Page 73 of Ghost
And that was a very dangerous thing. If that happened, Julian might fall into darkness. Which, absolutely, should never happen again.
I spotted Bianca at once, sitting at a table near the floor-length windows. My chest lifted at the sight, because anxiety had been keeping me tense. Just being near her caused it to calm, her presence made me feel more myself than ever before.
At first, I didn’t want to interrupt. She appeared so innocent, staring out of the window with consternation heavy in her expression.
It was as if she had been told the most puzzling news.
But my desire to be near her won over my need to watch.
“Bonne après-midi.” I slid into the empty chair beside her and rested my arm over the back of her seat. “I’m sorry that I’m late. I got held up.”
She jumped at my touch and spun in her seat, facing me.
It was that which caused the happy bubble to burst. Her eyes were glazed over, and her skin pale. The expression on her face, it was like she thought I was someone else.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked, wrapping my coat around her trembling form. It wasn’t cold, so it was clear something had happened. Had someone said something to her? I had to find out what it was… “Is everything alright, Bianca?”
She stared at me an instant longer before shaking her head. Her eyes came back into focus and she grinned wanly. “Nothing is wrong. You just surprised me.”
Bianca’s gaze had drifted to the side as she spoke—she was a terrible liar. But I had hurt her too much already, so I bit my tongue. It was important to get answers, but there was a time and place.
But now I was more certain than before something had happened.
So, instead of asking, I forced myself to smile. My arm rested on the back of her chair as I nonchalantly checked the room for anyone suspicious. But there was no one in the area that concerned me.
“Hey, Miles…” Bianca’s unsure voice recaptured my attention, and I glanced down at her. She looked so small next to me, and the expression on her upturned face caused my mouth to go dry. Her eyes searched mine as if she was trying to solve a puzzle.
I wasn’t certain to be happy, or scared, to be the subject of that gaze. “Yes?”
Her lips parted, temporarily causing my focus to drift before she spoke. “Do you really play soccer?”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bianca
Promise
Miles’ chattering almost distracted me from the manner that people watched the two of us. Now that I knew, it was obvious Miles seemed to draw attention to himself by just being present. Even the semi-private courtyard gardens couldn’t hide the prying stares.
It was unfortunate, because he had gotten it into his head to walk me to my afternoon class, even though his presence only invited more attention. But he had such a particular puppy-dog look about him I couldn’t resist.
And even though he had happily chattered about nonsense the entire time, his focus was sharp. Just not on me. Instead, he watched the grounds as if we were going to be attacked at any moment. I wasn’t certain what he was expecting, but I did have a suspicion.
Finn was still out there, somewhere. If Miles only were to ask, I would let him know I had my pepper spray. There was no need to worry, and I didn’t want to assume wrongly. But, honestly, we had learned first-hand how effective my weapon was.
“I haven’t been inside the Science and Technology building since renovations.” Miles was saying. “Damen was surprised that the budget was approved, to be honest. It’s difficult to get him to agree to do anything to this school. It’s been neglected for a while. Damen thought about pressing his luck, but decided against it.”
I tried to ignore the feeling of being watched, and attempted to focus on Miles instead. “That’s nice. When were the renovations?”
“Last year,” Miles responded, throwing his arm over my shoulder and steering me around a puddle. “But you aren’t paying attention anyway.” He paused, before grasping the front of his jacket—which I was still wearing—and turning me to face him.
I gasped, surprised, as he lifted my chin with a finger. Belatedly, I realized we were already in front of the entryway.
Miles was right, I hadn’t been paying attention at all.
“Are yousureyou’re alright?” The seriousness in his chocolate-brown eyes melted into concern, and it was hard to look away.
Or to talk. Instead, I nodded in response. My chest buzzed where his hand rested, and I could feel the echo of my pulse throughout my body.
