ELLE
The observatory is closedwhen I arrive early one morning after the first week of classes.
I slump against its door with my philosophy book clutched tight to my chest, huffing in defeat. Quincysaidshe’d ask a professor to let me in, but clearly she forgot. The astronomy program is small and for some reason no one really uses the place except for classes during the day, so I’ve taken to studying inside when it’s empty. It’s much more peaceful than any of the libraries or my own dorm.
Swiping my phone from my coat pocket, I send Lexington a quick text. He gave me his number at the end of our last lecture for potential group study dates, saying I could text or call if I neededanything.
Since he’s a founding family member, I figure maybe he’ll be able to help.
I could go someplace else, but studying under the stars has always been a source of comfort for me. When I was little, I’d crawl onto the roof outside Asher’s bedroom window and sit for hours, telling him I was heading off on a date or something when the truth was I just wanted to be alone.
Spend as much time wearing a mask as I do, and you learn to seek out those rare moments where you can be yourself.
The stars don’t judge. They’ll shine no matter who sits beneath them.
As I turn away from the observatory’s door, I run into a wall, pinching my eyes shut with a grunt. The book tumbles out of my grasp, falling to the ground with a thud, and the wall reaches out with both hands to steady me.
Wait.The wall has hands?
Rearing back, I open my eyes and meet mossy green ones, somehow harsh beneath the moonlight still illuminating campus.
Sutton’s hair is messy, tousled as if he’s been raking his hands through it for hours. My fingers twitch, quietly aching to do the same, but I simply pull out of his hold instead.
“Should you really be touching students like that in the dark?” I quip, more viciously than necessary. “What if I’d had a weapon and used it on you because I thought you were an assailant?”
“Then I suppose we’d be having this conversation in the school’s infirmary.” His face is impassive as he bends down, scooping up my textbook. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
Irritation spikes in my blood, but I accept the book when he hands it over. “Am I supposed to thank you for getting in my way?”
“As pleasant as ever, Ms. Anderson.”
“Like you’ve earned the right to a friendlier attitude.”
His eyebrows arch. “Have I done something to upset you?”
Asshole.“Besides going out of your way in class to embarrass me?”
He stares at me for a beat, then shuffles back a step. “You’re imagining things.”
“That’s gaslight-y.”
“I’m not sure that’s a word.”
“Well, I’m making it one.” Crossing my arms over the book, I pin him with a look. “You can’t seriously pretend like you’re not trying to put up a wall between us as some defense mechanism. Relationships don’t work that way, you know. You can pretend, but you can’t unfuck?—”
His eyes widen, and he snatches my wrist, dragging me into the alcove outside the observatory’s entrance. I stay silent, watching as he slides a key card from his pants pocket into the lock and shoves the door open.
Seconds later, he’s flipping on a switch inside and yanking me in behind him, his grip on my wrist punishing for a moment. As soon as the door shuts us in, he releases me, so quickly it almost feels like a burn is left behind.
I glance down at my skin, imagining what the icy print of him would look like spread out there. My sleeve falls back into place, interrupting the vision.
The inside of the observatory is clean and bright, with rows of theater seats situated behind the observation deck and a massive telescope at the center of the first level, disappearing through a slot in the glass-domed roof.
Sutton places his hands on his hips and glares at the sky. “You can’t keep saying shit like that in public. If word got out about… I’d lose my job, Elle. It wouldn’t look good to anyone.”
“Why?”
“There are certain power dynamics in play, not to mention the school policy in general forbids intercollegiate relationships of any kind, except blood. I’d be fired, you’d likely be expelled… It would be a whole mess.”
