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His eyes came back to mine.

For a moment, I thought he might say something.

Then he lowered the pack.

“I am.”

My throat tightened.

It was so little. I hated how little it took.

When I finally set the ice aside, I opened the salve and put a little on the swab.

“Hold still,” I told him, unnecessarily.

He had barely moved.

I touched it to the split.

He watched my face while I worked. I was close enough to see the gold around his pupils, the darker edges of his irises. Close enough that I could have put my other hand against his cheek without reaching.

I didn’t.

I concentrated on being careful.

I wanted to be useful to him. It was embarrassing how much relief there was in having a reason he couldn’t misunderstand.

He was hurt.

I could help with that.

“You’ll have to leave it alone,” I said when I was finished.

“I will.”

I stepped back and threw the swab away.

Chief stood, taking the cold pack with him. The room seemed smaller when he was upright again.

We were nearly out of time before the bell.

Sadie put her book away and came with us into the hall. Chief carried my bag as far as my locker, then handed it over.

His fingers brushed mine.

“Thanks,” he said quietly.

I nodded because answering seemed risky.

He waited until I had my book.

Then he went to class, the tube of salve I’d given him tucked into the pocket of his jeans.

I watched him until the crowd got between us.

For a few minutes, I was happy.

Rook found us after first period.