Page 38 of Lessons in Touch

“A Devereaux? You’re a fake, Rose. They picked you out of pity.”

“So what? Why do you feel threatened by me? I’m just an orphan, after all.”

I tilt my head, letting my words hit her.

“Threatened? Don’t flatter yourself. You’re a nobody. It’s pathetic.”

“If I’m such a nobody, why are you wasting your time on me? It seems like you’re the one who’s worried, Cassandra.”

“Don’t be stupid, stray! I’m just reminding you of your place. You don’t have the blood, the history, or the class to fit in here.”

“My place is wherever I make it. What’s your problem, really? Scared I’ll outshine you?”

“You—don’t—belong—here!” she barks at me, accentuating every word.

Evelyn, another student, giggles, but I ignore her.

“Keep talking, Cassandra. It just shows how much I’m getting to you. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

She throws me a very mean look. She’s clearly not happy with how this conversation is going.

“Not for long, orphan.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Cassandra? Do you really think some vicious little plan of yours will get me out of here? Let’s see how that goes.”

I gather my things and walk out of the classroom. There is still half of the lecture left after our break, but I can’t handle it right now. Not with Cassandra attacking me like this. And yet, I feel a spark of pride for fighting back even if I’m still an outsider in their eyes.

There is no one in the corridor, and I feel grateful for this solitude. I can gather my thoughts for a moment and focus on the rest of the day.

Heading back to my dorm, I nearly bump into Gabriel. He’s looking busy, looking into his phone. Surprise flashes in his eyes, followed by something deeper. It’s a yearning that mirrors my own.

“Hello, Rose,” he says softly, and sets his phone on a window ledge, fully concentrating on me.

I feel nervous and thrilled. We shouldn’t linger here.

“Professor Thorn,” I start, trying to sound casual, just in case someone might be listening or passing by. But my voice betrays my feelings. I want to be near him, to feel his warmth, but the risk terrifies and electrifies me at the same time.

Glancing down the empty corridor, he steps closer. Then, takes my hand in his.

“I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I cannot believe how much I want him, how much my body misses him. Even though we saw each other just yesterday.

“I feel the same,” I admit. “All this risk, and all this danger… It’s so exciting, isn’t it?”

His touch is so light that it sends shivers down my spine.

“Yes, it is. It’s the secret nature of our relationship that makes it so enticing,” he says.

His words pull me in, and I feel like I’m drowning in my need for him.

“What if someone sees us?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper. But I don’t pull away.

“Nobody’s around”, he confirms with a quick glance.

I reach out and caress his face, tracing his handsome features with my fingers.

“Stay with me just for a moment, Rose,” he says.