Page 68 of The Order

“Should I plan to see you again soon, or will I keep running into you at the strangest times?” I question, watching the man's mouth curve into a smile I greatly appreciate.

“After today, don't be surprised if I’m throwing rocks at your window in the middle of the night,” Xavier says, making me blush all over again.

I give him a nod, watching my brother try and peek through the gaps of the shrubbery to get a glance at what's happening. I wrap my arms around Xavier’s neck, feeling his hands squeeze my waist, both of us feeding into the hug. I feel our noses brush the moment we begin to separate, and just for a moment, I think about using the opportunity to finally break the last bit of space between us.

Like a bolt of lightning, a sensation flares through my mark, forcing me to bring my head down in a quiet groan. Any chance of our lips meeting fades away, only to be dragged further away by the impatient taps of my brother's foot.

“Until next time, love,” Xavier says, pressing his thumbs to my lips while cupping my face. I smile against the touch but wonder why the longing to kiss him has suddenly ebbed.

My marks burn fades away, taking my desires with it.

“Until next time,” I whisper back, watching his figure back away, giving me one last smile before slipping behind the other side of the bush. I feel empty like I’m missing something I didn't know I needed.

Human connection. Just another thing our society shuns.

Chapter twenty-two

Forest

Therestoftheday dragged along as best it could after the chaos from this morning. People’s need to stare at me everywhere I went became insufferable. Although I only had one more class, it felt like an eternity of sitting in that classroom, watching my classmates sneak stolen glances at me. There was no point trying to strip away the oversized shirt my mother had put me in at the med unit. It almost felt more comforting to wear something so baggy, given today's events. To my surprise, I hadn’t seen Fallan anywhere. I found myself even going so far as to try and track him down in his final period of the day. From what I know, he ends the day with Literature, but the Unfortunate section of the English department's classroom was empty. The Unfortunate caught stealing food gave me a look of acknowledgment in the hallway, almost looking like he would stop to say something before deciding not to.

“Are you ready to tell me what’s going on with you two?” Kai questions, finally pushing me to speak and break my unspoken vow of silence I have taken since we left the med unit.

“I’m assuming you’re talking about-”

“Xavier? Yes,” Kai says, not allowing me to finish my statement.

My bag hits my leg with each step. I notice Kai’s tousled hair and brown eyes are more frazzled than usual. Concern coats his gaze, eating him alive in all the ways it had my mother.

“Imaybe enjoying the alone time I’ve gotten with him,” I say, keeping my gaze forward toward the tram, now filled with students.

“Have you two-”

“Kai,” I snap, cutting off the question before he could finish it. “All I’ve done is let Max kiss me a few times. Xavier and I have done nothing. You can stop the paranoid, older brother attitude,” I say. His cheeks grow red with embarrassment.

“I actually wasn’t going to ask you about Xavier,” Kai mutters. I pause my walk, looking over at him in confusion.

“Then who?” I question, watching him take a look around at his surroundings.

He closes his eyes, rubbing his face like my mother does.

“The Unfortunate,” he begins motioning to me. “Why is he always lingering around you?” Kai questions. I’m sure his accusation is courtesy of what Raegan must have told him about what she saw in art class, no doubt. I knew there was no way of keeping that away from Kai once she saw us exchange a brief touch.

“Fallan is harmless,” I say, walking toward the tram. I close my eyes as I walk, reaching into my mind to shout down that narrow hallway with doors that all seemed closed.

“Are you done shutting me out?”I yell through my mind.

“Harmless? You’ve been acting recklessly since he showed up.”

I turn on my heels, stopping my brother's determined march behind me with a point of my finger to his chest. He pauses, looking at me with surprise.

“Fallan is not to blame for why I’ve been off. If anything, he’s helped me in ways no one else can right now, so I suggest you tread carefully on what you choose to say next because it might not have the outcome you like,” I hear myself say, barely recognizing the tone in my voice. It feels like another part of me jumped out, ready to fight back against anyone willing to challenge me. My heart pounds in my chest, pumping blood through my veins.

“Easy there, Little Dove. He’s trying to help you,”Fallan’s voice says, relaxing my rigid position.

Kai looks confused, watching me step back as I touch my head, looking around for any sign of the Unfortunate. Kai’s hand lands on my arm, returning my attention to him.

“I don’t think you’re wrong. It’s not just you who’s having some confusing feelings,” Kai admits, showing me his first sign of weakness in so long.

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