#Chapter 124: Quicksand

Kadeem brushes my hair back. "Okay," he says, "But tell me why you're nervous." His voice is gentle. He presses his forehead to mine.

I fidget with my hands. Kadeem leans his head back to study me.

How do I explain? Even I don't know what's come over me. Something's been swallowing me like quicksand, for a while, but before, I could kind of shake it.

Now, I've sunk down too deep.

I glance up at Kadeem. His brown

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