Page 41 of Bonding with the Beta

“He sounds like an incredible man,” I say honestly.

She smiles sadly. “Yeah. He is. I’m glad it didn’t destroy the family completely. Of course, I was angry at her, but I can see how much she loves Lina. I can’t be angry at her for that. I wish my dad could move on, but I don’t think he will.”

I frown as she lowers the peas, but I take it from her hand and hold it for her instead. “My fingers are going numb,” she says, raising her red hand.

“I got you,” I whisper. “Do you see your parents much?”

Kayleigh hums softly. “Yeah, when the term is over, I go home. They come up to visit sometimes.”

I nod once and stare ahead at the cork board hanging from her wall. My eyes roam over the red roses attached to the frameand dangling against the wall. She watches me for a moment before glancing over her shoulder.

“What?” she whispers.

“Cute roses,” I comment.

“Oh,” she murmurs. “When no one buys you flowers, you have to buy yourself fake ones.”

My chest tightens. “Are roses your favourite?”

She nods. “Yeah. It seems basic, I know. But I love the idea of red roses. They’re classic and beautiful and represent love. I don’t need anyone to buy me flowers because I can buy them for my own enjoyment, but to me, it’s a symbol of a declaration to myself.”

“A declaration of self-love?”

Kayleigh hums. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“How’s your head feeling now?”

“Better,” she admits. “Thank you for looking after me.”

“What kind of date would I be if I left you to suffer on your own?”

She playfully rolls her eyes. “This wasn’t a date.”

“Shhh.” I lean in slowly. “Let me have this moment.”

13

KAYLEIGH

“Are you feeling okay?” Evie nudges me as we leave class.

I stare down at the paper in my hand. I frown at it intensely. “Not really,” I huff, my eyes focusing on the massive ‘48/100’on the top of my latest essay.

“You’ll do better on the next one,” she says encouragingly.

“I needed to do good in this one,” I reply.

Evie sighs softly. “Well, maybe we need to study together more.”

“I study enough as it is.” I laugh sadly.

Why am I not doing well?

“I know.” She chews the inside of her lip. “I’ll read over it next time and see if I can help in any way. Maybe you were distracted. I know you haven’t been feeling one hundred percent lately.”

I haven’t felt one hundred percent in a long time.

“Yeah.” I force a smile at her. “Sure. Thanks.”

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