Maxime's bed.
Both of us.
Naked.
Sweating.
Groaning.
Driven by emotion, I slam the locker door shut far too forcefully. Although the noise causes the others to chatter excitedly among themselves, at least it helps to momentarily halt my thoughts.
"If you keep going like this, your body will revolt soon," Sky admonishes, and her concern only makes things worse. She worries about me while I continue to deceive her.
I sit beside her on the bench, resting my head against the lockers. "What do you say we take the rest of the day off together?" I suggest.
Even as I utter the words, my heart feels a little heavier. Maxime and I had plans to go to a dinner in the dark tonight. The plan was to arrive late so the other participants wouldn't see us. We could have shared a public meal without the risk of being discovered. It would have been thrilling. Mysterious and exhilarating. We could have created yet another new memory just for ourselves.
"We could go to the wellness center." Sky's eyes light up with enthusiasm. "I'll treat you."
Oh God, that's way too kind of her. My guilt no longer gnaws at me; it engulfs me. Desperate, I turn my gaze to the small window overlooking the neighboring building.
"I don't want to hear any objections, miss," she playfully imitates the tone of a governess so perfectly that I immediately wonder if she grew up with one. "Off to the shower with you while I book a few treatments for us."
I struggle to push against my guilt and attempt to muster a smile.
You're not a bad friend, Aurora. Just a good partner for Maxime. That's all.
"Thank you, Sky, you're the best! I'll be right back," I say as carefree as I can manage.
My inner turmoil, torn between Sky and Maxime, accompanies me into the shower, and not for the first time, my doubts threaten to overwhelm me.
How will we manage to keep our love hidden for three long years? In two months, I'll surely have an ulcer the size of a fist.
When I return to the changing room wrapped in a towel, the other students have vanished. Sky is on the phone.
"Yes, exactly. Two sessions of hot stone massage, please." She nods contentedly, strolling around the room and pausing at the window. "Are there any available slots for the herbal bath, by any chance?"
She seems in her element. This is my chance to quickly send a message to Maxime. I retrieve my phone from the locker and unlock the screen, glancing over to Sky for safety. Unchanged, she stands by the window with her back turned to me, currently inquiring about foot massages.
Hastily, I open a message.I have to cancel for tonight. I'll explain everything tomorrow.I pause and read the words. This will be the first evening in a long time that we won't see each other. An achingly wistful sigh escapes my lips on its own.I love you, I type last, because I can't help it.
"Who is M?" Sky is suddenly right next to me, peering at my phone with a mischievous grin.
She was just at the window. How could she come over to me so quickly?
"Nobody," I reply hastily, turning away from her to shield her from spying and send the message. My entire face feels like it's on fire as I pocket the phone.
"I love youdoesn't sound like nobody," she observes, scrutinizing me like a gossip reporter interviewing a C-list celebrity. "Come on, who is this M?"
Silently, I shake my head. I wish I had a clever response, but I can't come up with one for the life of me.
"Nobody," I repeat.
Sky pouts. "And here I thought we were friends."
"We are!" My God, can't she see the pleading in my face? "I'll tell you. Soon." Whatever I'll end up telling her, it can't be the truth. That's all I know for now.
Her reaction consists of a reluctant grunt. "Fine. But then I want to hear every detail, okay?"
