-Vaughn Blackmore:
The second I saw him in the mirror, my body reacted before my mind even fully processed it.
Kieran.
And just like that, the memory came back in a sharp, uncomfortable wave.
A little over two weeks ago.
The training field.
The sudden impact of being slammed into the ground so hard that the air had been knocked straight out of my lungs. The weight of someone over me, the shock of not even having time to react properly, the humiliation of being pinned down in front of everyone like it meant nothing.
The way he pushed in the cold lake when we went camping.
Kieran.
The same guy is standing in the bathroom doorway right now as if nothing had ever happened.
My grip tightened slightly around the towel in my hands without me realizing it.
For a second, I just stared at him through the mirror.
Then I forced myself to look away.
No reaction.
That's what I told myself.
Don't react.
Don't give him anything.
