Page 25 of Devoted

Sam

chatting with you does the opposite

on here, with you, I feel calmer

the best part of my day is when I come online

I smacked a hand over my face. That made me sound like such a loser, and once again, I’d revealed more than I’d intended. I couldn’t seem to help it. Something about Zeke had all my defences lowering, making me more open with him than I’d ever been with anyone else.

Zeke

mine too

I’m glad you don’t want to stop talking to me

I’d say I’d be fine, but like I said, I’m needy

My smile was shaky as it bloomed.

Sam

so I haven’t scared you off or offended you?

Zeke

fuck no

I’m literally impossible to offend.

unless you’re one of my housemates

in which case, you can probably offend me just by breathing

housemates? how many people do you live with?

well, there were nine of us, but due to recent events, it’s gone up to ten

TEN?!

do you live in a mansion or something? Or do you all sleep back to back like sardines?

hahahaha

sorry, I was just picturing it

I don’t think we’d survive the night if we all had to sleep in one space

we each have our own rooms and living areas

so a mansion then

I guess. It’s more like a compound. Perks of the job.

My nose wrinkled. I didn’t think professors had living quarters. To be fair though, it wasn’t like I’d been to uni or anything. My knowledge was based on what I’d seen in the media.

I should know not to trust that representation.

Sam

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