I’m too drained to pretend.

“How are you feeling?” he coaxes gently, coming to stand only two feet from me. His closeness makes me antsy and we both seem uneasy. My nerves rise up now that he is really here and appraising at me.

“Detached,” I utter shyly; he frowns, evident even in the shadowy hall, and I glance away and sigh. This is harder than I thought it could ever be.

“You look tired. Go back to bed.”

“I’ve slept enough; I can’t sleep anymore.” I sound drained and empty. I pull my hair across my cheek and twirl it absent-mindedly, the soft touch on my skin comforting me,...