He got what he wanted yesterday and is done with me. Not that I actually want to keep his attention. He’s insane. Not only has he fucked me—there’s no other word for it, regardless of the intact state of my hymen—in exchange for letting me stay in school, but the night before, he also kissed me in exchange for money—for my grandmother, but same difference.

Keller is absolutely not a normal person. I should be glad his attention is no longer on me, given how much he’s screwed with me in two days.

Come to think of it, everything, down to my expulsion, is his fault. None of it would have happened if he hadn’t set his eyes on me, and invited me into his crazy world.

He’ll find someone else to fuck, and fuck with tomorrow, and it’s a good thing, I firmly tell myself, refusing to analyze why my heart contracts uncomfortably.

The sooner my life goes back to a semblance of normalcy, the better.

19. Keller

19

KELLER

She looks good in my tub. She looked good in my bed. I have come to the conclusion that Claire always seems like she’s right at home, so long as she’s in my space.

Her eyes are closed as she enjoys the bath, so relaxed I wonder if she’s asleep. I consider joining her, but choose to leave her to it today. She’s still skittish and besides, I just took a shower.

Next time, little ghost.

“I have your bag,” I tell her.

Her eyes flutter open, unfocused for a bit. Was she really sleeping?

“Oh, great. Could I have my phone?”

I frown. “Not in the bath. Just because I call you little ghost doesn’t mean we should hasten your demise and make the description more accurate.”

“I’m not going to die in a bathtub,” she retorts with an eye roll.

“Yes,” I agree. “Because you’re not going to get your phone while you’re in it.”

Claire’s little mouth pouts, and I wonder if she’s often told no. Doubt it.

With a sigh, she sits up. “Fine. I need to check what the faculty said. Would you turn around? I’m getting out.”

I laugh. “In case it escaped your notice, I’ve seen it all before.”

I love how easily she blushes. It extends past her face to her chest and neck, coloring the ridiculously pale complexion.

“Can I have a towel?”

I walk to the sink, and grab two towels—as she washed her hair—and a silky dressing gown, too.

I linger, because I want to see her expression. I want to see every change in her pretty, unbearably naive face today. I'd like if I could watch her all day, not letting her out of my sight for a moment.