“Employ?” I couldn’t contain the derisive snort that burst from my lips. “This is a teaching assistant role, not some corporate job. You can’t force some sort of non-fraternization clause on me. If you try, I’ll just tell Ms. Morrie.” A muscle in Edwin’s jaw ticked at the mention of the assistant
AudreyI paced back and forth across my dorm room, the floorboards creaking beneath the carpet with each step. My hands repeatedly came up to clutch my hair, and my brow was knit so tightly together I thought it might get stuck like that for eternity.“I just don’t understand how he thinks he actual
…“Things have been pretty crazy since that party, huh?”The sound of a familiar male voice caused me to turn. There, standing behind me in the crowded, noisy cafeteria, was Gavin—holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a weathered book in the other. Even now, without me even saying anything to him,
Audrey & EdwinAudrey’s POVGavin and I were met with the scent of old wood and fabric when we stepped into the museum. The space, brightly lit with glittering chandeliers overhead, was practically swarming with people.And for good reason, too; the exhibition on vintage fashion was filled with famo
As soon as I uttered those words, I regretted it. There was a long silence, both Edwin and Gavin blinking at me in shock over my abrupt question. I swallowed hard, trying to come up with a smooth recovery, but it was too late.Edwin’s upper lip curled back ever so slightly. “I really am here to see
Audrey & Third PersonAudrey’s POVThe walk back to campus was mostly silent, save for the occasional sniffle or cleared throat. Other than that, the only sounds between Gavin and I were that of our footsteps echoing on the pavement.It wasn’t until the brick facade of the campus dorms came into vie
“I really do like you, Gavin,” I said softly, regaining my courage. I turned to face him again and touched his knee, causing him to jerk his head up to look at me. “And I never meant to lead you on. I just… I think we’re better off as friends.”Gavin blinked at me for a moment, his soft eyes searchi
Audrey“Alex Wheeler?”“Here.”Striding forward, I handed the graded paper to the young male student with a beanie and a black t-shirt sitting at the back of the class. I flipped to the next page in the pile of papers and called out, “Melissa Williams?”“Over here.”The morning had been a quiet one—
“I think you’re going to change so many lives,” I said to Eliza. “Those kids are so lucky to have you.” Eliza looked down, her cheeks pink. “Thank you, Audrey. Really.” Tina piped up next. “And my LGBT counseling department is finally off the ground! ” She paused, leaning into my mother, who was
Audrey After a long flight, we finally touched down in Italy. The sunlight streaming in through the plane window was a promising golden hue, and just the sight of it made me feel like my heart was about to leap out of my chest. “I might need a nap when we get to the villa,” Edwin yawned, shaking
And as I watched, I felt a hand slip into mine. I glanced up, finding Edwin beside me, his gaze focused on the runway but his approval humming through the bond. My mother stood on my other side, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. A lump rose in my throat, and I couldn’t even speak. None of us c
Audrey Edwin and I emerged from the small room, his hand still resting protectively on my back. The hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations immediately hit us, assistants running back and forth, models being ushered into position, and the soft hum of the audience’s chatter drifting through t
“There’s always time,” I whispered, grabbing the wrist of his free hand and pulling it close to peer at his watch. The movement caused him to topple forward, and he caught himself on his other palm, caging me against the hard wood of the vanity. “But maybe not enough time to waste right now.” Edwi
Audrey Before I could even answer his question, Edwin rushed past me and locked the door. When he turned back to me, he was grinning from ear to ear. The sight of that mischievous look on his face made my breath hitch. Once, it had been like pulling teeth to get the man to smile. And now here he
He didn’t need to tell me twice. I tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a soft red scarf. I could tell immediately that it was handmade—there were more than a few uneven stitches, and the outline was lumpy. It was far from perfect. But I loved it all the more for that. “Goddess, Edwin,” I laugh
Audrey The morning of the show was a frenzy. No, more than a frenzy. It was complete and utter chaos. I spent the entire morning from sunup to noon running endlessly from one end of the venue to the other, desperately trying to make sure every last detail was perfect. The racks were lined with c
“Uh… Yeah,” Malakai said. “Coffee would be nice.” A few minutes later, the three of us sat around the table, steaming cups of pitch black coffee in our hands. I kept it bitter, just in case Malakai was here to stir up more shit. It burned a little going down, but I sipped it anyway. Malakai look