AN UNINVITED SHADOW

Parele watched Joz leave, a mixture of amusement and frustration churning in his gut. He knew Joz would never admit it. With a sigh, he turned back to his book, but his mind kept drifting back to the exchange.

Joz walked out of the library, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He caught himself and quickly schooled his expression to a neutral one. He had changed so much within a short while. But as he walked down the hall, he couldn't stop thinking about what just happened. Maybe Parele was right. Had he developed feelings for moheazttha? "No! No I cannot!" He said to himself. That couldn't be!

Joz had never had any romantic inclinations before. He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

As he turned down another hallway, he realized that everyone he passed was staring at him curiously. He could only imagine what a strange sight he must have been, stomping down the hallway, his expression changing from neutral to a full smile and back again in a matter of moments.