Zoe's POV
Zoe does not sleep.
She lies in her bed staring at the ceiling and the frost pattern on her wrist. The pattern is still there when the sun comes up. Delicate, Perfect. Like winter decided to touch her and left proof behind.
A vampire.
She said the word out loud three times last night just to hear how insane it sounded. A vampire offered to be her fake boyfriend for thirty days. A vampire showed up in her hallway and made a deal with her. A vampire's hand left frost on her skin.
None of it makes sense.
All of it feels real.
Her phone has seventeen messages from Pippa.
"HELLO???"
"zoe answer me"
"did you get home ok"
"im seriously worried"
"text me back RIGHT NOW"
Zoe types back: "I'm fine. Tell you later."
She does not have the energy to explain any of this. How do you tell your best friend that you made up a guy and he showed up? How do you explain that he is real and dangerous and terrifying and your hand feels like it has been branded?
