“You need to tell Julian,” Dimitri says after class, on one of the rare times Julian isn’t here to pick me up.
Unfortunately, today Rose had ramped up her attacks and gone so far as to knock everything off my desk on her way to her seat. She swore it was an accident, blaming an untied shoe that she was more than happy to bend over and tie right in front of Dimitri’s desk.
Nobody else noticed or cared, but I’d seen the way the storm brewed on Dimitri’s face. It looked like it took everything in him to keep his professor mask on, and it went out the window the second we were alone.
“No. I can handle Rose. She’s just looking for a reaction, and I won’t give her one. She’ll get bored, eventually.”I hope.
“Wren,”
“Dimitri.” I feel his gaze on me as I pack up the last of my stuff. When I finally look up, I’m met with his glare.
I glare back, unwilling to give up on this. I don’t need them fighting my battles. Plus, if I don’t engage, there isn’t a battle to be had.
After a moment, he sighs, his shoulders sagging as he reaches up to massage the bridge of his nose.
“Do you want me to do something?”
“No!” I shout, louder than I intended. “Sorry, I just know that won’t help. The last thing I need is my professor stepping in. Then I look like I went crying to you.”
The way his lips pinch lets me know he gets it but doesn’t like it, and well, that’s fine.
“I’ve got it under control,” I tell him, hoping to reassure him, though it doesn’t seem to have any effect as he continues to worry.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and head toward the door, making it about halfway before he seems to shake himself and realize I’ve gone.
“No Julian today?” he asks, and I stop when I see the actual concern on his face.
“No, he had to meet with his coach about something he’s doing for the showcase.”
His brows pull together, and he fishes his phone from his pocket, which is weird; he’s hardly ever on his phone, at least not with me.
Not wanting to take up any more of his time or seem suspicious, I head for the door again. It’s been a minute since I went to the library and just had time to study. It’s just been one thing after another, and while I love it, I also can’t help but miss Felix.
“Ugh, Wren, wait.” I turn to find him once again following me, his hand outstretched as if he’s going to reach for me before he seems to think better of it and lets it drop.
“What’s u—” Pain erupts in my head, and I groan, rubbing at my temple.
“Are you okay?” I hear the concern in his voice even without opening my eyes, and I mentally scold myself for reacting like this in front of him.
It’s just a headache, and now I’ve made him worry.
“I’m fine, just a headache.” I wave him away, even though I know it won’t do a thing.
I feel his hand, warm and familiar, as he cups my cheek, forcing my head up. When I manage to peel my eyes open, I findso much emotion staring back at me that it steals the air from my lungs.
I want nothing more than to move into his arms, but this isn’t the time or the place.
He said he would quit his job for me, but I don’t want that. I don’t want our being together to be a punishment.
So I do what I know I should and take a step back. He lets his hand drop, and I see the flash of hurt that plays across his face a moment before he masks it.
Even if this is the right thing, it somehow doesn’t make it easier.
“We can’t.” I plead with him to understand that it’s got nothing to do with him.
He tucks his hand into his pocket and clears his throat with a nod as if to himself before he nods toward the door.
“Why don’t you come to my office, and I can get some medicine for you?” Now he’s the one pleading, not with his words but with his eyes.
