53. Starving

After the unexpected situation in the communal showers, I headed back to my room.

They had continued their activities as if I wasn't even there. I rushed through the shower and took a chance not putting my binder on before darting back down the hall to my dorm.

I didn't want to be in the shower anymore. They needed their privacy, even if they didn't care enough for it themselves.

I tossed my bag onto the floor and flopped on Alec's mattress. I inhaled deeply, then I grabbed one of his pillows and buried my face in it. Alec's distinct scent filled my senses. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it until that moment.

When Alec finally let his guard down, I really started enjoying just being near him. It had all become so routine, a rhythm I'd grown accustomed to even when we occasionally butted heads.

Something reassuring about his presence kept me level, even when things got messy.

I rolled onto my back, staring up at the bottom of my mattress, the pillow still pressed agains