Page 32 of The Freshman

Now it’s your turn,” Natepurred.

“My turn?”

Nate smirked. “I told you why I’mhere. Now you tell me.”

“I don’t have to tell youanything.”

Nate narrowed his eyes. “No need forthat tone, I’m being nice.”

Alfie flicked his gaze up and startledwhen Nate wagged his finger at the letter. It was strange seeingNate’s hands, seeing his shoulders at their correct angle. He couldgrab if he wanted. He could clutch Alfie and tug him to his hardchest, but he didn’t, and Alfie’s confusion increased when he foundit disappointing he didn’t.

Nate stood a few feet away, moredistance than the cell door, and the times they had come face toface before.

“What’s that?”

Alfie dropped his gaze to the letterand swallowed. “It’s for Ryan.”

“Better not be a loveletter.”

“No, it’s—it’s to say Iwanna leave.”

He tensed, expecting Nate to dosomething, but he just shrugged. “Fair enough.”

The words hurt, but Alfie didn’t knowwhy. He realized he wanted a protest, wanted Nate to fight for himto stay. The thought was ridiculous and made him angry, angry thathe couldn’t understand what was going on in his head.

Nate went to walk past, and Alfierelaxed, loosening his grip on the letter. Nate snatched it fromhis hand and shoved it down his jeans so fast it was a flash ofwhite.

“Wait—"

Nate cracked his neck and tutted. “Ohdear, Freshman, looks like your letter’s gone.”

Alfie’s mouth popped open. “Give me itback.”

Nate snorted and shook his head. “Nothappening, Freshman.”

Nate moved around Alfie, but Alfiedidn’t let him get any farther. He rushed in front of Nate, puffedout his chest, and flared his nostrils.

“I said give itback.”

Nate stared down at him, and his eyesdarkened the longer they glared. The predatory grin appeared onNate’s face, and his eyes crinkled with the smile.

“Open my hatch later, andI’ll give you it back.”

“No!” Alfiesnapped.

Nate rolled his eyes, laughed lightly,then barged forward. Alfie staggered back with his mouth open. Hissurprise amused Nate, and he laughed louder, moving forwardregardless of Alfie’s efforts to keep him in one place.

Rage surged in Alfie’s body, and heblocked Nate’s path again. He ignored the shout of the guard behindand glared into Nate’s chuckling eyes.

“Now,” hehissed.

Nate stared at him, and then the guardseveral meters away. “I’m not letting you go thateasily.”

Alfie half wanted those words and halfdespised them.

“It’s not yourdecision.”

Nate patted his crotch and the lettercrinkled. “This is the wrong decision.”

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