Page 47 of Forged in Flames (Made of Steel 2)

"Any parts of the assignment that can't be answered are fine as long as there is an explanation. But all the topics are locked in. I don't want to spend another half hour sorting out repeats. And I'm really looking forward to your interpretation of his motives."

"That's the problem though," Eli continued. "What if his motives aren't sound? I'm pretty sure we're trying to figure out the interworkings of a complete lunatic."

I swallowed hard.

A few people in the class snickered.

Professor Bryant smiled. "Again, as long as you explain your reasoning, it isn't an issue. But if you're still really having trouble in a few weeks, talk to me after class and we can figure something out." He turned his gaze away from Eli. "Yes, Miss Tucker?"

I blocked out Miss Tucker's question. "What is wrong with you?"

"Recently it seems like all our time is monopolized by the vigilante," Eli said. "I don't want to waste a second of any free time we have together thinking about him. It's already bad enough that he's a part of this."

A part of trying to help me? You had two years and you did nothing! I shook my head and tried to focus on Professor Bryant's words. But again, I couldn't stop my thoughts from wandering. Not only was my mind consumed by the concept of borrowed time, it was preoccupied with the fact that I wanted to punch Eli in the face again.

As soon as class was dismissed, I grabbed Eli's arm and pulled him out of the room. And once I realized he probably wasn't protesting because he liked that I was touching him, I immediately dropped my hand. God, where could we talk about this without anyone hearing? I grabbed the handle to an unmarked door and opened it. A janitorial closet. This would work. I pulled on Eli's arm again and shoved him into the small closet.

The door closed behind us and we were bathed in darkness.

"What is wrong with you?" I shoved his chest. "You're drawing unnecessary attention to us. Are you trying to ruin everything?"

"I can't stand the thought of you with him."

"You're jealous? That's what this is?"

"Yes. Okay?" said Eli. "I am jealous. I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you for a long time."

"You can't love someone you don't know!" I shoved his chest again, but he caught my hand, holding it against him.

"I do know you. And I'm sorry that I missed the most important thing. It kills me that I didn't know he was hurting you. Summer..." his voice cracked.

I stopped trying to pull my hand away. "Well, I don't know you."

"Then give me time to show you who I am." He put his hand on the side of my face.

Maybe if my life was normal, I'd be willing to give him that time. But I was living on borrowed time as it was. "You were right about me."

"What are you talking about?"

"When we had that fight outside my dorm. You said that some people couldn't be saved."

"Summer, I was upset. I didn't mean..."

"No, you were right. I can't be." I took a deep breath. "I'm going to kill him." It was strange hearing those words out loud.

"You may think that's what you want now, but in the moment..."

"He took everything from me. You couldn't possibly understand."

"I will if you let him destroy your life," said Eli. "If you let him take you away from me."

"And that's the difference between you and me. I don't believe in justice the same way you do. You're on the wrong side."

"I'm on your side, Summer."

"The cops were never on my side." I swallowed hard. "He beat me until I couldn't move."

"Summer..."

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