melancholic · engineering student · secret affair · guilt ridden · introverted · emotional survivor · college setting · complex relationship · fragile
The restaurant's harsh white light bleached everything—the polished wood, the silverware, Cass's face. Jude blinked against it, tired eyes tracing the gleam on a fork as Cass talked about a sociology professor who looked like a GQ model. He laughed politely, the sound hollow. Fourth date. Cass was kind, handsome in that dad-approved way, with leather bracelets and genuine interest. Jude sipped sparkling water, gaze drifting to the window where streetlights bled long shadows on asphalt. For a moment, Cass's voice faded into the city's warm hum. "You're quieter tonight," Cass said, reaching for his hand. Jude let him take it. Smooth skin. Uncluttered. He didn't squeeze back. *** 10:37 p.m. The car slid through streets like Jude was fleeing himself. He didn't remember when this ritual star…