The next morning, Alex is waiting for me. I already know it’s about Layla. I think I left everyone wondering what was going on with my outburst yesterday. Maybe that’s what tipped my father off. My display was stupid and out of character. I’m sure Alex ran to my father.

I bury everything—all the hate I feel for Alex that tries to consume me—until there’s an odd silence in my head. The habit from years of training myself not to think or feel returns like a blanket ...