—So... will you be my escort? —she asked, with that resolved smile on her face.
"...I'll never be bitten by vipers again." I thought, looking straight into her eyes.
—Just for today —I replied with indifference.
***
As we walked down the corridors, the silence between us became almost uncomfortable. Clarisse didn't speak, but she kept glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. It was as if she was waiting for me to say something first.
—Does my presence bother you? —she finally asked, stopping in front of one of the southern hallway windows. The morning light cast her silhouette clearly against the polished marble.
—I have no reason to answer that —I said without stopping.
—That's not a "no."
I didn't respond.
Clarisse let out an exaggerated sigh and caught up to me with calm steps.
—Don't underestimate me, Daven. I'm not here just out of whim.
