Wren giggles, the sound pure and happy in a way I’ve never heard. Her lips pulled up in a smile that transforms her whole face, making her look younger, happier, and even more breathtaking than I thought possible.
It’s as if my entire world has narrowed to her, and she’s the center of the universe. She’s all I see, hear, and smell. Wren is everything.
I’m not the only one to notice either; Nolan seems as trapped in her presence as I am, and I know that I want to see this version of her as often as I can.
This is Wren, pure and happy without the weight of this miserable world. She deserves all the happiness she can possibly get, and I’ll do whatever I can to give her that.
And that starts by not failing, which is how we end up studying, just the three of us, every Wednesday until midterms, and for the first time, I wonder if maybe I just lacked motivation.
Ispend my free time getting things ready for classes, lessons, and whatever else I can find to keep myself occupied.
It works until around dinnertime, at which point I’ve done literally everything I can.
I’ve gone over so many scenarios, and short of offering her my own bed, which I’m pretty sure would be a terrible idea, I don’t have a way to get her off that couch.
Well, that’s not entirely true.
I do have one possible solution, but I don’t like that any more than her being on the couch. If I’m being honest, I actually think I like it less.
Gavin had said that Julian was wrapped around her finger; I’m sure he would happily share his bed with her…
Nope.
I know Julian. The thought of him fucking her and throwing her away makes me want to punch him in the face, and he technically hasn’t even done anything yet.
I sag back in my chair and debate another cup of coffee. I’ve had four today, and while I’m not exactly tired, I am bored.Glancing at the clock, I write off the coffee when I see it’s almost seven in the evening.
If I drink another cup now, I might as well just stay here all night and work, which honestly wouldn’t sound so bad if I hadn’t accidentally passed out here the last two nights.
I head out, fighting the urge to check my old phone for the billionth time today. The volume’s on; if she ever messaged me back, I would know, and checking every five minutes is seriously depressing.
I don’t blame her, but fuck…
Making my way to my apartment, I let my mind wander to her emotions.
On the surface, she seems happy enough, but there's more, and as I dig deeper, the urge to help her and hold her only grows.
I’d never felt so utterly lost as I did when she sat panic-stricken in my office, and all I could do was talk her through it. Her hand on my chest had felt like a brand, a mark that will sit on my soul forever.
The flux in her emotions these last few weeks has been intense, but despite it all, there’s a bitter loneliness that she just can’t seem to shake. And even when she’s happy, she’s afraid.
I can’t say I blame her; she’s already lost so much. How she can still be this beautiful, caring person, despite life trying so hard to crush her, is beyond me.
What I do know is that she deserves better than my asshole brother and his friends treating her like shit.
I unlock the door and flick on the lights before locking it behind me and heading into the kitchen.
I could have grabbed something from the faculty lounge or even the cafeteria, but I’d been so lost in Wren’s emotions that it hadn’t even occurred to me. Instead, I move to the fridge and hope there’s something to get me through the night.
I’d really rather not go back out.
What I need to do is go shopping.
The lounge means dealing with other faculty, and the cafeteria means dealing with students. One would think the students would be worse, but honestly, they’re both pretty bad, and at least with the cafeteria, I might get to see Wren.
My mind does a wonderful job of picturing her with Julian, or worse, sitting alone and sad.
I’m not sure I’m strong enough to resist the pull to her.
