Between Uniform And Lies

Chapter 3: Assumptions

I leave the Dominic house with my legs feeling weak and my breathing uneven like I forgot how to do it right. The night air feels colder than it did when I arrived and I wrap my arms around myself because I suddenly feel exposed like I left something important behind.

His face keeps appearing in my mind not angry, not cruel, just quiet and watching and that somehow stays with me more than it should and I replay what happened under the stairs again and again and each time my stomach twists because I do not know if I should feel relieved or ashamed or both.

By the time I get back my mother is asleep on the couch with the television still on and her breathing is shallow and uneven and I cover her with a thin blanket before I go to my room.

I sit on my bed and press my palms into my thighs and tell myself I survived another night and that should be enough but still my thoughts will not slow down because Lucian Dominic does not look like someone who lets things go easily and the thought of it makes my stomach flip. I fall asleep sometime before dawn with the feeling of him still clinging to me like a shadow I cannot shake.

***

At school the hallways are filled with noise and laughter and chatter but whispers drift toward me twisting my stomach and I assume the rumor is about me because of everything I hide, everything I am. My face burns as my mind spins.

He must have told them… my secret… my life…

I grip my bag tighter telling myself “Ignore it… survive the day” but my heart is hammering and my hands shake because he is there walking calmly through the crowd drawing every glance without trying, untouchable and I can't help but feel hurt.

I find him by the lockers, calm eyes but unreadable. I step closer trembling and my voice cracks as I demand “Did you tell them?”

For a heartbeat he freezes and I feel a small surge of power because I’ve never confronted anyone like this.

“I… I don’t he starts but I cut him off words spilling like I can’t hold them in “Don’t lie… you've ruined everything… my life, my work… Do you even care?”

His gaze stays on me calm and steady and my stomach twists my legs shake and the world narrows until it’s just us and I realize I’ve never been this exposed, this human in front of anyone

Lucian’s thoughts flicker briefly sharp and dark. She's reckless, she doesn’t realize how much she’s tempting chaos and yet… she stands there trembling and accusing. I don’t usually notice these things but she’s different

I don’t wait for an answer, I turn, whispering to myself “I can’t let him see me break and I won’t, I can’t” but my heart keeps racing and my mind spins because our worlds collided for a moment and I can’t undo it.

***

Later during class Emily leans over and whispers “Did you hear the rumor?”

I frown, my heart sinking and she tells me “A girl got really drunk at a party last night and you know she got really horny”

My stomach drops, my face burns, my hands curl around my bag. It wasn't me, I wasn't the one. The weight of my guilt crashes into me. I overreacted, confronted him harshly for something he didn’t do.

By the end of the day I can’t stop thinking about it. I have to make it right. I follow him quietly after classes hoping he doesn’t notice me too soon and when I finally catch up my voice cracks “I… I’m sorry… for this morning… for what I said”

He stops, his eyes narrowing just slightly, sharp and dangerous and my stomach twists because I don’t know what to expect.

Lucian does not step back but instead he moves closer and suddenly the space between us feels too small

I can feel the warmth of him and my breath comes out uneven even though he has not touched me

I look down because I cannot look at his face anymore and I hate that my cheeks are burning

You were wrong about me he says softly his voice low and steady and almost gentle

“I nod” because I do not trust my voice. Then he leans in just a little more and I feel it everywhere in my chest and my stomach and my skin.

If you want me to forgive you then you will have to do something for me

My face burns hotter and I feel my heart stumble and I wish I could hide how affected I am but I can't because my ears turn red.

He pauses and I feel it like he is giving me time and that somehow makes it worse

Then, he lowers his head just enough and his voice turns soft in a way that feels meant only for me.

“I will not ask for something that you will not be able to do” he whispers and his words brush against me like a promise

My breath shakes and I do not know why those words make my chest feel tight and warm at the same time.

And as I stand there blushing with my heart racing and his presence wrapped so close around me I realize something I am not ready to admit… I do not want him to step away.