Come on, what’s the word? It’s so basic.
I know it in French—pain, which is fitting.
What the hell?Why can I only remember the word for the toast precursor in French? I can barely string a sentence together in that godforsaken language.
I think they’ll give us untoasted toast
Untoasted toast?
Bread?
That’s the word.
I’m so tired
Sorry
Omw. Hang tight
Hang tight for what?
I get my answer a few minutes later when Ian strides into the gym holding a metal flask and a paper bag. He scans the room, breaking into a soft smile when he sees me.
His approaching figure is backlit by the sun shining through the door, which catches on his dark blond hair and makes it glow. My god, he’ssocute, and I’m way too tired to fight it, especially when his athletic physique somehow manages to show through the thick jacket he’s wearing.
His steps slow as he gets closer. By the time he reaches my cot, that smile of his has turned into a concerned frown.
“Holy shit, Cal. You looktired.”
CHAPTER NINE
IAN
The man sitting in front of me looks like that rotten pine tree fell onhiminstead of on Maple Hall. Callum’s eyes are bloodshot and ringed with darkness, his eyebrows are pulled into a resigned frown, and his skin lacks its usual glow.
If he was anyone else, I’d say he looks awful, but Callum is Callum, so that would never be a true statement.
I snap out of my thoughts, thrusting the muffin and the flask of coffee into his hands, desperate to help somehow.
Callum stares at his food. “What’s this?”
“A better breakfast than untoasted toast,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
He takes a long sip of the coffee, not saying a word, and then bites into the muffin. The noise he makes is halfway between a moan and a whine—it’s quiet, but audible enough.
“This is so good,” he whispers. “Thank you.”
I give him a gentle clap on the shoulder. “No problem, man. I didn’t know how you take your coffee, so I just made you my usual latte. I take it youreallydidn’t sleep well?”
If he forgot the word forbread, I don’t necessarily need him to answer me.
“No.” He devours the rest of the muffin, and I kick myself for only bringing one. “At least I only have to put up with it for another night.”
“Hopefully they find some kind of decent living arrangement for you.” As soon as I finish that sentence, the students around me murmur in hushed tones, before rapidly getting louder.
A lot louder.
Some of them are shouting, and the few admin staff who were creeping around the gym perimeter make a break for the exit.
