Snap.
The charcoal broke right in half.
"Dammit," I muttered under my breath. I reached down into the metal tin and grabbed another piece.
Julian didn't budge. Just sat there on that stupid tall stool, chest bare under the overhead bulb, shoulders back like I told him five minutes ago.
Down the hallway, my mom was still talking. Loud. Laughing into her phone. If she stepped out of her study room right now, she'd be outside this door in three seconds.
I kept drawing. Quick, rough strokes. Collarbone lines. The shadow along his ribs. My hands were already completely black with dust all the way up my wrists.
"You're grinding your teeth, Tamara," Julian said. Low voice.
"Shut up. Hold still."
"You've been staring at the exact same spot for a minute."
I glanced up. He was alre
