Chapter 16: Time with Hale

Hale POV

HOURS EARLIER

“Hale, what are you doing?” Damian asked, walking into my room. Looking up from my desk, I gestured to the papers and laptop in front of me.

“Working on my thesis, what does it look like I’m doing?”

A groan left my brother as he rolled his eyes, as if me doing homework irritated him. In reality, that wasn’t my plan tonight, but in order to do what I wanted, I had to make sure that my staying behind from the run was believable.

“Seriously, Hale? I just got home, and we always run together as a group.”

Sighing, I shook my head, “I’m sorry, man. This is important. I have to work on it. Don’t worry, though. I will run with you next time.”

I watched as Damian stared at me for a moment as if contemplating what I was saying was true, but I had never given him a reason to doubt me before, so why start now?

“Fine.” He replied reluctantly, “Hey, what’s up with James? He is acting rather off today.”