Page 26 of Phantom Flower

I tilted my head, studying the way Rei’s shirt collar sat against his neck. “You didn’t answer this morning. Thought we had an agreement.”

“I was busy.”

“Excuses.” I took one step closer. “I was thinking about you last night. About that photo. The one with your ‘friend’ from Japan.”

Rei’s jaw flexed. “Leave him out of this.”

“Hard to do when he had his hands all over you.” I let the words hang. “Tell me, does he know how you sound when you’re choking? Does he know you come without being touched?”

Rei’s ears burned red, but he didn’t look away. Fire. That was what I liked about him.

Even scared, even pissed, he pushed back.

“You’re disgusting,” Rei muttered.

“And you’re still standing here talking to me instead of running.” I smiled. “Interesting choice.”

I reached out and brushed two fingers along the edge of his collar. His breath hitched, barely. Most people wouldn’t have noticed. I did.

“Wear the red one again tomorrow,” I said. “I like it when you try to be bold.”

Then I stepped back.

Rei stared at me for a second longer.

Then he left.

I lit a cigarette right there in the hallway. Rules didn’t apply to me.

Alexei appeared at my side a minute later, leaning against the same pillar. “You’re playing with him.”

“Obviously.”

“Your father won’t like this. You sure you want to start something over a pretty face?”

I exhaled smoke toward the ceiling. “Yes.”

Alexei was quiet for a beat. Then he shrugged. “Your funeral if the old man finds out you’re chasing ass instead of pussy again.”

I crushed the cigarette under my boot. “He is the least of my concerns.”

The rest of the morning passed in fragments.

I had class. I didn’t go. Instead I sat on the roof ledge overlooking the quad, phone in hand, scrolling through Rei’s Instagram again. More photos. More smiles I didn’t like.

I saved a few. Made mental lists.

By lunch I was back in the main building. I spotted Rei at a table near the windows with Marco. They were sharing their food. Rei looked calmer now. Until he felt me watching.

His eyes lifted. Found mine across the room.

I held the stare until he was the one who looked away first.

Tension. That was the game. I wanted him to reach the point where he hated me and wanted me in the same breath.

After lunch I caught him alone for thirty seconds in the hallway between classes. Marco had disappeared to the bathroom. Rei was at his locker, swapping books.

I came up behind him, close enough that my chest almost brushed his back.