Bloodlines and Hearts

carpet for you, Mr. Laurent," Pr

Ethan replied, slidin

ng and they'd still find a reason to laugh. He had a hold on t

ed. He lifted a hand and curled his f

as the greatest inconvenience of his life. Hi

nity project," Professor Harris said. "You know

d rather work alone than de

t my name,"

ling you," he said fl

is a partnership project, Mr. Laurent. Y

switch p

has been

up from her seat

Lydia who for no reason irritated him, got under his sk

"Use this opportunity to expand your perspectives. Get to know your partners an

he corner of his eye, Et

e object of his latest game, she sto

tration. Let her handle all the grunt work. Every tedious task, every m

ck. She'd march straight back to Prof

of his mouth. Now this-this would be fun. Li

our partners, so get to work. No complaints." He closed his no

ning to their assigned partners. Some already started ch

t out a breath, gripping the strap of her bag. She had a choice: let him

y bumping into two other students. "Hey, wait!" She caught up to him

that?" He did no

to keep up with his huge steps. "We

im. Lydia took an automatic step back as he turned.

n she had intended. "It's not like I wanted this

k." He started

the pr

ur prob

from the conversation, and it wasn't until now that she became aware of h

y that she forgot breakfast. Despite the crowded cafeteria, the queue went swift

ason waved from

carefully balancing her tray. She was halfway there when her foot cau

hands to catch herself, but something else caught her eye: Ethan, r

act. She just stayed there, mortified. Ethan did not eve

"I'm so sorry." She knew she needed to get up

r, his gaze slow and penetrative. The cafeteria ha

aughter. Not from hi

hetic? First, you make a fool of yourself in class, and now this?" She lowered herself a little and spoke in a

sment, Lydia pressed her fingers to the chilly floor. Her throa

rned to face him and flicked her hair. "Ugh, I do not

lled his jacket, wiped a hand down his ruined shirt, and ste

ped palms as she eventually forced herself to stand. She turned to leave the cafete

hands quivering slightly on her lap, she plunged to sit on the gras

f approaching footsteps. Until

ut saying anything, before crouch

shakily, then g

an eyebrow.

d without p

just close enough to be there without putti

dia blinked. After a moment of

alk, didn't tell her it wasn't a big deal or that she should shake it

made Lydia's chest tighte

y sounds being the faint rustling of leaves

e hesitated, picking at the hem of her sleeve.

slightly, considering h

u know he doesn't want me. Everyon

ah. I get it." He glanced at her, a small, genui

wned. "The

He leaned back against the tree

er forehead against her kn

"Look, I know Ethan's a pain in

slightly. "You say th

. Although he is not particularly cordial,

. "He walked over me as

d. "Yeah, th

back against the tree trunk.

nned. "Pla

wned. "W

nts to make this miserable for you? D

don't think that's

se en

him. "And if tha

"Then we figure s

r a moment, then exha

r wh

slightly in the grass. "For not maki

ging her shoulder.

r head. "You're

n stil

tle lighter after talking to Mason. Maybe n

tand when Mason sud

ked at hi

He pushed himself up,

owned. "W

id, backing away. "

used, but something in his

as she watched him go away. Part of her wanted to leave simply to be challenging a

ith a chocolate bar and a bag

hem onto her

n at them, surpris

get to eat,

past the sudden lump in her throat and ran a thumb over the crinkled p

fed. "I don

ody need

nished speaking, s

ckered with amusement a

nd clap. "Oh. Oh." Then, to her o

. "Yeah. That

am at all." She continued t

leaning back on his hands. "I am glad t

olate and broke off a