Page 63 of The Rat

Rory could remember Erica’s wideeyes. She hadn’t expected him to guzzle it down, but she’d been a little lessshocked when it came back up.

“I can’t believe I’m gonnamiss so much…”

“I’m sorry.”

Teddycame over and tapped on the end ofthe table. His sympathetic eyes were fixed on Ollie.

Ollie bobbed hishead and wiped hisface. “I’m all right, I’m all right. Is it time forclass?”

Teddy grunted, which meant yes.

“I’ll see you later.” Olliesaid, getting to his feet.

As soon as he was out of sight,Rory dropped his head into his hands and cursed. Herocked back andforth, mind whirling a million miles a minute.

“Imean, if you’re that devastated, I’m surethere’s room for one more in the class.”

Rory didn’t remove his hands.“I’m not in the mood, Sebastian.”

“Mood, mood forwhat?”

“This… whatever it is yourdoing.”

“I see you looking sad, and Ihave to come over and make sure you’re okay.”

“I don’t want you to benice to me.”

Sebastian laughed lightly.“What?”

Rory heard him move around the table,then sit in the chair opposite.

“Be horrible,” Rory said.

“It’s not in me to behorrible.”

“Yeah, right.” Rory laugheddarkly.

“I’m serious.”

Rory removed his hands and placed themflat on the table. “You hated me when I first came here, I saw itin your eyes.”

“You couldn’t even lookat me—”

“All I saw washatred. Look at melike that again, tell me I’m nothing, that I’m not worth theoxygen.”

“Why?”

“Because I need youto.”

“Really? You’re actuallyasking me to do that?”

“Yes.”

Sebastian tilted his head, thenplaced both his hands on top of Rory’s. Hisexpression changed like a switch,from normal and calm to raging and spiteful. He curled back hislip, flared his nostrils, and froze Rory to the chair with a blastof his icy stare.

“Hate doesn’t do itjustice. Idespise you. You’re not worth the oxygen in your lungs, the food inyour stomach, or the blood in your veins. You are less thannothing, and the world would be a better place without you init.”

Rory onlyrealizedtears were running down his face when one hit the table. He lookeddown at the splash, then back up to Sebastian. His emotional switchhad flicked again, and he wore an expression of unmasked sympathy,the skin around his eyes twitched, and he shook hishead.

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