DAMIEN
My father stays silent. He always does. He is still the same hard, bitter man he has always been, and I have learned not to expect warmth from him. I am lost in that thought when a soft knock lands on my door and pulls me out of it.
Sky is standing on the other side.
The tightness in my chest eases the moment I see her.
She looks past me and into the room. “Why are there so many books in here? You know I’m allergic to those things.” She flicks my nose, playful and quick, and I sneeze before I can stop myself. “You can study for a while, Damien. I have an assignment to finish. That means you’re studying too.”
“See? I’m already sneezing. That’s the book curse,” I say. I lean in and kiss her, light and slow, because I want her close and I don’t want her walking away yet.
Her fin
