Belview

ina'

g the drink like it might be the

ng my eyes as he took a sip-fast, almost frantic, lik

s voice distant, distracted, as if i

. Okay... Can I at least cover the cost? I'm

aig's face stopped me-confusion first, then something sharper

his eyes, that made me wonder if

his tone sharp. "You ne

g sharp pulling at my chest. I wasn't sure if it was mean

felt wrong. The silence between

ersation, oblivious to the tension curling around the ta

"I think I'll meet up with my brother," she said, al

s hand with that familiar grin. "We

said hang in there. "Don't leave," She said, even t

ting behind them, and suddenly Craig and I we

ptier. Craig absently pushed food around on

st tumbled out anyway. "Again, I'm sorry," I said, my voice

g away-but the edge in his voice? Straight-

giving off the vibe," I said cautiously, raising an eyebrow. "Your face is pr

r. "Well, what's worse than damaging the book of

th unspoken words. Craig took another long drin

suddenly miles away. I was caught somewhere betwee

, softer this time. "It's just... I di

shift in tone, and turned ba

some of the tension from his face. "You're apologizing

ht lifted from my shoulders just a little, but ther

ice light but his eyes still sha

ong but a little wary. "It's no

a second, it felt like everything

yful banter. "Well, anything to sto

gaze narrowing just a touch. "An attitude? Y

For a heartbeat, it felt like everything around us faded,

but Craig got to it first. Our fingers brushed for a split second-too lo

it up, but his shoulders seemed t

I said, eager to move on. "

y, standing to get

coolness of the restaurant. Craig walked with ease, like he didn't ha

arting our way as hushed whispers rippled throug

he buzz spread, sharp and quic

me, like they were branding me in place. I tucked a strand of hair

the discomfort, softer than before. I glanced up

ll," I said,

rare, shy smile on his face. It didn't last long, th

a quick, deep look that sent a flutter through my chest. I

"it's warmer than I expected. Everyone's be

an eyebrow, a

shut off. Is that just a me thing,

some kind of secret he hadn't meant to let slip, like he realized too

ke a joke. He said

oftly, "Sooo....Ice King mod

iet, but real in a way t

question slipped out before I coul

es drifted to somewhere far beyond

he said finally, voice low. His answ

nsing how many layers he was hid

he buzz of the city fading to so

students who were still watching us from afar. "Felt like every pair of

ed casually. "Wel

I said, giving him a dry smil

er be?" he asked, his

friend." Craig tea

not the best fr

met it, my fingers brushing his again, lingering jus

sked, raising an eyebrow. "It seems

e. Loud, forward. Honestly, you and her don't see

each other out,"

again. "Stick with Megan. She's

shaking my head. "Does Belview offer classes on h

d at his lips. He wasn't saying much, b

alking too close. "Didn't think you'd walk me this f

"Yeah, well... you looked like you could use the compan

ost sounded li

again. We rounded a corner, and without

on top of us. Before I could react, Craig grabbed me by the

My hands clutched his shirt, breathless. His hand didn't leave my waist, anchoring me. Our faces were so close, I coul

holding still. We were close. Too close. Close enough to

asked, voice lo

ed. "I just didn't

I was the only thing that made sense. "You should

rt pou

to say. But I didn't move. And neither did he. Th

"Unless," he murmured, eyes locked o