what year it was any-
more.
Nathan was fine, and I was fine. We could still go to school together, as if time had stood still.
I nestled close to Nathan, and he pulled me into his coat, cocooning me.
“Hey, it’s been so long since I walked to school with you!”
“Mhm.” A faint smile touched his lips, though his voice sounded muffled.
Last night, exhausted and half–asleep, I’d heard him ask, “What if I wake up and you’re gone again?”
I was hugging my brother’s waist, about to reassure him, when a furious roar shattered the quiet from far behind us. Before I knew it, a powerful force wrenched me away.
Nathan and I froze, turning to see Marcus.
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08:54
Chapter 10
He’d yanked me behind him, standing guard like a mother hen, leveling a furious glare at my brother.
“Nathan, I’m warning you–stay away from my girlfriend, or you’ll regret it!”
Oh no. I’d forgotten about him.
Nathan froze for a second, then frowned, his expression quite a sight–equal parts anger and hurt.
“Trying to kill me with stress?”
I shook my head wildly, frantically pushing Marcus aside as I rushed over to Nathan.
“Let me introduce you. This is… my brother.”
Marcus’s eyes widened, darting between Nathan and me.
“You–but you’re not… Your sister isn’t…” He stared at me like he’d seen a ghost.
“Okay, this is complicated! I’ll explain everything later!”
Nathan took my hand, like he was staking his claim.
“Then I’ll introduce myself. I used to be her brother. Now I’m her boyfriend. And soon I’ll be her husband.”
Marcus froze in place, this was way too much to process.
Only after a long pause did confusion flicker in his eyes, followed by shock, and finally intense-
envy.
Then he ran off, screeching like a monkey.
Nathan massaged his temples. “Is this the kind of friend you make when I’m gone?”
I wanted to defend Marcus, but had no solid proof. “He’s usually… pretty normal,” I offered lamely.
My brother snorted. “Hah, already speaking up for another guy.”
It made my teeth ache. But I understood–I’d been the same way before.
I silently zipped my lips.
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