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“Just have to wear gloves all the time.”

“So you can’t control it?”

“Can you?”

I shake my head. “Some people can. Do you think we’ll ever learn how?”

“That’s one of the things they try to teach here. It’s taken a while but sometimes I can. I really have to concentrate though, and the second I lose focus…” She points to the line on the chair.

“Does it come off?”

She grins. “No. It will fade over time. You should see the house I grew up in.”

“I can imagine.”

“So do you see things all the time?”

“Only when I make skin-to-skin contact with someone. I’d rather not touch you, if that’s okay.”

She laughs and replaces her glove. “Believe me, I understand. No one wants permanent Sara marks all over them.”

“All right, class. Let’s begin,” Chambers calls out. Sara and I exchange a glance, and I brace for battle. Nausea sweeps through me when I catch a glimpse of the empty chair in the circle.

“Now that you’ve had time to think and speak with your counselors, does anyone want to elaborate on our conversation this morning?” No one volunteers, and Chambers turns to me. “What about you, Rebecca? Have you thought more about your opinions?”

I swallow, resisting the urge to lash out at her. “I was harsh. It’s been a difficult transition for me.”

“I think she had a point though,” Sara chimes in.

“She wouldn’t have known this, but think about what we discuss in here: how hard a class is for those of us still in formal instruction; who spilled something during the last meal; what we think about the latest tapestry hanging in the lobby.

No one ever says anything important, anything personal. There has to be a reason.”

“Interesting, Sara.”

“Maybe we’re all just boring,” someone jokes.

Chambers casts a disapproving look at the comedian before focusing back on Sara. “So why don’t you start us off. Give us something personal.”

Sara shifts, and I take pity on her. “That’s her point,” I say. “For all your assurances, this isn’t a safe environment, and I can prove it.”

“What do you mean?”

I clench my fists in my lap. Am I really about to do this? Maybe my relationship with Daniel is making me crazier than I thought.

“I see things about people. All we have to do is make contact, and I’ll get a flash of your past or future.

I know things, damaging things. If I had a brief slip of conscience, secrets would be public knowledge.

The best way to prove this is a safe environment, Instructor Chambers, is to give me your hand. ”

A dull murmur spreads through the room. I sense the support of my peers and I’m encouraged by their response for once. “Come on, it’s not hard. I’ll see something and share it with the class. If it’s safe, you have nothing to worry about, right?”

“She’s right,” another student says. “Why should we be the only ones who have to share our secrets?”

I’ve put Chambers in an impossible trap and wait for her retraction. If we’re lucky, she’ll drop this stupid crusade and let us out early again. Instead, she draws in a deep breath and holds out her hand. Surprised, I stand up and stare at it.

“Well? Go ahead,” she says to me.

I approach slowly, sensing the gaze of every person in the room.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask, offering her one last opportunity to back out.

“You haven’t given me much choice, have you?” she shoots back, and I shrug.

“You have the same choice we’re given.”

“Do it,” she says.

I swallow my nerves and reach for her palm. A wet childhood bed would do nicely. An awkward first kiss. Any non-threatening vision, really, but the shock escapes before I can hide it when I make contact. I throw her hand back at her, filled with disgust.

“What is it?” she asks.

I back away. “I was wrong. I’m sorry. This was stupid.”

“No, it was brilliant,” another student says. “What did you see?”

“Yeah, what was it?”

“It was bad, huh.”

“Tell us!”

My gaze darts toward the exit, and Chambers hardens. “You may not leave, Rebecca. I already told you to do it. I have nothing to hide from my students.”

Interesting. Then I must have seen the future.

“Are you sure about that?” I ask.

The woman nods, and I hold my breath. I just wanted to make a point, not ruin her life. At least, not until my eyes rest on Daniel’s empty chair.

“If it hasn’t happened yet, you will have an affair with Director Clausen.”

Chambers gasps. “Excuse me?”

“I’m only reporting what I saw.”

“How dare you!”

I jump behind my chair when she storms toward me.

“You’re lying!”

“I wish I were lying.”

“The new girl was right,” someone says. “Hypocrites! You want the truth until it’s yours!”

Chambers turns to the boy. “You can’t possibly believe what she said.”

“Why shouldn’t I? She gave you plenty of chances to back down. Why would she have done that if she was only trying to embarrass you?”

“Don’t worry, Ms. Chambers. This is a safe environment. I’m sure word won’t spread,” another girl adds sarcastically.

Chambers’ anger transforms into panic. “No one would believe such a ridiculous lie.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about.”

“Is he a good kisser?”

“Does he take his glasses off when you go at it?”

“Ooh, is that his gift, Ms. Chambers? Great in bed?”

“How big is his—”

“Stop it!” she cries. “She’s a liar!”

Laughter rumbles through the room, and I lose interest in the scene. As I start toward the door, I expect Chambers to call me back, but the command never comes and soon other students are joining me. A brief glance back reveals the instructor on a chair, burying her face in her hands.

A safe space. Right. I only wish Daniel had been here to see it.

“There she is!” Thomas says when I make my appearance at dinner. “The resident badass herself.”

A sly smile spreads over my lips. I avoid Ben’s curious glance and take the seat farthest away.

“We heard what happened,” Lucy says, leaning across the table. “Chambers and Clausen? Is that really what you saw?”

I nod, realizing I’m encouraging the very behavior I tried to fight, but it feels good to strike a blow. I swallow a twinge when my gaze flickers over Daniel’s empty seat. “I gave her a chance to back out, but she wouldn’t. I don’t think it’s happened yet.”

“Maybe now it won’t,” Ben says, and my insides constrict at his voice.

“It will. Knowing the future won’t change it, only what people do about it in the present.”

“But isn’t that alone changing the future? The present is yesterday’s future, right?” Laura says.

“True, but if I saw today, yesterday, I probably would have seen the person reacting to tomorrow.”

“My brain hurts!” Thomas whines, and Ben smirks.

“Don’t worry, man, you’ll catch up one of these days.”

I feel Laura’s intense gaze and conclude she knows about the hallway incident.

Does she think it was consensual? It kills me anyone would think that for even a second.

I’m still furious about the attack, but decided not to report it.

They’d probably move me from the suite, and I’m not ready to leave Daniel.

I’ll just do everything I can to avoid that monster.

If there’s a next time, it’s an immediate knee to the groin, no questions asked or time for predatory endocrine systems to engage.

The delicious food helps counter today’s horrors, and for a brief moment, I lose myself in the robust, elegant flavors.

But the meal falls flat when the empty chair to my right screams back at me again.

This acting thing would be a lot easier without the constant reminders of what I’m trying to hide.

“They’re showing Peter’s Revenge in the theater tonight. Do you want to come?” Lucy asks.

“Thanks, but I’m pretty tired.” I let my expression droop appropriately. “I promise I’ll start joining you soon,” I add with a weak smile.

At least I’m becoming a better liar.

Daniel’s room is dark when I return to the suite. I’m disappointed but not surprised. Is he still locked downstairs? I shudder when I enter my own, which is quickly losing its appeal, like everything else at Madison. Damn, how quickly things can fall apart.

My bed welcomes me into its soft embrace, and I gaze at the ornate ceiling for several minutes.

Greek gods and goddesses play among their subjects, carefree and beautiful.

The intricate painting must have taken days to create.

Definitely would’ve cost a fortune. A perfect fantasy, really, and I study the details of each vignette.

I could stay here forever staring at fake bliss—if only I knew how to turn off my brain.

Instead, I grunt and search my head for another distraction.

Maybe I should’ve gone to the movie after all.

It’s a legitimate regret, until the thought of two hours near Ben in a dark room renews my appreciation for saying no.

Besides, deep down I know nothing can distract me from the real temptation.

If Daniel’s hurt, he shouldn’t have to return to a destroyed room.

I move into the common area as my limbs tingle with anxiety.

Talk about stupid. Intrusive. Completely ludicrous.

Even with all we shared today, he’d never forgive such a violation.

In fact, he’d been very explicit that I remain out of his life, let alone break into it.

Literally. But I can’t let go, and sense he isn’t as opposed to my interference as he pretends.

I push through his door and flip on the lights.

A groan leaks out, and I quickly switch it back off.

“Daniel?” Using the dim light from the common area, I carefully navigate the mess on his floor to reach his bed. I turn on the lamp on his nightstand and lower myself to an open space on his mattress. “Are you okay? What did they do to you?”

He throws an arm over his face. “What do you…”

“Daniel, it’s Rebecca.” I force his arm down so he can see me. He squints up, and my heart shatters at the lost boy staring back at me.

“Rebecca?” Does he really not recognize me?

“They got you good, huh.”