Enough | ✔️

+ 33 +

I push our chests together as he closes his eyes and drags a hand down his flushed face in an internal battle.

Once again, he tries to pull me away, "You are in no position to do anything like that right now. I shouldn't have even kissed you so soon after what happened."

My lips still tingle as my face floods with colour. The sensation of his tongue running across my lip engraves itself in my mind. Who knew he could kiss like that? I want more.

"I can't get him out of my head. If I get you into it, then he won't be anymore," I reason, leaning forward to press our lips together again.

He lets it happen, lips moulding against mine and returning my vigour, but pulls back suddenly with an ambivalent breath. His conscience is becoming a real problem, I think to myself, frustrated.

"No, Quorra," he repeats, shaking his head and combing a hand through his tousled hair, "That's final. We've already taken a huge step, and the last thing you need is to do anything you'll regret later on."

I give up, sensing his unplayful attitude. With a sigh to mirror his, I lean away from him and cross my arms, feeling the rejection course through my veins mockingly.

"It's not that I don't want to, Quorra, but anything of that nature would be considered taking advantage of you. Despite what you may claim, you are in a fragile state of mind right now and-"

I gape at him, emotional wreckage forgotten.

"Did you just... did you j-just admit you want to have sex with me? Oh my god. Oh my GOD. Someone call my parents - they thought I'd never be successful," I ramble to myself, completely taken aback, and the heat of his refusal replaced by the realisation that he feels the same way as me, "Is this how it feels to not be a failure? Oh my GOD."

"Quorra, I didn't-"

"Can I just-?"

Our gazes lock.

He gives me a curt nod.

ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ

"Is it... plosive?"

Slater nods at my answer, "Correct," he confirms, walking back towards the board at the front of the room to write something down, "it's nice to know that you're learning from your mistakes."

I sigh and slouch in my seat, pleased at my improvement but feeling utterly drained of energy. It's been a good week since it happened, yet I'm still mentally and physically depleted of energy. I just need a day off and some good food.

Talking about food, I've managed to get most of my appetite back despite all the drama, and Slater is pleased to say the least. I'm terrified to step on a scale in case I get absorbed in the numbers but at least I'm eating two meals minimum a day now.

The lecture drags on uneventfully. My eyes flit to the back of the room now and then, to confirm that he's gone, and although every time I'm reassured that he is, I still can't help but check again a minute later. He haunts me like a parasite. I've been infected with his poison and until it's out of my system, I'm stuck with brutal images and memories I wish I could leave behind me.

Even the mention of his name is enough to awaken the beast clawing at its cage inside my chest. I repress it but there's only so many chains you can add until they're so heavy that you drag yourself down with them.

"Quorra?"

I look up at my name, wondering why Slater would use my first name in a lecture. As soon as I do, I realise that most of the students have filed out and a low murmur has begun - the end of the session.