Page 133 of Sorrow & Strangers

Literally everyone.

Unknown

Not everyone. I don’t.

Summer

Because you’re an asshole.

I glance at Alice, who is now sleeping peacefully.

Unknown

You like that about me.

Summer

No. I don’t like anything about you.

Unknown

Little liar.

I relax back in Alice’s bed, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a deep sense of relief that nothing seems to have changed with the stranger since my messages last night. He seems a little more smug, but I can make that go away.

Summer

Can’t train tomorrow, training with Max and the headmaster.

Like that.

Unknown

That means our deal is void for tomorrow.

I frown. Void? Not broken?

Unknown

Language is so fickle with interpretation. The deal was that it would be in effect “so long as you train with me.”

Two can play at that game.

Summer

Fine. Then I will be sleeping with Alice for the foreseeable future. See you tomorrow evening, moronic asshole.

Unknown

Tomorrow.

I fall back asleep, but wake after a few hours. It’s the middle of the night, but I am hungry. Alice is snoring softly next to me, and she remains asleep as I climb over her to get out of bed.

Downstairs is in complete darkness except for a soft light coming from the kitchen. I walk in to see Rafe frowning into the refrigerator.

“You okay?” I ask once again, taken aback by this recovery.

Rafe jumps, obviously too lost in thought to have heard me. “Gah! What are you doing awake?”