Page 390 of A Society of Traitors

“I don’t know what you mean.”

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my suit pants and began to walk faster. I would have liked to walk even faster, but that wasn’t possible on campus in front of all those people, so Olivia quickly caught up with me again.

“You almost embarrassed me,” she hissed, her red curls bouncing up and down.

“Don't exaggerate, you're a natural,” I teased.

Olivia pushed in front of me so that I almost bumped into her. Her glowing eyes spoke volumes.

“What was wrong with you?!”

I took a deep breath.

“Do you know how hard it was for me to say yes? To come here with you and just dance as if nothing had ever happened?”

I would have liked to say it, but I didn't want to hurt her. She didn't deserve to have to deal with my broken side.

I also kept quiet about her. That I had only done all this so that she could see what she could have.

Inwardly, I laughed at the truth.

Neither of us had anything. Neither of us ever would. We were prisoners of our fate, and I, the idiot I was, pushed the boundaries of that fact.

Emely was right about everything she had ever said about me. And, for the first time, it wasn't the fact that bothered me, but what it meant. My behavior was the problem. At least Emely tried to stay away.

“You were acting strange.”

Olivia's eyes stopped glowing and what remained was a demanding look.

“I wanted to impress the coach.”

That lie was so ridiculous.

Olivia's expression seemed to soften nonetheless. She sighed and gave me a reproachful look.

“I'm glad you've rediscovered dancing for yourself.” Finally, she turned away with a snort, her gym bag slung over her shoulder. “Just please, next time, talk to me about something like this beforehand and don't leave me hanging like that!”

The desire for a drink came to the forefront of my mind. When nothing else worked, there was only one thing left.