Chapter 54: Even Ghosts Have Roots
"Your shoulders are still a bit tense when you release," Alessio said, appearing beside me again like some elegant ghost.
"...I am tense," I muttered.
"Why?"
Because you keep standing too close and looking at me like I’m someone important!
"...No reason," I said, not meeting his eyes.
He studied me for a beat too long, then gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You’re doing well. Don’t let your thoughts undo that."
My chest tightened, caught somewhere between embarrassment and warmth I didn’t know how to name.
"Thanks," I murmured.
He gave the faintest of smiles and walked off to correct Emir’s laughably crooked stance.
I stared at his back for a moment. It was weird, how natural this was starting to feel.
’But it’s all temporary,’ I reminded myself. ’This is just until we solve everything.’