Watercolour Smile
don’t do it, they probably won’t do it either—Don’t,” I protested, seeing him beginning to shake his head. “You know I’m right. They care too much about hurting my feelings. They don’t even try to make it look like they’re interested in other girls. Going on a few dates is harmless. The bond will put up a fight, I’m sure, but it’ll throw off the gossip mill and buy us more time, and isn’t that what we need? More time?”
    He nodded, his only reply, and I could still feel the painful drumming of his heart, contrasting with the light crease of apprehension that marred his expression. He couldn’t pretend to be mildly concerned, and that bothered me. I didn’t want to pry into his deepest thoughts, I simply couldn’t help it.
    “We’ll be okay,” I repeated, ducking forward to kiss his cheek.
    He drew in a defeated breath and I turned away before he could misconstrue the gesture. I respected Quillan, I liked him as a person. I was determined that the bond didn’t ruin that. I swung my book bag over my shoulder and opened the door.
     
     

 
     
    It wasn’t until I was in music that I realised I had more or less thrown Quillan’s present back in his face. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and typed a message to him.
    I’m so sorry, Bossman… I didn’t even say thank you. I hope you can return the iPhone.
    I was sitting at the piano and I set my phone to the side after I sent the message. I tapped on the keys, not actually pressing them hard enough to make sounds as I stared toward the door that sectioned off this little room from the rest of the classroom. We were all working on individual composition pieces, but I didn’t know how to make music, I only knew how to copy it. Eventually, I concentrated on playing through the notes and the chords that Noah had taught me. I arranged them in different ways and changed some of them, but they still weren’t original. I mashed my palm against the keys, frustrated, and the door swung open.
    “It sounded great,” Danny said, leaning in the doorframe. “No need for violence.”
    I gestured to the keys. “I don’t know why I’m enrolled in this class. Noah and Cabe chose it for me. It was compulsory at my old school, but I don’t really play any instruments.”
    He arched a brow. “I just heard you—you were just playing it.” He stepped further into the room and kicked the door shut behind him. There were a pair of drumsticks sticking out of his front pocket and he pulled them free as he took a seat in the corner of the little practise room, tapping lightly on an empty desk.
    “I can memorise stuff.” I shrugged. It was unexpected, him coming in to talk to me. “Is there… is there something you wanted?”
    He chuckled. “No. Is it so strange that I’d want to talk to you?”
    “You don’t usually.”
    “You usually have bodyguards.”
    I threaded a hand through my hair to push it out of my face. “Right, of course.”
    “Don’t stress.” He flashed an easy smile, and I felt my eyes drawn to the hint of metal between his teeth.
    He caught my look and I saw something flicker over his expression, something close to amusement.
    “You have your tongue pierced?” I managed to ask.
    Wow , I needed practise making small-talk. I was getting too used to the constant company of the guys, it was like I’d forgotten what normal interaction entailed.
    Then again… I wasn’t used to normal interaction, even before my pairs. My closest confidant had been a stranger in a bar, my closest friend at school the boy who shared his lunch with me but never really spoke to me.
    “Why don’t you come over here and see for yourself?”
    I jumped up from the bench, accidently knocking my elbow into the piano. My knee-jerk reaction to run out of the room dissolved as pain shot down my arm. “Ow crap, crap, crap .”
    I hopped around and Danny started laughing, full and loud like he had when I’d asked him what a bond really was.
    “I’ve never
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