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“I don’t know, but it’s going to take a lot more than canned questions in a classroom.

How will we have a different experience in here if we act the same way they do out there?

” I allow my eyes to wander to Daniel and flinch at his intense return stare.

Another layer strips away before he averts his gaze.

He isn’t remotely the person they think. Why does he play the part?

“I see. Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, but I’m sure your experience is the exception not the rule.”

“For the sake of all those here, I hope so, but I doubt it.”

The instructor fixes her gaze on Daniel. “Is there a specific example you’d like to share, Rebecca?”

Daniel’s glare turns hot at her taunt, and my pulse races.

“No. I’m new, like you said…”

“Sure, but something you experienced shaped your opinion. What’s the gossip that concerns you?”

“Leave her alone, Chambers. You know she’s talking about me,” Daniel mutters.

He challenges the room with a direct stare.

“You all protect yourselves and your status by sharing a common enemy. You want peace and harmony? That’s the only way you’ll get it.

Agree to hate someone more than you hate each other. ”

“Daniel…”

“What? That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it? You want honesty? You want me to participate in these stupid verbal orgies? Well, there’s your truth. Go masturbate to that.”

The instructor slams her notebook on the floor. “That’s enough!”

“Oh, right,” he says with a smirk. “You only want the shiny brochure-honesty. If that’s what you’re looking for, why the hell do you keep making me come to these?”

She purses her lips, back stiff. “Alright, I think we’re done for today. We’ll meet again this afternoon after private sessions. For now, take some downtime before morning activities.”

“Not you,” she says to Daniel when the rest of us rise to leave. His expression is blank as he slouches in his chair and studies the floor. I hesitate, looking from her to Daniel.

“Do you need something?” Chambers asks me, impatient. I’m sure I didn’t win many points with her today either.

I pull in a breath, raking my mind for a response. “We’re roommates. I was just waiting for him so we could walk back together.”

Surprised, the older woman crosses her arms, stare hardening on Daniel. “Really? A new friend, Daniel?”

The corner of his mouth lifts in a mocking half-smile. “You know me. We’re starting a book club actually. You want in?”

Asshole. My eyes narrow on him as heat spreads over my cheeks. Is he serious? The jerk won’t even look at me. So much for giving him the benefit of the doubt.

“I guess I won’t wait then,” I fire back. Maybe his jaw tightens at my retort, but he certainly doesn’t apologize or try to stop me as I storm off. This is what I get for standing up for him.

Once outside, I face the door to hide from passing students as emotion threatens my barrier. I should’ve known our breakthrough yesterday was all in my head. I’m not special in his world. Heck, maybe he’s not even misunderstood. Maybe he’s just a dick like everyone says.

Unfortunately, my position leaves me with a clear view of the door window and a backrow seat to Instructor Chamber’s animated tirade once they’re alone.

Daniel studies the floor while she barks at him, flinching a few times, but otherwise, barely reacting.

When she finishes, he looks up and says something that sends her into a rage.

He stands to leave, and she shoves him back into the chair, screaming as he rests his head in his hands.

I find it fascinating how he can absorb her fury without acknowledging it.

Suddenly, she calms down as if a switch flips, and squats to his eye-level.

This time, he just nods in response to her lecture, and she lets him go. As in, toward the exit—and me. Shit!

I’d gotten so caught up in the show, I forgot I was supposed to be storming off.

I quickly escape into the flow of students, hoping my three step head-start is enough to avoid a guy who’s quickly becoming unavoidable.

But this one’s on me. Yet again, I could have run and didn’t.

His very essence sucks me in, capturing my fascination with these perplexing dimensions I can’t seem to figure out.

No more, though. He wants to push me away?

By all means. We’re starting a book club. Bah.

I pick up my pace and think maybe I’m in the clear when a tug on my arm sends me crashing into a pillar of muscle. His familiar scent—a sensual mix of spice and leather—combined with the instinctive reaction of my bloodstream tells me everything I need to know.

“Ouch, watch it,” Daniel says, releasing that deadly smirk before scanning the hall and pulling me into an empty classroom.

“What do you want?” I ask, yanking my arm away.

At least I wore long-sleeves today. I’m not in the mood for more disturbing visions, even if I’m tempted to make contact by slapping that sardonic smile off his face.

Maybe I would’ve risked it if his face could handle another blow—and I didn’t want to kiss him just as much.

Gosh, I hate this strange, confusing, beautiful boy.

“Wow, you’re really upset,” he says, flirting with an amused expression that makes me bristle. Gah, he’s infuriating!

“What do you care? Or do you really want to start a book club?”

His smile grows as he pulls out a chair. “Will you sit?”

“What?”

“C’mon. Just sit.” He grabs my hand and lets go when I flinch. “Oh right, the visions.”

I swallow the violent flash, my anger falling away. “What’s going on at this place? Who are you really?”

All humor fades as he picks at a scratch on the desk.

“Look, I’m sorry about what I said to Chambers at the end of class.

I wasn’t trying to hurt you. It’s complicated, but what you did in there, those things you said…

” He looks up, and I suck in a breath. It’s impossible to be mad at him when he looks at me like that.

“People don’t stand up for me. For good reason. ”

I bite my lip and take the chair across from him. “So why did you reject me? What can I do to make you believe in me?”

His lips curve in a fleeting twist. “Trust me, I believe in you. There’s nothing you could do at this point to change that.”

“What do you mean?”

He shakes his head and pushes to his feet. “I’m getting off topic and doing the opposite of what I intended. You know the clichéd, ‘it’s not you, it’s me’? Well, it’s definitely not you.”

“What are you talking about? What are they doing to you? What’s that room?”

He backs toward the door. “I don’t want to patronize you.

This is our last conversation, Rebecca. We can’t be friends.

I actually do think you’re the only decent person in this place, which is why I’m going to do the decent thing in return.

Stay away from me. I appreciate the gestures and the concern, but it’s all misguided.

I’m going to reject you so don’t humiliate yourself by defending me anymore. You deserve better than that.”

He reaches for the door, and I never wished for a clever retort more than at this moment. Of course my mind goes completely blank.

“Daniel, wait. The visions?”

His fist tightens on the door handle, a muscle moving in his jaw. My heart beats wildly as I wait for the verdict. After a brief pause, he pushes without a word.

“Daniel!” I rush forward, but as usual, he’s disappeared before I can interfere. Huh. Maybe that’s his superpower… avoidance.

Frustrated, I lean against the wall while the latest vision pounds through my head.

I rub my temples to soothe the ache, but it does nothing to counter the violence of the scene.

His cryptic message lingers as well, leaving me more confused and wishing he hadn’t tried to explain.

Why couldn’t he just allow me the luxury of hating him?

I was just starting to get there. I could’ve gone back to pretending, to explaining away what’s right in front of me.

Instead, all he did was guarantee I’ll detonate the landmine.

Unlike evening social events, morning activities aren’t optional. I shuffle into the gym a half hour later, still reeling from my conversation with Daniel. The others find me and wave me over, looking much more enthusiastic than I feel. I wish I’d skipped class when Lucy leans close with a grin.

“You’ll never guess who’s here,” she whispers, pointing toward the far corner of the room.

Ben yawns and stretches. “Yeah, he’s been around a lot lately. They must have something on him. I heard he even showed up to his group session this morning.”

“Really? Maybe he’s turning things around.” Lucy studies the figure slumped against the wall with interest that makes me more uncomfortable than Ben’s hatred. Jealousy? Are you actually jealous? Can’t be.

Ben responds with a dry chuckle. “Um, I don’t think so. Your boyfriend is messed up. Look at him.”

I let my gaze wander as well, and my stomach drops. “Maybe he’s just tired,” I say and regret it the second it comes out.

“Yeah, maybe,” Laura says sarcastically.

“Let’s find out.” Ben takes off in Daniel’s direction, and the rest of us follow like the obedient sheep we are.

“If everything you say about him is true, wouldn’t it be better to leave him alone?” I say, not ready to see him again, especially like this.

“What would be the fun in that? Besides, Lucy wants a date,” Ben teases, then winces when she smacks him.

“Not when he’s high. Tell him to get sober, and I’m game.”

He exchanges a grin with Laura that makes me nauseous. Dropping beside his victim, he nudges his shoulder. “Hey, Danny. How’s it going?”

Daniel ignores him, his gaze lifting to mine briefly before he closes his eyes again.

“What’s wrong? Don’t want to chat?” Ben continues.

“I’m always up for puerile sparring,” Daniel mutters, still not looking at us.

“I don’t even know what that means.”

“I didn’t expect that you would.”

Ben exchanges amused glances with the others, before pointing to Lucy who flails her hands in protest. His grin widens. “So Lucy here likes the dark, broody type and was wondering if you’d sober up for a bit and take her out. I know that may be a lot to ask, but she’d make it worth your while.”

My lungs burn as I hold my breath. You are not jealous.

“Sure, it’s a date,” he says dryly without opening his eyes.

“Really? Wow, it’s your lucky day, Luce. This gem is all yours.”

“You’re being an ass, Ben,” Lucy grunts, crossing her arms.

“And that’s different than every other minute, how?” Daniel asks with a weak push up from the floor.

“Funny,” Ben replies. “But hey, you’re the expert on social performance. I can tell things are really working out for you.”

“Yeah? And how’s the harem working for you? You snag Rebecca yet, or is she still holding out? She’s cute. She’d make a nice trophy in your collection.”

Ben glares at him, and my jaw drops. Daniel doesn’t acknowledge me as he staggers along the wall toward the exit.

“Thanks for the chat, you fucker!” Ben yells after him. Daniel lifts a middle finger without looking back and disappears through the crash-door. “Don’t listen to him,” Ben says to me. “He just made all that up.”

Right.

I stare after Daniel, still speechless. His insight about Ben comes as no surprise—that’s not the problem.

I already sensed Ben views us as tokens in his entourage and never really trusted him.

Each passing second proves I’m strong enough to resist Ben’s biological charm and calm the chemicals in my head.

It’s the audacity of his enigmatic rival that’s stolen my fascination. The fact that even after his warning, everything in me wants to run after him. What am I supposed to do with that?