I washed up after Kai left and didn’t touch myself. It took more effort than I wanted to admit. I never went to Julian’s study. One night of that was enough. I still didn’t understand how I managed to sleep with the ache sitting between my legs, but I did. Maybe that was becoming normal now.
The next morning I showered, dressed, and went downstairs. My mother was already gone. Her shifts started early. When I reached the dining room, both Julian and Kai were there. They stopped talking the second I walked in. The air felt tight.
I kept moving toward the door.
“You’re not eating?” Kai asked.
“Not hungry. I’ll get something at the café after class.”
Kai pushed his chair back. “I’ll drop you.”
Julian stood at the same time. “We’re going the same direction. I’ll take her.”
They looked a
