She wanted to rage, wanted to throw something to the wall and watch it shatter, anything to feel something in this moment. Her heart had chosen an uncomfortable flatness, a neutrality she hadn't decided on. This was survival stoicism, something she'd experienced once before in her life and loathed. The idea that her heart and mind were grieving Samuel terrified her; he was here with her. He was alive and functioning. Why couldn't she dismiss the clues before her and be grateful for his presence?
He was avoiding her eyes, dodging her attempts at connection, and it grated on her nerves. This was a frustration they hadn't planned on; just one of a million things they hadn't discussed. Pushing her plate away, no longer able to handle the pretense and falsehoods heaping up between them, Themis rose from the seat she recently took. "I have an unfortunate amount of essays to grade. Should you wish to discuss the paper we're collaborating on, I will be there." And she walked away.
He was avoiding her eyes, dodging her attempts at connection, and it grated on her nerves. This was a frustration they hadn't planned on; just one of a million things they hadn't discussed. Pushing her plate away, no longer able to handle the pretense and falsehoods heaping up between them, Themis rose from the seat she recently took. "I have an unfortunate amount of essays to grade. Should you wish to discuss the paper we're collaborating on, I will be there." And she walked away.
![[Image: Bka0H0x.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/Bka0H0x.jpeg)