-Hazel-
The last few days I'd been moving like a ghost in this place—eating quietly, staying in the library only in the mornings, avoiding that corner like it was on fire, and retreating to my room the moment the sun dipped. Every sound in the hall had me on edge. Every creak made me think he was outside my door.
But he never came.
Not once.
And somehow, that was worse than if he'd barged in yelling.
So yeah—I wasn't ready when I turned the corner and walked straight into him.
Literally.
His chest hit mine, firm and unmovable, like it always is, and my mouth went dry the second I looked up.
He looked tired.
Not angry. Not cold. Just tired. And maybe a little… haunted.
I opened my mouth, instinctively, ready to pretend like nothing happened.
Maybe I could joke. Maybe I could say something stupid like "Oh, hey! Long time no see. Guess you've been busy being scary in other rooms." Anything to cut the tension.
But I didn't even get a word out.
